A compact navigation system for free hand needle placement in percutaneos procedures

In this work we have designed and developed a new navigation system for interventional radiology, implemented in a light and compact device. The system attached to the needle is composed by a small screen that gives hints about the position and the orientation, a controller that commands the screen and interfaces with the computer, and a marker that communicates with a tracking system. By using a real time software the user is guided to move the needle along the desired position and orientation. To the best of our knowledges, this is the first system to have the navigation display integrated directly on the tool. The in-vitro tests we have performed, show how such a system yields a higher precision in the execution of the task and a reduction of the time required to complete the procedure.