A surgery assistance system that tracks changes in the shape and position of organs in real time, and directly projects information necessary for surgery has been advanced by Mitaki Kohki Co. (Japan), Panasonic Corporation and Kyoto University.
The infrared Medical Imaging Projection System (MIPS) tracks changes in the shape and positions of organs and projects images directly onto the patient as a guide for surgeons during complex operations. The technology eliminates the need for surgeons to keep looking away from the patient to study a monitor, a shortcoming of current imaging methods based on indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging techniques. In this approach, injected fluorescent ICG dye glows under infrared light to produce images displayed on a monitor.
Integrated with projection mapping technology from Panasonic and medical microscope manufacturing technology from Mitaka Kohki, the MIPS projects the ICG image captured by an infrared camera directly on the patient's organ using a projector. The optical axes of the camera and projector are perfectly aligned, so any movements or shape changes of the organ are tracked in real-time.
The generation of real-time information negates the need for doctors to look away from the surgical field. The vibration-proof MIPS also helps surgeons place incisions precisely along projected lines, which minimizes bleeding and can help shorten recovery times.