AI-Powered Surgical Co-Pilot Real-Time Assistance for Laparoscopic Procedures
The Context
In laparoscopic surgery, surgeons operate with limited visual scope, reduced depth perception, and constrained instrument mobility. These factors contribute to perception errors and potential surgical complications, particularly in identifying critical anatomy or responding to intraoperative risks like bile duct injuries. With over 13 million laparoscopic surgeries performed globally each year, enhancing decision-making through real-time intelligence is both urgent and transformative.
A global healthcare innovation initiative enabled PrimeMover Solutions, in collaboration with a leading laparoscopic camera partner from Israel, to develop an AI-powered surgical co-pilot. This initiative focused on delivering intelligent, real-time intraoperative support by integrating vision AI directly into laparoscopic procedures
The Challenge
- Surgeons lack contextual AI support to guide complex dissection pathways and highlight anatomical boundaries.
- Inappropriate camera movement and visual ambiguity increase fatigue and error rates.
- Existing visual augmentation methods, such as ICG dye, are invasive and
- Training young surgeons in safe practices remains a global challenge, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 clinical environments.
Our Solution
PrimeMover Solutions developed a real-time AI co-pilot system that enhances laparoscopic surgery through:
- Instrument & Anatomy Detection: AI models trained to detect surgical tools and anatomical structures, especially in 270° wide-angle videos.
- Context-Aware Guidance: Alerts and suggestions provided during surgery to assist navigation through complex anatomical zones.
- Edge Deployment: Optimized for execution on edge hardware integrated with laparoscopic imaging systems.
- Training Integration: Used in post-operative review and AI-assisted coaching for skill improvement.
Key Features of the Surgical Co-Pilot
- Real-Time Instrument Detection
Recognizes and tags surgical instruments with high accuracy.
- Anatomy Visualization
Detects organs and critical anatomical landmarks to reduce perception errors.
- Context-Aware Alerts
Provides alerts to guide decisions during critical steps such as dissection near the common bile duct.
- Edge-Optimized Architecture
Functions in real time without internet dependency, ensuring seamless execution within clinical surgical settings.
5.Seamless Hardware Integration
Designed for plug-and-play integration with any advanced laparoscopic video system, enabling seamless adoption by surgical teams without the need for specialized configurations or proprietary hardware dependency.
Impact & Result
The ongoing development and validation of the AI Surgical Co-Pilot is projected to deliver transformative outcomes for laparoscopic procedures:
▪ Enhanced Surgical Safety: AI-assisted real-time alerts are expected to reduce perception errors and minimize the risk of critical injuries, especially to structures like the common bile duct.
▪ Improved Clinical Precision: Better visibility of anatomical landmarks and surgical tools through AI is anticipated to increase the accuracy of complex procedures.
▪ Operational Efficiency: A reduction in surgery time and improvement in workf low is expected through smarter intraoperative guidance and visual clarity.
▪ Scalable Clinical Adoption: With plug-and-play integration and feedback from initial clinical testing, the system is designed for scalable deployment across hospitals globally.
▪ Surgeon Support and Training: The co-pilot’s post-surgery analysis and intraoperative decision support is aimed at assisting both seasoned and junior surgeons, contributing to faster skill acquisition and reduced cognitive load.
Conclusion
The AI Surgical Co-Pilot redefines what’s possible in laparoscopic surgery by blending computer vision, deep learning, and edge intelligence into one seamless decision-support system. From real-time instrument tracking to anatomical navigation and injury detection, it acts as an intelligent co-pilot in the operating room and enhances safety, precision, and confidence at every stage of the surgical process.
At PrimeMover Solutions, we continue to empower modern healthcare with real world AI that bridges the gap between human expertise and intelligent augmentation, driving the future of surgery.
