4. Augmented reality

4.1 The principle of augmented reality

The principle of augmented reality is to superimpose virtual images on real images, acquired using a digital camera, to enhance understanding of the image. This concept, widely used in the audiovisual and aeronautical industries, has particularly interesting applications during surgery. The aim is to provide the surgeon with information on the position of anatomical structures that cannot be discerned directly.

The advantage of such a process is that it makes it much simpler to carry out complex surgical procedures, which require very precise planning of the procedure to be followed. In neurosurgery, for example, the use of such techniques eliminates the need for stereotactic frames, which are often traumatic for the patient....