Cloud-based high-performance computing for real-time medical 3D roadmapping

世界各地的医院正在将他们的医疗成像数据存储转移到云端。除了连接大型存储，云还可以将小型计算机连接到远程大规模计算资源，有效地将它们变成超级计算机。Cydar有限公司是伦敦国王学院和盖伊和圣托马斯NHS信托基金的衍生公司，该公司正在开发一种新型的临床应用，利用云的这种潜力，将高性能计算送入手术室，以改善接受图像引导手术的患者的预后。Cydar的第一款产品将是“外科医生的卫星导航”，用于x射线引导的锁眼手术。CT扫描是一种常见的诊断测试，它包含3D信息并显示软组织，但由于高辐射，它们对现场引导没有用处。相反，实时x射线导引被用于许多类型的锁眼手术。虽然x射线可以很好地显示骨骼和手术器械的位置，但它们不能很好地显示软组织，而且它们产生的平面（2D）图像叠加了所有3D解剖特征。Cydar开发了软件算法和高性能计算技术，可以检测实时x射线图像中的解剖信息，并将其与术前ect扫描相匹配，以确定患者的确切位置。这种匹配使得相关软组织的三维图像（取自他们的CT扫描）被精确地覆盖——给外科医生一个三维“路线图”。核心技术已经在130次操作的概念验证系统中进行了测试和验证。该项目将把目前的概念验证技术发展成云高性能计算原型，以提高性能并在医院测试用户体验。这个原型阶段将确定性能需求，通知

Hospitals worldwide are moving their storage of medical imaging data to the cloud. As wellas connecting to large storage, the cloud can connect small computers to remote massivecomputing resources, effectively turning them into supercomputers. Cydar Ltd, a spin-outfrom Kings College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, is developing a novelclass of clinical applications that use this potential of the cloud to deliver high-performancecomputing into operating rooms to improve the outcomes for patients undergoing imageguidedsurgery.Cydar’s first product will be a ‘satnav for surgeons’ for use in X-ray guided keyhole surgicalprocedures. CT scans are a common diagnostic test that contain 3D information and show thesoft tissues, but they are not useful for live guidance due to high radiation. Instead, real-time Xrayguidance is used in many types of keyhole surgery. While X-rays are good at showingbones and the position of surgical instruments, they do not show soft tissues well and theyproduce flat (2D) images that superimpose all the 3D anatomical features.Cydar has developed software algorithms and high-performance computing technology thatdetects anatomical information present in live X-ray images and matches it to the preoperativeCT scan in order to determine the patient’s exact position. This match allows a 3Dimage of the relevant soft tissues (taken from their CT scan) to be accurately overlaid- givingthe surgeon a 3D ‘roadmap’. The core technology has been tested and validated in a proof-ofconceptsystem in 130 operations.The project will develop the current proof-of-concept technology into a cloud highperformancecomputing prototype, in order to boost performance and test the user experiencein hospitals. This prototype stage will determine performance needs, inform