Enhancing Reality in the Operating Room

Ron Kikinis, MD David Altobelli, MD Langham Gleason, MD Ferenc Jolesz, MD Brigham and Womens Hospital Department of Radiology 75 Francis Street Boston, MA 02115 617-732-5961 [email protected] 1: Introduction Three-dimensional medical imaging provides a non-invasive visualization of human anatomy. These 3D images can supplant the diagnostic information in the 2D cross-sectional images provided by X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The 3D images also enhance communication between the radiologist, who has special training to interpret the CT and MRI images, and the referring physician or surgeon, who are often more comfortable with 3D presentations. This note describes a procedure for surgical planning and surgical support that combines live video of the patient with the computer-generated 3D anatomy of the patient. Prior to surgery, this video mixing permits surgeons to plan access to the pathology that exists within the patient. During an operation, the surgeon can view the live video of the patient’s internal anatomy mixed with the 3D computer models.