A virtual environment for surgical image guidance in intraoperative MRI. |
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Authors: | Eigil Samset Anne Talsma Marius Kintel Ole Jakob Elle Lars Aurdal Henry Hirschberg Erik Fosse |
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Affiliation: | The Interventional Centre, The National Hospital of Norway, University of Oslo, Norway. eigil.samset@klinmed.uio.no |
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Abstract: | Intraoperative MRI has recently entered the operating room as a new imaging modality. Customized visualization systems might further facilitate the use of this imaging technology. A visualization system for use in the interventional MRI has been developed, providing a virtual environment for surgical navigation using real-time images and for controlling the scanner. The visualization system has customized features for certain clinical applications. A training and testing facility has also been established. The introduction of the visualization system in the interventional MRI overcame several ambiguities and inconsistencies that were previously present, and resulted in a more transparent man-machine interface approach. A pilot study using the software to place cryoprobes in an animal liver showed promising results. Augmentation of real-time MR images with 3D rendering and customized navigation features opens new possibilities in intraoperative MRI. The described system can also be extended to other intraoperative imaging modalities. |
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