A modular video streaming method for surgical assistance in operating room networks.

PURPOSE

Continuous video is used with increasing frequency in the operating room for minimally invasive laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. Video data communication in the OR requires device interoperability, efficient data transfer methods, and specialized IT infrastructure.

METHODS

A framework for digital video communication based on a two channel client-server architecture was developed and tested. One channel is used for stream handling and the second channel is used for data streaming. A video stream description (VSD) specification is defined to negotiate video stream characteristics and ensure semantic interoperability. Quality assessment of the streamed data employs an image-based structural quality measure called the Structural Similarity (SSIM) Index. By introducing the stream description and a quality metric, the stream parameters can be modified as needed. The video communication framework ensures interoperability by defining interfaces for each of the streaming architecture modules.

RESULTS

To prove the framework's feasibility, two prototype applications were developed and performance tests were performed on a dedicated OR network. The results showed acceptable network performance for streaming video in the OR network under clinically realistic conditions.

CONCLUSION

An OR video communications framework was developed that uses existing OR network infrastructure as an economical alternative to dedicated integrated OR solutions. This framework provides functional and semantic interoperability among imaging modalities for continuous video data communication.