Ball and socket trajectory guide
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An alignment device, comprising:
- a longitudinal guide portion, having a longitudinal opening including a guide axis;
a spherical portion coupled to an end of the longitudinal guide portion;
a base unit, including;
a deformable substantially spherical socket formed of a socket member engaging the spherical portion including at least one relief opening in a portion of the spherical socket allowing deformation of the spherical socket; and
a substantially planar portion wherein the socket member of the spherical socket extends from a first side of the substantially planar portion; and
an actuating device surrounding and engaging an outer perimeter of the spherical socket, wherein the actuating device is not in direct contact with the spherical portion; and
a number of standoff features attached to the base unit, wherein the standoff features are adapted to directly contact a skull of a subject adjacent to an opening in the skull, wherein the number of standoff features attached to the base unit extend from a second side of the substantially planar portion away from the socket member to position the substantially planar portion a distance away from the skull.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alignment device and method is provided. Higher precision is achieved when fixing an orientation of an insertion axis using alignment devices shown. A symmetric clamping force is provided that reduces or eliminates unwanted displacement after the desired orientation is obtained. Another feature includes increased flexibility to use a variety of primary medical devices. Another feature includes a standoff feature that reduces tissue damage. Another feature includes an orienting fixture for image guided procedures.
38 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An alignment device, comprising:
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a longitudinal guide portion, having a longitudinal opening including a guide axis; a spherical portion coupled to an end of the longitudinal guide portion; a base unit, including; a deformable substantially spherical socket formed of a socket member engaging the spherical portion including at least one relief opening in a portion of the spherical socket allowing deformation of the spherical socket; and
a substantially planar portion wherein the socket member of the spherical socket extends from a first side of the substantially planar portion; andan actuating device surrounding and engaging an outer perimeter of the spherical socket, wherein the actuating device is not in direct contact with the spherical portion; and a number of standoff features attached to the base unit, wherein the standoff features are adapted to directly contact a skull of a subject adjacent to an opening in the skull, wherein the number of standoff features attached to the base unit extend from a second side of the substantially planar portion away from the socket member to position the substantially planar portion a distance away from the skull. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An alignment device, comprising:
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a longitudinal guide portion, having a longitudinal opening including a guide axis; a spherical portion coupled to an end of the longitudinal guide portion; a base unit, having a spherical socket for engaging with the spherical portion and a substantially planar portion wherein the spherical socket extends from a first side of the substantially planar portion wherein the spherical socket includes at least two members deformably connected to the first side of the substantially planar portion; a number of securing devices adapted to secure the base unit to a skull; at least two relief openings in a portion of the spherical socket defined by a complete disassociation of at least two portions of the spherical socket, allowing deformation of the spherical socket, wherein the relief openings includes the complete disassociation of the at least two portions from each other above the substantially planar portion to allow each of the at least two portions to bend from the planar portion; an actuating device coupled to the spherical socket to cause substantially symmetric tightening of the spherical socket around at least a part of the spherical portion; and a number of standoff features attached to the base unit that extend from a second side of the substantially planar portion such that the standoff members extend in a direction substantially away from the spherical socket; wherein the number of standoff features are adapted for placement adjacent to an opening in a skull of a subject, and wherein the substantially planar portion of the base unit and the spherical socket is adapted to mount a distance away from the skull where the standoff features contact the skull. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An alignment device, comprising:
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a longitudinal guide portion, having a longitudinal opening including a guide axis; a spherical portion coupled to an end of the longitudinal guide portion; a base unit operable to be positioned relative to a work surface, having a deformable spherical socket mating with the spherical portion; and an actuating device operatively connected to the spherical socket, wherein the actuating device is not in direct contact with the spherical portion; at least two standoff features each having a standoff feature thickness attached to the base unit, wherein a substantial portion of the base unit is adapted to mount above the work surface, wherein each of the at least two standoff features define a passage through which an attaching device is operable to pass substantially freely and engage the work surface to fix the base unit to the work surface; and a retention force providing member coupled to the base unit and operable to retain the attaching device near the passage; wherein the guide axis extends through the base unit and between the at least two standoff features; wherein the retention force providing member is an elastomeric band; wherein the base defines a groove at a perimeter of the base operable to hold the elastomeric band.
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23. An alignment device, comprising:
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a longitudinal guide portion, having a longitudinal opening including a guide axis; a spherical portion operably coupled to an end of the longitudinal guide portion; a base unit, including; a first portion having a first side and a second side and an outer perimeter, wherein the first portion defines a passage extending from the first side through the second side within the outer perimeter; a single deformable substantially spherical socket including at least two individual members attached to and extending separately and away from the first side of the outer perimeter of the first portion for mating with the spherical portion, wherein a relief opening is defined as a complete separation between the at least two individual members extending from an outer surface of each of the individual members to an inner surface of each of the individual members and the at least two individual members are operable to deform relative to the first portion independently of one another; an actuating device that surrounds and engages all of the individual members of the spherical socket to substantially symmetrically compress the at least two individual members of the substantially spherical socket, wherein the actuating device is not in direct contact with the spherical portion; a plurality of standoff feature extending from the base unit, wherein the standoff features are is adapted to directly engage a work surface near an opening in the work surface; a passage defined through each of the standoff features; an attaching device operable to pass through each passage and engage the work surface; and a retaining force applying member operable to hold the attaching device relative to the passage at least prior to moving the attaching device relative to the work surface. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An alignment device, comprising:
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a longitudinal guide portion, having a longitudinal opening including a guide axis; a spherical portion operably coupled to an end of the longitudinal guide portion; a base unit, including; a first portion defining an outer perimeter; a single deformable spherical socket including at least two fingers extending separately from the first portion for mating with the spherical portion, wherein at least two relief openings are defined as a complete separation between an outer surface and an inner surface of the at least two fingers and the at least two fingers are operable to deform relative to the first portion independently of one another; an actuating device that surrounds and engages the entire outer perimeter of the spherical socket and operable to substantially symmetrically compress the at least two fingers of the spherical socket, wherein the actuating device is not in direct contact with the spherical portion; a plurality of standoff features extending from the base unit, wherein the plurality of standoff features are adapted to directly engage a work surface near an opening in the work surface; a passage defined through each of the plurality of standoff features; an attaching device operable to pass through the passage and engage the work surface; and a retaining force applying member operable to hold the attaching device relative to the passage at least prior to moving the attaching device relative to the work surface; wherein the retaining force applying member includes an elastomeric band fit within a groove defined by an external perimeter of the base unit. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. An alignment device, comprising:
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a longitudinal guide portion, having a longitudinal opening including a guide axis; a spherical portion coupled to an end of the longitudinal guide portion; a base unit, including; a deformable substantially spherical socket engaging the spherical portion; and a substantially planar portion wherein the deformable spherical socket extends from a first side of the substantially planar portion; and an actuating device surrounding and engaging an outer perimeter of the spherical socket, wherein the actuating device is not in direct contact with the spherical portion; a number of standoff features attached to the base unit, wherein the standoff features are adapted to directly contact a skull of a subject adjacent to an opening in the skull, wherein the number of standoff features attached to the base unit extend from a second side of the substantially planar portion to position the substantially planar portion a distance away from the skull; and a retaining force applying member that is an elastomeric band across the passage and fit within a groove defined by an external perimeter of the base unit.
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Specification