Laparoscopic surgery with navigation on wide screen in the future operation room.

Laparoscopic surgery with navigation on wide screen in the future operation room. Photos: SINTEF Technology and Society/Thomas Langø

Laparoscopic surgery is performed through small insicions in the abdomen using long instruments. In addition, the surgeon has a camera through one of the holes enabling him to see the tip of the instruments and controling the intervention inside the abdomen.

We provide the surgeon with a 'super' vision with our navigation system. The system comprises a computer, a position tracking system and software developed in our department.

The images can be visualized in 2D and 3D and can be controlled by the surgical instruments. This helps the surgeon to obtain a better overview and easier avoid bleedings.

Our goal is to improve laparoscopic surgery by developing and applying novel solutions and methods, such as navigation technology and intraoperative ultrasound to improve patient outcome and allow more advanced procedures to be performed by laparoscopic technique.

The project is based at the National Center for 3D Ultrasound in Surgery in Trondheim. We have a unique and close collaboration between SINTEF's Department of Medical Technology, and the National Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery at St. Olavs Hospital, the University Hospital in Trondheim. The Center for 3D Ultrasound in Surgery was established in 1995 by the National Health Authorities, the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.