Fully Integrated Laser Guidance for CT-Based Punctures: A Study in Phantoms and Patients

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology
• Surgical Navigation Technologies
• Percutaneous Procedures

Background:

• Conventional computed tomography (CT) guidance is standard for percutaneous interventions.
• Limitations exist in accuracy and efficiency, particularly for complex trajectories.
• Novel navigation systems are being developed to improve interventional procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a fully integrated, laser-based CT navigation system.
• To compare its applicability and accuracy against conventional CT guidance for percutaneous interventions.

Main Methods:

• Phantoms and 12 patients underwent percutaneous punctures using conventional CT and laser-guided CT.
• Radiologists of varying experience levels performed procedures.
• Key metrics included planning/intervention time, control scans, radiation exposure, and needle placement accuracy.

Main Results:

• Laser guidance was technically and clinically feasible in all cases.
• Significantly reduced planning time, intervention time, control scans, and radiation exposure were observed with laser guidance.
• Accuracy of needle placement was significantly increased with laser-guided interventions.

Conclusions:

• The integrated laser-guided CT system is feasible for percutaneous interventions.
• It offers faster and more accurate punctures, especially for out-of-plane trajectories.
• The technology demonstrated excellent clinical and technical success in initial trials.