The influence of metal artifacts on navigation and the reduction of artifacts by the use of polyether-ether-ketone.

Registration is a crucial step in navigation assisted surgery. When performing anatomical pair-point registration, there are several potential sources of error, including inadequate data acquisition, improper segmentation, and distortion resulting from metal artifacts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of metal artifacts on the precision of Iso-C(3D) and fluoroscopy-based navigation, and to assess any changes in precision from the use of a newly developed Schanz screw composed of polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK OPTIMA). A T-shaped test specimen was manufactured from synthetic bone material. It was then scanned with a Siremobil Iso-C(3D) while different types of implant were present in the specimen. Five Iso-C(3D) scans were acquired: one with a steel Schanz screw in the specimen, one with a titanium screw, one with a PEEK screw, one with a 5-hole plate, and one with no screw or plate present. The registration was analyzed by "reverse verification" with a pointer in a purpose-built, manipulable 3D holder. All experiments were then repeated using fluoroscopy-based navigation. Increasing presence of metal in the scan area resulted in an increase in mean error (0.55 mm with the steel Schanz screw, 0.7 mm with the 5-hole plate). Artifacts resulting from the titanium Schanz screw were less than those caused by the stainless steel Schanz screw. While this study demonstrates that metallic artifacts do have an influence on the precision of Iso-C(3D) navigation, such artifacts were not found to be a factor when performing fluoroscopy-based navigation.

Percutaneous bone biopsy. A new application for 3D navigation: a pilot study.

Computer Tomography (CT) guided percutaneous bone biopsy has been established as a minimally invasive method for the rapidly obtaining samples from osseous lesions for histological examination. With this method, an overall accuracy of 90% can be obtained without a significant radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to develop a navigated sleeve for the Jamshidi needle in order to perform navigated, percutaneous bone biopsies with the help of Iso-C-3D. Utilizing this navigated biopsy needle, the procedure was analyzed for several parameters including precision, total operating time, and level of radiation exposure. By using the Iso-C-3D navigation the total operating time was 11.7 min (8-14.3) and radiation exposure was 1.6 (0.67-2.12 min). This study demonstrates that navigated percutaneous bone biopsies can be obtained fast and with low radiation exposure. The feasibility of Iso-C-3D navigated bone biopsies is tempered by the requirement a rigidly fixed dynamic reference frame.

The influence of distance on registration in ISO-C-3D navigation: a source of error in ISO-C-3D navigation.

Computer-assisted treatments have become increasingly common. Consequently, there is an increased desire for navigation methods with simplified workflow. Anatomic-based pair-point registration is often mentioned as a source of error. Alternatively, the use of preoperatively implanted markers for registration remains complex. The self-acting registration of Iso-C-3D at the moment of data acquisition can reduce essential errors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reference placement on accuracy, and to determine the maximum acceptable distance between the reference and a given isocentre. This study demonstrates the interdependence of the reference distance on the region of interest (ROI). The mean error of registration amounts to 0.04 mm (0.04-0.05 mm) up to a distance of 200 mm and beyond 0.25 mm (0.24-0.26) for distances beyond 200 mm. The accuracy was significantly lower (p<0.0001) with a distance more than 200 mm. For optimal accuracy when utilizing navigation for pelvic and long bone surgery, the reference base should not been placed at a distance more than 200 mm from the isocentre of interest.

J-integral fracture toughness and tearing modulus measurement of radiation cross-linked UHMWPE.

Radiation and chemical cross-linking of medical grade ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has recently been utilized in an effort to improve wear performance of total joint replacement components. However, reductions in mechanical properties with cross-linking are cause for concern regarding the use of cross-linked UHMWPE for high-stress applications such as in total knee replacement prostheses. In this study, the fracture behavior of radiation cross-linked UHMWPE was compared to that of uncross-linked UHMWPE. The Rice and Sorensen model that utilizes mechanical parameters obtained from uniaxial tensile and compact tension tests was used to calculate the steady state J-integral fracture toughness, Jss, for radiation cross-linked UHMWPE. Jss decreased monotonically with increase in radiation dose. UHMWPE exhibited tough, ductile tearing behavior with stable crack growth when it was cross-linked using a gamma radiation dose of 0-50 kGy. However, in cross-linked UHMWPE irradiated to a dose of 100 and 200 kGy, unstable fracture occurred spontaneously upon attaining the initial crack driving force, J1c. This indicates that a high degree of cross-linking is less desirable for high-stress applications in orthopaedic implants. However, a substantial increase in J1c, even at a low degree of cross-linking, suggests that a low degree of cross-linking may be beneficial for resistance to delamination and catastrophic failure, both of which require an initiation step for the fracture to propagate in the material. This mechanical test should, however, be considered along with fatigue tests and joint simulator testing before determination of an appropriate amount of cross-linking for total joint replacement prostheses that experience high stresses.