In a groundbreaking development, Atlas Meditech, a leading brain-surgery intelligence platform, is leveraging AI and state-of-the-art simulations to enhance pre-surgery preparation for neurosurgeons. By integrating tools like the MONAI medical imaging framework and the NVIDIA Omniverse 3D development platform, Atlas Meditech aims to improve surgical outcomes and elevate patient safety.
Atlas Meditech offers an array of multimedia tools to brain surgeons, enabling them to mentally rehearse complex surgical procedures with unprecedented realism. Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol, founder of Atlas Meditech and its nonprofit counterpart, Neurosurgical Atlas, envisions a transformation from mental rehearsal to highly realistic simulations powered by accelerated computing and digital twins.
Neurosurgical Atlas, a widely-used resource in brain surgery training programs, provides case studies, surgical videos, and 3D brain models to over a million online users, including neurosurgeons in the United States and around the world. Its impact in residency and early career training is significant.
AI-enhanced surgical pathways
Atlas Meditech’s Pathfinder software is integrating AI algorithms that suggest safe surgical pathways for neurosurgeons, helping them navigate the intricate landscape of the brain to reach lesions effectively and safely. This innovation promises to be a game-changer in the field of brain surgery.
One of the standout features of Atlas Meditech’s simulations is the ability to customize them to match the unique anatomy of each patient’s brain. By harnessing the power of physics and advanced graphics, surgeons can practice on virtual brains that replicate the size, shape, and lesion position of the patient’s brain, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and preparation.
To create digital twins of patients’ brains, the Atlas Pathfinder tool employs MONAI Label, an invaluable tool that automatically annotates MRI and CT scans. This annotation process aids in segmenting normal structures from tumors, offering a clear view of the patient’s brain. It acts as the “eyes” of the surgeon, highlighting critical structures and potential abnormalities.
Once the patient’s brain is segmented, Atlas Pathfinder adapts its 3D brain model to precisely mimic the patient’s unique anatomy, accounting for any deformation caused by tumors. Surgeons can then modify the visualization for improved precision, with Atlas Pathfinder suggesting the safest surgical approaches to access and remove tumors without compromising other brain regions.
AI-powered decision support
The use of AI-powered decision support is crucial in navigating the intricate 3D structure of the brain, where millimeters can make a significant difference. Dr. Cohen-Gadol emphasizes the role of AI in enhancing surgical precision and safety.
Atlas Meditech is harnessing the NVIDIA Omniverse to develop virtual operating rooms that immerse surgeons in realistic environments for rehearsal purposes. Surgeons can manipulate patient positioning and equipment in this simulation, receiving step-by-step guidance on adhering to the target surgical pathway. AI algorithms predict how brain tissue would shift during surgery, providing valuable feedback to surgeons.
The integration of NVIDIA PhysX, an advanced real-time physics simulation engine, enhances the realism of the simulations. Haptic feedback is added to the virtual environment, replicating the sensation of working with brain tissue. This immersive experience offers unparalleled training for surgeons.
Dr. Cohen-Gadol envisions a future where AI models provide real-time insights during surgical procedures. These insights could include alerts about critical brain structures, instrument tracking, and procedural guidance. Atlas Meditech plans to explore the NVIDIA Holoscan platform for streaming AI applications to enable these real-time, intraoperative insights. This application of AI analysis to surgical techniques aims to improve surgeons’ skills and enhance patient outcomes.
Beyond surgical rehearsal, digital twins of the brain and operating room have the potential to train intelligent medical instruments, such as microscope robots, using applications like Isaac Sim developed on Omniverse. This expanded use of the technology holds great promise for the future of surgery.
