Input system interface for image-guided surgery based on augmented reality

Abstract

Augmented reality allows users to enhance their perception of the real world by using technology to overlap digital information onto their field of view. This raises challenges of a technical and conceptual nature, the latter particularly from an interaction design standpoint. The implementation of such technology has advantages in many areas of human activity, including its use in clinical interventions. The main objective of this research is to develop a navigation system for Image Guided Surgery (IGS), capable of combining the real world elements of the surgeon's visual field with virtual representations of internal organs, tissues, meta-information and clinical instruments allowing clinicians to approach surgical procedures much more fluently. This proposed method would be supported by electromagnetic tracking, allowing surgeons to view captures from the ultrasonic probe directly in their field of view. This would make it possible to support needle insertion in a more naturalistic environment. As the first of a series of evaluations, the input system interface will be presented and discussed in this paper.