Ball joint for neurosurgery
First Claim
1. An orientation tool for selectively supporting a neurosurgery probe in a predetermined orientation relative to the skull of a patient, comprising:
- a plate having a top surface and a non-flat bottom surface generally conforming to the shape of the skull, the plate having a socket formed in said top surface and a channel formed between said socket and said bottom surface;
a ball in rotatable engagement with the socket, the ball having a bore formed therethrough in communication with said channel, said bore being configured for closely receiving the neurosurgery probe in slidable engagement therewith; and
means for holding said ball in said socket.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A ball joint for holding a neurosurgery tool in a predetermined orientation relative to a patient'"'"'s skull has a plate that fits onto the skull. The plate is formed with a socket, and a ball is rotatably positioned in the socket. The ball, in turn, is formed with a bore, and the neurosurgery tool can be positioned in the bore to extend through the bore of the ball into the patient'"'"'s brain. The ball can accordingly be rotated as appropriate to establish a predetermined orientation of the neurosurgery tool relative to the patient'"'"'s skull. Set screws are provided to hold the neurosurgery tool stationary relative to the bore of the ball, and to hold the ball stationary relative to the plate. A retainer ring holds the ball against the plate.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An orientation tool for selectively supporting a neurosurgery probe in a predetermined orientation relative to the skull of a patient, comprising:
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a plate having a top surface and a non-flat bottom surface generally conforming to the shape of the skull, the plate having a socket formed in said top surface and a channel formed between said socket and said bottom surface; a ball in rotatable engagement with the socket, the ball having a bore formed therethrough in communication with said channel, said bore being configured for closely receiving the neurosurgery probe in slidable engagement therewith; and means for holding said ball in said socket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. The tool for supporting a neurosurgery probe, comprising:
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a ball having a bore formed therethrough for radially supporting the neurosurgery probe; a plate having a curved bottom surface for conforming to a human skull and a socket for receiving and supporting the ball, the plate establishing a channel between the bore of the ball and the skull; and means for holding the ball in rotatable contact with the plate. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for supporting a neurosurgery probe in a predetermined orientation during surgery on a patient, comprising:
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providing a ball having a bore formed therethrough; providing a plate having a socket and a non-flat bottom surface conformed to the patient'"'"'s skull; rotatably engaging the ball with the socket; moving the ball as appropriate to establish a predetermined orientation of the bore relative to the patient'"'"'s skull; and engaging the probe within the bore. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification