Minrad Inc.

Michael K Landi

John C McNeirney

Walter Grand

Douglas Moreland

Thomas C Koslowske

A targeting device defines a direction of approach to a subsurface target under guidance of imaging equipment such as a computer tomograph or a magnetic resonance imaging machine. The targeting device is positioned relative to the target in such a way that the optimal direction of approach avoiding vital internal structures can be selected by reference to the images displayed on the imagine equipment. The device projects a visible light beam, such as a laser beam, on a region of a patient, indicating the point of entry and the angle of approach to the subsurface target.

Method and device for determining access to a subsurface target

A device and method for verifying positional alignment between a visible light beam and an x-ray beam by providing a radio-opaque body that is to be positioned in the center of the visible light beam in the x-ray field. The image of the radio-opaque body provides an indication of whether the position of the visible light beam is colinear and coincident with the central ray of the x-ray beam of an imaging system.

Alignment verification device and method of using the same with a visual light beam and an x-ray

A sampling device and method of retrieving a sample are disclosed. The device includes a cannula having a first end and a second end. The first end has a threaded section. The method includes providing a stylet, providing a cannula having an axial channel, and inserting the stylet into the axial channel. Then, the stylet is connected to the cannula to form an assembly, and the assembly is inserted into a body to place an end of the cannula proximate to a sample location. Next, the stylet is disconnected, and the cannula is twisted to engage an end of the cannula in a part of the body. The stylet is removed from the axial channel, and a core collector is inserted in place of the stylet. Once the core collector is connected to the cannula, the cannula is twisted to further engage the end of the cannula in the part of the body, and to embed a portion of the core collector in the part of the body, so that a sample to be retrieved resides in the core collector. Then, the core collector is disconnected from the cannula, and removed from the cannula.

Sampling device and method of retrieving a sample

The present invention provides an instrument adapted for alignment with a light beam, which instrument includes an instrument body having a point of entry of the light beam, a light conducting channel, and a sensing element carried by the instrument and being spaced from the point of entry of the light beam. The sensing element serves to provide indication of alignment or misalignment between the instrument and the light beam. The light beam travels inside the instrument along the light conducting channel extending from the point of entry to the sensing element. One or more light guiding devices are disposed inside the light conducting channel to increase precision of alignment between the instrument and the light beam. The light guiding device has a wall forming a guiding passage inside the guiding device. When disposed inside the instrument, the wall of the guiding device blocks non-aligned light beams from reaching the sensing element, while allowing the aligned light beams to propagate along a predetermined path through the guiding passage inside the instrument and reach the sensing element.

Light guiding device and method

An invasive instrument, such as a biopsy needle, syringe or drill, is adapted to be guided by an energy beam such as a laser beam along a predefined line of sight path toward a subsurface target. The instrument is adapted for use in conjunction with an energy beam targeting and directing system which directs an energy beam in a line of sight path toward a target. The instrument includes a portion for percutaneously accessing a subsurface target, an energy conducting portion and an energy responsive means interposed between the means for percutaneously accessing a subsurface target and the energy conducting portion. In use of the instrument, whereby an operator monitors the energy responsive component for a visual indication of alignment of the instrument with the predefined line of sight path, while advancing the portion for percutaneously accessing the subsurface target along the line of sight path toward the target.

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Kenmore, NY, United States of America

Michael K Landi