バーチャルリアリティ技術を援用した手術シミュレーション技術の変遷

Abstract

Surgical simulation is one of interactive techniques such as a flight simulation or a CAD (Computer Aided Design) in terms of using the same computer graphics. However, different from above techniques, one big characteristic of surgical simulation is to handle unfixed forms of three-dimensional human body in which conventional computer graphics techniques are weak. Thus surgical simulation can be done with giving changes of ones anatomical three-dimensional forms in details. Changing with the times, the function and quality of the surgical simulaition transited depend on an ability of the computer itself. Simulated operations became simple to complex, and simple model of the affected part changed to model with more complex structures according the transition of its functions. By rapid improvement of the computer system in these 10 years, we can now handle the detailed affected model with the huge data in real time and natural operation. In addition, as a result of an external force during the operation, transformation of soft objects such as internal organs can be shown in real time. Moreover, by combining with virtual reality technique, it let simulation come near to real movements of fingers in the surgical simulation. It can give us not only visual feedback of the simulation, but the sense of touch of the operation comparing to three-dimensional images. Thus, we are approaching to real operation under the virtual space. Based on results by a team of the authors institute, the present circumstances of development with simulation system of the operation will be discussed. In addition, we focused on trends of the works and development of researches for future simulation systems of the operation which is close to advanced medical techniques, for instance, supporting system during the operation such as Data fusion and tele-medicine etc.