WP1
WP1 extracted the medical background knowledge and guidance to steer engineering developments towards clinically relevant outcome. Developments on test-beds have continued. The different test-beds have been evaluated by EurEyeCase clinical partners throughout. Multiple data-gathering experiments were set up to record data. Clinicians were involved providing feedback on the benefit of employing sensor-integrated instruments during the interventions. Considerable time has been spent on refining the strategy to move to in-vivo experiments by the end of the project.
WP2
WP2 developed sensors and integrated all hardware components into an advanced operating suite (including camera-based imaging systems to acquire stereoscopic images, iOCT camera integrated into the surgical microscope, a switching unit to switch between modalities). Different variations of a head immobilization systems have been prototyped and tested. Different concepts to improve the OCT retina imaging and S/N ratio were explored. The most reliable distance feedback is found to come from the OCT Ascan, allowing clear identification of the retina surface. An effort was done to speed up these measurements. Force sensor-integrated experiments have been further developed. Remote feedback by the OCT Ascan and force-sensor have been used as a safety loop for robotic control.
WP3
The algorithms used pre-operatively were optimized and integrated in EurEyeCase setup, working now real-time. An accurate retinal blood vessel segmentation has been performed with the stereo-vision system, showing large improvements (accuracy, execution time) compared to competing methods. Pre-operative modelling aspects were finalized, with the construction of the detailed textured 3D model of the retina within the stereo 3D imaging. For the OCT system, algorithms focused on retinal layers identification by leveraging B-scans and C-scans data. A pre-processing step has been developed to properly deal with geometrical rescaling and artifacts. Preliminary results have also been obtained for retinal vessel identification.
WP4
EurEyeCase system setup v1 - focuses on the targeted clinical trials, requires documented software and hardware solutions adequate to high TRL levels. We have further detailed the v1 architecture, its communication interfaces, its graphical interface(s), and business logic. Regular integration meetings have been held to develop and test together the system components. In parallel to v1, the v2 setup forms a system for the next generation, where advanced assistive features such as OCT A/B/C-scan labelling, stereo image processing and segmentation of instruments were further developed.
WP5
The results of the FTO analysis have been monitored and updated. Business development activities including industrial and academic collaborations have been undertaken. Importantly, several collaboration activities reaching outside have been done. Thhese interactions confirmed the unmet need and market opportunities in the field of vitreoretinal surgery. Finally, dissemination activities have included a fair number of publications and presentations to the international community.
WP6
In addition to bi-weekly meeting organized between software developers, physical meetings were held to integrate further all EurEyeCase components in a unique platform, successfully evaluated by the clinicians. Weekly skype meetings have also been conducted to report on the progress, raise (and solve) possible issues on all kinds of topics and discuss the strategical orientation for Y3, notably on the choice of relevant technologies to conduct human clinical trials.
