Positioning and alignment instrument for introducing surgical devices into bone

A method of employing fluoroscopy to aligning a device during a medical procedure, the method comprising:

• providing a positioning and alignment instrument comprising:
• an anchoring component comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion comprises a handle, and wherein one or more anchoring protrusions extend from a distal end of the distal portion for anchoring the anchoring component into bone, such that a position and an orientation of the anchoring component is fixed relative to the bone when the anchoring component is anchored to the bone;
• and
• a guidance component mechanically supported by the anchoring component, the guidance component comprising a device guide channel for receiving the device and guiding the device towards an insertion location adjacent to the distal end of the distal portion, wherein the guidance component is rotatable relative to the anchoring component about a rotation axis that is located adjacent to the distal end of the anchoring component, such that the insertion location remains adjacent to the distal end of the distal portion under rotation of the guidance component;
• after having employed fluoroscopy, in a first direction, to anchor the positioning and alignment instrument;
• obtaining fluoroscopy images of the positioning and alignment instrument in a perpendicular direction;
• and
• rotating the guidance component to a desired angle according to the fluoroscopy images;
• thereby aligning the device guide channel for subsequent guidance and insertion of the device into the bone.

A positioning and alignment instrument for guiding insertion of a device into bone, the positioning and alignment instrument comprising:

• an anchoring component comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein said proximal portion comprises a handle, and wherein one or more anchoring protrusions extend from a distal end of said distal portion for anchoring said anchoring component into the bone, such that a position and an orientation of said anchoring component is fixed relative to the bone when said anchoring component is anchored to the bone;
• and
• a guidance component mechanically supported by said anchoring component, said guidance component comprising a device guide channel for receiving the device and guiding the device towards an insertion location adjacent to the distal end of said distal portion;
• wherein said guidance component is rotatable relative to said anchoring component about a rotation axis that is located adjacent to the distal end of said anchoring component, such that the insertion location remains adjacent to the distal end of said distal portion under rotation of said guidance component;
• and
• wherein said guidance component is pivotally coupled to said anchoring component at a pivot location that is adjacent to said distal end of said distal portion of said anchoring component and adjacent to a distal end of said guidance component.

A positioning and alignment instrument for guiding insertion of a device into bone, the positioning and alignment instrument comprising:

• an anchoring component comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein said proximal portion comprises a handle, and wherein one or more anchoring protrusions extend from a distal end of said distal portion for anchoring said anchoring component into the bone, such that a position and an orientation of said anchoring component is fixed relative to the bone when said anchoring component is anchored to the bone;
• and
• a guidance component mechanically supported by said anchoring component, said guidance component comprising a device guide channel for receiving the device and guiding the device towards an insertion location adjacent to the distal end of said distal portion;
• wherein said guidance component is rotatable relative to said anchoring component about a rotation axis that is located adjacent to the distal end of said anchoring component, such that the insertion location remains adjacent to the distal end of said distal portion under rotation of said guidance component;
• and
• wherein a distal portion of said device guide channel is aligned along a device guidance axis, and wherein a proximal portion of said device guide channel deflects outwardly relative to said device guidance axis toward said handle.

A positioning and alignment instrument for guiding insertion of a device into bone, the positioning and alignment instrument comprising:

• an anchoring component comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein said proximal portion comprises a handle, and wherein one or more anchoring protrusions extend from a distal end of said distal portion for anchoring said anchoring component into the bone, such that a position and an orientation of said anchoring component is fixed relative to the bone when said anchoring component is anchored to the bone;
• a guidance component mechanically supported by said anchoring component, said guidance component comprising a device guide channel for receiving the device and guiding the device towards an insertion location adjacent to the distal end of said distal portion, wherein said guidance component is rotatable relative to said anchoring component about a rotation axis that is located adjacent to the distal end of said anchoring component, such that the insertion location remains adjacent to the distal end of said distal portion under rotation of said guidance component;
• and
• a force coupling tool configured to contact said anchoring component and drive said one or more anchoring protrusions into bone upon the application of a force thereto;
• wherein said force coupling tool is configured to rotate said one or more anchoring protrusions while said one or more anchoring protrusions are driven into bone.