Simulating minimally invasive neurosurgical interventions using an active manipulator

Abstract

This application report describes the software system ROBO-SIM, which is a planning and simulation tool for minimally invasive neurosurgery. Using actual patients’ datasets, ROBO-SIM consists of a planning unit and a simulator for microsurgical manipulations. The planning steps are 1. definition of the trepanation for entry into the intracranial space and virtual craniotomy, 2. the target point within the depth of the brain, 3. control of the surgical track, 4. definition of go-areas for use with an intra-operative active manipulator. The simulator allows neurosurgeons to perform virtual surgical interventions using actual patient data and the same instruments as for the real operation.