VR as Interface for Interaction and Manipulation in Endoscopy

This paper examines the potential of Virtual Reality technology in endoscopic surgery. Firstly, the advantages of visualisation with augmented reality are discussed. Secondly, the paper looks at how a Virtual Reality based interface can make surgical manipulators easier and safer to use. The interface is based on a six degree-of-freedom pointing device marketed by Immersion Corporation. This Interface is part of the Cooperative Interactive Application-Tools (CIA) which gives the surgeon a complete interaction environment.