Method and apparatus for guiding an external needle to an implantable device
First Claim
1. A support tool for a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device, the supply assembly defining a supply axis, the support tool comprising:
- a support member defining an opening having a support axis, the opening configured to receive the supply assembly, the support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly, the corresponding surface of the supply assembly nesting against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis;
wherein the support member includes a main body having a first surface defining a portion of the opening and a removable member having a second surface that is opposed to the first surface, the removable member being selectively and translatably removably attached to the main body, the opening being defined between the first surface and the second surface when the removable member is removably attached to the main body, and wherein the removable member and the main body cooperate to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to the support axis; and
a tracking device that tracks a position and orientation of the support member relative to the implantable medical device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A support tool for a supply assembly delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device. The supply assembly defines a supply axis. The support tool includes a support member defining an opening. The opening has a support axis, and the opening is configured to receive the supply assembly. The support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly. The corresponding surface of the supply assembly nests against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A support tool for a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device, the supply assembly defining a supply axis, the support tool comprising:
-
a support member defining an opening having a support axis, the opening configured to receive the supply assembly, the support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly, the corresponding surface of the supply assembly nesting against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis; wherein the support member includes a main body having a first surface defining a portion of the opening and a removable member having a second surface that is opposed to the first surface, the removable member being selectively and translatably removably attached to the main body, the opening being defined between the first surface and the second surface when the removable member is removably attached to the main body, and wherein the removable member and the main body cooperate to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to the support axis; and a tracking device that tracks a position and orientation of the support member relative to the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A support tool for a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device, the supply defining a supply axis, the support tool comprising:
-
a support member having a handle and an outer edge and defining a portion of a through bore having a support axis and a slot defined between the through bore and the outer edge; a removable member configured to slidably engage the slot, wherein the removable member is slidably translatable along a translation axis perpendicular to the support axis from an engaged position wherein the removable member defines a portion of the through bore to an unengaged position where the removable member is separated from the support member; and a tracking device that tracks a position and orientation of the support member relative to the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A support tool for a supply assembly that delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device, the supply defining a supply axis, the support tool comprising:
-
a support member having an outer edge and defining a first portion of an opening having a support axis, said support member defining a first three dimensionally contoured nesting surface about the first portion of the opening, said support member further defining a slot between the outer edge and the opening; a removable member that has a pair of edges and is translatable within the slot along an axis perpendicular to the support axis from an engaged position to a disengaged position, wherein the slot and the pair of edges define a tongue and groove interface; and a tracking device that tracks a position and orientation of the support member relative to the implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification