The potential use of an autostereoscopic 3D display in microsurgery

Abstract

This paper investigates the potential use of a prototype micro-optic twin Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitor for stereomicroscopy in microsurgery. The new device displays stereoscopic images via a pair of colour Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) video cameras attached on to a surgical stereo microscope. The paper illustrates the 3D microscope-display system set-up and calibration for stereo viewing. A series of experimental techniques was devised to measure the user-response of the new display system in depth perception of a solid object against the traditional eyepieces of a stereo microscope. As a control, free viewing with the un-aided eyes was also measured. The positional data were collected using a passive mechanical arm. The results showed good correspondence between all three visualisation methods. Error analysis of our numerical findings suggests that the depth accuracy of the new device is well within the precision limits of hand movement for surgical operations. Our study also proves that there are small discrepancies within the sample population of operators using the system. A study based on the psychological and psychophysical factors influencing the system is planned.