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Physicians testing the new LifeVision™ family of 3D technologies at The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) meeting in Phoenix, AZ, gave the newly developed prototype nearly perfect ratings in nine categories and enthusiastically supported its use in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries.
The LifeVision™ system, developed by Absolute Imaging, LLC, of Livonia, MI, enables surgeons to look at a display and visualize human anatomy in its true-to-life 3D form without having to wear 3D glasses. The system was first tested by three Oakwood Heritage Hospital surgeons and their medical support team in Taylor, MI in March 2009. The SAGES meeting in April 2009, attended by more than 2,800 physicians and surgeons, marked the first public demonstration of the LifeVision™ technology.
Comments such as “we could use this system now,” “this is so easy to use,” and “the realism is amazing,” were common refrains among the physicians at SAGES. Their comments echoed those of the Oakwood Heritage Hospital surgeons who praised LifeVision for its added realism, ease of use, ease of adoption, and added depth perception.
Using a 5-point scale, the physicians at SAGES rated performance in nine categories, including comfort, dexterity improvement, cutting, suturing, camera navigation, and robotics, as well as for technical improvement and improvement over existing 2D HD tools. Nearly 100 tests were performed by physicians from disciplines such as bariatric, gastro, colorectal, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and vascular. LifeVision received the maximum rating of “5” on 97 percent of the tests and no ratings less than “4.”
“We are excited about the continuing high acceptance of the LifeVision technology for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS),” said Richard Kughn, long-time Detroit businessman and co-founder of Absolute Imaging. “Approximately two-thirds of all surgeries performed today still use a more traditional open approach and most of today’s laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries are viewed on a flat, two-dimensional (2D), High Definition display. We believe the added comfort and realism provided by a glasses-free 3D image will make it is easier for a surgeon to consider the MIS option.”
Until the late 1970s, nearly all surgical procedures required an opening in the patient large enough for the surgeon to see inside the body and insert instruments used during the operation. Since then, the miniaturization of video technology has made it possible for surgeons to easily look beneath the skin with cameras connected to tubes called laparoscopes or endoscopes. Minimally Invasive Surgery involves the use of an endoscope in conjunction with other surgical devices inserted through relatively small incisions made on the patient. The major benefits of MIS are superior cosmetic result, less post-operative pain, shorter recovery times, and the reduced risk of infection.
Absolute Imaging (a3di.com), in conjunction with its research partners, will be conducting a number of tests intended to quantify improvements resulting from performing MIS with its autostereoscopic 3D display (a3di.com). LifeVision™ will be available for private showings May 4-6, 2009 at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) show in San Diego, CA.
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