Navigation system for percutaneous tracheotomy

Increasing the precision of simulated percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy—a pilot prototype device development study

“…Virtual or augmented reality shows promise for the future, but no systems are currently available to help guide tracheostomy insertion beyond superimposing the bronchoscopic view into the operators’ field of vision or physically stabilizing the needle. 15 , 16 Optimal initial tracheal needle puncture is in the midline between the second and third tracheal rings. Needle insertion based on palpation and dead reckoning alone risks missing not only the optimal insertion point, but missing the trachea altogether, especially as the distance from the skin to target increases ( Figure 1 ).…”