The development of a neurosurgical navigation system

A Computer Assisted Neurosurgical Navigation System (CANS Navigator) has been developed, which assists neurosurgeons in surgery by utilizing images from highly advanced medical imaging devices. During a surgical procedure, the positional and directional information about the surgical, tools can be confirmed by observing their location on the CT or MR images on the CRT monitor. Applying magnetic field technology to position measurement, the position sensor attached to the surgical tool can be made small and light. As a result, no interference occurs with the surgical procedure. Performed on important fine vessels and nerves, neurosurgery requires precision techniques often lasting many hours. Therefore, the surgeons bear great loads physically and psychologically. Because understanding the location of the diseased part and the various organs can be made easy, the use of this system reduces the workload on surgeons and helps effect more accurate and safer surgery. (author)