Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
10:25
Technical Approach for Infrared Tracking for Soft Tissue Navigation with a Holographic Head-Mounted Display and Preclinical Validation
Published on: September 2, 2025
338
Quantitative Augmented Reality-Assisted Free-Hand Orthognathic Surgery Using Electromagnetic Tracking and
Seong-Ha Kim1, Sang-Jeong Lee2, Min-Hyuk Choi2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University.
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
|November 2, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a new augmented reality (AR) method for free-hand orthognathic surgery. The technique uses electromagnetic (EM) tracking and a skin-attached dynamic reference tool for precise surgical repositioning.
Area of Science:
- Medical Technology
- Surgical Innovation
- Image-Guided Surgery
Background:
- Orthognathic surgery planning often relies on static imaging.
- Real-time intraoperative guidance can improve surgical accuracy and outcomes.
- Existing augmented reality (AR) systems may require complex setups or invasive tracking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a quantitative AR-assisted free-hand orthognathic surgery method.
- To utilize electromagnetic (EM) tracking and a novel skin-attached dynamic reference tool (SRT).
- To simplify and enhance the workflow for AR-assisted orthognathic procedures.
Main Methods:
- Developed a workflow integrating optical marker-less tracking, a comfortable display, and a non-invasive SRT.
- Performed pre-operative registrations between physical (EM tracking) and CT image spaces, and between physical and AR camera spaces.
- Utilized EM tracking for intraoperative superimposition of the maxillary bone segment (MBS) onto the patient's real image, allowing free-hand repositioning with quantitative visualization.
Main Results:
- Evaluated accuracy using a phantom model with simulated Le Fort I surgery (6 translational, 3 rotational movements).
- Mean absolute deviations (MADs) for the SRT were 0.20mm (x-axis), 0.34mm (y-axis), 0.29mm (z-axis), and 0.55mm (RMS).
- No significant differences in accuracy were found between the SRT and a bone-attached reference tool (BRT), or among different surgical movements/axes.
Conclusions:
- The developed AR-assisted free-hand orthognathic surgery method demonstrates high accuracy and reliability.
- The use of EM tracking and SRT offers a simplified and effective approach for surgical guidance.
- This technique holds promise for improving precision in orthognathic surgeries.
