Tracked K-Wire for Image-Guided Orthopedic Applications

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to develop an electromagnetically tracked Kirschner wire (K-wire) to improve image-guided, minimally invasive spine surgery and other orthopedic applications. Computer Assisted Image-Guided Surgery (CAS) allows a computer to display the position of an instrument in real time on stored images (X-ray, CT etc.) acting as a real time guide to the surgeon performing the procedure. Until recently, CAS has been impractical for use with non-rigid instruments due to limitations in the tracking hardware and large sensor size. Whereas CAS has led to the development of less invasive surgical techniques in many applications, the ability to track flexible instruments will lead to the potential development of even less invasive techniques. The specific aims of the research are to: 1. Fabricate K-wires with electromagnetic sensors embedded at the tip to enable direct tracking of the K-wire with a commercially available electromagnetic tracking system. 2. Characterize the device accuracy in bench-top studies. The accuracy of K-wire tip tracking in the laboratory environment will be determined. 3. Evaluate the accuracy in the clinical environment for pedicle screw placement using a sawbones model and a cadaver. The K-wire will be placed in a drill and combined with existing image guidance software to navigate the pedicle.