Polaris Tools and Accessories

The Polaris® optical measurement solution is designed with accuracy, reliability, and versatility in mind. Versatility is delivered in part by NDI software packages and developer tools that are available to enhance OEM application development and system customization.

The Polaris solution consists of an optical tracker and navigation markers, the latter of which must be attached to a rigid body; i.e. a tool that is rigid in form to prevent unwanted marker movement. The Polaris solution requires three or more markers to be attached to the rigid body tool, the geometry (configuration) of which is unique to each tool.

Polaris tool design, marker geometries, and tool tracking parameters are set by the medical device OEM. The medical device OEM can create the exact tools needed for their surgical application workflow, and control exactly how each tool is tracked by the Polaris optical tracker. NDI offers four ready-to-use (non-medical) rigid body tools for research applications and for the exploratory stage of OEM research and development:

Passive 4-Marker Probe

Single-faced probe tool designed for image registration and to investigate cavities and narrow passages.

Passive 4-Marker Rigid Bodies

Single-faced rigid bodies available with minimum marker spacing of 30 mm* or 50 mm
*For use with the Polaris Vicra only.

Tool Kit

The Tool Kit contains core components needed to get started with the Polaris Vega or Polaris Vicra: 2 Rigid Bodies, 1 Probe, 2 Clamps, and a package of NDI Passive Spheres. Polaris optical tracker must be purchased separately.

Tool Developer Kit

The Tool Developer Kit contains tool mounting posts and a package of NDI Passive Spheres for cost-effective and flexible development of custom rigid bodies.

Accuracy Assessment Kit

For Polaris optical trackers already deployed into OEM application use, NDI offers an optional Accuracy Assessment Kit (AAK) to maintain in-field accuracy and user confidence. The Polaris Vega and Polaris Vicra contain hardware features to preserve factory-calibration and measurement accuracy. They are also designed to withstand a wide range of environmental temperatures and physical shock (bump).

However, if a physical shock occurs that is strong enough to affect measurement accuracy, a built-in bump sensor will be triggered, and the user alerted. If the user wants to further evaluate the extent of the physical shock on the Polaris optical tracker’s accuracy, the AAK can be used.

The AAK consists of an accuracy assessment tool and software to assess the in-field accuracy of the Polaris optical tracker within the application environment. Together, the hardware and software will guide the user through predefined positions in the measurement volume, with measurement data recorded along the way. Once the measurement results are calculated, the AAK software will generate an accuracy pass/fail report.

The entire accuracy assessment procedure can be completed in less than 15 minutes. While not a substitute for factory-calibration, the AAK can complement OEM navigation system calibration and startup protocols.

Customer Applications

See examples of how medical device OEMs have integrated the Polaris Vega and Polaris Vicra.

Legal Disclaimer
NDI tracking and measurement products are general metrology components that can be integrated into customer products, research experiments, and/or as components of medical devices that require precision measurement and tracking. While NDI components and technology can be integrated into original equipment manufacturer (OEM) medical devices, they are not specifically intended for a given application and, as such, have not been developed or manufactured in accordance with medical device standards. It remains the responsibility of the OEM customer or end-user to determine and test the suitability of NDI components and technology for their intended use, including performing any required ethics approval, verification, and validation required to demonstrate suitability and compliance. System-level testing, certification, and validation are the responsibility of the original equipment manufacturer or the applicable end-user and should be completed prior to the use of NDI products or technologies in any application.