Medtronic, Inc.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Image-guided Neurologics, Inc.

Kari Parmer

Matthew S Solar

Thomas I Miller

John David

Frank Murdock

James Grant Skakoon

Rudy A Mazzocchi

Timothy Alan Parmer

Charles Loeb Truwit

David Hatcher

Robert Wharen

Mark Stephen Freas

Philip Smith

David M Lee

Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems.

Device for immobilizing a primary instrument and method therefor

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.

Ball and socket trajectory guide

A trajectory guide assembly that guides an instrument relative to a patient includes a mounting seat configured to be supported by the patient. The assembly also includes a trajectory member moveably supported by the mounting seat. The trajectory member defines a trajectory passage. Also, the assembly includes a cap member moveably supported by the trajectory member. The cap member defines a cap opening, and the cap member is selectively moveable to a first position relative to the trajectory member to retain the instrument in both the cap opening and the trajectory passage. Additionally, the cap member is selectively moveable to a second position relative to the trajectory member to release the instrument.

Trajectory guide with instrument immobilizer

An insertion device with an insertion axis includes an axial actuator with a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is moveable along the insertion axis relative to the second portion. The insertion device further includes a first tube coupled to the first portion of the axial actuator, and the first tube is movable along the insertion axis in response to movement of the first portion relative to the second portion. The device further includes a second tube having a radially biased distal end. The distal end is substantially contained within the first tube in a first state, and the second tube is rotatable with respect to the first tube. Also, the second tube is axially movable to a second state, and a portion of a distal end of the second tube is exposed from a distal end of the first tube in the second state.

Indexing cell delivery catheter

Sheath assembly for an access device and method therefor

A method and apparatus accurately maintains alignment of a surgical instrument. The apparatus includes a base with an attached movable member. The movable member includes a passage forming a portion of a trajectory path. A relaxable or rigid material has a similar passage in common with the passage of the movable member. If a relaxable material is used, the passage portion of the relaxable region is held open by an inserted stem removably attached to the movable member. The instrument is then inserted into the center of the stem and thus into the trajectory path. The stem is removed by withdrawing it from the movable member over the proximal portion of the instrument. This releases the relaxable region to tightly hold the instrument in place. Alternatively, using a relaxable or rigid component, the component is slid laterally to at least partially offset a passage through the component from the passage of the movable member to reduce a combined effective area of the passages and to grasp an instrument.

A device and method of placement of a chronic micro-catheter is shown that allows effective guiding of micro-catheters through a host catheter that is later removable while leaving the micro-catheter implanted in place within the patient. The novel configuration allows the micro-catheter to be completely radially enclosed during insertion, and still allows the host catheter to be removed, leaving the micro-catheter behind. Additionally, the configuration allows several micro-catheters to be placed at any number of depths and orientations while still using a minimally invasive host catheter.

Placement of chronic micro-catheter device and method

An insertion device and method of using and manufacturing an insertion device is shown, wherein the insertion device is capable of distributing a media over a large distribution volume inside a patient while reducing the amount of tissue disturbed by the procedure. Also shown is a computer-readable medium with instructions stored thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause generation of a set of data for use with an insertion device. An insertion device and methods are shown that allows a series of iterations to be performed within a single insertion procedure that distributes media, such as cells for cell therapy, over a large volume.

Growing community of inventors

Melbourne, FL, United States of America

Kari Parmer