A frameless, armless navigational system for computer-assisted neurosurgery

TLDR

The system integrates a 3‑D digitizer, a PC, and image‑processing software that uses magnetic‑field modulation to track a probe, pointer, or suction tube via a magnetic sensor and maps its position onto preoperative CT or MR images using four scalp fiducial markers. The frameless, armless navigation enables CT or MR stereotaxy during conventional open neurosurgery without restricting the operative field or interfering with surgical procedures.

Abstract

✓ A computer-assisted neurosurgical navigational system has been developed which displays intraoperative manipulation on the preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance (MR) images. The system consists of a three-dimensional digitizer, a personal computer, and an image-processing unit. Utilizing recently developed magnetic field modulation technology, the three-dimensional digitizer determines the spatial position and orientation angles of the resin probe, triangle-shaped pointer, or suction tube with a small attached magnetic field sensor. Four fiducial markers on the scalp were used to translate the spatial data of the probe onto the preoperative CT scans or MR images of the patient. With this frameless, armless navigational system, CT or MR-imaging stereotaxy can be applied to conventional open neurosurgery without limiting the operative field or interfering with the surgical procedures.