How does Clear Guide visual tracking technology compare to other approaches?
The CLEAR GUIDE Optical Head observes the environment and tracks instruments based on their appearance. Neither tool or probe calibration nor sensor attachment is required. There is also no need for a cumbersome reference base.
| visual (CLEAR GUIDE) |
electromagnetic (EM) freehand | optical freehand | magnetic freehand (e.g. eZono 4000) |
magnetic constrained (e.g. AxoTrack) |
mechanical constrained (e.g. CIVCO) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| external tracking base | none | required | required | none | none | none |
| track instruments anywhere | up to half a meter within tracking area | only close to transmitter | only within line of sight | only close to probe | only along one line | no |
| track instruments at any time | immediately | after sensor attachment and calibration | after sensor attachment and calibration | after needle preparation | after probe assembly | after bracket installation |
| track more than one instrument | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| track any instrument | any needle-like instrument; immediately | only with attached sensors | only with attached markers | only certain metallic, short, needle-like instruments; after preparation | only certain syringe needles | no |
| track from any probe | SuperPROBE head fits any probe | n/a | n/a | probes with attached tracking unit | only one probe model | probes with attached mechnical guide |
| track instruments in- and out-of-plane | within +/-45deg | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| tracks instrument tip | with CLEAR GUIDE TipTAGS version of your preferred instrument | yes | yes | yes | yes, after configuration of compatible instrument | no |
| registration/definition of instrument | not needed | necessary: sensor attachment, calibration | necessary: marker attachment, calibration | necessary: preparation, definition | necessary: sensor attachment, needle length definition | necessary: insertion angle definition |
