External tracking of an instrument by electric fields in minimally invasive surgery

This study focuses on a tracking technique for minimally invasive surgery to overcome the possible dangers by endoscopic techniques. We used the principles of electric fields to detect the position of the instrument. With a microprocessor board and a shareware tool known as Processing, a three-dimensional tracking system was developed so that the scalpel inside a patient's body can be monitored by external receivers.

1. Introduction

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become the mainstream technique in medical operations with advantages of small wounds, lower infection rate, less pains, and shorter staying in hospitals [1].