Intraoperative visualization of surgical planning data using video projectors

The Institute for Process Control and Robotics has developed a new system using projector based augmented reality for the intraoperative visualization of preoperatively defined surgical planning data. Projector based augmented reality in medical applications represents a new field of research and gives an alternative solution to the commonly used Head Mounted Display technology. Moreover, the projector is not only used for visualization, but also for registration of the patient without the usage of invasive fiducial techniques as e.g. screw markers or frames. Recent results showed an achieved accuracy of +/- 1.5 mm which roughly meets clinical demands.