An Augmented Reality Platform for Preoperative Surgical Planning

Researching in new technologies for diagnosis, planning and medical treatment have allowed the development of computer tools that provide new ways of representing data obtained from patient's medical images such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this sense, augmented reality (AR) technologies provide a new form of data representation by combining the common analysis using images and the ability to superimpose virtual 3D representations of the organs of the human body in the real environment. In this paper the development of a generic computer platform based on augmented reality technology for surgical preoperative planning is presented. In particular, the surgeon can navigate in the 3D models of the patient's organs in order to have the possibility to perfectly understand the anatomy and plan in the best way the surgical procedure. In addition, a touchless interaction with the virtual organs is available thanks to the use of an armband provided of electromiographic muscle sensors. To validate the system, we focused in a navigation through aorta artery for mitral valve repair surgery.