Development of an Augmented Reality system for therapy

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that produces an environment in whic h computer-generated information is superimposed on a user's view of the re al world. It is useful in medical applications where extra information, in the form of virtual lines, texts, labels or graphics of organ image, is pre sented as guides, to either locate or enhance the particular organ(s) of in terest, so as to minimize opening of the body, or provide the direction for steering of the surgical tool. This paper describes the development of a prototype Augmented Reality for T herapy (ART) system that is capable of displaying a graphical image to an e xact location of what should be seen in the real world, through a stereosco pic display set, called 'Penescope' (i.e. Penetrative scope). It also illus trates how such a concept can be applied to the Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgery.