Method and apparatus for guiding an external needle to an implantable device

A support tool for a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device, the supply defining a supply axis, the support tool comprising:

• a support member having a handle and an outer edge and defining a portion of a through bore having a support axis and a slot defined between the through bore and the outer edge;
• a removable member configured to slidably engage the slot, wherein the removable member is slidably translatable along a translation axis perpendicular to the support axis from an engaged position wherein the removable member defines a portion of the through bore to an unengaged position where the removable member is separated from the support member;
• and
• a tracking device that tracks a position and orientation of the support member relative to the implantable medical device.

A support tool for a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device, the supply defining a supply axis, the support tool comprising:

• a support member having an outer edge and defining a first portion of an opening having a support axis, said support member defining a first three dimensionally contoured nesting surface about the first portion of the opening, said support member further defining a slot between the outer edge and the opening;
• a removable member that has a pair of edges and is translatable within the slot along an axis perpendicular to the support axis from an engaged position to a disengaged position, wherein the slot and the pair of edges define a tongue and groove interface;
• and
• a tracking device that tracks a position and orientation of the support member relative to the implantable medical device.