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Claims  |
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We claim:
1. A device for facilitating the insertion of an instrument into the
cranium of a patient through an aperture previously formed in said
cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein, said
device comprising:
a. guide means disposed in said aperture for directing said instrument
through said aperture, said guide means comprising
i. an elongated open tubular member having a first end and a second end,
said member defining a lumen extending from said first end to said second
end, wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is
configured for passage through said aperture and into an inner portion of
said cranium;
ii. means formed integral with said open tubular body member, at said first
end thereof, for stabilizing said guide means within said aperture in said
cranium; and
iii. a body portion having first and second parallel opposed sides, said
first side of said body portion formed integral with said elongated open
tubular member at said second end thereof, said body portion defining a
lumen extending therethrough from said first side to said second side, in
alignment with and adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member, to form,
in combination therewith, an uninterrupted bore through said guide means;
b. adjustable means for locking said guide means against said cranium, said
locking means defining an aperture therethrough, and configured and
adapted for engaging said outer surface portion of said tubular member;
and
c. a base member for aligning said guide means within said aperture in said
cranium, said base member having an annular body portion with first and
second opposed sides and a plurality of leg members extending
substantially perpendicularly from said first side thereof, said leg
members formed integral with said body portion, said base member being
configured for the passage therethrough of at least a portion of said
guide means,
wherein instruments inserted through said device enter the interior of the
cranium at an angle of substantially 20.degree. to a plane tangent to the
cranium at the aperture.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said lumen defined by said body portion
has thread means located along an inner peripheral circumferential portion
thereof, said thread means positioned to engage corresponding thread means
on an elongated insert member positionable within said uninterrupted bore.
3. The device of claim 2 further comprising an elongated tubular insert
member having a first end and a second end and defining a hollow lumen
extending from said first end to said second end, at least a portion of
said insert member adjacent said first end thereof being configured for
passage substantially through said uninterrupted bore through said guide
means.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said insert member further comprises
thread means located on an outer surface thereof adjacent said second end,
wherein said thread means on said insert member are configured for
engagement with corresponding thread means within said lumen of said base
body portion so as to lockingly position said insert member within said
uninterrupted bore through said guide means.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said second side of said body portion
comprises a plurality of marking means to facilitate alignment of said
instrument within said cranium upon the insertion thereof through the
lumen of said guide means.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said marking means are each located the
same distance apart from one another along a peripheral circumferential
portion of said second side of said body portion.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein each said marking means is located 15
degrees apart from either adjacent one of said marking means.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means comprises a
plurality of flexible slotted tip members formed integral with said open
tubular member at a first terminal portion thereof, each said tip member
having a flange extending outwardly from a terminal portion thereof
furtherest removed from said open tubular member.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein said flanges extend outwardly in a
substantially perpendicular direction from each said tip member and are
formed integral therewith.
10. A method for inserting a medical instrument through a previously
prepared aperture in a patient's cranium, said method comprising:
a. assembling the device of claim 1 upon the cranium of a patient by
1. forming an aperture through said cranium at an angle of substantially
90.degree. to a plane tangent to the cranium at the aperture;
2. deburring the aperture to remove any loose bone chips therefrom;
3. positioning said base member above said aperture on the surface of the
cranium;
4. inserting said guide means through said aperture on the surface of the
cranium; and
5. engaging an elongated insert member having a central lumen within an
uninterrupted bore defined by said guide means; and
b. inserting said medical instrument through said device and into an
interior portion of said cranium at an angle of substantially 90.degree.
to a plane tangent to said cranium at said aperture.
11. A surgical work platform for facilitating insertion of an instrument
into the cranium of a patient through a burr hole previously formed in
said cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein,
said platform comprising:
a. a guide disposed in said aperture for directing the instrument through
the burr hole, said guide comprising
i. an elongated open tubular member having a first end and a second end,
said member defining a lumen extending from said first end to said second
end, wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is
configured for passage through said aperture and into an inner portion of
said cranium and wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of said
member is threaded for engagement with separate locking means;
ii. a body portion having first and second parallel opposed sides, said
first side of said body portion formed integral with said elongated
tubular member at said second end thereof, said body portion defining a
central lumen extending therethrough from said first side to said second
side in alignment with and adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member
so as to form, in combination therewith, an uninterrupted bore through
said guide, wherein said lumen extending through said body portion has a
plurality of thread members located along an inner peripheral
circumferential portion thereof to engage corresponding thread member
located upon an insert member positionable within said bore; and
iii. a plurality of flexible slotted tip members formed integral with said
elongated open tubular member at a terminal portion of said first end
thereof, for stabilizing said guide within the burr hole in the patient's
cranium, each said tip member having a substantially perpendicular flange
extending outwardly from a terminal portion thereof furtherest removed
from said open tubular member;
b. adjustable locking means for securing the guide against the patient's
cranium, said locking means defining a central lumen configured for
engaging said threaded outer portion of said elongated open tubular
member;
c. an elongated tubular insert member having a first end and a second end,
said insert member defining a hollow lumen extending from said first end
to said second end, wherein at least a portion of said insert member
adjacent said first end thereof is configured for passage substantially
through said uninterrupted bore of said guide, and wherein said insert
member has a plurality of thread members on an outer surface thereof
adjacent said second end, said thread members corresponding to said thread
members within the lumen of said body portion for lockingly positioning
the insert member within the bore of the guide; and
d. a base member for aligning the guide within the burr hole in the
patient's cranium, said base member having an annular body portion with
first and second opposed sides and a plurality of leg members extending
substantially perpendicularly from said first side thereof, said leg
members formed integral with said body portion, said base member being
configured for the passage therethrough of at least a lower portion of
said guide so as to permit engagement of said guide within said burr hole,
wherein an instrument inserted through said platform enters the interior of
the patient's cranium at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to a plane
tangent at the cranium at the burr hole.
12. The platform of claim 11 wherein the second side of said body portion
comprises a plurality of graduated alignment markings located along a
peripheral circumferential portion thereof, each said marking being
located about 15 degrees apart from an adjacent marking on either side
thereof.
13. The platform of claim 11 wherein at least the first end portion of said
insert member has a correspondingly greater diameter than that of said
flexible, slotted tip members such that passing said insert member through
said uninterrupted bore in said guide and thereafter between said tip
members, forces said tip members outwardly, away from said insert member,
facilitating a secure engagement between said perpendicular flanges
located upon said tip members and an inner surface of the patient's
cranium, thus enhancing the stability of the platform.
14. The platform of claim 11 wherein said locking means comprises a
ring-shaped member having upper and lower parallel opposed surfaces,
defining a central aperture therethrough, extending from said upper
surface to said lower surface, said aperture having threaded members
located on an inner peripheral surface thereof for engaging said
corresponding threaded members located upon the outer surface portion of
said elongated open tubular member, thus permitting said platform to be
locked in position upon the cranium of the patient by screwing said
ring-shaped member in the direction of said alignment means.
15. The platform of claim 14 wherein each of said plurality of legs
terminates in a free end, said free ends forming a polygon defining a
plane upon said cranium overlaying said burr hole and wherein said guide
is aligned with the burr hole at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to
said plane.
16. The platform of claim 15 wherein said base member comprises three legs
of equal length such that an equilateral triangle is formed by the free
ends of said legs.
17. The platform of claim 11 wherein said guide, said insert and said
alignment means are constructed from a rigid material comprising ABS,
Delrin.RTM., Hetal or an acrylic.
18. A skull-mounted surgical work platform for facilitating the insertion
of medical instruments into the cranium of a patient through a burr hole
previously formed in said cranium without causing undue injury to
underlying tissue therein, said platform comprising:
a. a guide for directing said instruments through the burr hole, said guide
comprising
i. an elongated open tube having a first end and a second end, said tube
defining a central lumen extending therethrough from said first end to
said second end, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface thereof is
threaded for engagement with a separate locking ring;
ii a body portion having first and second parallel opposed sides, said
first side of said body portion formed integral with said elongated open
tube at the second end thereof and said second side of said body portion
having a plurality of graduated alignment markings along a peripheral
circumferential portion thereof, each said marking being located
substantially 15.degree. apart from an adjacent marking on either side
thereof, said body portion further defining a central lumen extending
therethrough from said first side to said second side in alignment with
and adjacent to said lumen of said tube to form, in combination therewith,
an uninterrupted bore through said guide and wherein said lumen extending
through said body portion has threads located along a peripheral
circumferential portion thereof to engage corresponding threads located
upon an insert member positionable within said bore;
iii. a plurality of flexible slotted tip members formed integral with said
tube at a terminal portion of said first end thereof for stabilizing said
guide within the burr hole in the patient's cranium, each said tip member
having a substantially perpendicular flange extending from a terminal
portion thereof furtherest removed from said tube;
b. an elongated tubular insert member with a first end and a second end,
having a hollow lumen extending from said first end to said second end,
wherein at least a portion of said insert member adjacent said first end
thereof is configured for passage substantially through said uninterrupted
bore of said guide, and wherein said insert member has threads on an outer
surface thereof adjacent said second end, said threads configured for
engagement with corresponding threads within the lumen of said body
portion to lockingly position the insert within the bore of the guide and
further wherein at least the first end portion of the insert member has a
correspondingly greater diameter than that of said flexible slotted tip
members, such that passing said insert member through said bore, and
thereafter between said tip members, forces said tip members outwardly,
away from said insert member, thus facilitating a secure engagement
between said flanges upon said tip members and an inner surface portion of
the patient's cranium;
c. a ring-shaped locking member having upper and lower parallel opposed
surfaces and defining a central lumen therethrough, said lumen extending
from said upper to said lower surface, wherein said lumen has threads on
an inner surface thereof for engaging corresponding threads located upon
the outer surface portion of the elongated open tube, thus permitting the
platform to be locked in position on the patient's cranium by screwing the
locking member toward the patient's cranium; and
d. a base member for aligning said platform within said burr hole, said
base member comprising an annular body portion with first and second
opposed sides, and having three leg members extending substantially
perpendicularly from said first side, wherein each said leg member
terminates in a free end, said free ends forming a triangular plane on the
surface of the patient's cranium overlaying said burr hole such that said
tube is aligned with said burr hole through said triangular plane at an
angle of substantially 90.degree. to said plane.
19. A method for assembling a skull mounted work platform upon the cranium
of a patient, which comprises:
a. forming an aperture through said cranium at an angle of substantially
90.degree. to a plane tangent to the cranium at the aperture;
b. deburring the aperture to remove any loose bone chips therefrom;
c. positioning alignment means above said aperture on the surface of the
cranium;
d. inserting guide means through said alignment means and thereafter
through said aperture into an interior portion of said cranium;
e. engaging an elongated insert member having a central lumen within an
uninterrupted bore defined by said guide means; and
f. passing a medical instrument through the lumen of said insert member to
enable said instrument to penetrate an underlying portion of said
patient's brain at an angle of substantially 90.degree. thereto,
so as to prevent undue injury to tissue within the cranium underlying said
aperature.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said aperture is formed by drilling
through said cranium with the perforator means at an angle of
substantially 90.degree. to a plane tangent to said cranium at said
aperture.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein said drilling may be performed manually,
pneumatically electrically or hydraulically.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein an upper portion of said insert member
is lockingly engaged within the uninterrupted bore of said guide means by
engaging corresponding male and female thread means located, respectively,
on an outer surface of said insert member and on an inner peripheral
surface of said bore.
23. The method of claim 19 wherein said guide means is engaged against an
inner surface of said cranium by spreading a plurality of tip members
located at a first terminal end of said guide outwardly by passing
therebetween said insert member, such that as a result of said expansion,
perpendicularly extending flanges, located at a terminal portion of each
said tip member, engage a portion of the inner surface of said cranium
adjacent said aperture.
24. The method of claim 19 which further comprises securing said work
platform in position within said aperture by engaging locking means
located on said platform.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein said locking means are engaged by
screwing a locking ring positioned upon said guide means, toward said
alignment means on the surface of said cranium.
26. A device for facilitating the insertion of an instrument into the
cranium of a patient through an aperture previously formed in said
cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein, said
device comprising:
guide means disposed in said aperture for directing said instrument through
said aperture, said guide means comprising an elongated open tubular
member having a first end and a second end, said member defining a lumen
extending from said first end to said second end, and a body portion
having first and second parallel opposed sides, said first side of said
body portion formed integral with said elongated tubular member at said
second end thereof, said body portion defining a central lumen extending
therethrough from said first side to said second side in alignment with
and adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member so as to form, in
combination therewith, an uninterrupted bore through said guide means,
wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is configured
for passage through said aperture and into an inner portion of said
cranium without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein, said
guide means further comprising a base member having an annular body
portion with first and second opposed sides, a central aperture therein,
and a plurality of leg members extending substantially perpendicularly
from said first side thereof, said leg members formed integral with said
body portion; and
means for aligning said guide means within said aperture in said cranium,
said alignment means including a tubular member configured for passage
through at least a portion of said guide means and having a first end
which is operatively associated with the first end of the guide means so
that when inserted therein, said tubular member positions, aligns and
locks said guide means in said cranium aperture;
wherein instruments inserted through said device enter the interior of the
cranium at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to a plane tangent to the
cranium at the aperture.
27. The device of claim 26 wherein said stabilizing means comprises a
plurality of flexible slotted tip members formed integral with said open
tubular member at a first terminal portion thereof, each said tip member
having a flange extending outwardly from a terminal portion thereof
furtherest outwardly from a terminal portion thereof furtherest removed
from said open tubular member.
28. The device of claim 27 wherein said flanges extend outwardly in a
substantially perpendicular direction from each said tip member.
29. The device of claim 26 which further comprises means for securing said
base member to said cranium.
30. The device of claim 29 wherein the securing mens comprises a disc
member having a threaded central aperture therein for engagement with a
threaded outer portion located on said guide means in a manner such that
said support member is held against said cranium.
31. The device of claim 26 wherein said alignment means tubular member
includes means for releasably engaging said guide member for attachment
thereto.
32. The device of claim 31 wherein said releasable engaging means comprises
a threaded area of said guide means lumen located adjacent said second end
and a threaded area of said alignment means located at an outer portion of
an end opposite said first end.
33. A device for facilitating the insertion of an instrument into the
cranium of a patient through an aperture previously formed in said
cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein, said
device comprising:
a. guide means for directing said instrument through said aperture, said
guide means comprising
i. an elongated open tubular member having a first end and a second end,
said member defining a lumen extending from said first end to said second
end, wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is
configured and adapted for passage through said aperture and into an inner
portion of said cranium;
ii. means formed integral with said open tubular member, at said first end
thereof, for stabilizing said guide means within said aperture in said
cranium; and
iii. a body having first and second parallel opposed sides, said first side
of said body portion formed integral with said elongated open tubular
member at said second end thereof and said second side of said body
portion comprising a plurality of marking means to facilitate alignment of
said instrument within said cranium, said body portion defining a lumen
extending therethrough from said first side to said second side, in
alignment with an adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member, to form
in combination therewith, an uninterrupted bore through said guide means;
and
b. adjustable means for locking said guide means against said cranium, said
locking means defining an aperture therethrough, configured and adapted
for engaging said tubular member; and
c. means for aligning said guide means within said aperture in said
cranium, said alignment means configured for the passage therethrough of
at least a portion of said guide means,
wherein instruments inserted through said device enter the interior of the
cranium at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to a plane tangent to the
cranium at the aperture.
34. The device of claim 33 wherein said marking means are each located the
same distance apart from one another along a peripheral circumferential
portion of said second of said body portion.
35. The device of claim 34 wherein each said marking means is located 15
degrees apart from either adjacent one of said marking means.
36. A surgical work platform for facilitating insertion of an instrument
into the cranium of a patient through a burr hole previously formed in
said cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein,
said platform comprising:
a. guide for directing the instrument through the burr hole, said guide
comprising
i. an elongated open tubular member having a first end and a second end,
said member defining a lumen extending from said first end to said second
end, wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is
configured and adapted for passage through said aperture and into an inner
portion of said cranium;
ii. a body portion having first and second parallel opposed sides, said
first side of said body portion formed integral with said elongated
tubular member at said second end thereof and said second side of said
body portion comprising a plurality of graduated alignment markings
located along a peripheral circumferential portion thereof, each said
marking being located about 15 degrees apart from an adjacent marking on
either side thereof, said body portion defining a central lumen extending
therethrough from said first side to said second side in alignment with
and adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member so as to form, in
combination therewith, an uninterrupted bore through said guide, wherein
said lumen extending through said body portion has a plurality of thread
members located along an inner peripheral circumferential portion thereof
to engage corresponding thread members located upon an insert member
positionable within said bore; and
iii. a plurality of flexible slotted tip members formed integral with said
elongated open tubular member at a terminal portion of said first end
thereof, for stabilizing said guide within the burr hole in the patient's
cranium, each said tip member having a substantially perpendicular flange
extending outwardly from a terminal portion thereof furtherest removed
from said open tubular member;
b. adjustable locking means for securing the guide against the patient's
cranium, said locking means defining a central lumen configured for
engaging said elongated open tubular member;
c. an elongated tubular insert member having a first end and a second end,
said insert member defining a hollow lumen extending from said first end
to said second end, wherein at least a portion of said insert member
adjacent said first end thereof is configured for passage substantially
through said uninterrupted bore of said guide, and wherein said insert
member has a plurality of thread members on an outer surface thereof
adjacent said second end, said thread members corresponding to said thread
members within the lumen of said body portion of lockingly positioning the
insert member within the bore of the guide; and
d. means for aligning the guide within the burr hole in the patient's
cranium, said alignment means configured for the passage therethrough of
at least a lower portion of said guide so as to permit engagement of said
guide within said burr hole,
wherein an instrument inserted through said platform enters the interior of
the patient's cranium at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to a plane
tangent at the cranium at the burr hole.
37. A surgical work platform for facilitating insertion of an instrument
into the cranium of a patient through a burr hole previously formed in
said cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein,
said platform comprising:
a. a guide for directing the instrument through the burr hole, said guide
comprising
i. an elongated open tubular member having a first end and a second end,
said member defining a lumen extending from said first end to said second
end, wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is
configured and adapted for passage through said aperture and into an inner
portion of said cranium and wherein at least a portion of an outer surface
of said member is threaded;
ii. a body portion having first and second parallel opposed sides, said
first side of said body portion formed integral with said elongated
tubular member at said second end thereof, said body portion defining a
central lumen extending therethrough from said first side to said second
side in alignment with and adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member
so as to form, in combination therewith, an uninterrupted bore through
said guide, wherein said lumen extending through said body portion has a
plurality of thread members located along an inner peripheral
circumferential portion thereof to engage corresponding thread members
located upon an insert member positionable within said bore; and
iii. a plurality of flexible slotted tip members formed integral with said
elongated open tubular member at a terminal portion of said first end
thereof, for stabilizing said guide within the burr hole in the patient's
cranium, each said tip member having a substantially perpendicular flange
extending outwardly from a terminal portion thereof furtherest removed
from said open tubular member;
b. an adjustable ring-shaped member for securing the guide against the
patient's cranium, said ring-shaped member having upper and lower parallel
opposed surfaces, defining a central aperture therethrough, extending from
said upper surface to said lower surface, said aperture having threaded
members located on an inner peripheral surface thereof for engaging said
threaded outer surface portion of said elongated open tubular member, thus
permitting the platform to be locked in position upon the cranium of the
patient by screwing said ring-shaped member in the direction of said
cranium;
c. an elongated tubular insert member having a first end and a second end,
said insert member defining a hollow lumen extending from said first end
to said second end, wherein at least a portion of said insert member
adjacent said first end thereof is configured for passage substantially
through said uninterrupted bore of said guide, and wherein said insert
member has a plurality of thread members on an outer surface thereof
adjacent said second end, said thread members corresponding to said thread
members within the lumen of said body portion of lockingly positioning the
insert member within the bore of the guide; and
d. a base member for aligning the guide within the burr hole in the
patient's cranium, said base member having an annular body portion with
first and second opposed sides configured for the passage therethrough of
at least a lower portion of said guide, said base member further
comprising a plurality of leg members extending substantially
perpendicularly from said first side thereof, said leg members formed
integral with said body portion,
wherein an instrument inserted through said platform enters the interior of
the patient's cranium at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to a plane
tangent to the cranium at the burr hole.
38. The platform of claim 37, wherein each of said plurality of leg members
terminates in a free end, said free ends forming a polygon defining a
plane upon said cranium overlaying said burr hole and wherein said guide
is aligned with the burr hole at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to
said plane.
39. The platform of claim 38 wherein said base member comprises three legs
of equal length such that an equilateral triangle is formed by the free
ends of said legs.
40. A device for facilitating the insertion of an instrument into the
cranium of a patient through an aperture previously formed in said
cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein, said
device comprising:
a. guide means for directing said instrument through said aperture, said
guide means comprising
i. an elongated open tubular member having a first end and a second end,
said member defining a lumen extending from said first end to said second
end, wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is
configured and adapted for passage through said aperture and into an inner
portion of said cranium;
ii. means formed integral with said open tubular body member, at said first
and thereof, for stabilizing said guide means within said aperture in said
cranium; and
iii. a body portion having first and second parallel opposed sides, said
first side of said body portion formed integral with said elongated open
tubular member at said second end thereof, said body portion defining a
lumen extending therethrough from said first side to said second side, in
alignment with and adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member, to form,
in combination, therewith, and uninterrupted bore through said guide
means,
wherein said second side of said body portion comprises a plurality of
marking means to facilitate alignment of said instrument within said
cranium upon the insertion thereof through the lumen of said guide means;
b. adjustable means for locking said guide means against said cranium, said
locking means defining an aperture therethrough, and configured and
adapted for engaging said outer surface portion of said tubular member;
and
c. a base member for aligning said guide means within said aperture to said
cranium, said base member having an annular body portion with first and
second opposed sides and a plurality of leg members extending
substantially perpendicularly from said first side thereof, said leg
members formed integral with said body portion, said base member being
configured for the passage therethrough of at least a portion of said
guide means,
wherein instruments inserted through said device enter the interior of the
cranium at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to a plane tangent to the
cranium at the aperture.
41. The device of claim 40 wherein said marking means are each located the
same distance apart along a peripheral circumferential portion of said
second side of said body portion.
42. The device of claim 41 wherein each said marking means is located 15
degrees apart from either adjacent one of said marking means.
43. A surgical work platform for facilitating insertion of an instrument
into the cranium of a patient through a burr hole previously formed in
said cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein,
said platform comprising:
a. a guide for directing the instrument through the burr hole, said guide
comprising
i. an elongated open tubular member having a first end and a second end,
said member defining a lumen extending from said first end to said second
end, wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is
configured and adapted for passage through said aperture and into an inner
portion of said cranium and wherein at least a portion of an outer surface
of said member is threaded for engagement with separate locking means;
ii. a body portion having first and second parallel opposed sides, said
first side of said body portion formed integral with said elongated
tubular member at said second end thereof, said body portion defining a
central lumen extending therethrough from said first side to said second
side in alignment with and adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member
so as to form, in combination therewith, an uninterrupted bore through
said guide, wherein the second side of said body portion comprises a
plurality of graduated alignment markings located along a peripheral
circumferential portion thereof, each said marking being located about 15
degrees apart from an adjacent marking on either side thereof, and wherein
said lumen extending through said body portion has a plurality of thread
members located along an inner peripheral circumferential portion thereof
to engage corresponding thread members located upon an insert member
positionable within said bore; and
iii. a plurality of flexible slotted tip members formed integral with said
elongated open tubular member at a terminal portion of said first end
thereof, for stabilizing said guide within the burr hole in the patient's
cranium, each said tip member having a substantially perpendicular flange
extending outwardly from a terminal portion thereof furtherest removed
from said open tubular member;
b. adjustable locking means for securing the guide against the patient's
cranium, said locking means defining a central lumen configured for
engaging said threaded outer portion of said elongated open tubular
member;
c. an elongated tubular insert member having a first end and a second end,
said insert member defining a hollow lumen extending from said first end
to said second end, wherein at least a portion of said insert member
adjacent said first end thereof is configured for passage substantially
through said uninterrupted bore of said guide, and wherein said insert
member has a plurality of thread members on an outer surface thereof
adjacent said second end, said thread members corresponding to said thread
members within the lumen of said body portion for lockingly positioning
the insert member within the bore of the guide; and
d. a base member for aligning the guide within the burr hole in the
patient's cranium, said base member having an annular body portion with
first and second opposed sides and a plurality of leg members extending
substantially perpendicularly from said first side thereof, said leg
members formed integral with said body portion, said base member being
configured for the passage therethrough of at least a lower portion of
said guide so as to permit engagement of said guide within said burr hole,
wherein an instrument inserted through said platform enters the interior of
the patient's cranium at an angle of substantially 90.degree. to a plane
tangent at the cranium at the burr hole.
44. A surgical work platform for facilitating insertion of an instrument
into the cranium of a patient through a burr hole previously formed in
said cranium, without causing undue injury to underlying tissue therein,
said platform comprising:
a. a guide for directing the instrument through the burr hole, said guide
comprising
i. an elongated open tubular member having a first end and a second end,
said member defining a lumen extending from said first end to said second
end, wherein at least a portion of said member at said first end is
configured and adapted for passage through said aperture and into an inner
portion of said cranium and wherein at least a portion of an outer surface
of said member is threaded for engagement with separate locking means;
ii. a body portion having first and second parallel opposed sides, said
first side of said body portion formed integral with said elongated
tubular member at said second end thereof, said body portion defining a
central lumen extending therethrough from said first side to said second
side in alignment with and adjacent to said lumen in said tubular member
so as to form, in combination therewith, an uninterrupted bore through
said guide wherein said lumen extending through said body portion has a
plurality of thread members located along an inner peripheral
circumferential portion thereof to engage corresponding thread members
located upon an insert member positionable within said bore; and
iii. a plurality of flexible slotted tip members formed integral with said
elongated open tubular member at a terminal portion of said first end
thereof, for stabilizing said guide within the burr hole in the patient's
cranium, each said tip member having a substantially perpendicular flange
extending outwardly from a terminal portion thereof furtherest removed
from said open tubular member;
b. a ring-shaped locking member having upper and lower parallel opposed
surfaces, defining a central aperture therethrough, extending from said
upper surface to said lower surface, said aperture having threaded members
located on an inner peripheral surface thereof for engaging said
corresponding threaded members located upon the outer surface portion of
said elongated open tubular member, thus permitting said platform to be
locked in position upon the cranium of the patient by screwing said
ring-shaped member in the direction of said alignment means;
c. an elongated tubular insert member having a first end and a second end,
said insert member defining a hollow lumen extending from said first end
to said second end, wherein at least a portion of said insert member
adjacent said first end thereof is configured for passage substantially
through said interrupted bore of said guide, and wherein said insert
member has a plurality of thread members on an outer surface thereof
adjacent said second end, said thread members corresponding to said thread
members within the lumen of said body portion for lockingly positioning
the insert member within the bore of the guide; and
d. a base member for aligning the guide within the burr hole in the
patient's cranium, said base member having an annular body portion with
first and second opposed sides and a plurality of leg members extending
substantially perpendicularly from said first side thereof, said leg
members formed integral with said body portion, wherein each of said
plurality of legs terminates in a free end, said free ends forming a
polygon defining a plane upon said cranium overlaying said burr hole and
wherein said guide is aligned with the burr hole at an angle of
substantially 90.degree. to said plane, said base member being configured
for the passage therethrough of at least a lower portion of said guide so
as to permit engagement of s | | |
