Video Compression for Remote Monitoring of Neurosurgery

描述（由申请人提供）：神经生理术中监测（IOM）是一项重要程序，可减少手术操作期间出现的非预期情况导致的发病率。该程序包括监控手术野的高分辨率特写视频，分析同时记录的神经生理数据，并在需要修改手术策略以避免术后神经功能缺损的情况下与神经外科医生进行互动。 传统上，IOM是在医疗中心的手术室内进行的，那里有经验丰富的神经生理学家。在区域医院，由于缺乏专家，这种监测往往难以进行。多年来，我们一直在研究多媒体远程IOM系统，能够通过Interact传输神经生理数据，语音和图像，然而，即使利用宽带互联网连接，IOM的数字视频传输仍是一个问题。究其原因，主要是缺乏一种适合IOM视频特点的高性能视频压缩算法。我们将组建一个由经验丰富的电气工程师、神经生理学家和神经外科医生组成的研究团队来解决这个问题。我们将开发一个专用的视频压缩算法，最大限度地减少带宽的要求。我们还将为远程IOM开发同步和集成多媒体数据的新方法。我们将构建一个原型系统，能够在匹兹堡大学医学中心200英里半径范围内的农村地区提供高质量的IOM服务。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Neurophysiological InatraOperative Monitoring (IOM) is an important procedure to reduce morbidity due to unexpected conditions developed during surgical manipulation. This procedure includes monitoring high-resolution, close-up video of the surgical field, analyzing simultaneously recorded neurophysiological data, and interacting with the neurosurgeon in cases where operative strategies need to be modified to avoid postoperative neurological deficits. IOM is traditionally performed within the operating room in medical centers where experienced neurophysiologists are available. In regional hospitals this monitoring is often difficult to perform because of the lack of experts. Over the years we have been studying multimedia remote IOM systems capable of transmitting neurophysiological data, voice, and images through the Interact, However, transmission of digital video with an acceptable quality for IOM is still a problem, even when a broad band Internet connection is utilized. The primary reason is the lack of a high-performance video compression algorithm adapting to the special features of IOM video. We will form a research team consisting of experienced electrical engineers, neurophysiologists, and neurosurgeons to attack this problem. We will develop a special-purpose video compression algorithms that minimize the bandwidth requirement. We will also develop new methods for synchronization and integration of the multimedia data for remote IOM. We will construct a prototype system capable of providing high-quality IOM service in rural regions within a 200-mile radius of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.