SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to build a three-dimensional (3D) depth extracting laparoscope that will provide real-time 3D imagery to assist the surgeon. Laparoscopic surgery is performed about 1.8 million times per year. It benefits the patient with reduced trauma and hospital stays and has lower procedure costs due to quicker recovery. However, laparoscopic procedures take an additional 20 percent longer when compared to standard open procedures. This is primarily due to the difficulty in visualizing the operational area. This project will provide the surgeons with a 3D visualization tool that will allow them to visualize and immerse themselves similarly to traditional open cut surgery. The commercial application of this project is in the area of biomedical devices and instrumentation

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to develop a fully functional prototype 3-D laparoscope, which will be superior to the 2-D laparoscopes currently used in surgeries, based on laser illuminated miniaturized projector for computer generated light patterns and two cameras for acquisition of color and depth. The commercial application of this project will be in surgical operations. This device will have the capacity to provide depth and computer enhanced view of the surgical domain more akin to open surgery. This would allow for more precision in surgical procedures, thereby eliminating hand-eye coordination issues and reducing mistakes and accidents