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SonoWand, an ultrasound-based neuronavigation system.
A Gronningsaeter1, A Kleven, S Ommedal
1SINTEF Unimed, Trondheim, Norway. aage.gronningsaeter@mison.no
Neurosurgery
|December 29, 2000
Summary
This study presents the SonoWand system, integrating neuronavigation with ultrasound for frameless stereotactic surgery. The system achieves high image quality, enabling accurate navigation comparable to MRI-based methods.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Imaging
- Surgical Navigation
Background:
- Stereotactic neuronavigation traditionally relies on preoperative imaging like MRI or CT.
- Intraoperative imaging offers real-time updates but integration challenges exist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel two-rack prototype integrating neuronavigation with an ultrasound scanner.
- To present results on image quality enhancement for intraoperative ultrasound-based navigation.
Main Methods:
- Development of a single-rack system combining a high-end ultrasound scanner, computer, and optical positioning system.
- Implementation of a special interface for rapid, lossless transfer of 3D ultrasound data.
- Tracking of patient, probe, and instruments for real-time 3D map updates.
Main Results:
- Image quality improvements allow extraction of clinically valuable information from intraoperative ultrasound, comparable to preoperative MRI.
- The ultrasound-based navigation system demonstrates clinical accuracy expected to be comparable to or better than MRI-based systems.
- Successful clinical testing of the prototype at the University Hospital in Trondheim since 1997.
Conclusions:
- The SonoWand system enables neuronavigation using intraoperative 3D ultrasound.
- Further research is needed to fully explore the clinical potential and limitations of this ultrasound-based neuronavigation technology.