How are trackers used in medicine?
A. Motion trackers measure the position and orientation (X, Y, Z, Yaw, Pitch, Roll) of one or more sensors in 3D space. Measurements are used to track the real-time motion of medical instruments and devices for localization and targeting purposes. In one current application, an Ascension 3D sensor is attached to an ultrasound scanhead for freehand data acquisition and subsequent viewing of 3D reconstructions of multiple 2D image planes. Ascension trackers are also used in minimally invasive procedures for measuring anatomy, guiding interventions, and navigating inside the body.