Aurora^®

Our premier electromagnetic tracking solution, which combines unrivalled measurement accuracy and expert customization for the most intricate OEM interventional applications.

Electromagnetic Tracking that Supports Minimally Invasive Approaches

The Aurora® electromagnetic tracking solution provides unobstructed real-time tracking of micro sensors that can be embedded into rigid and flexible OEM medical instruments such as ultrasound probes, endoscopes, catheters, guidewires – even at the tip of a needle. No line-of-sight is needed, which supports in-vivo tracking of instruments through twisting anatomical tracts. Multiple instruments can be tracked at once without interrupting the procedural workflow.

When integrated as a component into the workflow of OEM image-guided surgery or interventional systems, the Aurora acts as the link between patient image sets and 3D space, enabling the instruments’ positions and orientations to be instantly localized and visualized within the operative field. It does so with the exceptional speed, accuracy, and precision required by today’s most demanding minimally invasive approaches.

Aurora Core Components

The Aurora electromagnetic tracking solution consists of the following four core components that work together to deliver real-time OEM instrument tracking capabilities. (Read about How Electromagnetic Tracking Works for more details.)

System Control Unit (SCU)

Controls the field generator, collects information from the SIUs, calculates the position and orientation of each sensor, and interfaces with the host computer. Available in both enclosed and PCB formats, which support standalone applications or seamless integration into OEM carts.

Dimensions (enclosed format): 84 x 172 x 230 mm
Weight (enclosed format): 2.0 kg

Sensor Interface Unit (SIU)

Amplifies and digitizes the signals from the sensors. Up to two SIUs can be connected to a single SCU. Available with 2, 4, 6, or 8 ports; each port can support one 6DOF sensor/tool or two 5DOF sensors/tools. Available in both enclosed and PCB formats.

Dimensions (enclosed format): 53 x 172 x 114 mm
Weight (enclosed format): 660 g

Field Generator (FG)

Emits a low-intensity, varying electromagnetic field and establishes the position of the measurement volume. There are five Aurora FGs, each with distinct measurement volume, form factor, and mounting options. The FGs feature plug-and-play functionality with the System Control Unit.

Dimensions (for Planar 20-20 FG): 200 x 200 x 71 mm
Weight (for Planar 20-20 FG): 2.6 kg

Sensors

Act as localization points within the measurement volume, with position and orientation data relayed to the host interface for visualization. Sensors can be embedded into OEM medical instruments such as ultrasound probes, scopes, catheters, guidewires – even at the tip of a needle.

Number of Standard Sensors: 4 6DOF and 5 5DOF**
Maximum Number of Tracked Sensors: 16 6DOF or 32 5DOF

Aurora Technical Specifications

	Aurora Cube Volume		Aurora Dome Volume
	RMS	95% CI	RMS	95% CI
Accuracy – 5DOF Sensor*†‡
Position	0.70 mm	1.40 mm	1.10 mm	2.00 mm
Orientation	0.20°	0.35°	0.20°	0.40°
Frequency	800 Hz		800 Hz
Measurement Rate	40 Hz		40 Hz

Accuracy – 6DOF Sensor*†‡
Position	0.48 mm	0.88 mm	0.70 mm	1.40 mm
Orientation	0.30°	0.48°	0.30°	0.55°
Frequency	800 Hz		800 Hz
Measurement Rate	40 Hz		40 Hz

3D Guidance^®

Our quality electromagnetic tracking solution, which features ready-to-integrate solution components and sensors for rapid OEM product development and time to market.

Request An Information Datasheet

Learn more about Aurora technical specifications and performance capabilities with this 2-page datasheet.

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.

* Volumetric accuracy. All data collected with the Aurora V3 System in an environment free of electromagnetic disturbances.
** More Available
† Typical results. The accuracy of specific sensors will vary.
‡ Accuracy depends on tool design and the presence of metal. Note: Results based on more than 1000 random positions and orientations distributed throughout the characterized volume.

Aurora®