Development of an AI-based automatic tracking camera system for laparoscopic surgery

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08667
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55010:General surgery and pediatric surgery-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Kanaji Shingo 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 准教授 (10637052)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 掛地 吉弘 神戸大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (80284488) ; 佐藤 嘉伸 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 教授 (70243219) ; 山崎 悠太 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (60817823) ; 工藤 拓也 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 医員 (80868646)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 人工知能 / 腹腔鏡ロボット

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this research is to fully automate camera operation in laparoscopic surgery by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to recognize surgical instruments in real time in surgical images and having a camera-holding robot track the instruments. This research is expected not only to solve the shortage of surgeons by reducing manpower, but also to improve the quality and safety of surgery by having functions that transcend the surgeon's camera operation, such as automatic adjustment of the optimum distance between the target and the camera.

Free Research Field

内視鏡外科手術

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This research is expected not only to solve the shortage of surgeons by reducing manpower, but also to improve the quality and safety of surgery by having functions that transcend the surgeon's camera operation, such as automatic adjustment of the optimum distance between the target and the camera.