Interchangeable guidance devices for C.T. assisted surgery and method of using same

Abstract

A stereotactic guide apparatus 100 is provided for use with a CT scanner device 18 for guiding the entry of a probe into a patient's body. The CT scanner device is provided with a stereotactic arm member 30 having a first base end 42 connected to the CT scanner device 18 and a second free end 40 movable relative to the CT scanner device. The stereotactic surgical instrument guide apparatus includes a first end effector member 106 including a guide channel 152 defining a probe insertion path 150. The surgical instrument guidance device further includes a second end effector member 104 on the free end of the stereotactic arm member and including a laser light source 108 generating a light guide beam along the probe insertion path 150. Each of the first and second end effector members are selectively releasably attached to the free end of the stereotactic arm member and, further, are adapted to provide respective first and second device identification signals to the CT scanner device through the stereotactic arm member. The top end effector member 104 is preferably stationary in use during interventional procedures and the bottom end effector member 106 is selectively retractable into a hollow support tube 142. Alternatively, the first and second end effector members are selectively pivotally attached to the free end of the stereotactic arm member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.