Referencing device including mouthpiece

• US 6,223,067 B1
• Filed: 04/07/1998
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Original Assignee: Brainlab Medizinische Computersysteme GmbH (Brainlab AG)
• Inventors: Birkenbach, Rainer, Vilsmeier, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Application Number:
  US09/056,450
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 600/426, 600/424, 600/407, 600/415, 600/417, 600/429, 606/130, 378/204-206, 378/170
• US Class Current: 600/426
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/363 Use of fiducial points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/16 Bite blocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

The invention relates to a referencing device for mapping the position of bodily surgical or examination target points comprising at least three reflectors, the position of which can be localized by a computer-assisted position tracking and/or a CT scan, and an adapter connected to the reflectors, by means of which the referencing device is attachable to a part of the body wherein the adapter comprises a mouthpiece securable to the upper jaw by means of vacuum pressure. The invention relates furthermore to a method for referencing bodily surgical or examination target points. The device in accordance with the invention is employed more particularly in radiotherapy and in neurosurgery.

Claims

1. A referencing device for mapping a position of bodily surgical or examination target points, comprising

a) at least three reflectors for enabling position localizing thereof by at least one of a computer-assisted position tracking system and a CT scan, and

b) an adapter connected to said reflectors, and wherein

c) said adapter comprises a mouthpiece securable to an upper jaw of a patient by means of vacuum pressure, and said adapter includes a connecting passage for connecting to a source of vacuum, and wherein:

said adapter comprises an upper jaw impression mold which is filled with a settable jaw impression compound,

a surface region of said impression compound has placed therein a removable member which when removed from said mouthpiece leaves an air space between said hard palate and said surface of said impression compound which can be subjected to a vacuum pressure, and

said air space is connected to said connecting passage.

2. The referencing device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upper jaw impression mold is configured to cover the dental area and the hard palate of the upper jaw.

3. The referencing device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflectors are removable from said adapter.