An optical tracking system for a microsurgical training simulator.

To achieve a high degree of immersion in medical training simulators, realistic and native user interfaces are needed. We implemented an optical tracking system in order to track original instruments for a microsurgical training simulator. In a marker-based setup, the forceps was equipped with markers. As a step towards a markerless tracking system, an approach with a partly coloured forceps is presented. Both methods were implemented and resulted in working real-time tracking modules.