Methods and apparatus for guiding a needle
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsMichael S.H. Chu, Armand A. Morin, Barry N. Gellman, Jozef Slanda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A needle is guided to a target along a pre-determined needle insertion trajectory. A method that utilizes a fluoroscope can be used to locate the target. The target can be an internal structure within the human body. A device can be used with the fluoroscope to aim and insert a needle or sharp probe along the predetermined trajectory to the target. By using the device with the fluoroscope, a user can receive real time visual confirmation of contact between the needle and the target.
Claims19
A needle guiding apparatus comprising:
- a base defining an opening therethrough;
- a guide platform disposed adjacent to the opening, the guide platform being rotatable about a rotation axis, the rotation axis extending through the opening and having a common point along the rotation axis;
- a pivot disposed at least partially within the guide platform and being rotatable about a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis;
- and
- a guide shaft disposed at least partially within the pivot and extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end of the guide shaft to a second end of the guide shaft, the longitudinal axis intersecting with the rotation axis at the common point, the guide shaft comprising a radiopaque material between the first end and a locus along the guide shaft normal to the longitudinal axis at the common point, the radiopaque material extending to the locus, the locus located immediately adjacent to a material being less radiopaque than the radiopaque material.
A method of guiding a needle to a target, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a fluoro axis in a first fluoro position intersecting a target, the fluoro axis defined by an energy emitter at a first point and an energy receiver at a second point;
- selecting a starting point on a needle guiding apparatus comprising:
- a guide platform being rotatable about a rotation axis, the rotation axis having a common point along the rotation axis,
- a pivot disposed at least partially within the guide platform and being rotatable about a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis,
- a guide shaft disposed at least partially within the pivot and extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end of the guide shaft to a second end of the guide shaft, the longitudinal axis intersecting with the rotation axis at the common point, the guide shaft comprising a radiopaque material between the first end and a locus along the guide shaft normal to the longitudinal axis at the common point, the radiopaque material extending to the locus, the locus located immediately adjacent to a material being less radiopaque than the radiopaque material,
- the starting point disposed adjacent to the rotation axis, and
- an aiming line radiating perpendicularly from the rotation axis;
- positioning the starting point in a first imaging position, wherein the fluoro axis intersects the starting point;
- positioning the fluoro axis in a second fluoro position intersecting the common point and the target;
- positioning the guide platform such that the aiming line substantially aligns with the starting point;
- and
- positioning the guide shaft such that the longitudinal axis is parallel with the fluoro axis in the second fluoro position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.