Laparoscopic Surgery with 3D Visualization at Keck Medical Center of USC

Anthony Senagore, chief of colorectal surgery at Keck Hospital of USC, leads the first team on the West Coast to implement a novel 3D visualization tool designed by Viking Systems. The use of a 3D camera and special glasses brings depth perception to surgeons who would otherwise have to compensate for a flat view of the organs on which they're operating.

"We've been performing advanced laparoscopic procedures for many years, and many of us have learned how to accommodate a two-dimensional picture," Senagore said, "but his is really the first time we've been able to replicate the way we normally see the operative field. It's enabled us to expedite the procedures and should improve accuracy and safety."

Senagore feels the technology will also help trainees acquire advanced surgical skills more quickly, and is eager to discover additional benefits.

"This is our first attempt to explore this technology," Senagore noted. "Our initial experience has been very good."


More about the technology - click here

3D camera for brain surgery a big leap forward

The Toronto doctor who pioneered what has become an international standard in neurosurgery is once again breaking new ground, becoming the first surgeon in Canada to use a 3D camera to remove a brain tumour.

Dr. Michael Cusimano made headlines 17 years ago when he became the first neurosurgeon in the world to remove tumours by endoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that involves sending a video lens along with instruments through both nostrils and into the brain.

The 3D tool he ultimately developed helps surgeons precisely manoeuvre their instruments in a tiny space. The better view enables surgeons to remove more of a tumour with reduced risk of error.

Back in the operating room, with the 3D endoscope buried about 10 centimetres in his patient’s nose and brain, Cusimano marvelled at the image on the screen.

It was as though his own eyes were in the patient’s brain, he says, noting the 3D view allowed him to more accurately and quickly resect the patient’s tumour.

After his first run with the 3D endoscope, Cusimano gave the new technology two thumbs up.

“We’re excited by it. It’s a natural evolution to surgery,” says the doctor, who also teaches medical students at the University of Toronto.

Health Canada approved the 3D endoscope this past spring. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration approved it more than a year and a half ago and now about a dozen hospitals there use it. It’s widely employed in Italy, and hospitals in other European countries as well as Israel also use it.

Full article here:

If you are a surgeon and would like to record yours surgery in 3D, you will found ours products and services here: www.3dlivesurgery.com

3D Stereoscopic Endoscopy for heart Surgery

WAUWATOSA, Wis., Feb. 21, 2012 - 3D Surgical Solutions, LLC and Wheaton Franciscan-The Wisconsin Heart Hospital Campus announced that the first case ever using the Leonardo 3D Vision™ System was successfully conducted in a surgical robotic procedure. This revolutionary system provides stereoscopic 3D visualization to personnel at the bedside -- as well as the entire surgical robotic team -- during the surgery. The Leonardo 3D Vision™ System was used in conjunction with the daVinci® Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical®).

"Today's case demonstrates a culmination of years of research and development that bring a new level of 3D visualization to the operating room," said Dr. Husam Balkhy, Chairman, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Director, Center for Robotic and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery at The Wisconsin Heart Hospital.

Dr. Balkhy and his medical team utilized the Leonardo 3D Vision™ System while performing a beating heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB). This event marks a major milestone in the expansion of stereoscopic 3D visualization within the robotic and video-assisted surgical fields and is a breakthrough in the availability of high-quality surgical imaging. This technology can be used with other cases using the daVinci® Surgical System, including urology and gynecology procedures.

"For me, having such wonderfully crisp 3D images to work with is exciting and extremely helpful," added Dorothy Krienbring, Dr. Balkhy's first assistant. "It allows me to introduce instruments and supplies into the chest with safety and with much more accuracy. Using this system allows all of us to see the anatomy in spectacular detail. The Leonardo system is a major step forward in the field of endoscopic surgery."
In addition, the Atlanticus 3D Recorder™ (a component of the Leonardo 3D Vision™ System) was used during the case to digitally record stereoscopic 3D-HD video for presentation at symposia, other clinically-oriented events, and teaching purposes.

"The versatility of this system is impressive, and the opportunity for optimized teaching that it represents is sure to provide enhanced safety as well as substantial cost and time savings to the operative and surgical training arena," Balkhy said.

About 3D Surgical Solutions
3D Surgical Solutions, LLC, based in metro Atlanta, GA, is dedicated to providing stereoscopic 3D solutions to the surgical and medical community. The company develops and markets advanced stereoscopic 3D systems providing superior imaging, versatility, and a cost-effective transition from 2D to stereoscopic 3D video environments. Currently, the firm is engaged in a private equity offering to provide funding for expansion and growth.

About Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in Wisconsin
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare (WFH) is a Catholic, not-for-profit organization with more than 100 health and shelter organizations in Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, and Illinois.  Started by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters more than 130 years ago and formally incorporated in 1983, WFH has corporate services offices in Wheaton, Illinois and Glendale, Wisconsin.