Visualization and interaction systems for surgical planning

The visualization of 3D models of the patient's body emerges as a priority in surgery. In this paper two different visualization and interaction systems are presented: a virtual interface and a low cost multi-touch screen. The systems are able to interpret in real-time the user's movements and can be used in the surgical pre-operative planning for the navigation and manipulation of 3D models of the human body built from CT images. The surgeon can visualize both the traditional patient information, as the CT image dataset, and the 3D models of the patient's organs built from these images. The developed virtual interface is the first prototype of a system designed to avoid any contact with the computer so that the surgeon will be able to visualize models of the patient's organs and to interact with these moving the finger in the free space. The developed multi-touch screen provides a user interface customized for doctor requirements that allows users to interact at the same time with 3D models of the human body built from CT images for surgical pre-operative planning purpose.