METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC NAVIGATION OF A SURGICAL PROBE NEAR A METAL OBJECT

摘要

A method and apparatus for electromagnetic navigation of a surgical probe (20) near a metal object. The electromagnetic navigation system includes a transmitter coil array (12) and a shield (54). The coil transmitter coil array (12) has a plurality of transmitter coils (62) and is operable to generate the electromagnetic field to navigate the probe. The shield is positioned adjacent the metal object and is operable to shield the metal object from the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitter coil array, such that the shield (54) substantially reduces distortion of the electromagnetic field by the metal object.