Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
14:59
Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
10.0K
A Low-Cost Articulated Arm Navigation System for External Ventricular Drain Placement
Alexander D Smith1, Anant Naik2, Suguna Pappu3
1Siebel School of Computing and Data Science and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA.
IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics
|September 17, 2025
Summary
This study presents a low-cost, real-time navigation system for precise external ventricular drain placement. The system achieves high accuracy with and without fiducials, improving surgical navigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Devices
- Image-Guided Therapy
Background:
- External ventricular drains (EVDs) are crucial for managing intracranial pressure.
- Accurate placement of EVDs is essential to avoid complications.
- Existing navigation systems can be expensive and complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a low-cost, real-time navigation system for EVD placement.
- To provide surgeons with intuitive image guidance for accurate EVD targeting.
- To enhance accessibility of image-guided procedures.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an articulated arm coordinate measuring machine bolted to the patient's skull.
- Employing a graphical user interface for image registration and 3D navigation.
- Workflow compatible with and without fiducials in preoperative imaging.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated accuracy with less than 2 mm error with fiducials.
- Achieved less than 4 mm error without fiducials.
- Registration procedure completed in under one minute by a single operator.
Conclusions:
- The proposed system enables intuitive, real-time image-guided navigation for bedside EVD placement.
- The system's low cost and ease of use can expand access to this critical procedure.
- Offers a practical solution for improving the safety and efficiency of EVD insertion.
