Optical localization for interactive, image-guided neurosurgery

Interactive, image-guided (IIG) surgery requires three processes or devices: a 3-D spatial localizer, a technique for mapping physical space into image space, and the display of present surgical position onto medical images. A number of types of 3-D localizers have been tried including articulated arms, magnetic field sensors, and ultrasonic time-of-flight devices. Optical localization techniques have been suggested in the past but rejected due to problems with angular sensitivity, system size, and data rates. In this paper we present an optical localization device for use in neurosurgery that addresses those problems and provides an accurate, easy to use localizer that, when coupled to the IIG software and image display, allows for enhanced surgical guidance.