Seattle-based startup Proprio is making major strides in surgical innovation with its AI-powered imaging system. And its efforts just received another boost from regulators. The company has secured its second 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this time allowing its technology to incorporate real-time intraoperative measurements during surgery.
Proprio’s flagship platform, Paradigm, is built to transform how surgeons see and interact with the surgical field. It integrates high-resolution intraoperative imaging with pre-operative 3D scans. Using a blend of advanced technologies — including light field imaging, augmented reality, computer vision, robotics, and machine learning. The result? A powerful tool that lets surgeons visualize and assess their work as they operate.
According to CEO and co-founder Gabriel Jones, this is a big leap forward. “We’re moving from educated guesswork to real-time, data-informed precision. The ability to take accurate intraoperative measurements marks a turning point for surgical navigation.”
Paradigm has already been put to use in hundreds of surgeries at top-tier medical institutions, including UW Medicine and Duke Health. Its impact is particularly significant in spinal surgeries, where precision is critical.
Dr. Rick Bransford, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Harborview Medical Center, explained how the system changes the game: “Unlike traditional navigation methods that rely on intraoperative radiation, Paradigm provides precise screw placement guidance with zero radiation exposure. That’s a major win for both surgeons and patients.”
Founded in 2016 as a spinout from the University of Washington, Proprio has since grown to over 50 employees and raised $84 million in venture funding. The startup ranks No. 17 on the GeekWire 200, a curated list of the top privately held tech companies in the Pacific Northwest.
This latest FDA clearance builds on the company’s first approval in 2023, strengthening its position as a trailblazer in AI-assisted surgical tools. While the company has not disclosed revenue figures, its growing clinical adoption and regulatory milestones signal strong traction.
With Paradigm, Proprio is not just improving surgical visualization — it’s helping usher in a new era of safer, more precise, and data-driven surgeries.
