Real-time image tracking of a flexible bronchoscope

Abstract

Electromagnetical tracking devices have become so small, that tracking of flexible instruments is possible. Because of the low diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy, we assembled and evaluated a system for navigation of the bronchoscopes tip. In order to evaluate the exactness of the electromagnetical tracking system in a preoperative CT-Scan, 16 patients underwent diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy with fluoroscopic guidance. Deviation was measured and computed.