Holographic Images in the Operating Room Will Soon Become a Reality

A stereoscopic display system under development visualizes human anatomy in its true-to-life three-dimensional (3D) form without having to wear special 3D glasses.

The LifeVision system is an autostereoscopic, full-motion, laser-based optical system that displays interactive, stereoscopic images in real time, without glasses. The heart of the system is an advanced technology called a holographic optical element (HOE). The HOE is a holographic enhancement element, which enables images projected through it to be visually perceived as 3D by reconstructing rays of light at a point in space where they converge to form very accurate right eye and left eye viewing perspectives. A viewing sensation is created where the human brain perceives an image in free space having the color, clarity, and depth of the original object. Using modern video projection systems, the system captures signals from endoscopes and other live video feeds, and simultaneously displays 3D video with breathtaking realism. The real-time holographic display makes it possible for the physician to comfortably view the surgical field while also maintaining visual contact with other important activities occurring in the operating room (OR). A face tracking system maintains an ideal relationship between the viewer and the display in the horizontal plane; vertical adjustments are done manually to accommodate individual viewer need. No special headgear or other tracking devices are required. The LifeVision system is under development by Absolute Imaging (Livonia, MI, USA).

"Most of today's laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries are viewed on a flat, two-dimensional (2D), high definition display,” said Richard Kughn, cofounder of Absolute Imaging. "Using this prototype 3D display, physicians are able to see human anatomy in its true-to-life form with the added dimension of depth. That they can do so without glasses is a major technological breakthrough. Now surgeons can perform endoscopic procedures with greater comfort and confidence, and have the added benefit of seeing other activity in the operating room with their natural vision.”

The historical approach for displaying an autostereoscopic image has been the parallax barrier, a physical barrier of material with very fine slits that is set a precise distance from the image plane of a flat panel television (typically LCD), and relies on parallax to separate right eye and left eye viewing perspectives. Horizontal resolution and light output are significantly impacted with this approach, and the "sweet spot,” or zone where one can best visualize a stereoscopic image, is very small. This and other early attempts at providing a stereoscopic image have generally fallen short of user expectations.

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