Assistance device and method for imaging support of an operating surgeon during a surgical procedure using at least one medical instrument

An assistance device (10) is described for imaging support of an operating surgeon during a surgical procedure using at least one medical instrument. The assistance device (10) comprises a camera (12), a display device (18), a manipulator (14) coupled to the camera (12), a manipulator controller (26), and an image-processing unit (22). The image-processing unit (22) contains an instrument detection module (50) for detecting at least one target structure representing the instrument used in the respective frame by identifying a predetermined identification feature and for extracting position information which indicates the position of the target structure in the frame. The instrument detection module (50) identifies an image segment as the predetermined identifying feature, said image segment being characterised by a color saturation which is equal to or less than a predetermined color saturation, and an outline delimiting the image segment, which has at least one straight line section. 本发明说明种用于在使用至少个医学仪器外科手术期间