northerndi

Northern Digital Inc. (NDI) develops optical and electromagnetic tracking technology used for precision measurement and position sensing. Founded in 1981 as a spin-off from the University of Waterloo by Jerry Krist, the company supplies tracking components that form the basis of surgical navigation systems built by medical device OEMs. It is headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, with additional sites in Shelburne, Vermont, Radolfzell, Germany, and Hong Kong.

Its two principal product lines are Polaris, an optical tracking system, and Aurora, an electromagnetic tracking system. Both are integrated as components in surgical navigation platforms across a range of clinical applications, including orthopaedics, spine surgery, cardiology, cranial neurosurgery, interventional oncology, pulmonology, urology and ENT. NDI has been in operation for more than four decades and holds over 100 patents.

The company describes its mission as delivering precise navigation to improve patients' lives, and positions itself as a strategic partner to leading medical device OEMs. Work spans optical and electromagnetic tracking technology, precision measurement, surgical navigation systems and medical device integration.