Image mapping of untracked free‐hand endoscopic views to an ultrasound image‐constructed 3D placenta model. Issue 2 (7th May 2014) - Yang, Liangjing
Abstract Background This study presents a tracker‐less image‐mapping framework for surgical navigation motivated by the clinical need for intuitive visual guidance during minimally invasive fetoscopic surgery. Methods A navigation framework mapping 2D endoscopic vision to a 3D ultrasound image model is proposed. This maps an endoscopic image onto a 3D placenta model through a one‐time ultrasound image‐based localization method followed by a series of concurrent image alignments and texture mapping of the untracked endoscopic video stream. Results The mean absolute error of our ultrasound image‐based localization method was (1.63 mm, 0.93°). The simulation analysis reveals an upper bound mapping performance with a mean error of 1.53 mm. In a phantom experiment, the overall mapping performance is close to this accuracy and achieves a mean absolute error of 2 mm, thereby supporting the feasibility of this method. Conclusion This novel integration of intraoperative visual guidance has potential contributions to innovative fusions of image guidance techniques for effective navigation in minimally invasive fetoscopic surgery. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.