Abstract: A cerebral instrument guide includes first and second arcs with aligned openings adjacent their ends, the openings defining a common axis about which the arcs are pivotal. The rods are mounted for movement along the common axis into contact with a human patient's auditory meati. A nasal bridge fixation element mounted on the first arc, as well as orbit pads, engage the bridge of a patient's nose, and his/her bony orbits. The appropriate angle to which the arcs should be pivoted with respect to each other is calculated by a computer program, as is the position to which a tubular instrument guide, slidable along the second arc and a projection from it intersecting the mid point of the common axis, is to be positioned to mark the burr hole on the patient's skull for performing a neurological procedure, such as a ventriculostomy. A needle is passed through the tubular instrument guide to mark the burr hole site.

Abstract: A cerebral instrument guide includes first and second arcs with aligned openings adjacent their ends, the openings defining a common axis about which the arcs are pivotal. The rods are mounted for movement along the common axis into contact with a human patient's auditory meati. A nasal bridge fixation element mounted on the first arc, as well as orbit pads, engage the bridge of a patient's nose, and his/her bony orbits. The appropriate angle to which the arcs should be pivoted with respect to each other is calculated by a computer program, as is the position to which a tubular instrument guide, slidable along the second arc and a projection from it intersecting the mid point of the common axis, is to be positioned to mark the burr hole on the patient's skull for performing a neurological procedure, such as a ventriculostomy. A needle is passed through the tubular instrument guide to mark the burr hole site.

Abstract: A stereotactic neurological instrument placement guide is utilized to facilitate ventriculostomy procedures, or other neurological procedures such as biopsy, radioactive seed placement, and lesion generation. The guide has a pair of point members disposed on a common linear axis. The proposed position of a burr hole in the patient's skull is marked, the location of a target point (e.g. ventricle) within the patient's skull is decided upon, and the patient is given a CT or MRI scan. Utilizing data from the scan, a coordinate line is calculated between the burr hole proposed position and the target point. Utilizing the calculated coordinate line, a fixing point on the patient's skull opposite the proposed position of the burr hole is determined, and the fixing point is marked.

Abstract: An inflatable bladder is formed of translucent material and includes a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes seamed one to the other in side-by-side generally parallel relation. End tubes extend at right angles to the longitudinally extending tubes, with all of the tubes being in fluid communication one with the other. The longitudinally extending tubes and the end tubes are sized and/or connected one to the other such that, upon inflation, the inflated bladder is supported by the inflated end tubes, with the underside of the longitudinally extending tubes elevated above the surface supporting the end tubes sufficiently to define a recess for receiving an X-ray plate or cassette. Manual movement of the patient is entirely avoided.