Liver tumor biopsy in a respiring phantom with the assistance of a novel electromagnetic navigation device

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate our ability to insert magnetically tracked needles into liver phantom tumors which move simulating physiologic respiration. First, a novel image-guided platform based on a new magnetic tracking device (AURORA™) was constructed. Second, an accuracy evaluation of a compatible magnetically tracked needle (MagTrax) was performed. Finally, 16 liver tumor punctures were attempted using only the image-guided platform for guidance. The inherent MagTrax needle positional error was 0.71±0.43 mm in the non-surgical laboratory setting. Successful puncture of liver tumors was achieved in 14 of 16 attempts (87.5%) by two users. The average time of each procedure was short (163±57 seconds.) The system adequately displayed the moving liver allowing for tumor target visualization and targeting. The AURORA based navigation platform and the compatible MagTrax needle appear promising for more rigorous phantom accuracy studies and in vivo tumor puncture testing in a respiring animal.