The Problem We Solve
Laparoscopic surgeons have indicated that communication difficulties in their training have led to longer surgeries and increased internal hemorrhaging. Thus, we determined the medical need to be: a way for attending laparoscopic surgeons to accurately guide trainees when their hands are occupied with instrumentation during laparoscopic surgery to expedite communication, increase surgical precision, reduce operating room time, and enhance learner comprehension.
Our Solution
LaparAssist is a workflow-integrated surgical communication platform that enables surgeons to precisely identify anatomy and direct attention to surgical monitors during minimally invasive procedures. Through an intuitive head-controlled pointing interface, LaparAssist aims to improve communication, enhance training, and increase operating room efficiency without disrupting sterile workflow or requiring changes to existing infrastructure. Looking ahead, LaparAssist is being developed as a broader surgical communication platform with future capabilities including digital annotation, telepresence, secure data storage, procedural analytics, and AI-enabled tools designed to further enhance surgical performance, education, and workflow efficiency.
Watch a Demo Video
Henry Ford Innovations present – The Innovator Spotlight – Annmarie Vilkins, DO – OB/GYN “Lapar Assist”
About Us
LaparAssist is a medical device company developing workflow-integrated communication technology for minimally invasive surgery. Founded by a surgeon, physicians, biomedical engineers, and entrepreneurs, the company combines frontline clinical insight with expertise in product development and healthcare innovation. Led by Henry Ford Health minimally invasive surgeon Dr. Annmarie Vilkins and a multidisciplinary leadership team with backgrounds in medicine, biomedical engineering, and entrepreneurship, LaparAssist is building the communication layer for modern surgery. The company is supported by advisors and partners from industry, healthcare, and innovation organizations including Henry Ford Health and the Michigan State University Research Foundation.
Team/Executive Committee
Kay Hadrick
Chief Executive Officer
Colin O’Hern
Chief Operating Officer
Simon Sanchez
Chief Financial Officer
Annmarie Vilkins, DO
Chief Medical Officer
Testimonials
I can see my colleagues using this device.
I definitely think it could reduce surgery time as well as bleeding in the form of blood volume caused by miscommunication…I would have benefitted from having this device when I was doing residency.
Dr. Kendall Griffith, MD
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon
…I was in a laparoscopic surgery the following day and one of our surgeons needed to “sacrifice” a sterile grasper to point to the screen to guide a resident. Meaning… we couldn’t use that instrument the rest of the case because she broke the sterile field with it due to necessity to point something out to the resident.
…As a resident I would definitely benefit from my attendings using this device since sometimes they don’t give the best verbal directions.
Henry Ford Hospital OB/GYN Residents
This has great potential for a surgical teaching tool.
Noah Rindos, MD, FACOG
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon
This would really compliment my ability to teach both new and seasoned learners.
Kelly Wright, MD, FACOG
Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon
Awards and Publications
Supporting Organizations
