The endoscope operation is usually performed under the tough condition in which endoscopes and video displays with narrow visual angles and monitors are used. Normal 2-dimensional displaying devices without any functions regarding the recognition of volume and depth make many operations difficult and time-consuming. This tough condition has been demanding the new visual system providing more humanized stereographic views.  In this article, we can find more about the usability, technical trend, and the products and its technical highlights developed by Wasol Inc., Co.

1. HVS (Human Visual System)
A Human recognizes all the subjects stereoscopically.  His visual recognition is based on the 65mm of convergence between his two eyes.  Each of them helps him see two separate images with different angles. In his brain, the two different images are converged into one stereo view and then volume and perspective of an object are recognized. The natural process of visual recognition has not been yet replaced by modern technology represented as photographs, motion pictures, television etc. Consequently, the technology answering the need of 3-dimensional imaging appliances giving more natural feeling has been continuously developed. 

2. What merits can a 3 dimensional endoscope bring to you?

2-1. It provides realistic views with any practitioners including interns and residents, which make them save time of learning endoscopy.

2-2. It produces the data on depth and volume to make the operation time reduced.

2-3. It makes precise operations on tiny subjects much easier.

3. The basic principle of stereoscopy
Stereoscopy : Two cameras set horizontally apart at 65 mm work like two eyes of a human; one camera represents a right eye and the other a left one. This simple condition creates a stereoscopic image.

4. Problems of existing stereoscopy

4-1.Since they are separated, the existing two-camera stereoscopy basically causes a discordance of brightness, color, image quality between each camera. It is difficult to control the synchronizing operation of each camera like in zooming and focusing, aligning the two images in left-and-right and up-and-down directions, discordance of macro, view revolving, etc.
Those discordances bring headache and dizziness to users and prevent them to use the stereoscope system for comparatively long time, which is a crucial point in an operation like laparoscopy.

4-2. The structural problems of the system make impossible to set two cameras closely at less then 6mm for a close-up shooting to tiny objects in order to observe any objects precisely.

5. Technological trend in stereoscopy

Because of many merits and need of stereoscopy, many medical imaging equipment manufacturers like Storz, Stryker and Olympus have developed the related technology and products for many years, but failed in solving the problems described above.  In the case of Olympus, it presented a new prototype of 3-dimensional endoscope; however, its performance didn’t meet the expectations; therefore, it didn’t appear on the medical equipment market.

6. Wasol’s new stereoscope technology

Wasol’s new stereoscope(3-dimensional imaging) technology shows totally different approach beyond the established concept based on two-camera system.  To provide a 3-dimensional image, Wasol’s technology applied only one camera which can move light axis.
Wasol’s technical highlights as follows;

7. The future of stereoscopy

Like his eyes, a human being has two ears a stereophonic auditory sense recognizing the directions and distance of sound. We enjoy sound and music through almost perfect stereo sound system these days. Wasol draws the similar picture viewing the things like hi-fi audio system; that is, the new era of stereoscope is coming and the technology is replacing the 2 dimension-oriented displays with casually enjoyable stereoscopic appliances.
Some expert surgeons can be the specialists who are doing good job not only in 2 dimensional endoscopy, but also are good at keeping the cutting-edge tools and methodology to them.