Augmented reality for laparoscopic liver navigation

Laparoscopic surgery provides several benefits to the patients such as reduce postoperative discomfort, hospital stay time and recovery time. Despite the clinical benefits, since the surgeon views the organ on a 2D monitor, technical challenges such as loss of depth perception, limited tactile feedback and reduced orientation limit the use of this technique.

The goal of this project is to reduce these drawbacks by developing a tracked laparoscope which position and orientation is known in real time.

By tracking a laparoscope, several technologies such as augmented reality will be enabled. This will allow to overlay preoperative models on the organ directly onto the laparoscopic view, thus giving the surgeon better orientation and depth perception.

Starting from an already available scope and a commercially adapted camera, the project consists in developing a suitable enclosure which includes a EM tracked sensor, which allows for 3D positioning. This will be developed through 3D modelling software and build through 3D printing techniques. Thereafter, techniques for camera calibration will be applied, allowing to overlay 3D models directly onto the laparoscopic view. The tracked laparoscope will be then tested and validated with the support of surgeons.

project goal:

To develop a tracked laparoscope whose position and orientation can be recovered in real-time. This will enable augmented reality visualizations which will ease laparoscopic surgery but enhancing depth perception and orientation.

Prerequisites

• Enthusiastic Master student in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, technical medicine or a related field
• A good team player with excellent communication skills
• A creative solution-finder

Duration: 40 weeks (M3)

Start date: a.s.a.p.