Using augmented reality in surgery provides surgeons with continuous or on-demand visualisation of key elements handled during the procedure, such as organs, especially sensitive blood vessels and tumours, in real time.

To apply this technology in open liver surgery is the goal of the REALQUIRUR project, promoted by the J. Torrent Institute at the El Pilar Hospital with the participation of the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE), a consortium between the Catalan government and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · Barcelona Tech (UPC). It is an internationally groundbreaking initiative, since no augmented reality-based model is currently capable of simulating the images from the tests performed on patients in real time.

Augmented reality is a visualisation technology in which complementary information is overlaid on the real world that the user is seeing through devices such as a smartphone camera or specifically designed glasses. Applying this technology to surgery increases the effectiveness of the procedure and prevents possible harm and repeat operations.

The REALQUIRUR project has received €200,000 in funding from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI). The J. Torrent Institute and the CIMNE are looking into ways to develop this technology in the next 12 months before its launch.

The CIMNE, an international benchmark in technology transfer
Since its creation in 1987, the CIMNE has become established as a research centre that focuses on the development and application of numerical methods and computer calculation techniques for solving challenges within the various branches of engineering in an international context.

The CIMNE promotes research and training activities, technology transfer and spin-off creation and has become an international benchmark in the generation of knowledge and solutions for engineering.

Throughout its more than 30 years of activity, the CIMNE has participated in over 700 research projects, has created 16 startups and has signed about 1,200 contracts with industry.