Using AI to improve minimally invasive surgery through better video analysis

AI-assisted Annotation of Minimally Invasive Surgical Video for Building Information-Rich Datasets and Data-Efficient Learning Systems

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10953417

This study is looking at how using artificial intelligence to analyze surgical videos can help surgeons learn better and perform minimally invasive surgeries more effectively, which could lead to better outcomes for patients like you.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10953417 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) by utilizing artificial intelligence to analyze surgical videos. The goal is to develop algorithms that can automatically annotate and compress lengthy surgical footage, making it easier for surgeons to learn and improve their techniques. By providing timely feedback and context-aware insights, this project aims to address the challenges of limited visibility and complex coordination during surgeries. Patients can benefit from improved surgical outcomes as surgeons become more proficient through enhanced training methods.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals scheduled for minimally invasive surgical procedures, particularly in areas like colorectal surgery.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing traditional open surgeries or those not requiring surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective minimally invasive surgical procedures, resulting in reduced recovery times and complications for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using AI for video analysis in various fields, suggesting that this approach could be effective in surgical training as well.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.