Navigation-based needle puncture of a cadaver using a hybrid tracking navigational system

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Navigation
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Navigational systems enhance precision in medical procedures.
• Augmented reality and overlay imaging offer real-time guidance during interventions.
• Accurate instrument placement is critical in soft tissue procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the puncture accuracy of the Medarpa navigational system.
• To compare Medarpa's accuracy against standard computed tomography (CT)-guided puncture.
• To assess Medarpa's performance in a soft tissue environment using augmented overlay imaging.

Main Methods:

• The Medarpa system, an optical electromagnetic tracking device, was used for instrument and display tracking.
• A transparent display superimposed CT scans onto a cadaver chest for real-time guidance.
• Needle punctures were performed using Medarpa (Group A) and standard CT guidance (Group B) on 42 targets each.
• Post-puncture CT scans verified needle tip accuracy.

Main Results:

• Mean needle deviation was 8.42 mm (Medarpa) vs. 8.90 mm (CT-guided), with no significant difference between groups.
• No significant difference in accuracy was observed between targets within the same group or between groups.
• Procedural time was significantly shorter with Medarpa (160 minutes) compared to CT-guided puncture (289 minutes).

Conclusions:

• The Medarpa navigational system provides reliable needle puncture accuracy in soft tissues.
• Medarpa's accuracy is comparable to traditional CT-guided puncture techniques.
• The Medarpa system offers a more time-efficient approach to CT-guided interventions.