Mobile and Mounting Solutions for a Multi-Camera Rig for Live Recordings of Open Heart Surgery

Abstract: At the Children’s Heart Center of Skåne University Hospital (BUS) there is an ongoing project with live recordings of open heart surgeries. These recordings will be used for educational purposes, for planning of future surgeries, as well as for evaluating the surgical procedures. Currently, the recordings are made using two cameras that are positioned above the operating table on a temporary mounting rig. The problem with only using two cameras is that they are unable to capture every desired angle and also that the personnel will occasionally cover the camera's field of view. Therefore, the surgeons wish to begin recording the procedures using seven cameras that are positioned tactically to retain a clear field of view as much as possible. In order to properly utilize a multi-camera system there is a need for a mobile mounting solution that can support the weight of multiple cameras, is easily installed or uninstalled in the operating rooms, and is tailored to fit the stressful environment during an open heart surgery. The project to actualize the mobile mounting solution was performed at the Children’s Heart Center of Skåne University Hospital in collaboration with ProSwede Invest AB. The optimal solution to best suit the needs and wishes of the surgical environment at BUS is to have the multi-camera rig permanently mounted to the ceiling in the operating room and to connect the rig to a steering-arm which is attached to the operating table prior to a surgical procedure.