Image guided positioning for fan interactive C-arm fluoroscope

Image acquisition with a manual C-arm fluoroscope during surgery is complicated and time consuming Due to the serial kinematics, movements in Cartesian coordinates, i.e. in respect to the patient or to a previous radiograph are difficult to accomplish without changes in viewing angle and/or distance to the region of interest. By transferring the positioning task on a fully motorized computer-controlled C-arm, a great number of applications can be simplified and a wide range of new applications become possible. Target of this research is a much more intuitive handling of the fluoroscope. This will minimize stress, positioning time and radiation exposure of the OR staff and patients. The computer assistance is an add-on which should help the user, but the common ways of handling are still given and can be used, e.g. in critical situations. The surgeon is thus in constant control of the new system.