HiWi position PLAFOKON

Advisor: Prof. Nassir Navab
Supervision by: Ralf Stauder & Daniel Ostler

Overview

Surgical Data Science is a relatively new field that aims at analyzing and automatically understanding the situation in the operating room at any time during a surgery. This can enable further solutions, such as smarter robotic assistance systems, automatic action triggering, and predictions on future actions. These predictions of course need datasets of recordings and medical annotations by experts, so that automatic systems can be trained and improved. Since SDS is still a relatively novel research area, there is a lot of potential for ground-breaking, pioneering activities.

The position is suitable for up to 20h/w. If you are interested in this position (or have any questions regarding it), feel free to contact Ralf Stauder.

Clinical Setting

Our work is currently mainly focused on laparoscopic cholecystectomies, which are minimally-invasive gallbladder removals. This procedure is performed very often, has a rather well-defined process, is of relatively low medical risk, yet provides many of the technical challenges of other, highly complex procedures.

Tasks

In order to build a database suitable for machine learning, surgeries need to be recorded and commented by medical staff. A database system should be built, including a user interface suited for "non-technical personnel". Additionally the recording of the surgeries should be monitored, special events and situations noted, and the physicians' evaluations and measurements should be recorded.

The software development can be done either in Garching, at IFL Klinikum Rechts der Isar, or at MITI Klinikum Rechts der Isar. Recording and observation of surgeries must be done in the surgical department of Klinikum Rechts der Isar.

Requirements

• Programming skills, preferably in C# or related language
• Basic knowledge of database systems
• Knowledge of user interface design advantageous, but not required