Measuring true performance in computer-assisted surgery

The ASTM is a global organization in which volunteering experts from all fields come together and produce guidelines to improve the safety and performance of materials and products. Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, the ASTM has produced more than 12000 standards.

Atracsys is proud to have two of its R&D engineers ( Sylvain Bernhardt and Olivier Girard ) being part of the ASTM subcommittee on Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgical Systems. One of the standards produced by that subcommittee was F2554 about tracking accuracy assessment in computer-assisted surgery. First created in 2010, our two engineers took a major part in the 2022 revision of this standard, with large improvements across the board. This new version, F2554-22, is clearer, more descriptive and more scientifically sound.

In this latest version of the standard, the emphasis is set on the assessment of the true performance of the tracking feature of a surgical system. In other words, the system shall be tested, to the best of its ability, with the same software, hardware, settings and instruments than those used in the operating room.

The standard describes various tests to be performed on with a tracked pointer on a calibrated phantom designed to match the typical dimensions and topological challenges that occur during orthopaedic surgery.

The tests assess the tracking performance in various scenarios:

• measuring a single point.

• maintaining accuracy while the pointer rotates in various ways.

• measuring distances between specific points.

All these tests are to be repeated at certain locations in the measurable volume for a more complete picture of the performance of the system being evaluated.

As detailed above, the F2554 standard focuses on positional accuracy by means of a tracked pointer. Therefore, the orientation accuracy is not yet tested. The ASTM subcommittee identified this need and plan on bringing a new standard regarding tracking orientation, among others.

If you are an expert in computer-assisted surgery or simply interested in its standardization, please get in touch with Professor Hani Haider, chair of the subcommittee F04-38. By joining this group, you would help elevate our industry and ultimately bring better and safer systems to the patients.

For more information on this product, the Atracsys team will be glad to answer your questions. Send us your request using our contact form.