Trajectory guide, access port, and fiducial marker alignment
Inventors
Solar, Matthew S. • Pagan, Craig J. • Perry, Glenn D. • Wittfeldt, Anthony Adam-Henry
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8747419-B2
Publication Date
2014-06-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A trajectory guide for introducing an instrument into a human or animal subject is described. A guide stem can be removed in sections without disturbing the aligned instrument. An access port portion of the trajectory guide can be left in place, without disturbing trajectory alignment, and can allow overlying skin to be sutured closed. The access port can provide infusate delivery, such as using an injection port, catheter or the like. A fiducial marker arrangement can provide easy and accurate trajectory alignment, for use with the present trajectory guide, another trajectory guide, or without any trajectory guide.
Core Innovation
A cranial trajectory guide system is described that supports chronic placement by maintaining ball-and-socket components and a ball retainer substantially within a drilled skull burr hole. The guide provides a low-profile flange or cap that allows skin closure while the instrument trajectory is maintained through a ball passage. A removable guide stem can be removed in sections after alignment without disturbing the instrument trajectory, while leaving the instrument within the ball passage.
The system further includes a thread-cover spacer that protects against chafing and provides a sealing concept associated with a cap. The cap includes an injection or infusion port, and optionally includes a drainage port. Sealing and reservoir concepts are described together with an instrument exit portal and optional cannula/hub sealing features.
For intracranial access, a rigid intracranial cannula is connected to a flexible lateral catheter without disturbing the intracranial port. The system also provides fiducial marker arrangements for accurate image-guided alignment using centroid-defined planes that are orthogonal to the trajectory. The fiducial arrangements include multi-point and ring-based configurations, an optional standalone alignment wand, and measurement of depth-to-target, operable with MRI/CT and similar imaging modalities.
Claims Coverage
Not explicitly described in patent.
Not explicitly described in patent.
Stated Advantages
Enables chronic placement by maintaining ball-and-socket components and a ball retainer substantially within a drilled skull burr hole.
Provides a low-profile flange or cap that allows skin closure while maintaining the instrument trajectory.
Allows removal of a removable guide stem in sections after alignment without disturbing the instrument trajectory.
Supports sealing and reservoir functions via a cap with an injection or infusion port and optional drainage port.
Enables connecting a rigid intracranial cannula to a flexible lateral catheter without disturbing the intracranial port.
Provides accurate image-guided alignment using fiducial markers and centroid-defined planes orthogonal to the trajectory, operable with MRI/CT and similar modalities.
Provides depth-to-target measurement using the fiducial alignment framework.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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