Abstract: An apparatus for use with an imaging device in treatment of a medical condition of a patient, including an upright support member; a span supported by and adjustable relative to the upright support member; a protractor disposed on the span; and a needle guide supported by the protractor, the needle guide being adjustable in three dimensions to allow alignment with an image plane of the imaging device and to allow fixation of the needle guide at a desired position and angle adjacent the patient; wherein at least a portion of the stereotactic assembly including the needle guide is movable into and out of the imaging device with the patient while the needle guide is fixed in the desired position adjacent the patient.

Abstract: A method for treating prostate cancer including the steps of placing a patient in the prone position within an imaging device, obtaining regularly spaced two-dimensional images of the prostate gland, placing a needle guiding device adjacent the gluteal region of the patient at an angle substantially identical to an angle of the imaging device, successively placing radioactive seeds within the patient through the gluteal region so as to form a three-dimensional array of seeds encompassing the entire prostate gland, and verifying seed placement using the imaging device.

Abstract: A stereotactic device of simplified structure, adaptable to align and precisely orient a variety of medical devices, such as differently sized needles, cannulas, and guide wires, into the human body for procedures, such as tumor biopsies, percutaneous discectomies, cyst aspirations, and tumor localizations, is described. The use in a stereotactic device is adapted for use in combination with a stereotactic bridge which includes a span rotatable on its horizontal axis and movably affixed to a C.T. scan table or an X-ray table by a positioning mechanism that provides for both vertical and horizontal movement of the span. The stereotactic device interacts with a C.T. scanner to achieve accurate placement of the selected medical device. Use of the stereotactic bridge allows alignment of the medical device in sagittal orientation with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A stereotactic device of simplified structure, adaptable to align and precisely orient a variety of medical devices, such as differently sized needles, cannulas, and guide wires, into the human body for procedures, such as tumor biopsies, percutaneous discectomies, cyst aspirations, and tumor localizations, is described. The stereotactic device is adapted for use in combination with a stereotactic bridge which includes a span rotatable on its horizontal axis and movably affixed to a C.T. scan table or an X-ray table by a positioning mechanism that provides for both vertical and horizontal movement of the span. The stereotactic device interacts with a C.T. scanner to achieve accurate placement of the selected medical device. Use of the stereotactic bridge allows alignment of the medical device in sagittal orientation with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A stereotactic device of simplified structure, adaptable to align and precisely orient a variety of medical devices such as differently sized needles, cannulas and guide wires into the human body for procedures such as tumor biopsies, percutaneous discectomies, cyst aspirations and tumor localizations is described. The device described is adapted for use in combination with a stereotactic bridge comprised of a span rotatable on its horizontal axis and movably affixed to a C.T. scan table or X-ray table by positioning means providing vertical and horizontal movement of the span. The described device is interactive with a C.T. scanner to achieve accurate placement of the oriented medical device. Use of the stereotactic bridge allows alignment of medical devices in sagittal orientation with a high degree of accuracy.