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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Needle Tip Tracking with a Fiber-Optic Ultrasound Receiver
Published on: August 21, 2018
Linear bearing device as a solution for optical navigation of fine needle procedures
Volker Stüber1, Eduardo M Suero, Tobias H U Fner
1Trauma Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Stueber.Volker@mhhannover.de
Summary
A new linear bearing device significantly improves optical navigation accuracy for fine needles (< 1 mm). This advancement enhances precision in minimally invasive procedures, comparable to electromagnetic navigation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Surgical Navigation
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Optical navigation of fine needles (< 1 mm diameter) is challenging due to tool bending.
- Existing methods lack the precision required for accurate interventional procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel custom-made device for guiding fine needles in optical navigation systems.
- To assess the accuracy of this device in interventional fine needle procedures.
Main Methods:
- A linear bearing device was custom-built to guide fine needles along a planned trajectory.
- Accuracy was tested using ballistic gelatin and pork meat setups with 1 mm metal targets.
- 3D fluoroscopy and an optical navigation system were used to perform and analyze navigated injections.
Main Results:
- Freehand navigation with a 0.9 mm needle showed poor accuracy (mean deviations of 33.4 mm and 40.1 mm).
- The linear bearing device significantly improved accuracy (mean deviations of 0.7 mm and 0.29 mm).
Conclusions:
- The linear bearing device effectively reduces needle bending, enabling precise optical fine needle navigation.
- This technology achieves precision comparable to electromagnetic navigation, offering potential for clinical applications.
- Further research is recommended to directly compare optical and electromagnetic navigation systems.
