title: The EASI project--improving the effectiveness and quality of image-guided surgery.
abstract: In recent years, advances in computer technology and a significant increase in the accuracy of medical imaging have made it possible to develop systems that can assist the clinician in diagnosis, planning, and treatment. This paper deals with an area that is generally referred to as computer-assisted surgery, image-directed surgery, or image-guided surgery. We report the research, development, and clinical validation performed since January 1996 in the European Applications in Surgical Interventions (EASI) project, which is funded by the European Commission in their "4th Framework Telematics Applications for Health" program. The goal of this project is the improvement of the effectiveness and quality of image-guided neurosurgery of the brain and image-guided vascular surgery of abdominal aortic aneurysms, while at the same time reducing patient risks and overall cost. We have developed advanced prototype systems for preoperative surgical planning and intraoperative surgical navigation, and we have extensively clinically validated these systems. The prototype systems and the clinical validation results are described in this paper.
authors.affiliation: EasyVision Modules-Advanced Development, Philips Medical Systems Nederland B.V., Best, The Netherlands. marcel.breeuwer@best.ms.philips.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breeuwer
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wadley
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: de Bliek
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buurman
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Desmedt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gieles
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Gerritsen
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Dorward
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kitchen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Velani
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wink
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Blankensteijn
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Eikelboom
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Mali
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Viergever
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Penney
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaston
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hawkes
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vandermeulen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verbeeck
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kuhn
mesh_terms: D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted