Diploma thesis

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Abstract

In a previous paper by Sielhorst/Blum/Navab, a surgeon’s hand movement was captured over time and in three dimensions. Several methods were compared of how to synchronize the resulting 3D trajectories over time. With the help of the most promising algorithm called “Dynamic Time Warping”, the operating procedures of different surgeons could be compared in an objective manner. In this thesis, the existing approach using DTW will be expanded in order to automatically retrieve the workflow of a whole surgical procedure. The underlying surgery, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is a standard procedure with a distinct and systematic sequence of events. Nevertheless, time and workflow variations occur due to the surgeon’s experience and anatomic conditions of the patient. The goal of this work is to create a system which synchronizes the data recorded from multiple operations. With the help of this, the system then should try to identify key events in the workflow of the operations. In order to achieve this, a set of video and audio signals will be recorded during multiple operations. The synchronization will be performed using a signal telling which laparoscopic instrument is in use at every moment during the operation. Another challenge is to synchronize several operations, since the DTW so far only allows for the synchronization of two signals at a time. Training systems, surgeon assistance, workflow optimization inside the OR and an “intelligent” OR are possible scenarios of a successful outcome of this project.

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