A woman in a lab coat analyzes information displayed on a screen in a research laboratory.

Provoyance

Provoyance® Shoulder: AI-Powered 3D Surgical Planning

A next-generation platform enabling precise shoulder replacement procedures.

“Our partnership with Provoyance® powered by intive was and is instrumental in developing a unique platform with a visually stunning and engaging interface. Leveraging innovative technologies, they delivered a comprehensive tool that simple templating methods cannot match, clearly differentiating the value of our products in the market and helping our surgeon customers efficiently and accurately plan their surgical cases.”

Dave Blue

Chief Customer Experience Officer - Shoulder Innovations

Overview

Backed by a strategic alliance with intive, Provoyance® partnered with Shoulder Innovations to develop an AI-powered 3D pre-surgical planning platform that revolutionizes shoulder replacement procedures.

Client

Shoulder Innovations is a commercial-stage medical technology company exclusively focused on transforming the shoulder surgical care market, with a current offering of advanced implant systems for shoulder arthroplasty.

Services

AI-based medical imaging and auto-segmentation

Immersive 3D visualization

SaMD development

FDA-compliant engineering

Cloud-based architecture

A 3D model of a human body is shown on a computer screen, focusing on the structure of the shoulder bone.

The Challenge

Traditional 2D templating methods presented significant limitations for complex shoulder arthroplasty procedures, leading to extended intraoperative decision-making and inefficient inventory management. Shoulder Innovations identified an opportunity to redefine surgical planning in the orthopedic market, requiring a partner capable of navigating both technological complexity and regulatory rigor.

In strategic partnership with Provoyance® powered by intive, the goal was to develop preoperative planning software that would convert CT imaging studies into detailed 3D bone reconstructions, delivering precise anatomical visualization and accurate surgical plans for both anatomic and reverse shoulder arthroplasty cases.

The solution had to be achieved within the strict regulatory framework of the U.S. healthcare market. FDA compliance was a core requirement from day one, requiring adherence to IEC 62304 standards, full process traceability, and clinical validation against real imaging results.

Our Solution

Provoyance® powered by intive developed a comprehensive Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) bridging AI-driven automatic bone detection with immersive 3D visualization for real-world clinical practice.

AI and Computer Vision at the Core

The platform leverages a scalable machine learning model with custom algorithms for automatically identifying and segmenting bone structures from CT scans. Advanced computer vision techniques enhance segmentation accuracy, enabling surgeons to select images of interest and receive interactive 3D anatomical models. These models allow evaluation of implant options, precise positioning planning alongside 2D views, and generation of comprehensive surgical reports for OR reference.

Immersive 3D Visualization

To achieve optimal 3D rendering, the team employed Unity – a 3D graphics engine typically used in video games. This unconventional choice delivered a visually stunning interface with real-time rendering capabilities for complex anatomical structures, transforming how surgeons interact with patient anatomy.

A doctor uses a computer to present x-ray of the shoulder bone during a medical examination.

Built for Clinical Reality

The architecture was designed for real-world clinical environments: cloud-based infrastructure for scalability, cross-platform compatibility, and integration capabilities with hospital systems. Development followed an iterative Scrum framework tailored for healthcare software, with specific procedures meeting FDA clearance requirements and IEC 62304 standards for medical software lifecycle.

Impact

Provoyance® powered by intive delivered a real-time platform that moves beyond traditional 2D planning methods, combining AI-powered automation with immersive 3D visualization. The result is a comprehensive solution that transforms surgical planning accuracy, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes.

4x faster surgical planning

with AI-powered automation

90%
reduction

in required support for segmentation

FDA 510(K) Clearance

achieved in April 2021

Clinical Excellence

ProvProvoyance® Shoulder's enhanced visualization of complex anatomical structures enables accurate implant positioning with precise surgical scenario previews, allowing surgeons to anticipate complexity and uncertainties during strategic case planning. The solution streamlines preparation cycles, improving preoperative and intraoperative communication across surgical teams through comprehensive planning documentation

Business and Operational Value

Market Leadership

Provoyance® Shoulder has been widely adopted across Shoulder Innovations' orthopedic surgeon customer base, establishing industry recognition as a leading shoulder surgery planning solution.

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