Technical accuracy of optical and the electromagnetic tracking systems

Area of Science:

• Medical technology
• Surgical navigation systems
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Computer assisted surgery (CAS) is increasingly used in operations.
• Device reliability and accuracy are critical due to a rise in hazardous situations.
• Pre-operative accuracy assessment could prevent surgical complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the technical accuracy of a commercial surgical navigator using optical (OTS) and electromagnetic (EMTS) tracking systems.
• To analyze the accuracy trends of different tracking modalities within a defined region of surgical interest (ROSI).
• To provide insights into optimizing hardware placement for improved surgical navigation.

Main Methods:

• Technical accuracy was evaluated by comparing navigated tool tip positions with phantom accuracy points.
• Assessments used 51 points within a 120x120x100 mm ROSI, mimicking the human head.
• Error analysis was performed to understand accuracy trends for OTS and EMTS.

Main Results:

• The technical accuracies of OTS and EMTS were found to be nearly equal over the tested ROSI.
• The study provided a comprehensive error analysis of the surgical navigator modalities.
• Hardware placement is a key factor influencing the performance of tracking systems.

Conclusions:

• Both OTS and EMTS demonstrate comparable technical accuracy in surgical navigation.
• Optimizing the placement of tracking system hardware is crucial for specific surgical procedures.
• Electromagnetic tracking systems (EMTS) offer potential for applications not requiring rigid immobilization.