A real-time automatic instrument tracking system on cataract surgery videos for dexterity assessment

In this paper we describe the SUITS (Surrey University Instrument Tracking System), an automated video processing system that analyzes videos of cataract surgeries to extract parameters for surgical skill assessment. Through image processing and object tracking techniques the eye is identified, and its movement and direction changes throughout the operation are monitored. Any instrument that moves into or out of the eye is located with its path measured. So far we have developed a prototype real-time system that has demonstrated great potential. The developed system is automatic, with minimal human supervision required throughout the processing time. In addition, the solution is generic, and it can be applied to other tracking problems, possibly other types of surgery videos, with minor modifications.