Method and apparatus for guiding a penetrating tool into a three-dimensional object
First Claim
1. A system for directing a penetrating tool through a three-dimensional object from a known point of entry and along a desired slope of entry to a known point of interest within the object, the apparatus comprising(a) a plurality of peripheral markers suitable for placement about the periphery of the object, each peripheral marker capable of propagating a distinct signal;
- (b) one or more internal markers suitable for placement within the object in the vicinity of the point of interest and in fixed relation thereto, each internal marker capable of propagating a distinct signal;
(c) a receiver capable of receiving and distinguishing the signals propagated by each of said peripheral and internal markers;
(d) a movable source of a light ray, the light ray being directable along a slope to intersect the object;
(e) a computer means adapted to receive information relating to said signals from said receiver and able to calculate and store the location coordinates of each of said peripheral and internal markers with respect to one another, said computer means further adapted to receive the location coordinates of said light source, and to indicate whether the light ray'"'"'s point of intersection with said object and slope correspond to the known point of entry and desired slope of entry, whereby the light ray can guide a penetrating tool through the known point of entry and along the desired slope of entry to the known point of interest.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are described for guiding a penetrating tool to a predetermined point of interest within a three-dimensional object, such as a brain tumor within a human skull. A plurality of signal-transmitting markers disposed about the periphery of the object are used to determine the precise point of entry and slope of entry. A light ray is directed along the slope of entry to the point of entry, and a penetrating tool is directed along the path defined by the light ray. In a preferred embodiment, in which the point of interest is within the brain, additional signal-transmitting markers are placed through a very small skull opening directly at the point of interest and optionally about its periphery. When the skull is opened for surgery and the position of the point of interest in the brain shifts due to loss of pressure, the additional markers nevertheless will indicate the exact location of the point of interest.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for directing a penetrating tool through a three-dimensional object from a known point of entry and along a desired slope of entry to a known point of interest within the object, the apparatus comprising
(a) a plurality of peripheral markers suitable for placement about the periphery of the object, each peripheral marker capable of propagating a distinct signal; -
(b) one or more internal markers suitable for placement within the object in the vicinity of the point of interest and in fixed relation thereto, each internal marker capable of propagating a distinct signal; (c) a receiver capable of receiving and distinguishing the signals propagated by each of said peripheral and internal markers; (d) a movable source of a light ray, the light ray being directable along a slope to intersect the object; (e) a computer means adapted to receive information relating to said signals from said receiver and able to calculate and store the location coordinates of each of said peripheral and internal markers with respect to one another, said computer means further adapted to receive the location coordinates of said light source, and to indicate whether the light ray'"'"'s point of intersection with said object and slope correspond to the known point of entry and desired slope of entry, whereby the light ray can guide a penetrating tool through the known point of entry and along the desired slope of entry to the known point of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A guide means for guiding a tool along a predetermined slope, said guide means comprising
a support frame, a movable positioning means supported by said support frame, said movable positioning means comprising a first rotating gear and a second rotating gear of smaller diameter than said first rotating gear and eccentrically mounted within the circumference thereof, and a hollow guide tube pivotably mounted eccentrically in said second rotating gear and capable of being maintained fixedly oriented along said predetermined slope, said first and second rotating gears cooperating to position the pivotable mounting of said hollow guide tube at a predetermined point intersecting said predetermined slope, so that a tool positioned within said guide tube will be directed along said predetermined slope.
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13. A method for directing a penetrating tool through a known point of entry and along a desired slope of entry to a known point of interest within a three-dimensional object, comprising
(a) locating a plurality of peripheral markers about the periphery of the object, each marker capable of propagating a distinct signal, (b) providing one or more internal markers within the object in the vicinity of the point of interest and in fixed relation thereto, (c) providing a receiver capable of receiving and distinguishing the respective signals propagated by each of said peripheral and internal markers, (d) determining the co-ordinates in three dimensions of each of said markers relative to the known point of interest, (e) positioning a movable source of a light ray such that said light ray is directed generally toward said point of entry, (f) determining the co-ordinates of said light ray source and the orientation of said ray of light relative to the known point of interest, (g) determining from said co-ordinates whether said ray of light intersects said known point of entry and along said desired slope of entry, (h) repeating steps (e)-(g) until said ray of light does intersect said point of entry along said desired slope of entry, and (i) using said ray of light to guide a penetrating tool along said desired slope of entry at said known point of entry.
Specification