Augmented Reality-Assisted Glycerol Rhizotomy

Neurosurgery

Project Team:

Last Updated: 11/14/2024

Short Description

Utilization of AR for surgical guidance in glycerol rhizotomy procedures of trigeminal neuralgia

Full Description

We aim to enhance the precision and safety of treating trigeminal neuralgia by incorporating AR technology. Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating condition characterized by intense facial pain due to the irritation of the trigeminal nerve. Glycerol rhizotomy, a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting glycerol into the trigeminal nerve root to reduce pain, can be technically challenging, requiring precise navigation within the cranial anatomy. This project explores the use of AR to provide real-time, 3D anatomical guidance during glycerol rhizotomy. By overlaying virtual images onto the surgeon’s field of view, the AR system assists in identifying key anatomical landmarks, visualizing nerve pathways, and optimizing the injection site. This innovation is expected to reduce procedural risks, improve accuracy in targeting the trigeminal nerve, and potentially lead to better clinical outcomes with fewer complications. The project’s goals include developing and validating AR applications tailored to this procedure, as well as assessing the effectiveness of AR-assisted rhizotomy in a clinical setting