Abstract: System for stereotaxic lateral extradural disc puncture has a frame fitting over the patient which provides for proper location of the cannula of the needle. The frame has a pair of right-angle members. A lower bridge frame extends horizontally and is clipped to the vertical legs of the right angle members by magnetic clips. A bridge clip fits onto the lower bridge frame and is longitudinally slidable thereon. The stem of the cannula guide slides vertically in the bridge clip. A half-channel on the top of the stem comprises the cannula guide and a bead chain fixed near the half-channel insures that the stem is vertical. Forward and rear heading guide supports are magnetically attached to the horizontal legs of the right-angle members. These supports hold magnetic strips by which a transverse disc overlay strip is held in place. A second bead chain depends from the forward end of the disc overlay strip to locate the proper alignment of the point of the cannula.

Abstract: For pre-operative radiography preparatory to stereotaxic lateral extradural disc puncture (e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,127) the patient is placed on his side and a radiographic film is exposed from which the surgeon calculates position and angle of needle approach to the disc before the actual operation begins. An X-ray opaque marker device similar to a ruler is located parallel and adjacent to the patient at the level of the midsaggital plane. Markings and numbers on the marker device show on the exposed film. With prolonged X-ray exposure, the image of the marker may be "burned". The present device provides a series of radiopaque shields which may be interposed between the marker and the film to reduce burn-out of the image of the marker on the film. A convenient stand supports and stores the marker and one or more shields so that they may be individually and selectively raised and turned into operative position.

Abstract: A cannula has a hub formed with a hollow upward projection on its top which communicates with a lumen having a bore in the hub and the cannula itself. On one side of the hub is a vane having converging sides and a rounded end. The vane has a horizontal opening extending inward and the portion above the opening is cut away so that it is about half the thickness of the portion below the opening. A stylet or an obturator fits through the hollow projection, bore and cannula, extending to the tip of the cannula. A hub on the stylet or obturator has a socket to receive the cannula hub projection and a vane formed with a cutout to receive the portion above the opening of the cannula hub, the portion of the stylet or obturator vane below the cutout locking in the opening in the cannula hub. A hollow needle also fits through the hollow projection, bore and cannula and has a hub formed with a socket to receive the hollow projection and a fitting for attachment to a syringe.

Abstract: The device is used to transfer liquids such as pharmaceuticals from a container having a stopper of rubber or other material which can be punctured with a needle to a syringe. The device has a plug which is pressed down on the stopper and on the bottom on the plug are two needles. The first needle is long enough to extend near the bottom of the container and has a connection through the plug to a fitting to which the syringe is connected. By raising the plunger in the syringe, liquid is drawn from the container. The second needle is preferably shorter than the first and communicates with the atmosphere through a second connection in the plug. Thus air is admitted into the container to replace the liquid withdrawn into the syringe. A micro-pore filter in the second connection may be used to prevent contamination of the container.

Abstract: A cannula has a hub formed at its proximal end with a terminal peripheral flange and also has a radial vane having an apertured proximal extension. A stylet fits into the cannula and has a hub with a skirt to receive the cannula hub flange and also having a hook received in the vane extension aperture to lock the two hubs together and insure protrusion of the stylet point from the distal end of the cannula. A barb on the hook latches the hubs together but is also used to disengage the hubs. An obturator has a hub and hook similar to the stylet. A disc-puncturing needle has a hub with an imperforate vane which is oriented with a bevel at the distal end of the needle and also provides leverage to connect the needle hub tightly to a Leur-lok or other fitting of a syringe. A tool comprises two leaves which can be pinched together to bend the distal of the needle to desired shape, the leaves being formed with complex curves so that a choice of bends is available.

Abstract: A stereotaxic fixture comprises a cannula angle guide attached to an offset index, a parallel heading guide with intercept chain attached, and a frame which provides fixation for the guides, allowing rapid and secure position readjustment, and which provides retention of orientation between the guides and the lumbar spine of the patient. The cannula angle guide, offset index, and parallel heading guide adjust for depth of each individual disc, identify optimum skin puncture site, and coordinate three planes of cannula passage, providing a safe stereotaxic control of unobstructed puncture of the nucleus pulposus, for injection into the intervertebral disc of radiographic contrast fluids for diagnosis, insertion of diagnostic probes, and for injection of drugs, in particular, chymopapain, to decompress the discs by dissolving nucleus mucoproteins to relieve herniated nucleus pulposus. (See U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,131).

Abstract: Apparatus consists of a stereotaxic fixture made up of a needle angle guide attached to an offset index, a parallel heading guide with plumb line chain attached, and a frame which provides fixation for the guides, allowing rapid and secure position readjustment, and which provides retention of orientation between the guides and the lumbar spine of the patient. The patient is positioned for the operation, preferably in full lateral (side lying) orientation of the spine, confirmed by the radiographic. image made preferably in posteroanterior projection. The midsaggital plane of the body is located at the skin surface by placing a first radiopaque marker corresponding to the center of the spine image. A second radiopaque skin marker is located at the side of the body of the patient for monitoring spine position while viewing profile radiographic image. The first marker provides a starting point from which to measure offset distance.