# EasyVis: Flexible, immersive three-dimensional laparoscopic surgical visualization through multi-camera arrays

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2022 · $392,323

## Abstract

Abstract
 Laparoscopic or “minimally invasive” procedures are frequently performed in surgery today. It provides
numerous clinical benefits to patients and has become the gold standard surgical procedure for many
intraabdominal and thoracic procedures. Existing laparoscopes provide visualization of the operative field
through a video camera inserted into the patient’s abdomen. It occupies a dedicated laparoscopic port and
requires a camera operator to maneuver and navigate the camera for visualization. The field of view is narrow
and the depth of the scene is difficult to infer. To facilitate surgery, the camera needs to be in proximity to the
operative field, making it prone to smudging, fogging, and splatter that may obscure visualization and require
cleaning. The position of the camera may also interferes with the operating surgical instruments.
 To address these deficiencies associated with current laparoscopic visualization, in this project, we will
develop a paradigm-shift, integrated, panoramic, flexible, immersive 3D laparoscopic visualization system
called EasyVis that could significantly improve the efficiency of laparoscopic surgery. EasyVis directly
integrates multiple microcameras and their peripherals including light sources and miniaturized projectors with
the surgical ports. It provides an uninterrupted, intra-abdominal, flexible, and immersive 3D view from arbitrary
virtual viewpoints and viewing angles, and close-up 3D visualization of any specific area, all under direct,
hands-free, easy and full control of the operating surgeon through voice commands, eliminating the need of
camera navigation. EasyVis does not occupy any extra surgical port and solves the problems associated with
smudging, fogging and splatter, and interference with and occlusion of instruments. With EasyVis, the surgeon
is provided with enhanced visualization (better quality, easy control) and less interruption due to laparoscope
manipulation during the operation.
 Three specific aims will be pursued. First, we will develop an imaging system including heterogeneous
microcamera arrays, light sources, and miniature projectors. This imaging system provides flexibly selectable
viewpoints and viewing angles with auto-focus and zooming capabilities and real-time scene stabilization. A
system that can deploy the imaging system through a surgical port will also be developed. Second, we will
develop algorithms to achieve flexible global and local views, and immersive, any-view 3D visualization, all
through a human-computer interface worn by the operating surgeon. Third, we will validate our laparoscopic
visualization system with inanimate and animal models.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10442392
- **Project number:** 5R01EB019460-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Charles P Heise
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $392,323
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2015-08-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10442392

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10442392, EasyVis: Flexible, immersive three-dimensional laparoscopic surgical visualization through multi-camera arrays (5R01EB019460-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10442392. Licensed CC0.

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