Abstract—Electromagnetic trackers have been used extensively in image-guided surgery and therapy. During the procedure, it is essential to evaluate the effective working range of the tracking system, because the accuracy could be influenced by the environment and manner in which the procedure is conducted. We assume that the guidance is provided by two electromagnetic sensors attached at the distal ends of two endoscopes in order to achieve end-to-end coaptation of the human inner tubular structure. During the procedure, the sensors become very close to help surgeons find the desired path inside the body; as a result, the sensors can potentially cause distortion that adversely affects the accuracy of the tracking system. Thus, it is necessary to determine the working range of the tracking system. The range was evaluated by two methods: static measurement and dynamic measurement. Static measurement determines the range by placing the sensors in several positions and collecting data when the sensors are stationary, whereas dynamic measurement allows movement of the sensors. The experimental results show that these two methods are useful in determining the effective working range.

Index Terms—Endoscope, electromagnetic tracking system, interventional guidance.

C.-H. Wu, M. Y. Su, and T.-S. Lin are with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (e-mail: chwu@ isu.edu.tw).
C.-C. Chang is with the Department of Urology, Sin-Lau Hospital, Tainan.

 

Cite:Chia-Hsiang Wu, Mei Yun Su, Cheng-Chien Chang, and Ting-Sheng Lin, "Working Range Assessment for Interventional Guidance Using Two Electromagnetic Sensors," International Journal of Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 650-653, 2013.