Currently existing optical navigation systems have ergonomic disadvantages such as size, the “line of sight” problem and extended registration procedures. The operation room becomes crowded by additional installations and competitive supporting devices around the patient. These points reduce and limit the acceptance of navigation systems for further applications. But especially for surgical quality management, navigation systems have a high potential as objective measurement systems. A miniaturised measuring and navigation system, which is directly fixed at the surgical tool, could overcome these limitations and fulfil the requirements demanded by current and future operation rooms. Minimising the distance between situ and camera promises an increased accuracy, a reduced “line of sight problem,” intuitive handling and one coordinate transformation (Tool2DRB) less. However, such a setting reduces the navigation working space available, needs a sterile system, a new marker design and special requirements for the cameras. The developed prototypes were tested in vitro using Synbones™ and ex vivo at anatomical specimen. Following surgical pilot applications were defined and considered during the studies: maxillofacial restoration osteotomy, hip replacement and unicondylar knee replacements (UKR). Special emphasis was placed on measured and recorded accuracy and miniaturised hardware.Background
Method
