Performance of magnetic field-guided navigation system for interventional neurosurgical and cardiac procedures

A hospital-based magnetic guidance system (MGS) was installed to assist a physician in navigating catheters and guide wires during interventional cardiac and neurosurgical procedures. The objective of this study is to examine the performance of this magnetic field-guided navigation system. Our results show that the system's radiological imaging components produce images with quality similar to that produced by other modern fluoroscopic devices. The system's magnetic navigation components also deflect the wire and catheter tips toward the intended direction. The physician, however, will have to oversteer the wire or catheter when defining the steering angle during the procedure. The MGS could be clinically useful in device navigation deflection and vessel access.