Purpose
The optimal electrode trajectory is needed to assist surgeons in planning Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). A method for image-based
trajectory planning was developed and tested.
Methods
Rules governing the DBS surgical procedure were defined with geometric constraints. A formal geometric solver using multimodal
brain images and a template built from 15 brain MRI scans were used to identify a space of possible solutions and select the
optimal one. For validation, a retrospective study of 30 DBS electrode implantations from 18 patients was performed. A trajectory
was computed in each case and compared with the trajectories of the electrodes that were actually implanted.
Results
Computed trajectories had an average difference of 6.45° compared with reference trajectories and achieved a better overall
score based on satisfaction of geometric constraints. Trajectories were computed in 2 min for each case.
Conclusion
A rule-based solver using pre-operative MR brain images can automatically compute relevant and accurate patient-specific DBS
electrode trajectories.
Keywords Geometric constraint solving – Deep Brain Stimulation – Path planning – Decision making – 3D models – Optimization