engleski

Real time transfer of live video images in parallel with 3D-models of the surgical field in 3D-computer assisted telesurgery

The video image is critical in teleendoscopic surgery and must be of the highest quality. Using software and hardware M-JPEG compression, it was found that one video stream from the endocamera in full PAL resolution and with audio required a bandwidth of about 20-30Mb/s. Our M-JPEG encoders were upgraded with MPEG1 and later with MPEG2 encoders, because we had a bandwidth of only 155Mb/s for data, video, audio and control communication. MPEG1 seems very good for conferencing ; however, the endoscope video signal of the operating field required better image quality. The encoded MPEG1 video stream with audio was transferred to the remote location in full frame resolution using a bandwidth of about 6Mb/s (multiple T1 lines). When our encoder was upgraded to the MPEG2 standard, the quality of the video image was adequate for the operating field endocamera. A bandwidth of 8Mb/s produced a high quality video stream at the remote site. Using MPEG streams, the video signal could be transferred from the endocamera to the remote location for consultancy or education. As known in the circles of telemedicine/telesurgery, the basic cost of the presented system is known. It includes standard telemedicine equipment which should be mounted at any institution for the institution to be connected to the telemedicine network. This equipment allows for transfer of live video image of the operative field, CT images, commentaries, surgery guidance, etc. In addition, a computer with appropriate volume rendering software support should be introduced in the operating theater. All these devices are now standard equipment available on the market at quite reasonable prices. For comparison, the overall price of these devices is by far lower than the price of a system for image guided surgery, currently mounted in many hospital all over the world. Once installed and tested, the whole system can be used without any special assistance of technical personnel (computer experts and/or network specialties). Clinical institutions (e.g., Zagreb University Hospital Center), which have expert clinical work places, employ properly educated and trained technical personnel who can be readily included in the preparation and performance of tele-3D-C-FESS surgery as well as in the storage of the procedure itself and of intraoperatively generated computer 3D animations.

real time; live video images; 3D-models; 3D-computer assisted surgery; telesurgery

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