A Non-Contacting 3-D Digitizer for Use in Image-Guided Neurosurgery

H. Sun, H. Farid, D.W. Roberts, K. Rick, A. Hartov, and K.D. Paulsen

Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, 80(1-4):120-124, 2003

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Current neuro-navigational systems face two primary challenges: (1) the automatic and robust registration between pre-operative images and the operating room space; and (2) the compensation for brain deformations that compromise the accuracy of the initial registration. To contend with these difficulties we first estimate the 3-D structure of the cortical surface using a non-contacting 3-D digitizer. This 3-D structure is then used to establish the initial registration, and to update the pre-operative MR volume as the brain deforms. We show that this approach improves the accuracy of registration in phantom study, and demonstrates the ability to capture cortical motion in six clinical cases.