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der Telepräsenz in der Medizin |
The exponential increase of knowledge in medicine makes it necessary to develop new concepts for visualization of medical information. Visualization in this sense includes display of medical imaging data as well as image guided stereotactic navigation. In Austria ARTMA developed an international patented technology for image fusion to overlay virtual data structures with live video data (augmented reality), in real time during surgery. Simultaneously this data is also transmitted over the Internet.
This enables an expert to participate in the surgical procedure from any remote location. Within the EURODOC project this technology will be made available to all leading research institutions in Europe by the Forschungsinstitut für Telepräsenz (Telepresence Research Institute), it will also coordinate further research.
On September 26, 1996 the EURODOC project was presented by Stadtradt Rudolf Edlinger (Amtsführender Stadtrat für Finanzen und Wirtschaftspolitik der Stadt Wien) of the City of Vienna to the European Commission in Brussels.
An image guided stereotactic procedure performed at the Vienna General Hospital, University of Vienna (Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head Prof.DDr.Ewers) was remotely visualized in Brussels via telecommunication. The interactive remote consultation of the surgical procedure by Prof.DDr.Ewers in Brussels was observed by Prof. Dr. Bangemann (Commissioner for Technology in the EC) and leading representatives of the EC.
Historical Review
The discovery of x-rays was the start for the development of new medical imaging methods. They contribute to advancements in diagnosis and therapy. In order to make available the imaging data for intraoperative analysis there are two major developments in research
- open MRI for intraoperative real time imaging
- 3D navigation of surgical instruments based on data from computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
As described in the picture above we have continuous advancements in medical imaging technology. Through image guided navigation or interventional MRI this technology is available intraoperatively.
But these developments are surpassed by far by the increase of knowledge in medicine.
EURODOC Project Mission
The focus of research will be to visualize any kind of medical knowledge for diagnosis and therapy directly at the patient, especially intraoperatively. The augmented reality technology makes it possible to transfer this knowledge over any kind of network, such as the Internet. The concept presented in the EURODOC project not only defines a framework for future research but already presents first results.
The scientific aspects of this project are coordinated by the Forschungsinstitut für Telepräsenz. The economic aspects of the EURODOC project are coordinated by the EURODOC EWIV (EURODOC Europäische Wirtschaftliche Interessenvereinigung, in Gründung).
As Austrian contribution to this European initiative the software for teleconsultation is distributed free of charge by the Forschungsinstitut für Telepräsenz.
EURODOC project description
EURODOC (Adobe PDF format, 30 pages)
