An optical navigator for brain surgery

Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) helps surgeons find their bearings during operations under difficult visual conditions. These include brain surgery and other head operations. CAS combines coordinate measurements of the operating instruments and superimposes their positions on to images of the operation area so that surgeons can follow instrument movements on a computer screen. Since 1986, the Institute for Measurement Techniques (Lehrstuhl für Meßtechnik) has been working in close cooperation with the Aachen University Hospital to develop CAS systems. This project has successfully treated numerous patients in the areas of neurosurgery, otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), ophthalmology, radiotherapy and neurology. Based on this work, Philips Medical Systems has developed a commercial system for neurosurgery. This orientation device to aid physician accuracy in brain surgery has been developed by combining 3D position measurement techniques, digital image processing and 3D display techniques. This article provides an overview of the development process and an outlook on possible applications