Anatomy
Represents ocular structures, tissue characteristics and anatomical state throughout surgery.
SurgicalDataOS
A Framework for Structured Representation of Cataract Surgical Knowledge
Cataract surgery is more than a sequence of instrument movements. Every procedure is a continuous process of observation, interpretation, clinical decision-making and action.
The SurgicalDataOS Knowledge Model provides a structured representation of this knowledge, creating a foundation for artificial intelligence, robotic surgery, surgical simulation and research.
01
Why Surgical Video Alone Is Not Enough
Modern computer vision systems can identify anatomy, instruments and surgical phases from operative video. These capabilities describe what is visible during surgery but do not explicitly represent the clinical knowledge that guides an experienced surgeon.
Every surgical action is influenced by anatomical observations, clinical interpretation and continuous decision-making. Without representing these relationships, a significant part of surgical knowledge remains implicit.
The SurgicalDataOS Framework addresses this gap by transforming surgical video into structured clinical knowledge.
SURGICAL VIDEO
- Visible Anatomy
- Instrument Movement
- Procedural Sequence
- Timing
MISSING KNOWLEDGE
- Clinical Interpretation
- Decision Making
- Context
- Intent
SURGICALDATAOS
- Structured Knowledge
- Clinical Relationships
- Knowledge Model
- Validated Dataset
A surgical video records events. SurgicalDataOS represents the knowledge that gives those events clinical meaning.
02
The SurgicalDataOS Knowledge Model
The SurgicalDataOS Knowledge Model separates how surgery is performed from how surgical knowledge is represented.
Rather than describing only visible events, it represents the clinical relationships that influence every stage of an operation.
Cataract Surgery
Observation
Interpretation
Decision
Action
Represented Through
Anatomy
Instruments
Procedure
Clinical Events
Structured Knowledge Model
Validated Knowledge Dataset
Artificial Intelligence
Robotics
Simulation
Research
Instruments
Represents instrument identity, surgical function, activity and interaction with anatomy.
Procedure
Represents procedural stages, transitions and temporal progression.
Clinical Events
Represents findings, complications, surgical responses and evolving clinical context.
The SurgicalDataOS Knowledge Model represents not only what occurred during surgery, but also the clinical context in which it occurred.
03
Representation Standards
The framework is implemented through complementary representation standards that transform cataract surgery into structured knowledge.
Standard 01
Anatomical Representation
- Identity
- State
- Tissue Characteristics
- Spatial Relationships
Standard 02
Instrument Representation
- Identity
- Function
- Activity
- Instrument–Anatomy Interaction
- Operational State
Standard 03
Procedural Representation
- Surgical Stages
- Procedural States
- Stage Transitions
- Planned Variations
- Unplanned Events
Standard 04
Clinical Event Representation
- Pre-existing Conditions
- Intraoperative Findings
- Complications
- Surgical Responses
- Event Relationships
Together these standards form a unified knowledge model supporting consistent datasets for AI, robotics, simulation and research.
04
Applications
Artificial Intelligence
Clinically meaningful datasets for computer vision, multimodal AI and surgical reasoning.
Robotics Cataract Surgery
Knowledge representation supporting intelligent assistance and future autonomous surgical systems.
Simulation
Simulation environments incorporating both procedural execution and clinical reasoning.
Surgical Education
Teaching surgical reasoning alongside technical skill.
Research
A common representation framework supporting reproducible ophthalmic research.
05
About
Dr Merine Paul
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Founder of SurgicalDataOS
SurgicalDataOS originated from the observation that surgical videos capture what a surgeon does but not the clinical reasoning that guides those actions.
The project aims to develop a structured representation of cataract surgical knowledge for artificial intelligence, robotic surgery, simulation and research.
06
Contact
Interested in collaboration?
We welcome discussions with ophthalmologists, AI researchers, robotics companies, academic institutions and industry partners interested in advancing structured surgical knowledge.