Pitfalls of electromagnetic tracking in clinical routine using multiple or adjacent sensors. Issue 3 (4th April 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wegner, Ingmar; Teber, Dogu; Hadaschik, Boris; Pahernik, Sascha; Hohenfellner, Markus; Meinzer, Hans‐Peter; Huber, Johannes
• Is Part Of: International journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery. Volume 9:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2012-04-04
• Subjects: Robotics in medicine -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Imaging systems in medicine -- Periodicals; 617.90285
• DOI: 10.1002/rcs.1431
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-5951

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="rcs1431-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>While electromagnetic tracking (EMT) holds great promise, there are substantiated concerns about interference within the clinical environment. The purpose of this study was to address accuracy and isolate pitfalls for using multiple or adjacent EMT sensors in clinical routine.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1431-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A phantom simulating an EMT‐guided puncture of the kidney was used to analyse the effects of multiple sensors in the direct vicinity, common clinical environments and the influence of endo‐urological instruments.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1431-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>No relevant interference due to the investigated instruments was discovered. However, there was a great decrease in accuracy in the vicinity of a C‐arm's image intensifier, especially affecting the precision of two adjacent sensors.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1431-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Endo‐urological instruments can be safely used for multi‐sensor EMT‐guided procedures. When avoiding the immediate proximity of the surgical table and the image intensifier, there is a comfortable accuracy corridor. Thus, EMT‐assistance is promising for a wide range of procedures if basic conditions are met. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>