Needle insertion for percutaneous therapies is formulated as a trajectory planning and control problem. A new concept of needle steering is developed and a Needle Manipulation Jacobian is defined using numerical needle insertion models that include needle deflection and soft tissue deformation. This concept is used in conjunction with a potentialfield-based path planning technique to demonstrate needle tip placement and obstacle avoidance. Results from open loop insertion experiments are provided.
Simon P. DiMaio, S. E. Salcudean