Computer aided surgery--vision and feasibility of an advanced operation theatre

The aim of several projects at the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics is the development of new analysis, visualization and interaction tools and their integration into an advanced operating theater (OP 2000). These components are intended to assist not only in surgery planning but also to ooer online surgery support. For this reason it is essential to provide not only powerful and accurate tools, but an environment as intuitive and familiar to the surgeon as possible ensuring maximum of computer support. This can be achieved by an optimal synthesis of real and computer-generated data and by engaging diierent human senses (eg. visual , acustic, haptic). A demonstration system has been constructed. CT, MR and images of anatomical sections have been used as input data for the reconstruction of a three-dimensional human reference model. This model is presented in a virtual reality environment equiped with advanced interaction tools.