Purpose: To achieve effective robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, the
integration of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging system which is the most
widely used imaging modelity in prostate imaging is essential. However, manual
manipulation of the ultrasound transducer during the procedure will
significantly interfere with the surgery. Therefore, we propose an image
co-registration algorithm based on a photoacoustic marker method, where the
ultrasound / photoacoustic (US/PA) images can be registered to the endoscopic
camera images to ultimately enable the TRUS transducer to automatically track
the surgical instrument Methods: An optimization-based algorithm is proposed to
co-register the images from the two different imaging modalities. The
principles of light propagation and an uncertainty in PM detection were assumed
in this algorithm to improve the stability and accuracy of the algorithm. The
algorithm is validated using the previously developed US/PA image-guided system
with a da Vinci surgical robot. Results: The target-registration-error (TRE) is
measured to evaluate the proposed algorithm. In both simulation and
experimental demonstration, the proposed algorithm achieved a sub-centimeter
accuracy which is acceptable in practical clinics. The result is also
comparable with our previous approach, and the proposed method can be
implemented with a normal white light stereo camera and doesn't require highly
accurate localization of the PM. Conclusion: The proposed frame registration
algorithm enabled a simple yet efficient integration of commercial US/PA
imaging system into laparoscopic surgical setting by leveraging the
characteristic properties of acoustic wave propagation and laser excitation,
contributing to automated US/PA image-guided surgical intervention
applications.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figure