Realization of real-time X-ray stereoscopic vision during interventional procedures

During interventional procedures, the deficiencies of nonstereoscopic vision increase the difficulty of identifying the anteroposterior direction and pathways of vessels. Therefore, achieving real-time stereoscopic vision during interventional procedures is meaningful. Pairs of X-ray images were captured with identical parameter settings, except for different rotation angles (represented as the α angle). The resulting images at these α angles were used as left-eye and right-eye views and were horizontally merged into single left-right 3D images. Virtual reality (VR) glasses were used for achieving stereo vision. Pairs of X-ray images from four angiographies with different α angles (1.8–3.4°) were merged into left-right 3D images. Observation with VR glasses can produce realistic stereo views of vascular anatomical structure. The results showed that the optimal α angles accepted by the brain for generating stereo vision were within a narrow range (approximately 1.4–4.1°). Subsequent tests showed that during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, 3D X-ray stereoscopic images provided significantly improved spatial discrimination and convenience for identifying the supply vessels of a liver tumor and its anteroposterior direction compared with plain X-ray images (all P < 0.01). Real-time X-ray stereoscopic vision can be easily achieved via the straightforward method described herein and has the potential to benefit patients during interventional procedures.