Enhanced Navigation in Neurosurgery: Data Glasses for Surgeons

How the system works: a comprehensive overview 

• MRI-Based Navigation: MRI images serve as a "map" projected onto the data glasses, helping surgeons navigate sensitive areas with precision. 

• Real-Time Feedback: The app allows the seamless integration of preoperative imaging with real-time instrument tracking. Surgeons can see the position of their instruments and vital information directly within their field of view. 

• Ease of Use: The system features a user-friendly interface that prioritizes clarity, ensuring only essential information is displayed. A green crosshair marks the instrument tip's position, simplifying navigation. 

Dr. Ronny Grunert, a researcher at Fraunhofer IWU and head of the LEGEND research group at UKL, highlights the system's efficiency: "Our team has achieved a worldwide novelty with a fully automated registration in neurosurgical spatial computing navigation. Calibration and registration take just one second, and the navigation is ready for real-time recognition of the instrument position. The developed system is user-friendly and comes very close to GPS assistance." 

Traditional neurosurgical navigation systems can cost several hundred thousand euros, making them inaccessible to many healthcare facilities. The collaboration between Fraunhofer IWU and UKL addresses this issue by designing the app for use with standard data glasses, which are now affordable for consumer use. "These glasses cost a fraction of computer-aided navigation systems for neurosurgery," notes Grunert. 

Key components of the system 

• Surgical Handpiece: Developed and 3D-printed at Fraunhofer IWU, the handpiece securely holds surgical instruments. Specific markers on the handpiece allow precise tracking by the data glasses. 

• Marker Recognition: The system uses geometric markers such as spheres or cubes to ensure accurate instrument positioning. 

The first training session using the prototype system took place in autumn 2024 at UKL. The next stages include finalizing the prototype and undergoing the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) approval process for the European market and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the U.S. market. Deployment in clinical settings is expected within two years. 

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology