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US 12,268,561 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for orienting an instrument relative to a target object
AssigneeSiemens Healthineers AG
InventorArne Hengerer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure relates to an apparatus and to a method for fixing a target object in place and for orienting an instrument relative to the target object which has been fixed in place. The target object is here fixed in place by a first mask element. A second mask element is arranged on the outside thereof. By an adjusting facility, the second mask element may then be shifted relative to the first mask element, whereby the instrument retained by or passed through the second mask element is oriented.
Claims15
An apparatus for fixing a target object in place and for orienting an instrument relative to the target object which has been fixed in place, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one base element;
- a first mask element comprising a first thermoplastic material having an opening in the first mask element, wherein the first mask element is configured to at least partially cover the target object and fix the target object in place between the first mask element and the at least one base element, wherein the first mask element is fastened to the at least one base element, and wherein the first mask element is configured to be shaped to a surface of the target object;
- a second mask element comprising a second thermoplastic material having an opening in the second mask element, wherein the second mask element is configured to at least partially cover the target object, wherein the second mask element is fastened to the at least one base element, and wherein the second mask element is shaped on top of an outer surface of the first mask element such that the first mask element is positioned between the target object and the second mask element;
- a guide sleeve configured to receive the instrument, wherein the guide sleeve extends through both the opening in the first mask element and the opening in the second mask element;
- and
- an adjusting facility mechanically coupled to the second mask element,
- wherein the adjusting facility is configured to mechanically shift the second mask element relative to the first mask element, and
- wherein the guide sleeve is configured to be shifted and reoriented relative to the target object by the mechanically shifting of the second mask element relative to the first mask element via the adjusting facility.
5 more elements
A method for orienting an instrument relative to a target object, the method comprising:
- providing at least one base element;
- applying a first mask element of an apparatus to the target object;
- the first mask element comprising a first thermoplastic material having an opening in the first mask element;
- immobilizing the first mask element on the at least one base element of the apparatus to fix the target object in place;
- wherein the first mask element is configured to at least partially cover the target object and fix the target object in place between the first mask element and the at least one base element, wherein the first mask element is fastened to the at least one base element, and wherein the first mask element is configured to be shaped to a surface of the target object;
- applying a second mask element of the apparatus on top of an outer surface of the first mask element, wherein the second mask element comprises a second thermoplastic material having an opening in the second mask element, wherein the second mask element is configured to at least partially cover the target object, wherein the second mask element is fastened to the at least one base element;
- and wherein the second mask element is shaped on top of the outer surface of the first mask element such that the first mask element is positioned between the target object and the second mask element;
- providing a guide sleeve through both the opening in the first mask element and the opening in the second mask element, wherein the guide sleeve is configured to receive the instrument;
- and mechanically shifting the second mask element relative to the first mask element by an adjusting facility of the apparatus that is mechanically coupled to the second mask element;
- wherein the guide sleeve is shifted and reoriented relative to the target object by the mechanically shifting of the second mask element relative to the first mask element via the adjusting facility.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.