Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) is becoming an essential tool for surgical planning and guidance as well as training for procedures. The SARA project will investigate the use of augmented reality to overlay a 3D rendering of medical images and planning information onto the patient’s anatomy during neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery to enhance the CAS experience.
CAS solutions provide anatomical references to surgeons as well as planning information such as cutting lines and resection boundaries and may automatically update based on the positions of tools or pointers. However, surgeons must look away from the patient to a nearby display and mentally align the visualized 2D structures with what they see on the table. Augmented reality overcomes this issue by projecting information directly onto the surgeon’s field of vision.
The SARA consortium is composed of members with expertise in medical imaging and 3D modeling, augmented reality, surgical technology and training models and integrated operating rooms. They will use the Microsoft Hololens to explore the use of AR in surgical training, planning and execution.
SARA will develop the following tools and components:
The SARA project will result in several demonstrators for the use of AR apps in multiple surgical contexts. Detailed requirements lists, control recommendations and accuracy and reliability analyses will be produced as well. In addition, the feasibility of AR in surgery will be evaluated in view of future applications, as will surgeons’ views and attitudes on the use of AR in the operating room.
“The SARA project will investigate the use of augmented reality to overlay a 3D rendering of medical images and planning information onto the patient’s anatomy during surgery. The aim is to enhance the computer-assisted surgery experience and reduce the cognitive pressure on surgeons.”
Surgical Augmented Reality Assistance.
SARA is an imec.icon research project funded by imec and Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen.
It started on 01.10.2018 and is set to run until 30.09.2020.