Biphasic Model Of Lung Deformations For Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

Intraoperative localization of small, low-density or deep lung nodules during Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) is a challenging task. Localization techniques used in current practice require an additional preoperative procedure that adds complexity to the intervention and might yield to clinical complications. Therefore, clinical practice may benefit from alternative, intraoperative localization methods. We propose a nonrigid registration approach for nodule localization. Our method is based on a biomechanical model of the lung, where the lung parenchyma is represented as a biphasic medium. Preliminary results are promising, with target registration errors reduced from 28.39 mm to 9.86 mm in median, and to 3.68 mm for the nodule in particular.