Accuracy of electromagnetic tracking with a prototype field generator in an interventional OR setting

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Robotics in Surgery
• Electromagnetic Tracking

Background:

• Interventional radiology relies on precise instrument tracking for minimally invasive procedures.
• Robotic C-arms introduce electromagnetic interference, challenging existing tracking systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy and robustness of a prototype electromagnetic window field generator (WFG) with a robotic C-arm.
• To assess the WFG's suitability for developing advanced guidance systems in various endoscopic and surgical applications.

Main Methods:

• Compared a torus-shaped WFG against a standard field generator (SFG) under robotic C-arm influence.
• Measured accuracy and robustness with the C-arm in multiple positions and poses.
• Assessed the impact of C-arm proximity on electromagnetic field generator performance.

Main Results:

• Both WFG and SFG systems demonstrated robustness.
• C-arm movement significantly impacted accuracy, particularly for the SFG.
• The WFG exhibited less susceptibility to C-arm interference, showing smaller root-mean-square position error, maximum error, and error variance.

Conclusions:

• The WFG represents a significant advancement for electromagnetic tracking in C-arm-based fluoroscopy.
• Implementation of a correction scheme with the WFG is feasible for clinical application.
• This technology could enhance guidance for complex interventional procedures.