Imaging fixation and localization system

• US 5,242,455 A
• Filed: 05/03/1991
• Issued: 09/07/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University Of Pittsburgh (University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education)
• Original Assignee: University Of Pittsburgh (University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education)
• Inventors: Miketic, Linda M., Skeens, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US07/695,687
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/128, 606/130, 606/108, 128/716, 128/653 R, 128/653 A, 128/653 SC
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00902 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00911 for fields applied by a magnetic resonance imaging system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3954 magnetic, e.g. NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/28 Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for leision localiztion and stereotactic placement of probes into the body utilizing an imaging system such as magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography. Localization of the probe with reference to the device itself is accomplished by providing a base which includes a base localization grid and at least one localizing side member which includes a side localization grid. Extremely accurate placement of the probe within the body is accomplished by providing a spanning member to which a probe holder is attached. The spanning member is designed so as to be attachable to the base at any angle in the sagittal plane with respect to the base. The stereotactic device is assembled from materials having relatively low radiodensity to be substantially transparent to the form of energy used to generate the image used for probe guidance. By constructing the device from such materials and enabling the spanning member to be oriented at any angle with respect to the base, the device ensures that the probe remains within the same CT or MRI image so that it is easy to determine needle placement in any rescan. The stereotactic device also preferably includes a precompression means to compress soft tissue in the area of the probe entry point before penetration. The precompression means minimizes mislocation of the probe resulting from soft tissue compression. A respiration feedback means which directly measure respiratory volume is also preferably provided to enable a patient upon whom a biopsy or diagnostic procedure is being performed to control the patient'"'"'s degree of respiration. The feedback means can thus ensure that each scan is taken in the same phase of respiration.

Claims

1. A stereotactic localization device for use in conjunction with an imaging system to place a probe within a human body, said device comprising:

a. A base, said base including a base localization grid, said base localization grid comprising segments spaced at predetermined positions relative to each other;

b. At least one localizing side member attached to said base at a known angle with respect to said base, said localizing side member including a side localization grid, said side localization grid comprising segments spaced at predetermined positions relative to each other, said segments of said base localization grid and said segments of said side localization grid being relatively radiopaque in comparison to the remainder of said device, said side localization grid and said base localization grid thereby being visible on an image of said imaging system to allow quick determination of a position of a target for placement of the probe, a position of the probe and an angle of penetration;

c. A spanning member in operative connection with said base, said spanning member being adjustable to minimize distance between said spanning member and the body;

d. A means for connecting said spanning member to said base to span said base, said spanning member connecting means enabling adjustable orientation of said spanning member to a predetermined angle with respect to said base, said predetermined angle corresponding to an angle defined by an image plane of the imaging system in which the target for placement of the probe lies;

e. A means for holding the probe, said probe holding means being rotatable within the image plane to enable orientation of the probe at a desired angle within the image plane; and

f. A means positioned on said spanning member for attaching said probe holding means to said spanning member at a desired position thereon.

2. The stereotactic localization device of claim 1 wherein said stereotactic localization device is constructed of materials substantially transparent to energy used by the imaging system to form an image.

3. The stereotactic localization device of claim 2 wherein said materials have attenuation coefficients approximately in the range of -100 to +100 Hounsfield units.

4. The stereotactic device of claim 1, further comprising a protractor means in operative connection with said probe holding means to enable quick determination of the orientation of the probe.

5. The stereotactic device of claim 1 wherein said spanning member comprises a spanning frame section and two lateral frame sections.

6. The stereotactic device of claim 5 wherein each of said two lateral frame sections has at least two holes disposed therethrough near a distal end thereof.

7. The stereotactic device of claim 6 wherein said spanning member connecting means comprises at least two support members, at least one of said support members attached to one lateral side of said base and at least one other of said support members attached to the other lateral side of said base.

8. The localization stereotactic device of claim 7, wherein said spanning member connecting means further comprises at least four dowel pins.

9. The localization stereotactic device of claim 8, wherein each of said support members has a plurality of holes distributed over the surface thereof so that said spanning member is capable of being attached to said support members at a defined height, a defined cephalo-cuadad position and at said predetermined angle with respect to said base by positioning said lateral frame sections of said spanning member adjacent said support members to align at least two of said holes in each of said support members appropriate to define said defined height, said cephalo-cuadad position and said predetermined angle with at least two of said holes in each of said lateral frame sections and inserting said dowel pins.

10. The stereotactic localization device of claim 5, wherein said spanning frame section of said spanning member is arcuate.

11. The stereotactic localization device of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching said probe holding means comprise a plurality of receptacles.

12. A stereotactic localization system for use in conjunction with an imaging system to place a probe within a human body, said system comprising:

a. a stereotactic localization frame comprising;

i. A base, said base including a base localization grid, said base localization grid comprising segments spaced at predetermined positions relative to each other;

ii. At least one localizing side member attached to said base at a known angle with respect to said base, said localizing side member including a side localization grid, said side localization grid comprising segments spaced at predetermined positions relative to each other, said segments of said base localization grid and said segments of said side localization grid being relatively radiopaque in comparison to the remainder of said device, said side localization grid and said base localization grid thereby being visible on an image of said imaging system to allow quick determination of a position of a target for placement of the probe, a position of the probe and an angle of penetration;

iii. A spanning member in operative connection with said base, said spanning member being adjustable to minimize distance between said spanning member and the body;

iv. A means for connecting said spanning member to said base to span said base, said spanning member connecting means enabling adjustable orientation of said spanning member to a predetermined angle with respect to said base, said predetermined angle corresponding to an angle defined by an image plane of the imaging system in which the target for placement of the probe lies;

v. A means for holding the probe, said probe holding means being rotatable within the image plane to enable orientation of the probe at a desired angle within the image plane; and

vi. A means positioned on said spanning member for attaching said probe holding means to said spanning member at a desired position thereon; and

b. one or more precompression means positioned adjacent said spanning member to enable soft tissue to be compressed in a controlled manner during an invasive procedure.

13. The stereotactic localization device of claim 12, wherein said precompression means comprises at least one compression plate.

14. The stereotactic localization device of claim 12, wherein said precompression means is adapted to be driven by pneumatic force.

15. The stereotactic localization device of claim 12, wherein said precompression means comprises an inflatable bladder.

16. The stereotactic localization device of claim 12 wherein said spanning member comprises two substantially parallel sections separated by a distance to form a slot therebetween.

17. The stereotactic localization device of claim 12 wherein said means for attaching said probe holding means are disposed on one of said substantially parallel sections.

18. The stereotactic localization device of claim 17 wherein said precompression means is positioned within said slot to be adjacent said probe holding means.

19. The sterotactic localization device of claim 12 wherein said precompression means is constructed of materials substantially transparent to energy used by the imaging system to form the image.

20. A stereotactic localization system for use in conjunction with an imaging system to place a probe within a human patient, said system comprising:

a. a stereotactic localization frame comprising;

i. A base, said base including a base localization grid;

ii. At least one localizing side member attached to said base at a known angle with respect to said base, said localizing side member including a side localization grid;

iii. A spanning member in operative connection with said base;

iv. A means for connecting said spanning member to said base to span said base, said spanning member attachment means enabling orientation of said spanning member at a predetermined angle with respect to said base, said predetermined angle corresponding to an angle defined by an image plane of the imaging system in which a target for placement of the probe lies, said spanning member connecting means further enabling adjustment of the height of said spanning member to minimize distance between said spanning member and the body;

v. A means for holding the probe, said probe holding means being rotatable within the image plane to enable orientation of the probe at a desired angle within the image plane; and

vi. A means positioned on said spanning member for attaching said probe holding means to said spanning member at a defined position thereon; and

b. a means for providing respiration feedback to the patient upon whom an interventional procedure is being performed, said respiration feedback means operable to enable measurement of the patient'"'"'s degree and phase of respiration to minimize effects of respiration on the invasive procedure being conducted, said respiration feedback means directly measuring respiratory volume to describe a phase of respiration to ensure that the probe is accurately localized.

21. The stereotactic localization device of claim 20 wherein said respiration feedback means comprises a constant volume chamber and a means for sensing changes in volume of fluid within said chamber.

22. The stereotactic localization device of claim 20 wherein said respiration feedback means comprises a display means for conveying information to the patient regarding the phase of respiration.

23. The stereotactic localization device of claim 20 wherein said respiration feedback means comprises an interface means capable of providing information regarding the phase of respiration to the imaging system, thereby enabling display of said information upon an image display generated by the imaging system.