Abstract: A ventricular guide for ventriculostomy which includes a curved base plate, an upstanding support member which extends upwardly from the base plate and an upper support member which extends transversely from the upper end of the upstanding member. A first tubular guide, having a bore extending therethrough, is secured to one end of the upper support member. A second tubular guide, having a bore extending therethrough is secured to the other end of the upper support member. The bores of the tubular guides may have a drill bit, needle or catheter extending downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: A surgical tool for surgically treating tissue in a patient comprising a radio frequency power generator for creating an alternating current having an impedance matching circuit connected thereto for matching the impedance of a surgical instrument with the radio frequency generator. A loading and tuning coil is connected to a watts/ampere meter which is connected to the impedance matching circuit. The loading and tuning coil is connected to a surgical instrument which has a tip for focusing the radio frequency current at the region of the tissue such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized and cut and/or cauterized.

Abstract: A method for surgically treating tissue in a patient. The steps comprise touching a surgical tool to tissue that is to be surgically treated; heating the surgical tool by converging current to the tip of the surgical tool to create a high current density at the tip of the surgical tool so as to instantaneously vaporize the tissue being touched; and restricting the heat to the contact point on the tissue. The method eliminates the need for a solenoid coil and a grounding component.

Abstract: A surgical tool and method of surgical treatment involving a radio frequency source (e.g., 13.0 to 28.0 MHz) creating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated and a grounded, tuned, electromagnetic field focusing probe that focuses the electromagnetic field energy at the tip of the probe, thus instantaneously vaporizing, cutting and cauterizing the tissue in contact with the probe tip. Such a surgical tool is capable of creating a virtually bloodless, micro-thin incision as well as selectively coagulating body fluids (e.g., blood) and as such, is particularly useful in neuro, oncological and vascular surgery.