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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates to a device for marking locations on the body
for imaging-type medical examination procedures, such as especially
nuclear spin resonance tomography (NMR), computed tomography (CT),
roentgen ray analysis (X-ray), or positron emission tomography (PET),
comprising fixtures adapted to be fastened to the body or to a stereotaxic
means and markers adapted to be fastened to the fixtures and containing a
substance which provides a high degree of contrast in the imaging process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Highly accurate examinations of anatomical structures are required
especially when stereotaxic surgery is to be performed, in other words
brain surgery where a target device attached to a patient's head is used
to advance a probe or electrode with millimeter precision through a small
aperture drilled into the bony skull to a deep-seated brain path or nerve
nucleus, while preserving adjacent sensitive structures.
To accomplish that, so-called marker systems are applied to the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to provide a device for marking body
sites for imaging-type medical examination procedures by means of which
different examination procedures can be applied in simple manner in a way
so as to complement each other.
This object is met, according to the invention, in that the fixtures of the
marker system are made of a material which will not disturb the generation
of the image in at least two different imaging examination procedures.
Such marker systems for frameless stereotaxis are attached to the patient.
They consist of the fixtures mentioned above and of the actual markers,
i.e. those elements which contain a substance that provides particularly
good contrast so as to appear clearly in the image during the medical
examination procedure to be undertaken. The fixtures are designed so that
they can either be implanted, adhered to the surface of the body, secured
to mask arrangements, or mounted on stereotaxic assemblies. The markers
themselves can be mounted in exchangeable fashion on the fixtures. Each
marker contains a substance which will give sharp contrast to the image in
the image generation process, or essentially is made of such a substance.
Imaging processes of particular interest in the present context are the
nuclear spin resonance tomography (NMR), computed tomography (CT), X-ray
analysis, and positron emission tomography (PET).
It is preferred according to the invention that the markers should be
designed so that a video camera can take pictures of them and/or that they
can be recognized through an operating microscope. The operating
microscope allows positional feedback in such a way that precise locating
becomes possible.
The location of a patient in space, in particular also the position of his
head can be determined by means of at least three differently placed
markers. If a patient is subjected to different medical examinations with
different imaging techniques, of which examples were given above, both the
examination and a possible surgical intervention can be improved or
facilitated by applying different examining routines in supplementary
manner. Once the relative position of the patient has been determined
accurately (e.g. that of his or her head) for the images obtained by the
various techniques, the different imaging examination procedures can be
superimposed over one another, for example strictly mathematically in a
computer.
Different anatomical data are obtained due to the different characteristics
of the different imaging medical examination procedures. For example, good
X-ray pictures can be made of cerebral blood vessels by means of digital
subtraction angiography. NMR often provides good pictures of edema. CT, on
the other hand, is good for presentations of bone structure and for
information on density, such as required for radiation therapy.
Under strict requirements as to accuracy, which prevail above all with
regard to the head, the invention makes it possible to superpose and/or
compare the results obtained from various imaging processes.
The solution according to the invention, as outlined above, makes it
possible to use the markers according to the invention for sharp-contrast
presentations in different imaging processes without having to change
their place. The fixtures employed for the markers are characterized by
having a configuration and consisting of a material such that they do not
disturb the image of the markers or of the anatomical structures to any
degree worth mentioning.
The markers, moreover, are designed so that they always comprise a suitable
material as regards their sheath and the contrast medium proper for
different imaging processes. It is easy to replace such markers, as
desired, in correspondence with the respective imaging process, while the
fixtures remain the same.
The fixtures, markers, and contrast media each consist of material which is
admitted for the particular purpose in question. Besides, it should be
noted that it is only the fixtures which come into direct contact with the
patient.
In the case of so-called projection images, such as X-ray pictures, two
exposures taken from different directions are sufficient to permit the
locus determination to be made for any desired point.
In the case of so-called sectional images, images including the markers so
that these are visible, are sufficient for determining a site in space.
For stereotaxially guided interventions, additional images are required to
transmit predetermined target points to the stereotaxic system, such
additional images showing both the markers and the position of the
stereotaxic system. This may be accomplished by different imaging
techniques. In this manner target points and surgical access paths can be
chosen and transferred to the patient, while, at the same time, a
stereotaxic system is used in one of the imaging processes or an operating
microscope which permits a bearing to be taken of the markers and to
determine their position in space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Several embodiments of fixtures and their associated markers will be
specified in greater detail below.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a fixture for fastening markers;
FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a marker which can be employed together
with a fixture as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a marker which likewise can be employed
together with a fixture according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a fixture;
FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of a fixture;
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a fixture according to FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a fixture having a base plate;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a fixture according to FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a view of the fixture shown in FIG. 10, as seen in the direction
of arrow P;
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a fixture adapted to be fastened to a
stereotaxic system;
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a marker which can be used, for
example, with one of the fixtures mentioned above;
FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a marker into which different contrast media
can be introduced;
FIG. 13 is a view of the marker according to FIG. 12, as seen in the
direction of arrow P;
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the marker shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a marker, including a plurality of
receptacles for different contrast media;
FIG. 16 is an axial sectional elevation of a marker as shown in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a sectional elevation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
a marker according to FIG. 15;
FIGS. 18-20 show different embodiments of inserts for use with markers such
as shown in FIGS. 15, 21 and 22;
FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of a marker, presenting a modification of
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15; and
FIG. 22 is an axial sectional elevation of a marker as shown in FIG. 21.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 presents a fixture adapted to be fastened to a mask arrangement
which is known per se. The fixture 10 according to FIG. 1 is made of
plastics and formed with a recess 12 into which a marker can be slid,
which will be described in greater detail below. The plastic fixture
includes two spreader wings 16, 16' between which a slot 14 is left open.
FIGS. 2 and 3 each illustrate a marker 18 which can be used together with a
fixture 10 according to FIG. 1.
A marker 18 contains a contrasty substance 20 for the particular medical
imaging examination procedure in question. Suitable materials are known to
those skilled in the art, and examples thereof will be given as the
description proceeds.
The marker 18 includes a limb 22 adapted to be fitted snugly and with
clamping effect in the recess 12 of the fixture 10. To accomplish that,
the limb 22 is formed with a slit 22' which will help establish the
clamping effect.
The limb 22 passes over into a head 24 in which a cavity 28 is provided to
receive the contrasty substance 20. As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, there
is a bore 26 in the head 24 serving to receive a pin 32 with accurate fit.
The substance 20 in the head 24 on the one hand, for example, allows a
computer tomogram to be taken and, upon exchange of the marker, a
roentgenogram. The fixture 10 (FIG. 1) used in each case remains
unaltered. Alterations are not needed because the material of which the
fixture 10 is made does not disturb either computer tomography or X-ray
examination.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 differs from the one described above
with reference to FIG. 2 in that the head 24 is formed with a channel 30
through which a contrasty substance can be injected into a cavity 28. The
substance used may be a contrast medium containing gadolinium. Following
the injection, the channel 30 is closed by suitable means.
The channel 30 also may be of such design that the surface tension of the
contrast medium (being a liquid) will prevent it from leaking out.
The markers illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 have the same dimensions and are
adapted to the dimensions of the fixture 10 so that they can be slipped
selectively into the fixture 10, while containing different contrasty
substances.
FIG. 4 illustrates a fixture 10 for implantation into the body. Again the
recess 12 serves to receive a marker (for instance, of the type shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3), while a screw 34 helps to secure the fixture 10 to a bone,
for example a skull bone. As was the case with the embodiments described
above, the fixture is made of a plastic material which is compatible with
the body, whereas the screw 34 is a metallic bone screw.
Another embodiment of a fixture 10 is presented in FIGS. 5 and 6. This
fixture 10 can be used together with a bone screw already implanted. The
fixture 10 is mounted by screwing a limb 34' thereof onto the already
fastened bone screw. The proximal end of the fixture 10 includes a slot 36
at which to apply the screwdriver.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of a fixture, this being one for
adhering to a surface of the body. The fixture 10 comprises a body
approximately of bell shape and formed with a recess 12' into which a limb
22 according to FIGS. 2 and 3 can be inserted in a manner analogous to the
embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. A plate
38 serves to attach the fixture 10, for example, to the skin. The plate 38
is held in place by a suitable adhesive.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the embodiment described with reference to
FIG. 7.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a fixture 10 adapted to be fastened to a
stereotaxic system. To this end, the fixture 10 is formed like a pin (FIG.
10). This pin can be pushed into a bore provided in the stereotaxic system
until its greater diameter portion comes to abut on it. Subsequently, a
marker 18, e.g. of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, can be inserted in the
recess 12". FIG. 9 is a presentation of the pin as seen in the direction
of arrow P in FIG. 10. The fixture 10 according to FIG. 10 is embodied by
the pin. As will be seen, there is a slit 14 which produces clamping
effect in a bore of the stereotaxic system.
FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a marker 18, i.e. a modification
of the marker described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The limb 22 again
serves for fastening the marker in a fixture, for instance of the type
shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 10. The head 24 of the marker 18 shown in FIG.
11 comprises a cap 40 which, when removed, allows access to the cavity 28
into which the contrasty substance can be filled. The cap 40, being
designed like a threaded-type closure, has a hemispherical recess at its
bottom supplementing a recess of complementary hemispherical shape in the
head 24 so as to form a full sphere. FIG. 11 also shows the thread 44 by
which the cap 40 is screwed into the head 24 as well as a slot 42 for
engagement of a screwdriver.
Both the head 24 and the limb 22 as well as the cap 40 can be made of
polytetrafluoroethylene.
Another embodiment of a marker 18 is presented in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14.
Once more a limb 22a is inserted into a fixture 10 (e.g. according to
FIGS. 1, 4-10). This is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The marker 18
comprises an arm-like transverse body 24a which extends transversely of
the limb 22a and includes more than one cavity to receive contrasty
substances, namely cavities 28a, 28b, and 28c. These cavities may contain
different substances at the same time. A channel 48 links the cavity 28b
with the outside. The cavities 28a and 28c can be sealed from the outside
by a plug 46, 46' each. The plugs, for example, can be glued in place. The
geometric center of the two outer cavities 28a, 28c coincides with the
center of the middle cavity 28b.
FIGS. 15 to 17 show another embodiment of a marker 18 adapted to receive
different, exchangeable constrast media at the same time. The head 24a of
the marker 18 is formed with a plurality of cylindrical, through cavities
52a to 52d into which inserts can be slid, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20,
each containing the particular constrast substance. Thus, inserts 60 as
shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 can be inserted into the cavities 52a to 52d. This
means that different contrast media can be used at selectable spacings
from one another. The centers of the individual slip-in inserts 60
containing the contrast substance lie on the same axis, this being the
longitudinal axis of the marker 18 and its limb 22 in the embodiment
illustrated. In this manner, specifically the geometric centers of two
outer markers can coincide with the center of a centrally located marker.
FIGS. 18, 19, and 20 show inserts 60 for use, for instance, with a marker
18 according to FIGS. 15 to 17.
An insert 60 comprises a hose 62 made, for instance, of
polytetrafluoroethylene. Rods 64 and 66, respectively, can be pushed from
either end into the hose 62 so that a cavity remains in the middle of the
hose to be filled with a contrasty substance (providing contrast in the
particular imaging process applied). In the case of the embodiment
according to FIG. 20, the cavity 28 at first is not filled. The rods 64
and 66a are designed in such a way that they can be pulled off the hose 62
so that the user can fill the cavity 28 optionally with the desired
contrast medium.
Another embodiment of a marker 18, similar to the one illustrated in FIGS.
15 and 16, is presented in FIGS. 21 and 22. In this case, however, inserts
of different sizes are insertable in individual cavities. Inserts having a
smaller diameter can be placed in the cavities 54, while an insert of
greater diameter can be received by cavity 56. In this manner, too, the
geometric centers of two outer markers can be made to coincide with the
center of the centrally positioned marker.
In the above description of preferred embodiments, structural elements
which are similar or fulfill the same or similar functions have been
designated by like reference numerals, modifications having been marked by
a single or double prime accent or small letters.
Suitable material for the fixtures, in particular the limbs and the body of
the fixtures according to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 7, etc. especially is polysulfon
(PSU). Polysulfon is suitable for implants, can be sterilized, and is
transparent so that it permits optical association of the filler material
to be made.
Suitable material for a marker 18, for example as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
especially is polysulfon or metal, such as titanium.
Polysulfon likewise is a suitable material for the fixture shown in FIG. 7,
while the base plate 38 can be a conventional electrode adhesive ring.
A fixture such as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, can be made of a
polyamide, a polyamide-imide or a similar resin.
A marker of the type presented in FIG. 11, for example, can be made of
polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon, PTFE) or polysulfon (PSU), or any other
plastic material suitable for implantation.
It follows from the above description of preferred embodiments that the
markers (especially marker 18 according to FIGS. 2 and 3) are
characterized by spherical symmetry so that they provide the same image in
every viewing direction. That makes it possible to precisely determine a
position in sectional or projection images as well as in optical
processes.
Due to their triple or multiple symmetry, the markers can be imaged at the
same time in various imaging processes, which allows various contrast
media to be used simultaneously (embodiments according to FIGS. 12 and 15
to 22). Also, different contrast substances can be used at the same time
in one and the same marker.
In particular, a contrast medium can be used which provides good imaging
both in nuclear spin resonance tomography (NMR) and in computed tomography
(CT).
The embodiments shown, further, are characterized (FIGS. 2, 3) by the fact
that the center of a spherical contrast medium coincides with a clearly
defined, optically visible center of the marker 18 which, specifically, is
of spherical shape.
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