Stereotaxic array plug

• US 4,629,451 A
• Filed: 09/23/1985
• Issued: 12/16/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Victory/YSI Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Victory Engineering Corporation (Xylem, Inc.)
• Inventors: Winters, Arthur, Molee, Casper S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gluck, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US06/779,170
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303 B, 128/303 R, 128/1 R, 604/175, 604/264, 604/49
• US Class Current: 604/175
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3411 with a plurality of holes, e.g. holes in matrix arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/10 for stereotaxic surgery, e.g. frame-based stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/025 through bones or teeth, e.g. through the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/02 Bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0693 Brain, cerebrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053

Abstract

There is disclosed a surgical stereotaxic array plug of biocompatible material having an outer periphery adapted to be secured in a complementary threaded opening provided in the skull with bores traversing the plug for receiving and positioning therapeutic apparatus and fluid dispensing devices.

Claims

1. A stereotaxic array plug adapted for threading into a threaded opening made in a skull comprising:

a shaped body formed of a biocompatible material;

said body having a top section;

a bottom section a central opening extending therethrough for introducing devices for treating the brain;

a plurality of satellite through openings about said central opening;

radiopaque markings on said top section of said body, but not obliterating said openings; and

threads in said bottom section for screwing into said opening in the skull.

2. The array plug of claim 1, wherein said central opening and said satellite openings are countersunk at least on the upper extremities thereof.

3. The array plug of claim 1, wherein said bottom section has a smaller diameter than said top and has said threads thereon.

4. The array plug of claim 1 further having a plurality of spaced suture openings about said satellite openings.

5. The plug of claim 1, wherein said markings extend from the outer periphery of said top section toward satellite through openings.

6. The plug of claim 1 wherein said markings consist of gold baked thereon.

7. The plug of claim 1, wherein said markings consist of baked tantalum.

11. In combination with a plug as defined in claim 1, a spanning means having pins projecting from the lower portion thereof and adopted to fit in at least two of said openings in said plug for inserting and tightening said plug in an opening made in a skull.

8. Brain treating method comprising boring an opening in the skull above the area to be treated;

inserting therein a plug comprising a shaped body formed of a biocompatible material;

said body having a top section, a bottom section through opening extending therethrough for introducing devices for treating the brain;

a plurality of satellite through openings about said central opening;

radiopaque markings on said top section of said body, but not obliterating said openings; and

threads in said bottom section for screwing into said opening in the skull;

until the upper surface of said plug is substantially flush with the upper part of said opening in said skull;

introducing probe means through said plug to administer a required treatment to said brain;

removing said probe means from said brain and plug and closing the area over said opening.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a skin flap is made of the scalp to overly the plug, said plug being left in said opening after said treatment.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said flap is sutured over said plug after treatment of said brain.