Computer vision based tracking of surgical training – a technology to help re skill surgeons in COVID-19

该项目旨在以该公司开发的一项新技术为基础。其核心技术是利用计算机视觉（CV）在手术视野内对手术器械进行三维跟踪。这种仪器跟踪用于获得手术表现的指标，并用于提供高水平的反馈和指导手术培训。该技术目前与静态或单位置摄像机一起工作，并用于该公司最近推出的腹腔镜模拟和培训平台。由于COVID-19给手术带来压力，这款腹腔镜模拟器满足了对高保真、可跟踪远程学习日益增长的需求。该项目旨在开发一种新技术，使各种其他模拟外科手术过程中的器械CV跟踪成为可能。这项技术的成功开发将使该公司能够开发一套手术模拟器，以满足跨多个其他外科专业跟踪远程学习的紧急需求。由于取消了所有非紧急手术，COVID-19导致外科手术大量积压；一旦恢复正常的手术室名单，“培训病例”的范围将有限，主要重点是向在大流行期间无家可归的数千人提供手术护理。作为该项目的一部分，正在开发的技术将使该公司能够快速开发和商业化模拟器，这些模拟器可以用来取代损失的培训时间，并确保外科医生能够在正常手术开始恢复时安全地重新掌握技能。该项目涉及硬件和软件的开发，以公司现有的技术知识和知识产权为基础。

The project aims to build on a novel technology developed by the company. The core technology uses computer vision (CV) to track surgical instruments in three dimensions within the surgical field of view. This instrument tracking is used to derive metrics on surgical performance and is used to deliver high level feedback and guide surgical training. The technology currently works with a static or single position camera and is used for a laparoscopic simulation and training platform recently launched by the company. This laparoscopic simulator answers the growing need for high fidelity, tracked distance learning as a result of the pressures on surgery from COVID-19\.The project aims to develop a novel technology that will enable CV tracking of instruments in a variety of other simulated surgical procedures. Successful development of this technology will enable the company to develop a suite of surgical simulators that meet the emergent demands of tracked distance learning across multiple other surgical specialities.COVID-19 has resulted in a major back log of surgical procedures due to the cancellation of all non-emergency surgery; once normal theatre lists resume there will be limited scope for 'training cases', with a major focus on providing surgical care to thousands who have gone without during the pandemic.The technology being developed as part of this project will enable the company to rapidly develop and commercialise simulators that can be used to replace this lost training time and ensure that surgeons are able to re skill safely as normal operating starts to resume.The project involves the development of hardware and software, building on existing technological knowhow and IP owned by the company.