Interactive image-guided neurosurgery.

Interactive image-guided (IIG) surgery involves the synchronal display of the tip of a surgical device on preoperative scans. This display allows the surgeon to locate the present surgical position relative to the final site of surgical interest. We have developed a technique for IIG surgery device based on a six-degree-of-freedom articulated arm. Design accuracy for the arm is less than 0.1 mm and the present implementation has a submillimetric accuracy. The display can show the surgical position on any tomographic image set with simultaneous display on up to three image sets. Laboratory results and clinical applications are discussed.