Framework for a low-cost intra-operative image-guided neuronavigator including brain shift compensation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a low-cost intra-operative neuronavigation framework that compensates for brain-shift deformations during neurosurgery, improving surgical accuracy by integrating patient-specific biomechanical modeling.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel methodology combining finite element modeling and biomechanical simulation to address brain-shift compensation in intra-operative neuronavigation systems.

Findings

Patient-specific finite element meshes generated for brain modeling

Biomechanical model effectively accounts for tissue deformation during surgery

Framework enhances accuracy of intra-operative navigation systems

Abstract

In this paper we present a methodology to address the problem of brain tissue deformation referred to as 'brain-shift'. This deformation occurs throughout a neurosurgery intervention and strongly alters the accuracy of the neuronavigation systems used to date in clinical routine which rely solely on pre-operative patient imaging to locate the surgical target, such as a tumour or a functional area. After a general description of the framework of our intra-operative image-guided system, we describe a procedure to generate patient specific finite element meshes of the brain and propose a biomechanical model which can take into account tissue deformations and surgical procedures that modify the brain structure, like tumour or tissue resection.