Medtronic, Inc.

Medtronic Image-guided Neurologics, Inc.

Mark Stephen Freas

Matthew S Solar

Thomas I Miller

James Grant Skakoon

Rudy A Mazzocchi

Thomas L Bridges

Jeffrey M Waynik

David M Lee

Andrew N Csavoy

Patrick R Helmer

Keith Sootsman

Kari Parmer

Frans L H Gielen

Peter Appenrodt

David Lee

This document discusses, among other things, examples of a low profile instrument immobilizer and means for positioning the same. In one example, the low profile instrument immobilizer grasps, secures, and immobilizes an electrode or other instrument that extends through a burr hole in a skull to a target location in a patient's brain.

Low profile instrument immobilizer

A system can be used to navigate or guide an instrument or device into an anatomy of a patient. The navigation can occur with the use of image data acquired of the patient. The image data can be registered to the patient space for navigation. One or more tracking devices can be the associated with the patient and with guiding instruments for tracking guiding devices relative to the patient.

Method and apparatus for performing a navigated procedure

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

This document discusses, among other things, a stiffening stylet for use with a peel-away or other sheath. The stylet includes an MR-compatible ceramic core and an MR-compatible tubular covering, such as a polyester heat shrink tubing. The ceramic core and the tubular covering together provide a step to engage a stop feature of the sheath to inhibit overextension of the stylet beyond a distal end of the sheath.

Composite MR-compatible stylet

A system can be used to navigate or guide an instrument or device into an anatomy of a patient. The navigation can occur with the use of image data acquired of the patient. The image data can be registered to the patient space for navigation. Also, one or more coils can be used for tracking or localization.

A system can be used to navigate or guide an instrument or device into an anatomy of a patient. The navigation can occur with the use of image data acquired of the patient. The image data can be registered to the patient space for navigation. Registration can occur more than once to increase efficiency and speed of the procedure.

Method for performing multiple registrations in a navigated procedure

This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imagable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imagable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.

Fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods

This document discusses, among other things, a fiducial marker kit. In one example, the kit includes a fiducial marker assembly that includes a bone screw base for receiving an imageable marker or locatable divot. A valved protective sleeve prevents debris from accumulating in a receptacle portion of the base, which may otherwise degrade the accuracy of patient registration in an image-guided surgical procedure. In one example, the valve automatically opens or closes upon insertion or removal of a screwdriver or other tool, or a shaft portion of the imageable marker or locatable divot. Various bone screw base and receptacle combinations are also discussed.

Fiducial marker and protective cap

A system can be used to determine a position of a structure in physical space. The system can include a flexible member, such as a drape, cloth, sheet, etc. that can include one or more trackable devices associated therewith. The trackable devices can be incorporated into the weave of a woven cloth or the matrix of a polymer member. The trackable devices can be used within a tracking system to determine the location of the trackable devices.

Flexible array for use in navigated surgery

This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined imagable fiducial locator and divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example is reflective such that it is locatable by a remote detector of an optical positioning system. A generally cylindrical (e.g., faceted cylindrical) columnar locator permits easy application of reflective tape. Other examples discusses a unitary fiducial marker with multiple divots and a swiveling and/or tilted fiducial marker divot, each of which allows manipulation of a positioning wand into a remote camera's field of view. Another example includes at least one reflector that can be aimed. A further example discusses an imagable fiducial marker carrier that is attachable to a single location on a patient's skull to reduce trauma. A keying arrangement fixedly defines the orientation of the carrier, allowing detachment and reattachment in the same orientation.

This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imageable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imageable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.

A system to allow registration of a patient to image space is disclosed. The registration can be performed without touching a plurality of fiducial points on the patient or in the image data. The registration process can eliminate manual steps of image to patient registration and image to image registration.

Growing community of inventors

Palm Bay, FL, United States of America

Mark Stephen Freas