Improving stereoscopic viewing

KEYHOLE SURGERY has lacked a cost- effective solution to support a surgeon's normal stereoscopic vision, until the advent of the JC3D system, the latest innovation from Stereoscopic Image Systems of England.

The optical manipulation method dramatically improves the perceived resolution of a conventional video picture and enables the operator to determine, in real time, the remaining distance beyond the endoscope.

The optical system captures stereoscopic endoscope views simultaneously with a single camera, for stereoscopic viewing by single monitor, TV or projector. Film, analogue and digital systems are also compatible. Colour, contrast and brightness are the same for both eyes and static (freeze-frame) images work as well as moving ones.

The JC3D system records two complete landscape images and these are rotated separately anti-clockwise by 90 degrees, before being shown simultaneously to a single camera. This overcomes the loss of resolution along one axis that is a shortcoming of other systems. Further enhancement is given by a very large continuous depth of focus.

The image quality is better than achieved by conventional video and the images are simultaneous and comfortable to watch without flicker.

The system can be attached to an existing medically approved endoscope camera and medical monitor without modification or addition to the electronics. Surgeons can also see normally if they look away from the 3D display.

Normal human vision is stereoscopic, that is: distances are perceived and assessed by the brain which compares the differences between the images seen from the slightly different positions of two eyes. But most everyday imaging systems show both eyes the same image and the result is distinctly flat.

The conventional stereoscopic solution is to exploit coordinated twin camera arrangements, twin projectors or very complex methods of displaying stereoscopic images to each eye separately. A variation on this is to show left-eye and right-eye images alternately to the same camera. The images alternate in time and/or as strips across the screen, either horizontally or vertically.

All of these competitive systems have an adverse effect on image quality, unless additional complications are added by way of memory to fill in the gaps for each of the stereoscopic images, a method that requires complicated electronic technology.

- LPS

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Science & Tech
Previous : Asynchronous transfer mode - the future network
Next     : Turning fat cells into cartilage