Navigation Field Distortion Detection

摘要

Disclosed is a method and system for navigating an instrument relative to a patient that can be near a field distorting feature. A localizer can generate an electromagnetic field that is sensed by a tracking device to determine a location of the tracking device with the sensed electromagnetic field. The system and related method can assist in determining whether a navigation field is distorted near a tracking device of the instrument.

主权项

1. A method to determine proper navigation of an instrument in a navigation field, comprising:
receiving a first signal from a first tracking device fixed to the instrument at a first instrument position; receiving a second signal from a second tracking device fixed to the instrument at a second instrument position that is spaced a distance along the instrument from to the first instrument position, wherein the instrument is able to flex to change at least one of a relative distance or orientation between the first instrument position and the second instrument position; determining a first three-dimensional position of the first tracking device based on the first received signal; determining a second three-dimensional position of the second tracking device based on the second received signal; determining a relative position of the first tracking device and the second tracking device based on the determined first three-dimensional position and the determined second three-dimensional position; recalling at least one instrument constraint from a memory system; and determining whether the determined relative position of the first tracking device and the second tracking device is probable based on the recalled at least one instrument constraint.