A software solution to dynamically reduce metallic distortions of electromagnetic tracking systems for image-guided...

Area of Science:

• Medical instrumentation
• Electromagnetic tracking systems
• Image-guided interventions

Background:

• Electromagnetic tracking systems (EMTS) are widely used in clinical settings for instrument tracking.
• Tracking errors from metallic objects and devices hinder broader EMTS application in medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a method for dynamically reducing EMTS tracking errors caused by nearby metallic objects.
• To improve the accuracy and reliability of EMTS in clinical environments.

Main Methods:

• A novel method using ramp waveform excitation, modeling distorters as resistance-inductance circuits.
• Implementation of a fast data acquisition technique to increase system refresh rate.

Main Results:

• Reduced sensor positioning error to below 0.7 mm at 100 mm distance.
• Decreased sensor pose error to under 0.5 mm in position and [FORMULA] in orientation.
• Achieved a system refresh rate of approximately 12.7 frames per second.

Conclusions:

• A software-based approach seamlessly integrates into existing EMTS without hardware modification.
• The method significantly improves tracking accuracy in the presence of metallic interference.
• Potential to enhance safety and outcomes in image-guided interventions.