| abstract |
An apparatus and method for surgical tracking comprises an imaging device that generates an image of a tissue volume; an electromagnetic (EM) sensor that creates a reference frame for EM tracking in three dimensions; at least one EM sensor adapted to be attached to the tissue to track local deformation and movement of the tissue volume; a processor that registers the image with the EM-tracked tissue volume and surgical tool in real time, and produces an output; and a feedback device that provides feedback about the location of the surgical tool relative to the tissue volume, based on the processor output. Embodiments are particularly useful in soft tissue, such as breast, where deformation before and during a procedure such as tumor resection complicate tracking of the tissue volume and a surgical tool. |