Eldrick Millares, Co-Founder and CEO of Illuminant Surgical: The First Real-time Anatomical Projection System for Spine Surgery and Interventional Access

Illuminant Surgical (YC S22) is building the world’s first real-time anatomical projection system for spine surgery and interventional access-displaying imaging directly onto the patient to give surgeons a view of what’s beneath the skin. It uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, and dynamic projection mapping to make image-guided procedures seamless and accessible for all care settings and specialties.

Led by Co-Founder and CEO Eldrick Millares, the company is safely and swiftly developing the system to improve patient outcomes in spinal fusion procedures, its initial beachhead indication.

Spinal fusion has a relatively elevated revision rate, meaning patients often require additional surgeries due to misplacement or other consequences of imprecision.

By projecting real-time imaging, instrument tracking, and anatomical mapping directly onto the patient with sub-two millimeter accuracy, surgeons gain enhanced visibility during procedures, improving precision and reducing the likelihood of revision surgeries.

Eldrick was incredibly gracious in providing us with an in-person demo after our conversation at their office in Culver City, and I was absolutely blown away by their transformational technology.

00:00:00 - Eldrick's Background

17:18:11 - Founding Illuminant Surgical

27:25:14 - The World's First Anatomical Projection System

37:27:17 - Potential Applications Beyond Spine Surgery

42:42:27 - Near-Term Roadmap

46:03:21 - Conclusion