Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025
10:25
Technical Approach for Infrared Tracking for Soft Tissue Navigation with a Holographic Head-Mounted Display and Preclinical Validation
Published on: September 2, 2025
136
Texture-based Intraoperative Image Guidance for Tumor Localization in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Summary
Accurately locating tumors during minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is difficult. A new texture-based image guidance system using tactile-guided ultrasound improves tumor detection accuracy and efficiency in MIS.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging
- Surgical technology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Intraoperative tumor localization in deflated lungs during minimally invasive surgery (MIS) presents significant challenges due to limited tactile feedback through small incisions.
- Existing multisensory imaging devices offer surface tactile maps and tissue depth visualization but lack maneuverability for efficient tumor localization.
- Instrumented palpation in MIS can be tedious and inefficient for precise tumor identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel texture-based image guidance system for enhanced intraoperative tumor localization in MIS.
- To improve the efficiency and accuracy of tumor detection using tactile-guided ultrasound.
- To provide interactive feedback for directed palpation during MIS procedures.
Main Methods:
- A texture-based image guidance system was developed, classifying tactile-guided ultrasound texture regions.
- K-means clustering was employed to group gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM)-based texture features from ultrasound regions.
- Hidden Markov model-based belief propagation was utilized to establish confidence in clustered features and autonomously detect tumorous and non-tumorous textures.
Main Results:
- The system achieved high accuracy in localizing tumors in ex vivo soft tissue specimens during staged MIS.
- Tumor localization accuracy reached 98%, with 99% sensitivity and 97% specificity.
- The texture-based guidance system demonstrated significant improvements in efficiency and control over instrumented palpation.
Conclusions:
- Texture-based image guidance enhances efficiency and control in instrumented palpation for MIS.
- The developed system offers improved fluidity and accuracy in image acquisition, even with hand-held devices.
- This approach addresses the challenges of intraoperative tumor localization in MIS, particularly in deflated lungs.
