3-D system helps train UK surgeons

Nov. 28, 2012
A stereoscopic system is helping to train surgeons in complex procedures such as brain surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge, England).

A stereoscopic system is helping to train surgeons in complex procedures such as brain surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge, England).

The high-definition stereoscopic visualization system developed by TrueVision Systems (Santa Barbara, CA, USA) displays the surgical field of view in real-time on a 3-D flat-panel display in the operating room, enabling trainee surgeons to view extremely detailed operations.

The equipment enables up to 10 trainee surgeons to observe the surgery at a time. Using 3-D glasses they are able to see what traditionally only one or two surgeons could observe through a microscope. After the surgery, students, trainee and senior surgeons can review the footage and discuss the procedure.

"Using this technology relieved me from the worry of disturbing the flow of the operation with questions and made learning a less stressful and more enjoyable process," says Dr. Damiano Barone, a junior neurosurgical trainee from Italy, now working in Liverpool.

Earlier this month, Leica Microsystems and TrueVision announced that key components of TrueVision Systems' 3-D intelligent digital visualization and guidance platform would be integrated with select models of Leica Microsystems' ophthalmic surgical microscopes.

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