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Published on: July 6, 2017
Guiding the surgical gesture using an electro-tactile stimulus array on the tongue: a feasibility study
Fabien Robineau1, Frédéric Boy, Jean-Pierre Orliaguet
1Technique in Imaging, Modeling and Cognition Laboratory, Institute for Applied Mathematics in Grenoble, CNRS-UMR 5525, Faculty of Medicine, F-38706, La Tronche, France.
IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|April 5, 2007
Summary
This study explores using a tongue display for surgical guidance, offering an alternative to visual systems. This sensory substitution method aids surgeons in precise needle placement during minimally invasive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Devices
- Sensory Substitution
Background:
- Conventional surgery requires surgeons to manage multiple tasks, including patient care and monitoring.
- Computer-assisted surgery enhances minimally invasive procedures using 3D cameras for needle localization and guidance.
- Current systems rely on visual feedback, dedicating the surgeon's visual attention to indirect spatial information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of sensory substitution via a Tongue Display Unit (TDU) for surgical tool guidance.
- To assess if TDU guidance can improve intracorporeal puncture accuracy compared to traditional visual guidance.
- To explore freeing the visual modality for direct surgical gesture observation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Bach-y-Rita's Tongue Display Unit (TDU), a 6x6 electrode array delivering electrotactile feedback.
- Developed a system to transmit information about needle deviation from a planned optimal trajectory to the TDU.
- Conducted an experiment comparing TDU guidance with standard visual guidance for intracorporeal puncture tasks.
Main Results:
- The study assessed the guidance effectiveness of the TDU for intracorporeal puncture.
- Performance metrics under TDU guidance were compared against those under conventional visual guidance systems.
- Preliminary findings indicate the potential of TDU for enhancing surgical navigation.
Conclusions:
- Sensory substitution using the TDU offers a novel approach to surgical guidance.
- This method can provide crucial spatial information without relying solely on visual feedback.
- The TDU shows promise as an alternative or supplementary tool for improving surgical precision in minimally invasive procedures.
