Electromagnetic Tracking for Registration and Navigation in Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Phantom Study

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of using an electromagnetic tracking for both registration and navigation in endovascular aneurysm repair.Materials and methodsA registration process was implemented to align computed tomography (CT) data and electromagnetic tracking data. Two abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) phantoms were used, a rigid plastic AAA model (phantom A) and a soft silicon AAA model (phantom B). A pre-procedural CT volume was acquired for each phantom. Intra-operative simulation was performed by placing each phantom in the magnetic field of the tracking device. Using a modified electromagnetic catheter, a set of three-dimensional positions was acquired in the phantom's aortic lumen. Pre-procedural CT images and intra-procedural tracked positions were registered. Four reference points were used to calculate the registration accuracy of phantom A. Three surgeons simulated catheterisation of the left renal artery with phantom B using only image-guided procedure software.ResultsThe mean registration error was 1.3 mm (range 0.88–1.89). The median time for left renal catheterisation was 22 s (range 15–59).ConclusionRegistration of CT data and electromagnetic tracking data is feasible using catheter positions in the aorto-iliac structure as landmark. This navigation system could reduce X-ray exposure time and the use of contrast medium injections.