Deep brain path planning using augmented reality

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a medical system () comprising an augmented reality system () configured for rendering virtual objects within a visual three-dimensional field of view of an operator (). Execution of machine executable instructions () causes the computational system to: receive () segmented medical imaging data () descriptive of a continuous volume of a subject () comprising at least a portion of a brain () of the subject and a cranial surface () of the subject; control () the augmented reality system to determine a registration () between the subject and the segmented medical imaging data; receive () a target location () within the at least a portion of the brain; discretize () the cranial surface to define multiple entry locations (); determine () a straight path () for each of the multiple entry locations that extends to the target location; assign () a path score () to the straight path for each of the multiple entry locations using the segmented medical imaging data; calculate () a three-dimensional path score surface defined by the cranial surface and is descriptive of the path score of each of the multiple entry locations; and render () the three-dimensional path score surface using the augmented reality system, wherein the rendered three-dimensional path score surface is positioned in the visual three-dimensional field of view of the operator using the registration.