Abstract: Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems.

Abstract: A class of customizable injection devices or delivery instruments whose basic form is a stiff tube with holes of user-selectable size at several user-selectable places is described. The use of this device includes a method of selection and construction of a particular device from such a class of devices for a particular treatment procedure using computer-assisted means. Thus, the user may make selections among available or creatable choices (such as selection of hole size, selection of hole location, number of holes, etc.), and a method can be practiced for making such user-selection serve the goals of delivery of materials such as drugs, cells, or of devices sufficiently small and numerous to be delivered in fluid suspension.

Abstract: A microcoil is manufactured by rolling a trace unit in such a way as to form at least one winding. The trace unit is comprised of a conductive trace attached to a flexible insulating film. A preferred embodiment of the microcoil contains both a first winding and a second winding electrically connected and spaced apart by a joining portion. The microcoil may be used for internal magnetic resonance imaging of patient by attaching the microcoil to a catheter.

Abstract: A surgical method and apparatus for accurately aligning the trajectory of, guiding of, and introducing or withdrawal of an instrument is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base which has a movable member movably attached to the base. The movable member has a passage therein which forms a portion of the trajectory path. A positioning stem further includes a first locator and a second locator. The first and second locators are associated with two different portions of the positioning stem so that they are essentially two points on a line. The first and second locators are also locatable by a scanning or imaging system. The positioning stem is removably attached to said movable member and used to position the movable member. Moving the movable member also moves the passage therein to different trajectories. Once the passage within the movable member more or less is aligned with a target within the body, a locking member locks the movable member into a fixed position.

Abstract: An electrode harness to be applied to a patient, for use with equipment for monitoring neurological function comprises a flexible adhesive-backed harness pad and a plurality of electrodes mounted on the harness pad such that the contact portions thereof are exposed on the adhesive side of the harness pad at predetermined locations on the pad, to thereby facilitate the accurate and consistent placement of the electrodes on the patient. The electrode harness may also include a pair of earpiece portions having associated electrodes thereon, the earpiece portions being contoured to readily facilitate the application of those portions to the patient's ears in an earring-type manner.

Abstract: Circuitry for use with a brain wave monitoring device is provided for selectively monitoring the impedance of the current paths in the patient's scalp concurrently with brain wave monitoring, and circuitry for self-testing the system for proper functioning.

Abstract: A brain wave monitoring device for monitoring brain wave activity measures the frequency and amplitude of brain wave signals from the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The brain wave signals are filtered and applied to an amplitude detecting device, and a frequency-to-voltage converter which employs a zero-crossing technique such that signal frequencies are detected independent of signal magnitude. The amplitude and frequency information is displayed on separate power and frequency displays on the front panel of the brain wave monitoring device. Each of the power and frequency displays employ a pair of linear LED arrays such that a "bar graph" of the amplitude and frequency of the brain waves is produced. Additionally, signals indicative of the power of the brain waves on the left and right hemispheres are selectively applied to a voltage controlled oscillator having an earphone output, such that the operator may listen for differences in amplitude between left and right hemisphere brain waves.