Hiroshi Hoshino

The effect of CyberDome, a novel 3-dimensional dome-shaped display system, on laparoscopic procedures

BackgroundLaparoscopic surgeons require extended experience of cases to overcome the lack of depth perception on a two-dimensional (2D) display. Although a three-dimensional (3D) display was reported to be useful over two decades ago, 3D systems have not been widely used. Recently, we developed a novel 3D dome-shaped display (3DD) system, CyberDome.Study designIn the present study, a total of 23 students volunteered. We evaluated the effects of the 3DD system on depth perception and laparoscopic procedures in comparison with the 2D, a conventional 3D (3DP) or the 2D high definition (HD) systems using seven tasks.ResultsThe 3DD system significantly improved depth perception and laparoscopic performance compared with the 2D system in six new tasks. We further found that the 3DD system shortened the execution time and reduced the number of errors during suturing and knot tying. The 3DD system also provided more depth perception than the 3DP and 2D HD systems.ConclusionsThe novel 3DD system is a promising tool for providing depth perception with high resolution to laparoscopic surgeons.

Advanced electron-beam writing system EX-11 for next-generation mask fabrication

Toshiba and Toshiba Machine have developed an advanced electron beam writing system EX-11 for next-generation mask fabrication. EX-11 is a 50 kV variable-shaped beam lithography system for manufacturing 4x masks for 0.15 - 0.18 micrometer technology generation. Many breakthroughs were studied and applied to EX-11 to meet future mask-fabrication requirements, such as critical dimension and positioning accuracy. We have verified the accuracy required for 0.15 - 0.18 micrometer generation.

Microprogrammable Ultrasonic Image Processor And Its Applications To Image Manipulation

A microprogrammable ultrasonic image processor and its applications to image enhancement are presented. An image processor has been implemented to input, manipulate and display the ultrasonic image data with a high image quality and also to facilitate the human operation. Although this processor has specially designed circuits for ultrasonic image processing, a microprocessor and its associated arithmetic circuits can be utilized for programmed image manipulations; for example, smoothing, enhancement, contrast stretching, area/arc-length measurement and so on.

Three-dimensional vision techniques for an advanced robot system

This paper describes 3D vision techniques for an advanced robot system in terms of efficient hardware and practical software. Arm-controlled stereo cameras have been developed for efficient 3D sensing, whose interocular distance, yaw and tilt are under program control. Stereo vision programs are implemented with the aid of the stereo cameras and a high-speed vision processor. Knowledge-guided vision algorithms are realized in a high-level processor, where a priori knowledge regarding the environments, objects and procedure controls are utilized.

Robot vision implementation by high-speed image processor TOSPIX: Battery inspection

This paper presents an intelligent robot vision system using TOSPIX which has been newly developed to realize frequently-used and time-consuming image processing functions at low-cost and high-speed. The vision system has been studied for use in observing surface information about electric parts (dry batteries), inspecting them and then placing good ones into a given box. Three major robot vision functions are implemented here: object recognition, inspection and position determination by binary and gray-scale image processing techniques. While binary image techniques are used in battery terminal inspection and box position determination gray-scale image processing functions are performed in a label pattern check on a battery surface, front or rear surface determination, and surface defect inspection.