Guidance system for spinal stabilization
First Claim
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1. A guidance system for use in a spinal fixation procedure, the system comprising:
- a support member which can be positioned a defined distance in a first direction from a patient;
a first moveable member configured for movement along the support member in a second direction;
a second moveable member configured for movement along the second moveable member in a third direction; and
a tool guide carried by the second moveable member, the tool guide configured to support a tool and to allow movement of the tool such that a trajectory of the tool with respect to the patient may be adjusted within in a first plane defined by the second and third directions and second plane defined by the third and first directions as the first and second moveable members are moved along the second and third directions respectively.
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Abstract
A guidance system comprises a variably positioned components that assist a user in obtaining a desired alignment (e.g., insertion position and angle) with respect to a patient. Once the desired alignment is obtained, the system may be locked into place or allowed to float depending on user preferences. In one embodiment, the system is configured for use in spinal fixation applications.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A guidance system for use in a spinal fixation procedure, the system comprising:
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a support member which can be positioned a defined distance in a first direction from a patient;
a first moveable member configured for movement along the support member in a second direction;
a second moveable member configured for movement along the second moveable member in a third direction; and
a tool guide carried by the second moveable member, the tool guide configured to support a tool and to allow movement of the tool such that a trajectory of the tool with respect to the patient may be adjusted within in a first plane defined by the second and third directions and second plane defined by the third and first directions as the first and second moveable members are moved along the second and third directions respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for aligning a tool with respect to a patient, the method comprising:
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providing a tool guide, the tool guide being positioned in a coordinate system comprising a first, second and third direction, the tool guide moveably positioned within a guidance system with respect to the second and third directions, the tool guide also being configured to allow the trajectory of a tool carried by the tool guide to be adjusted within in a first plane defined by the second and third directions and second plane defined by the third and first directions as the first and second moveable members are moved along the second and third directions respectively;
positioning a distal tip of the tool at a desired target point;
adjusting a proximal end of the tool to adjust the trajectory of the tool in either the first plane or the second plane while the tool guide moves with respect to the second and third directions; and
locking a fixation device to limit the movement of the tool guide with respect to the second and third directions once the desired trajectory is achieved. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for aligning a tool with respect to a patient, the method comprising:
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providing a tool guide, the tool guide being positioned in a coordinate system comprising a first, second and third direction, the tool guide moveably positioned within a guidance system with respect to the second and third directions, the tool guide also being configured to allow the trajectory of a tool carried by the tool guide to be adjusted within in a first plane defined by the second and third directions and second plane defined by the third and first directions as the first and second moveable members are moved along the first and second directions respectively;
positioning a distal tip of the tool at a desired target point;
adjusting a proximal end of the tool to adjust the trajectory of the tool in either the first plane or the second plane while the tool guide moves with respect to the second and third directions;
viewing with the trajectory of the tool in the first plane with respect to the patient with an imaging system;
fixing the position of the tool guide with respect to the second direction;
viewing with the trajectory of the tool in the second plane with respect to the patient with an imaging system; and
fixing the position of the tool guide with respect to the third direction. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification