Abstract: This documents describes among other things a normalizing stage apparatus, tools and methods. One example includes a base that defines a trajectory. A first stage is moveably coupled to the base and the first stage moves along the trajectory. A second stage is moveably coupled to the first stage and moves an instrument coupled thereto with respect to the base and the first stage. Before movement of the instrument, the first and second stages are in first positions desired (e.g. predetermined) distances from a target area in the body. Another example includes the first stage and a guide tube stop coupled with the first stage. A guide tube is coupled with the guide tube stop and extends through a guide tube stop lumen. The guide tubes outer perimeter is dimensioned and configured to snugly couple with the surface defining the guide tube stop lumen.

Abstract: This documents describes among other things a normalizing stage apparatus, tools and methods. One example includes a base that defines a trajectory. A first stage is moveably coupled to the base and the first stage moves along the trajectory. A second stage is moveably coupled to the first stage and moves an instrument coupled thereto with respect to the base and the first stage. Before movement of the instrument, the first and second stages are in first positions desired (e.g. predetermined) distances from a target area in the body. Another example includes the first stage and a guide tube stop coupled with the first stage. A guide tube is coupled with the guide tube stop and extends through a guide tube stop lumen. The guide tubes outer perimeter is dimensioned and configured to snugly couple with the surface defining the guide tube stop lumen.

Abstract: A system can be used to determine a position of a boney structure in physical space. The system can include a laser emitting device that can emit a laser beam that transmits through soft tissue and reflects off of a boney surface. The system can then determine the position of the reflection point and correlate the reflection point to image data acquired of a patient.

Abstract: A system can be used to navigate or guide an instrument or device into an anatomy of a patient. The navigation can occur with the use of image data acquired of the patient. The image data can be registered to the patient space for navigation. Registration can occur more than once to increase efficiency and speed of the procedure.

Abstract: A system can be used to navigate or guide an instrument or device into an anatomy of a patient. The navigation can occur with the use of image data acquired of the patient. The image data can be registered to the patient space for navigation. Also, one or more coils can be used for tracking or localization.

Abstract: A system to allow registration of a patient to image space is disclosed. The registration can be performed without touching a plurality of fiducial points on the patient or in the image data. The registration process can eliminate manual steps of image to patient registration and image to image registration.

Abstract: A system can be used to determine a position of a structure in physical space. The system can include a flexible member, such as a drape, cloth, sheet, etc. that can include one or more trackable devices associated therewith. The trackable devices can be incorporated into the weave of a woven cloth or the matrix of a polymer member. The trackable devices can be used within a tracking system to determine the location of the trackable devices.

Abstract: A surgical alignment device is shown that is controlled remotely through the use of an actuator, where the actuator in turn controls at least one local adjustment device. The alignment device is suited for neurosurgery, although it is not exclusively limited to neurosurgery. The alignment device includes an insertion guide that is coupled to the local adjustment device, the insertion guide being used to guide a device such as a catheter into a patient. The alignment device may also be coupled to a control module such as a microcomputer that controls the orientation of the insertion guide in response to inputs from the surgeon as to a location of interest within the patient.

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: 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: This document discusses an exovascular approach to treating an aneurysm using a minimally-invasive instrument guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or another suitable imaging device. A trajectory guide entry device assists in targeting the aneurysm and determining the proper trajectory thereto. Examples of the aneurysm treatment device include a clip, a clasp, a snare, a loop, a hook, a staple, and an electrocautery or other electrode, or any combination of such devices. The aneurysm treatment device is delivered by a probe, such as a tube or other catheter.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imagable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating or cover into which a magnetic resonance (MR) imagable fluid is introduced, thereby permitting both CT and MR imaging. Protective caps and collars may be used to protect the fiducial marker from mechanical impact and/or to guide the fiducial marker during affixation. A bull's-eye or other template is used to select a center of a substantially spherical fiducial marker head on an image, such as for use during patient registration.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, examples of a stereotactic apparatus that includes reticles or other imagable locators for confirming placement of an instrument introduced along a desired trajectory. In certain examples, the reticles are re-positionable with respect to the trajectory to permit placement confirmation along different views. In other examples, the reticles are positionable toward or away from a skull.

Abstract: This document discusses trajectory guides that include an instrument guide with at least one lumen angled with respect to an orthogonal or other through-axis. In one example, patterned lumens on the instrument guide provide a mirror image pattern of trajectory axes intersecting a target plane. In another example, height adjustment of the instrument guide extends these or other targeting techniques to a three-dimensional volume. This document also describes a method of manufacturing such an instrument guide, which is also applicable to manufacturing an instrument guide providing parallel lumens.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined imagable fiducial locator and divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example is reflective such that it is locatable by a remote detector of an optical positioning system. A generally cylindrical (e.g., faceted cylindrical) columnar locator permits easy application of reflective tape. Other examples discusses a unitary fiducial marker with multiple divots and a swiveling and/or tilted fiducial marker divot, each of which allows manipulation of a positioning wand into a remote camera's field of view. Another example includes at least one reflector that can be aimed. A further example discusses an imagable fiducial marker carrier that is attachable to a single location on a patient's skull to reduce trauma.

Abstract: An insertion guide is shown that includes at least one insertion point adjustment device. A user such as a surgeon is able to adjust a lateral position of an insertion point to more precisely center the insertion point within an opening in a subject, such as a burr hole. Selected insertion guide devices further include a centering guide that easily indicates to a user when the insertion point is substantially centered within the opening in the subject. Selected insertion guide devices include adjustability of multiple degrees of rotational freedom of an insertion axis. Selected insertion guide devices further permit a user to fix multiple degrees of rotational freedom of an insertion axis using a single locking device. Tissue damage due to an attachment procedure of an insertion guide device is reduced using selected configurations described herein.

Abstract: An insertion device and method of using and manufacturing an insertion device is shown, wherein the insertion device is capable of distributing a media over a large distribution volume inside a patient while reducing the amount of tissue disturbed by the procedure. Also shown is a computer-readable medium with instructions stored thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause generation of a set of data for use with an insertion device. An insertion device and methods are shown that allows a series of iterations to be performed within a single insertion procedure that distributes media, such as cells for cell therapy, over a large volume.

Abstract: A medical device is provided comprising a MRI compatible cranial drill having a removable sterilizable drill bit and a sterile barrier. The sterile barrier has an interior portion, a proximal end, a distal end, a proximal opening at the proximal end and an opening at the distal end. The opening at the distal end further comprises an aperture. The drill is insertable into the proximal opening, the aperture being constructed and arranged to seal around the drill bit such that the drill is enclosed in the interior portion of the sterile barrier and only a portion of the sterile drill bit extends exteriorly of the barrier. In one embodiment, the medical device includes a MRI compatible adjustable depth stop which limits and defines depth of penetration of the drill.