Augmented Reality to visualize laparoscopy

Use of augmented reality (AR) is the latest technology in laparoscopy or minimally invasive surgery (MIS) during abdominal surgery which has decreased the post-operative pain, recovery time, difficulty rate and the infections. But factors: system accuracy, the low image quality of the system output, high operating time, depth perception of organs and real-time laparoscopy view are the main shortcoming of such AR systems.

Data, visualization techniques and view classification are introduced which defines each of the major components of the system required to implement an augmented reality visualization system. These components should be considered and used as validation criteria for introducing augmented reality visualization system into the operating room which will help the end user and surgeons for the clear field of view during abdominal surgery.

Augmented reality visualization has become a promising technology in the medical field for surgical guidance, training, diagnosis and planning. Introducing augmented reality (AR) to laparoscopic surgery proved to be a feasible solution to reduce intervention which causes loss of direct vision and tangible feedback upon the spot for the surgeons. The main purpose of this technology is to help the surgeon to eliminate most of the shortcomings of open surgery like proper depth perception, less operating time, real-time laparoscopic view and high-quality image during surgery.

Augmented reality (AR) is the integration of digital information with the existing environment in real time which overlays new information on top of it. In this technology, patient’s anatomical structures in the real world are augmented by computer-generated perpetual information including multiple sensory modalities to form an interactive experience of the real surgical environment to the end users.

To bring components of the digital world like MRI images into surgeons’ perception of the real surgical environment is the primary value of augmented reality visualization in image-guided surgery. The perceptual environment in AR is real which is obtained by combining three dimensions of spatial value with time and virtual objects are added to this real environment. In image-guided surgery, patient’s digital representation or model of preoperative data resembles virtual object whereas operating room, medical personnel, patient, surgical tools and equipment, sensors and computer monitor forms part of the real environment.

Augmented reality visualization system is a great innovation in the medical field which overcomes the surgeon’s limited visual field of view during surgical procedures. Development in augmented reality visualization system in image-guided surgery helped to reduce surgeon’s limited visual field.

Originally published at https://medium.com on February 6, 2020.