What’s the benefit of using a magnetic tracker with an imaging system?

A. The combination of miniaturized magnetic sensors with imaging systems lets clinicians follow a real-time graphic display of the current and projected position of interventional tools onto real-time ultrasound or recently acquired CT images. Using it, clinicians can quickly and precisely guide biopsy needles or ablation tools to soft-tissue lesions within the human body. The risk of hitting delicate, adjacent anatomy is also minimized.

Magnetically guided intervention shortens procedures through pre-visualization of target trajectory and single needle insertion. When used with CT imaging, it reduces radiation exposure by minimizing the number of verification CT scans. In CT procedures, a spare position/orientation measurement sensor is placed on the patient so the true anatomical position of the target can be continuously monitored during procedure. Ascension's new 3D Guidance is the choice for such imaging procedures. It offers highly accurate tracking of multiple miniaturized sensors without performance loss due to the presence of nearby conductive metals.