Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning a guide tube fixation device at a spinal structure of a patient are provided. The method includes attaching an attachment element to the spinal structure, attaching a guide tube to the attachment element, wherein said guide tube is calibrated prior to attachment, and navigating a part of the guide tube to a predetermined location relative to a target region of the patient. The apparatus includes an attachment device for attaching to the spinal structure, a joint attached to the attachment device, and a guide tube holding device attached to the joint and operable to hold and/or guide a guide tube, said guide tube configured to guide a cannula, needle and/or fluid to a desired site or location.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for generating a 3D imaging data set of an object or of at least two elements, including: obtaining a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in a first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position, moving at least one of the elements and/or deforming the object to have a second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position, different from the first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position; obtaining a 2D data set of the object or the at least two elements while in the second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position; and calculating a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in the second shape, absolute, or relative position using said 2D image data set and said 3D image data set. The method also may be performed by obtaining the 2D image data set in the first position and obtaining the 3D image data set in the second position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for generating a 3D imaging data set of an object or of at least two elements, including: obtaining a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in a first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position, moving at least one of the elements and/or deforming the object to have a second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position, different from the first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position; obtaining a 2D data set of the object or the at least two elements while in the second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position; and calculating a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in the second shape, absolute, or relative position using said 2D image data set and said 3D image data set. The method also may be performed by obtaining the 2D image data set in the first position and obtaining the 3D image data set in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning a guide tube fixation device at a spinal structure of a patient are provided. The method includes attaching an attachment element to the spinal structure, attaching a guide tube to the attachment element, wherein said guide tube is calibrated prior to attachment, and navigating a part of the guide tube to a predetermined location relative to a target region of the patient. The apparatus includes an attachment device for attaching to the spinal structure, a joint attached to the attachment device, and a guide tube holding device attached to the joint and operable to hold and/or guide a guide tube, said guide tube configured to guide a cannula, needle and/or fluid to a desired site or location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching an element securely to a body, in particular to a bone, wherein the device comprises at least one movable holding element enabling the device to be tensed against the body, as well as a system for attaching an element securely to a body comprising a connecting element which may be attached to the body.

Abstract: A device for assisting in positioning implants and/or implanting aids on or in a bone structure includes an outer part having a holder section and a guide section, and an inner part having a guide engagement section and a passage defined within the guide engagement section for an implant and/or implanting aid. A navigational reference for navigating the device by means of a medical navigation system can be on the outer part and/or on the inner part, by which the implant and/or implanting aid can be positioned with navigational assistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching an element securely to a body, in particular to a bone, wherein the device comprises at least one movable holding element enabling the device to be tensed against the body, as well as a system for attaching an element securely to a body comprising a connecting element which may be attached to the body.