Summary: UCLA researchers have developed a minimally invasive surgery visualization system that uses integrated surgical access ports with built-in imaging and illumination, along with an AI-based virtual camera engine, to create an automatically instrument-centric view without requiring a dedicated laparoscope port. Background: Minimally invasive surgery usually relies on both working ports for instruments and a separate camera port for a laparoscope or thoracoscope. However, these setups in the current state of the art have several deleterious drawbacks. First, the dedicated camera port adds another incision, which can increase pain, complication risk, and cosmetic impact. Second, visualization is limited to the physical position of the scope, so maintaining a functional view often requires continuous manual camera control by an assistant or by the surgeon. Third, the camera shaft can crowd the surgical field, interfere with instruments, restrict motion, and increase the risk for additional complications. In addition, because conventional systems place the camera at a single entry point, they can have blind spots and a limited field of regard. These limitations highlight the need for an improved visualization system that can reduce the number of ports, expand viewing angles, and provide a more intuitive and automated view of the operative field. Innovation: To address these needs, UCLA researchers have developed a visualization system in which multiple surgical access ports function as both working ports and imaging ports. Each port includes an integrated image sensor and illumination source, allowing the ports to be placed at separate locations around the body cavity and operate as a distributed camera array. Image data from the ports is combined by a processing unit that uses an AI-powered virtual camera engine to generate a three-dimensional representation of the surgical field and render a virtual viewpoint that is not tied to any single physical camera. The system can detect the working end of a surgical instrument and automatically update the virtual camera view so that the instrument remains in a desired location within the image, reducing the need for continuous manual camera control. The inventors also demonstrate that the same integrated imaging hardware can be used for optical entry during port placement, eliminating the need for a separate laparoscope during both access and the operative phase. This innovation has the potential to improve a wide array of surgical procedures by providing operators with enhanced visualization, automated camera positioning, and a more intuitive view of the surgical field, while reducing the need for dedicated imaging equipment. Potential Applications: ● Laparoscopic surgery ● Thoracoscopic surgery ● Robotic-assisted surgery ● AI-guided surgical visualization ● Reduced port minimally invasive procedures ● Optical entry during port placement ● Instrument-centric surgical navigation Advantages: ● Eliminates the need for a dedicated camera port ● Can reduce the number of incisions required for visualization ● Expands field of regard using distributed camera locations ● Reduces blind spots compared to single-viewpoint systems ● Provides automatic instrument-centric visualization ● Reduces the need for continuous manual camera driving ● Can use the same imaging hardware for both port placement and surgery ● May reduce crowding and collisions in the operative field State of Development: First description of complete invention; demonstration of a working prototype in progress. Reference: UCLA Case No. 2026-154 Related Technology: METHODS AND APPRATUS FOR FIXATION OF INTRAVASCULAR CATHETERS AND CANNULAS (Case No. 2023-228-1) Inventors: Peyman Benharash, Sara Sakowitz, Ryan Witt