Overview

Neuronavigation

  The main goal of image guidance in neurosurgery is to accurately project magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) data into the operative field for defining anatomical landmarks, pathological structures and margins of tumors. To achieve this, "neuronavigation" software solutions have been developed to provide precise spatial information to neurosurgeons. Safe and accurate navigation of brain anatomy is of great importance when attempting to avoid important structures such as arteries and nerves.

  Neuronavigation software provides orientation information to the surgeon during all three phases of surgery: 1) pre-operative trajectory planning, 2) the intraoperative stereotactic procedure, and 3) post-operative visualization. Trajectory planning is performed prior to surgery using preoperative MRI data. On the day of surgery, the plans are transferred to stereotactic space using a frame or frame-less system. In both instances, a set of radiopaque fiducials are detected, providing the transformation matrix from anatomical space to stereotactic space. During the surgical procedure, the plans are updated according to intraoperative data collected (i.e. microelectrode recordings, electrode stimulation etc.). After the surgery, post-operative MRI or CT imaging confirms the actual position of the trajectory(ies).

trajectoryGuide

  trajectoryGuide is an open-source software suite that provides the capability to plan neurosurgical trajectories within 3D Slicer. trajectoryGuide contains several modules that span the three phases of surgical intervention: pre-op, intra-op, and post-op.

Prior Art

Open source

PyDBS

Developed by Pierre Jannin. The software is not freely available, a description of the tool can be found in this publication.

Tactics

Developed by David G. Gobbi and Yves P.Starreveld. The software is available on GitHub.

Ogles2

Developed by Johannes A. Koeppen and based on Ogle written by Dr. Michael J Gourlay. The software can be downloaded from Sourceforge or the Neuranse website.

Commercial software

StealthStation S8

Developed by Medtronic. More information can be found on their website.

Neuroinspire

Developed by Renishaw. More information can be found on their website.

Elements

Developed by Brainlab. More information can be found on their website.

Inomed Planning System

Developed by Inomed. More information can be found on their website.

WayPoint Navigator

Distributed by FHC. More information can be found on their website.

MNPS

Developed by Mevis. More information can be found on their website.

NeuroSight

Developed by Integra. More information can be found on their website.

ClaroNav Navient

Developed by ClaroNav. More information can be found on their website.