Coaxial projective imaging system for surgical navigation and telementoring

Area of Science:

• Medical Technology
• Surgical Navigation
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Remote surgical guidance is crucial for training and resource-limited settings.
• Existing telementoring systems face challenges in image acquisition and annotation projection accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a coaxial projective imaging (CPI) module for real-time tele-guided surgery.
• To assess the accuracy and feasibility of CPI for telementoring surgical interventions.

Main Methods:

• Designed a CPI module with a coaxial optical path for integrated imaging and projection.
• Implemented a color correction algorithm to ensure true surgical scene color representation.
• Conducted benchtop and in vivo studies (rabbit cricothyrotomy) to evaluate system performance.

Main Results:

• Achieved positional accuracy better than 1 mm at working distances of 300-500 mm in benchtop tests.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of tele-mentored surgical navigation in an in vivo model.
• Verified seamless imaging and accurate annotation projection capabilities of the CPI system.

Conclusions:

• The CPI system offers a novel solution for tele-guided surgery with high precision.
• This technology has significant potential for surgical training and telementored procedures in underserved regions.
• Represents the first report of tele-guided surgery utilizing a CPI module.