The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 11, 1998
Filed:
Sep. 18, 1996
David E Martin, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Phoebe A Kaplan, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Robert G Dussault, Charlottesville, VA (US);
The University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Abstract
A guidance system and method for accurately reproducing surgical approach angles for increasing the efficiency and accuracy of image-guided biopsy procedures which require high levels of precision with respect to the orientation of surgical instruments prior to insertion. A tri-axial structure mounted in the vicinity of the patient provides a laser light beam to the point of incision on the surface of a patient. The orientation of this laser light beam serves as a guide for not only the location of the entry point of the surgical instrument but also the orientation of the surgical instrument during insertion. A range finding structure positioned in parallel with the tri-axial mounted structure provides an indication of the depth of insertion of the surgical instrument.