Intracranial Fixation Device

• US 20150141926A1
• Filed: 10/30/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital
• Original Assignee: Brown University
• Inventors: Asaad, Wael F., Segar, David J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,675,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/175
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6864 Burr holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0213 where the catheter is attached by means specifically adapted to a part of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0233 specifically adapted for attaching to a body wall by means which are on both sides of the wall, e.g. for attaching to an abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/028 having a mainly rigid support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0687 Skull, cranium
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/02 Access sites
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole

Abstract

A fixation device including a base structure such as a faceplate having an inferior surface capable of contacting a surface of a skull of a patient, having a superior surface, and defining at least two securement features. Each securement feature can be engaged by a cranial fastener to attach the faceplate to the skull. The device further includes a fixation structure such as an alignment plate or a flexible fixation member carried by the base structure and positionable at least one of (i) over an opening in the skull and (ii) within an opening in the skull. At least one surface of the fixation structure defines at least one channel in which an intracranial device is capable of being placed, and further defines at least one fixation feature to enable the intracranial device to be secured to the fixation device.

Claims

1. A fixation device comprising:

a base structure having an inferior surface capable of contacting a surface of a skull of a patient, having a superior surface, and defining at least two securement features, each securement feature engagable by a cranial fastener to attach the base structure to the skull;

a fixation structure carried by the base structure and positionable at least one of (i) over an opening in the skull and (ii) within an opening in the skull; and

wherein at least one surface of the fixation structure defines at least one channel in which an intracranial device is capable of being placed, and the fixation structure further includes at least one fixation feature to enable the intracranial device to be secured to the fixation device.

2. The fixation device of claim 1 wherein the base structure includes a faceplate having the inferior surface and the fixation structure includes an alignment plate attached to and extending transversely to the inferior surface of the faceplate, positionable within an opening in the skull, and having a superior surface defining at least one channel in which the intracranial device is capable of being placed.

3. The fixation device of claim 1 wherein the base structure includes at least one support, and the fixation structure includes a flexible fixation member that is held in position by the support at least over the opening in the skull and is tightenable against the intracranial device by a tension member.

4. A fixation device comprising:

a faceplate having an inferior surface capable of contacting a surface of a skull of a patient, having a superior surface, and defining at least two securement features, each securement feature engagable by a cranial fastener to attach the faceplate to the skull;

an alignment plate attached to and extending transversely to the inferior surface of the faceplate, positionable within an opening in the skull, and having a superior surface; and

wherein at least the superior surface of the alignment plate defines at least one channel in which an intracranial device is capable of being placed, and further defines at least one fixation feature to enable the intracranial device to be secured to the fixation device.

5. The fixation device of claim 4 wherein the alignment plate has an inferior surface capable of contacting a portion of the wall of the opening.

6. The fixation device of claim 4 wherein the alignment plate extends substantially perpendicularly from the faceplate.

7. The fixation device of claim 4 wherein at least one fixation feature is adapted to engage a tension band to secure the intracranial device to the fixation device.

8. The fixation device of claim 4 further including at least one tension band capable of engaging at least one fixation feature and capable of securing the intracranial device to the fixation device.

9. The fixation device of claim 4 further including at least two screws serving as cranial fasteners, each screw engaging a securement feature of the faceplate.

10. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the faceplate defines at least one recess in which the intracranial device is positionable to achieve a low profile extending along the surface of the skull.

11. The fixation device of claim 4 wherein the alignment plate is integral with the faceplate as a monolithic structure.

12. A fixation device comprising:

a base structure having an inferior surface capable of contacting a surface of a skull of a patient, having a superior surface, and defining at least one support and at least two securement features, each securement feature engagable by a cranial fastener to attach the base structure to the skull; and

a fixation structure carried by the base structure and positionable at least over an opening in the skull, the fixation structure including a flexible fixation member that is held in position by the support at least over the opening in the skull and is tightenable by a tension member against an intracranial device placed into the opening in the skull to hold the intracranial device in a fixed position.

13. The fixation device of claim 12 wherein the base structure includes a housing that surrounds the flexible fixation member.

14. The fixation device of claim 12 wherein the tension member includes a fastener loop that encircles the flexible fixation member and, when tightened, squeezes the fixation member to apply pressure to the intracranial probe.

15. The fixation device of claim 14 wherein a portion of the fastener loop is capable of being tied with a knot that is pushable against the fixation member to maintain fixation of the intracranial probe.

16. The fixation device of claim 14 further including a least one ratchet-type mechanism through which a portion of the fastener loop is passable to maintain fixation of the intracranial probe.

17. The fixation device of claim 12 further including a mechanism that, when actuated, applies pressure to the fixation member to apply pressure to the intracranial probe.

18. An assembly comprising:

an intracranial device;

a monolithic fixation device including a faceplate and an integral alignment plate, the faceplate having an inferior surface capable of contacting a surface of a skull of a patient, having a superior surface, and defining at least two securement features, each securement feature engagable by a cranial fastener to attach the faceplate to the skull, and the alignment plate having a superior surface and an inferior surface, extending transversely to the inferior surface of the faceplate, and positionable within a burr hole in the skull such that at least a portion of the inferior surface of the alignment plate contacts a portion of the wall of a burr hole; and

wherein at least the alignment plate defines at least one channel in which the intracranial device is placed, and further defines a plurality of fixation features by which the intracranial device to secured to the fixation device.

19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the alignment plate extends substantially perpendicularly from the faceplate.

20. The assembly of claim 18 further including at least one tension band engaging at least one fixation feature and securing the intracranial device to the fixation device.

21. The assembly of claim 18 further including at least two screws serving as cranial fasteners, each screw engaging one of the securement features of the faceplate.

22. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the faceplate defines at least one recess in which the intracranial device is positionable to achieve a low profile extending along the surface of the skull.