Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS)

COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGERY FOR ORTHOPAEDIC PROCEDURES

Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) technology allows the surgeon to simultaneously visualize two- or three-dimensional views of the patient's anatomy on a monitor, and provides real-time, intra-operative views of surgical instruments and the relative digital positioning of implantable devices.

Most CAS systems obtain images prior to or during surgery using a variety of diagnostic imaging modalities including CT, MR and fluoroscopy. These images are often further processed to provide the surgeon with three-dimensional intra-operative images of the patient's anatomy. Alternatively, in "imageless" CAS systems, data points are harvested from the anatomy to create a 3-D bone model. During the surgical procedure, fixed sensors are applied to the patient and additional sensors are incorporated into the surgical instruments or implants. These surgical navigation data points allow the surgeon to view the precise angles and optimal positioning of the orthopaedic implant or the relative trajectory of the medical device or tool, such as a drill. Via this feedback, the surgeon is assisted in placing implants accurately and consistently - important determinants of the long-term success of orthopaedic procedures.