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Washington University in St. Louis

Electromagnetic Tracking for Medical Imaging

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis explores the novel use of a wireless electromagnetic: EM) tracking device in a Computed Tomography: CT) environment. The sources of electromagnetic interference inside a Philips Brilliant Big Bore CT scanner are analyzed. A research version of the Calypso wireless tracking system was set up inside the CT suite, and a set of three Beacon transponders was bonded to a plastic fixture. The tracking system was tested under different working parameters including orientation of tracking beacons, the gain level of the frontend amplifier, the distance between the transponders and the sensor array, the rotation speed of the CT gantry, and the presence/absence of the CT X-ray source. The performance of the tracking system reveals two obvious factors which bring in electromagnetic interference: 1) metal like effect brought in by carbon fiber patient couch and 2) electromagnetic disturbance due to spinning metal inside the CT gantry. The accuracy requirements for electromagnetic tracking in the CT environment are a Root Mean Square: RMS) error of <2 mm in stationary position tracking. Within a working volume of 120×120×120 mm3 centered 200 mm below the sensor array, the tracking system achieves the desired clinical goal.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (MA)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Electrical and Systems Engineering
Year dc:date.available
2010

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Wen, Jie
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Joseph O'Sullivan

Rights

Language dc:language
English (en)

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:openscholarship.wustl.edu:etd-1468

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Washington University in St. Louis
Base URL
openscholarship.wustl.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Wen, Jie. Electromagnetic Tracking for Medical Imaging. Thesis thesis, 2010. https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/etd/469