Augmented Reality Supported 3D Laparoscopy

The introduction of 3D technology has led to considerably improved orientation, precision and speed in laparoscopic surgery. It facilitates laparoscopic partial nephrectomy even for renal tumors in a more complicated position. Not every renal tumor is easily identifiable by its topography. There are different reasons for this. For one thing, renal tumors cannot protrude from the parenchymal border; for another thing, the kidney is enclosed in a connective tissue capsule that is sometimes very difficult to dissect from the parenchyma.
On the other hand, the main goal of tumor surgery is to completely remove the carcinomatous focus. Thus open surgery is regularly performed for tumors that either do not protrude substantially from the parenchyma or intraoperatively show strong adhesions with the renal capsule, as described above. In terms of treatment safety for the kidney, this technique yields basically similar results. However, the larger incision involves significant disadvantages with regard to the patients quality of life.
In this project, we aim to develop am augmented reality approach in which cross-sectional images (MRI or CT) are fused with real-time 3D laparoscopic images. The research project aims to establish the insertion and identification of markers particularly suitable for imaging as the basis for image-guided therapy.