Background and Objective: Neuronavigation devices have progressed over the past 2 decades, but logistical limitations remain for many stereotactic procedures. We describe our technique and accuracy for a novel miniature optical tracking system which overcomes these limitations. Method: The minioptical tracking system uses a miniature video camera mounted on a rigid cannula to determine cannula location and orientation relative to a patient-attached sticker containing reference markers. A CT scan is used to register these markers to the anatomy and a user-selected target. A computer displays the cannula guidance information to the target. Bench testing was performed on 225 targets in a custom test phantom and additional testing was performed on 20 small targets in an anthropomorphic head phantom to determine the practical accuracy and workflow. Results: The phantom study demonstrated that 3-D navigation accuracy is 1.41 ± 0.53 mm. There was a 100% head phantom study success rate for the 20 small targets. Conclusions: The resulting accuracy data demonstrated good correlation with the CT data, and the clinical simulation workflow indicated its potential usefulness for common neurosurgical applications. Furthermore, this small-footprint tracking technology does not experience the traditional environmentally induced issues or the requirement of pin-based head fixation, allowing for use in the neurointensive care unit and the emergency department.

Keywords:
Frameless stereotaxy, Image-guided neurosurgery, Intraoperative imaging, Neuronavigation
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© 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
2013
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