International audienceThis paper describes a simple and robust algorithm which permits to track surgical instruments without artificial markers in endoscopic images. Based on image processing, this algorithm can estimate the 2D/3D pose of all the instruments visible in the image, in real-time (30 Hz). The originality of the approach is based on the use of a Frangi filter for detecting edges and the tip of instruments. The accuracy of the instruments’ location in the image is evaluated using an extensive dataset (1500 images, 3 laparoscopic surgeries). Pose estimation of instruments in space is quantitatively evaluated on a test bench through comparison with the ground truth positioning provided by a calibrated robotic instrument holder. This method opens perspectives in the real-time control of surgical robots and the intra-operative recognition of surgical gestures

International audienceWe propose an image-based control for a roboticendoscope holder during laparoscopic surgery. Our aim is toprovide more comfort to the practitioner during surgery byautomatically positioning the endoscope at his request. To doso, we propose to maintain one or more instruments roughly atthe center of the laparoscopic image through different commandmodes. The originality of this method relies on the direct useof the endoscopic image and the absence of artificial markersadded to the instruments. The application is validated on a testbench with a commercial robotic endoscope holder