HEX: a safe research framework for hybrid EMT X-ray navigation

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Navigation
• Radiation Safety

Background:

• Continuous X-ray imaging provides crucial visual guidance in surgical navigation but poses significant health risks due to ionizing radiation exposure for patients and staff.
• Minimizing radiation exposure is a critical challenge in medical procedures relying on real-time imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the Hybrid EMT + X-ray (HEX) framework for surgical navigation.
• To assess the potential of interleaving X-ray snapshots with electromagnetic tracking (EMT) to reduce radiation dose.
• To enable safe and efficient experimentation with hybrid navigation techniques.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Hybrid EMT + X-ray (HEX) research framework, integrating hardware and software components for data acquisition.
• Implementation of error compensation strategies (cubic and linear) within the HEX framework.
• Evaluation of accuracy and radiation reduction in simulated surgical procedures.

Main Results:

• Hybrid navigation using HEX reduced radiation by [Formula: see text] with cubic and [Formula: see text] with linear error compensation.
• Submillimeter accuracy was maintained with the hybrid approach.
• Training data requirements for error compensation were halved without compromising the accuracy-radiation trade-off.

Conclusions:

• The HEX framework provides a safe and efficient platform for evaluating hybrid navigation strategies.
• Integrating electromagnetic tracking with intraoperative X-ray significantly lowers radiation levels in the operating room.
• This hybrid approach enhances the safety of surgical procedures for both patients and operating personnel.