Synchronized position detection using two CCD cameras with one frame grabber for the 3D navigator

Recently, CAS (computer assisted surgery) has been used widely in the field of brain and spine surgery. In the CAS system, the real 3-D position of the surgical probe is overlapped with the patient's pre-acquired 3-D image. This 3-D position detector is called a 3-D navigator and there are several techniques to detect the real 3-D position of the probe. In this research, the authors propose a new method using two camera system with one image grabber. Using this new method, simultaneous capture of a stereo image is possible by one frame grabber. So the authors can minimize errors due to time lag between images and further reduce costs. Left and right LEDs can be separated by a simple color processing algorithm on a PC. The authors are planning to separate three LEDs by applying further color information to each LED. This will offer faster calculation of the 3-D positions of the LEDs. And another approach which can eliminate the control line between system and probe is progressed. This cordless probe will provide convenience in surgical work.