Apparatus and method for dictating at least one of a desired location and a desired trajectory for association of a landmark with a patient tissue

A method of transferring at least one of location and trajectory information from a reference surface to a patient tissue surface, the reference surface substantially replicating at least a portion of the patient tissue surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a landmark guiding structure;
• providing at least two locating feet, each locating foot being laterally spaced from, and indirectly connected to, the landmark guiding structure;
• connecting a holdaway structure to each locating foot;
• adjustably connecting each holdaway structure to the landmark guiding structure to indirectly and longitudinally adjustably attach the locating foot to the landmark guiding structure in a spaced-apart relationship therewith;
• providing a manipulation handle connected to the landmark guiding structure;
• placing the landmark guiding structure in at least one of a desired location and a desired trajectory with respect to the reference surface;
• adjusting each locating foot relative to the landmark guiding structure independently from the other locating feet, via adjustment of the holdaway structure, into guiding contact with a particular portion of the reference surface;
• maintaining each locating foot in the guiding contact position;
• removing the apparatus from the surface;
• and
• placing the apparatus with each locating foot in guiding contact with a particular portion of the patient tissue surface corresponding to a particular portion of the reference surface such that at least one of the desired location and desired trajectory of the landmark guiding structure at the reference surface is replicated by the landmark guiding structure at the patient tissue surface.

An adjustable instrument for dictating at least one of a desired location and a desired trajectory for association of a landmark with a patient tissue, the instrument comprising:

• an elongate landmark guiding structure having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal guiding ends separated by a guiding shaft;
• at least two holdaway structures adjustably connected to the landmark guiding structure for longitudinal motion relative to the landmark guiding structure;
• and
• at least two locating feet, each locating foot being laterally spaced from the landmark guiding structure, each locating foot being directly connected to a holdaway structure and, via the holdaway structure, being indirectly connected to the landmark guiding structure for longitudinal movement, independent from the other locating feet, with respect to the landmark guiding structure;
• wherein each holdaway structure is adjustable to place the locating foot associated therewith into a predetermined locating foot position such that, when the locating feet have all achieved the predetermined locating foot positions, contact between each of the locating feet and corresponding predetermined portions of the patient tissue results in an orientation of the landmark guiding structure with respect to the patient tissue which dictates at least one of the desired location and the desired trajectory for association of the landmark with the patient tissue.