Navigation during Minimally Invasive Surgery
(MIS) has recognized difficulties due to limited field-of-view,
off-axis visualization and loss of direct 3D vision. This can cause
visual-spatial disorientation when exploring complex in vivo
structures. In this paper, we present an approach to dynamic
view expansion which builds a 3D textured model of the MIS
environment to facilitate in vivo navigation. With the proposed
technique, no prior knowledge of the environment is required
and the model is built sequentially while the laparoscope is
moved. The method is validated on simulated data with known
ground truth. Its potential clinical value is also demonstrated
with in vivo experiments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-finnXRy1HE