Instrument Tracking in the Operating Room: Optimization of RFID tag performance

In hospitals, the duration of surgical procedures vary even when the same procedure is performed.<br/>Surgical end-time of the procedure is currently predicted using historical data about similar procedures,<br/>the procedure time and sometimes an indication of the operating surgeon is also taken into account.<br/>After the start of the...

Compliant joint echogenicity in ultrasound images: towards highly visible steerable needles

Radio frequency ablation is commonly used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinicians rely on imaging techniques, such as medical ultrasound, to confirm an accurate needle placement. This accuracy may improve by means of active needle steering techniques, which are currently in development. Needle steering will likely increase the...

Surgical phase modelling in minimal invasive surgery

Background: Surgical Process Modelling (SPM) offers the possibility to automatically gain insight in the surgical workflow, with the potential to improve OR logistics and surgical care. Most studies have focussed on phase recognition modelling of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, because of its standard and frequent execution. To demonstrate...

Training in urology: The development of a tracking feedback system for flexible scopes

During the training of new doctors in cystoscopy a problem could occur. When the trainee controls the cystoscope, the supervising doctor is focussed on the scope images on a monitor. Because the supervising doctor is not holding the scope, location feedback is absent. This makes it difficult to determine whether the entire inner surface of the...