Introduction:
Minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery, have revolutionized the field of medicine by offering reduced patient trauma, quicker recovery times, and improved surgical precision. However, the physical demands placed on surgeons during these procedures can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and potential long-term musculoskeletal issues. To address these concerns, this master's thesis project aims to conduct an in-depth ergonomic analysis of surgeon posture and movement during laparoscopies and robotic surgery. The project will utilize a multi-camera system to track surgeon poses, with the objective of identifying areas of ergonomic risk and proposing innovative solutions to mitigate them.
Objectives:
- Posture and Movement Assessment: Evaluate the posture and movement of surgeons during laparoscopic and robotic procedures, focusing on body positioning, hand movements, and instrument manipulation
- Ergonomic Risk Identification: Identify areas in which surgeons are at the highest risk of ergonomic strain and potential injury during minimally invasive surgery.
- Multi-Camera Pose Tracking: Develop and implement a multi-camera pose tracking system to accurately record and analyze the movements and postures of surgeons in real time.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Collect data from surgeons performing various laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, and analyze the data to identify patterns, stress points, and ergonomic concerns.
- Propose Mitigation Strategies: Based on the analysis, propose ergonomic solutions and guidelines to enhance surgeon comfort and safety during minimally invasive surgery.
Methodology:
- Utilize a multi-camera tracking system to capture 3D motion and posture data of surgeons during laparoscopic and robotic surgeries. Surgical clothes or drapes create occlusion in estimating the surgeon’s joints. How to address it can be a key research question on the multi-camera tracking system.
- Collaborate with experienced surgeons to perform a range of procedures while collecting data on their movements.
- Apply advanced computer vision or machine learning techniques to process the data and extract relevant information.
- Analyze the collected data to identify ergonomic risk factors and provide evidence-based insights.
Expected Outcomes:
- A comprehensive analysis of surgeon posture and movement during laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
- Identification of specific ergonomic risk factors and areas where ergonomic improvements are needed.
- Development of a multi-camera pose tracking system tailored for the medical field.
- Recommendations for ergonomic solutions and best practices to improve surgeon comfort and reduce the risk of injury.
Impact:
This master's thesis project will contribute to the field of healthcare by addressing an often overlooked aspect of minimally invasive surgery – the ergonomic well-being of surgeons. By understanding the ergonomic challenges and proposing solutions, this research can enhance the overall safety and efficiency of surgical procedures, benefiting both patients and medical professionals.
The proposed project aims to combine the fields of medicine, engineering, and data analysis to improve the ergonomics of minimally invasive surgeries. Through the utilization of a multi-camera pose tracking system, this research will provide valuable insights into surgeon posture and movement, leading to safer and more comfortable surgical experiences. The findings and recommendations generated from this thesis will have the potential to positively impact the entire medical community.