Putamen Grid

• US 20060009788A1
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of South Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Freeman, Thomas B., O'Connor, James P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,012,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00969 used for transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3411 with a plurality of holes, e.g. holes in matrix arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints

Abstract

The present invention makes a grid array, for use in the transplantation of materials into the brain, in the shape of a predetermined structure, such as the putamen, based on anatomic analysis the structure. Alternatively, a smaller grid array is used which only includes the putamen target and not the caudate target, and also has two windows within the grid array. Because of the smaller size of this grid array as well as the two cutouts in the middle, it is possible for the first time to observe the brain as the needle enters the brain through the grid array. The previous solid and larger grid array made the passage of the needle into the brain a blind maneuver. Therefore if there was cortical bleeding at the time of needle insertion, it would not be known until after the transplant was done.

Claims

1. A neural transplantation alignment apparatus comprising a base, a puck rotatably secured within the base, the puck having individual degree markings indicating a zero to ten degree angle of rotation in either direction of a midline, the puck further having a plurality of needle tracts adapted to receive at least one needle, the plurality of needle tracts forming a grid array, the grid array being focused around a “

zero point”

forming the axis of rotation for the puck, the furthest-most needle tract in the array being no more than 20 mm away from the “

zero point,”

at least one viewing cut-out integral to the puck and coincident to the array whereby the user can observe the progress and movement of the needle passing through said needle tracts and into a brain.

2. The neural transplantation alignment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grid array substantially mirrors the shape of the target within the brain.

3. The neural transplantation alignment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the needle tracts within the grid array are spaced apart about twice the distance of the radius of the sphere of influence of the material being injected.

4. The neural transplantation alignment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grid array is attached to a stereotactic frame.

5. The grid array of claim 1 wherein the grid array is substantially the same size as the target within the brain.

6. The neural transplantation grid array of claim 1 wherein the grid array is capable of being reversed for mirrored regions of anatomy on opposite sides of the brain.

7. A neural transplantation alignment apparatus comprising a base, a puck rotatably secured within the base, the puck having individual degree markings indicating a zero to ten degree angle of rotation in either direction of a midline, the puck further having a plurality of needle tracts adapted to receive at least one needle, the plurality of needle tracts forming a grid array, the grid array being focused around a “

zero point”

forming the axis of rotation for the puck, the furthest-most needle tract in the array being no more than 20 mm away from the “

zero point,”

at least one viewing cut-out integral to the puck and coincident to the array whereby the user can observe the progress and movement of the needle passing through said needle tracts and into a brain, wherein the grid array substantially mirrors the shape of the target within the brain, a series holes within the grid which are spaced apart about twice the distance of the radius of the sphere of influence of the material being injected, wherein the grid array is substantially the same size as the target within the brain, wherein the grid array is capable of being flipped for matching regions of anatomy on opposite sides of the brain, wherein the grid array is attached to a stereotactic frame.