A multi-point of view 3D camera system for minimally invasive surgery

Abstract Endoscopes and laparoscopes in interventional endoscopy and in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) are the eyes of the surgeon. For this reason, research for innovative and more efficient visualization devices is always active. Furthermore, surgeons appreciate innovation and are generally open to new solutions. An example of this attitude is the rapid spreading of stereoscopy in the surgical field. Three-dimensional (3D) endoscopes are already available on the market, but all of them still present several limitations; first of all, their single user feature, which makes the surgeon isolated from the staff. This problem could find a solution in the most recent frontier in 3D vision, i.e. the multi-views autostereoscopic displays (ADs). Indeed, these monitors can be watched by more than one person in different positions without the loss of 3D perspective and without the need of glasses or helmets. However, these devices have not yet found a direct application in MIS, mainly because of the encumbrance of the image acquisition system, which hardly fits in the patient anatomy. The most challenging issue is to embed multiple cameras in a device which is able to pass through a laparoscopic incision. The aim of this work is the development of a miniaturized acquisition system for MIS, which can be interfaced with multi-view ADs, thus paving the way to the use of such devices in surgery. A robust and simple solution identified by the authors in the implementation of a module which can be inserted in the longitudinal direction, while anchored and maneuvered in the horizontal one. The presented laparoscope embeds up to seven cameras, while matching MIS access incision constraints.