Chios, Polydoros; (2002) The design process of an autostereoscopic viewing interface for computer-assisted microsurgery. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This thesis describes and evaluates the design process of an autostereoscopic viewing interface for computer-assisted microsurgery using augmented reality techniques. The augmentation of three-dimensional real-time optical images, as these are acquired from the surgical microscope, with volumetric reconstructions from CT/MRI data, ensures that the surgeon is offered optimum visual information about the patient's pathology at the time of surgery, thus allowing him/her to perform highly complicated procedures with a great degree of accuracy. It is well known that the working conditions in the operating theatre are uncomfortable since the surgeon has to operate by looking through a surgical microscope. The interface looks to improve the way surgeons perceive visual data, by introducing the use of a prototype 3D visual display unit that replaces the viewing end of the surgical microscope, thereby making surgery much less stressful for the surgeon and much less hazardous for the patient. The design process of the prototype, based on Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics, is divided into four cycles. In Cycle I, the author focuses on potential users and their needs during microsurgical operations. This is done by creating user physical and behavioural aspect models from in-situ video observations. In Cycle II, an original design for the proposed interface is established, followed by early and continuous usability testing of the prototype under development. The cycle concludes with prototype evaluation and a quantitative analysis of the interface's accuracy and precision. In Cycle III, the designer applies iterative design techniques in order to optimise the interface's effectiveness, particularly the sensation of depth during autostereoscopic viewing. Scientific work during this phase includes psychophysical experiments in stereo vision and a qualitative analysis of effective and pleasing viewing, based on ranking. Finally, in Cycle IV, the designer suggests an integrated design of the interface in the operating theatre, based on successful I/O control of the interface's broadcasting and communicative signal parameters. Research work during this phase comprises the design and implementation of a fibre optics network for real-time stereo imaging.

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