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Indian American leads development of AI surgical tool
The AI video tool could significantly improve surgical education and patient outcomes.
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Suvranu De, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. / Image – FSU
Researchers at the Florida Agricultural and Medical University (FAMU-FSU) College of Engineering have developed an artificial intelligence tool aimed at revolutionizing surgical training.
Led by Indian American professor Suvranu De, the Google endowed dean of the college, this innovative project aims to enhance the skills of surgeons through an AI-powered video assessment tool.
Suvranu De spearheaded the development of the video-based assessment network (VBA-Net), a system that leverages state-of-the-art deep learning models to evaluate surgical skills. The research, recently published in JAMA Surgery, a medical journal published by the American Medical Association, could significantly improve surgical education and patient outcomes.
“The more training and feedback surgeons-in-training receive, the more their skills will improve,” De said. “We have established a cutting-edge video-based assessment network that is a major step in the direction of automating the evaluation of surgical skills effectively.”
VBA-Net works by analyzing full-length videos of surgical procedures, distinguishing between expert and novice performances. It provides trainees with both real-time feedback and final scores, automating the traditionally subjective and time-consuming task of surgical skill assessment.
The platform integrates deep neural network technology with video-based assessments, offering aspiring surgeons personalized feedback. Deep neural networks mimic the complex workings of the human brain, enhancing the learning process by tailoring recommendations to individual needs.
“This tool can offer valuable support to evaluators and has the potential to ensure greater consistency in assessments,” De said. The system also incorporates Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), making AI decision-making processes more transparent and trustworthy for users.
De’s work aligns with the American Board of Surgery’s initiative to incorporate video-based assessments into surgical training, following the launch of a pilot program in 2021. He collaborated with Erim Yanik, a postdoctoral researcher at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, and physician Steven Schwaitzberg, chair of surgery at the Jacob’s School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.
“Our ultimate aspiration is to enhance patient outcomes, save lives and cultivate more well-trained surgeons in the future,” De stated, underscoring the potential life-saving impact of this groundbreaking technology.
De earned his bachelor's degree from Jadavpur University, India, in 1993, his master's degree from the Indian Institute of Science in 1995, and his doctorate from MIT in 2001, all in mechanical engineering. He serves on the editorial boards of five international journals and several scientific committees.
His accolades include the ONR Young Investigator Award (2005), the James M. Tien ’66 Early Career Award for Faculty (2009), and the Edwin F. Church Medal from ASME (2022).
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