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Polaris Family of Optical Tracking Systems

Polaris Optical MeasurementThe Polaris® Spectra® and the Polaris® Vicra® are optical measurement systems that measure the 3D positions of either active or passive markers affixed to application-specific tools. Using this information, each Polaris System is able to determine the position and orientation of tools within a specific measurement volume.


The following is an overview of the benefits offered by the Polaris Spectra and Polaris Vicra optical measurement systems. Unless noted, all features apply to both systems.

 

Exceptional Accuracy

  

Multiple Measurement Volumes

The measurement volume is the area in which the tool is tracked (within NDI accuracy specifications).

Polaris Spectra comes equipped with the Pyramid Volume or an optional Extended Pyramid Volume

Polaris Spectra Measurement Volume

View Spectra Volume Dimensions


Polaris Vicra comes equipped with the Vicra Volume

Polaris Vicra Measurement Volume

View Vicra Volume Dimensions

 

Short Warm-Up Time
  • Maximum warm-up time of only ten minutes required to begin reliable, accurate tracking
 

Shock Alert
  • Bump detector warns if the system has experienced a significant shock
  • System warning recommends performing an AAK to check system accuracy
Polaris Spectra
 

Wide Temperature Operating Range
  • Measure accurately within an ambient temperature range of +10°C to +40°C for Polaris Spectra and +10°C to +30°C for Polaris Vicra
  • No adjustments required to achieve this range

Positioning Laser
(Polaris Spectra)
  • Polaris Spectra can be equipped with an optional integrated positioning laser
  • Laser assists in aligning the position sensor with the area of interest
 

Compact and Lightweight
  • Polaris Vicra Position Sensor dimensions are 273 mm x 69 mm x 69 mm (LxWxH) and weighs only 0.80 kg
  • Small size allows position sensor to be fixed directly to the patient table or integrated into a hardware system

Small Tool Geometries (Polaris Vicra)
  • New generation of tools are also small and lightweight
  • Polaris Vicra can track smaller tools, compared to the current Polaris System
  • Allows surgical instruments tracked by Polaris Vicra to be ergonomically smaller and lighter than those in current use
 

Robust
  • Mechanically durable and able to withstand the elements of medical application environments
  • Absorbs impact sustained from relocating the system

Maintenance and Diagnostics
  • Quick and easy-to-use troubleshooting utilities
  • Simple interface for basic data collection
  • Effortless background interference detection
 

Easy Integration
  • The Application Program Interface (API) allows for easy application-specific software development
  • The Application Program Interface is a built-in set of approximately 60 commands used to control the Polaris
  • The Polaris uses parameters to set values and alerts including bump status, temperature and hardware faults

Active and Passive Tracking

All Polaris systems can track active and passive tools. Polaris Vicra and passive Polaris Spectra track passive and active wireless tools only. The hybrid Polaris Spectra tracks active, passive, and active wireleless tools.

NDI research has shown that active and passive marker tracking is equivalent in terms of accuracy. For further information about these studies, read Accuracy Assessment and Interpretation for Optical Tracking Systems PDF (published in SPIE Medical Imaging).

Support

Access to NDI's exceptional service and support is included with every Polaris Spectra and Polaris Vicra system. Part of NDI's ongoing support also includes 24-hour access to NDI's Support Site - a secure online resource, providing up-to-date information about NDI products and services.

For support, email support@ndigital.com.