Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A stereotaxy system comprising: an imaging system (20) in which at least a soft portion of a subject that is supported on a support (10) is positioned for generation of a volumetric electronic image representation using the imaging system (20); markers (18) which are imageable by the imaging system disposed in a fixed position relative to the soft portion of the subject such that the imaging system (20) images the markers (18) along with the soft portion of the subject in the volumetric electronic image representation; an image processor (30) which converts selected portions of the volumetric image representation to a human-readable display (32) of the soft portion of the subject and the markers (18); a coordinate system transform (48) for establishing a transform relationship between a coordinate system of the human-readable display of the volumetric image representation and a coordinate system of the soft portion; and a guide (50) for defining a trajectory along which an instrument (64) may be inserted into the soft portion; characterized by: a non-ferrous exoskeleton material (12) which has a stretchable state in which it is stretched to conform to the soft portion, the exoskeleton material (12) being fixed relative to said support (10) such that the soft portion is constrained against movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A system according to claim 1 including an adjustable mechanical mounting (56) for selectively mounting the guide (50) in a selected orientation relative to the subject; emitters (52) disposed on the guide (50) for sending emitting signals; receivers (44) for receiving the signals from the emitters (52); and a location processor (46) connected with the receivers (44) for determining the location of at least one characteristic point on the guide (50) and a trajectory defined by the guide (50), the location processor (46) being connected with the coordinate system transform means (48) for transforming the characteristic point on the guide (50) and the trajectory into the image coordinate system of the human-readable display and being connected with the image processor (30) for generating a human-readable display of the trajectory and the characteristic point; and an instrument (64) received in the guide (50).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the exoskeleton material (12) includes a thermoplastic mesh that is thermally softenable to enable it to be conformed to the soft portion and sets to a relatively rigid state after conforming to the soft portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
A stereotaxy method comprising positioning at least a soft portion of a subject on a support (10) in a non-invasive imaging system (20); affixing markers (18) in association with the soft portion; generating a volumetric electronic image representation of the soft portion and the markers (18); converting selected portions of the volumetric electronic image representation to a human-readable display of the soft portion and the markers (18); positioning a guide (50) for defining a trajectory along which an instrument is to be inserted into the soft portion of the subject; and inserting an instrument (64) along the trajectory; the method being characterized by: applying and conforming a non-ferrous material (12) which has a stretchable conforming state to the soft portion of the subject; and fixing the non-ferrous material (12) relative to the support (10) such that the soft portion is constrained against movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein after applying and conforming the non-ferrous material (12) to the soft portion of the subject, the non-ferrous material (12) is set into a rigid exoskeleton.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 in which the exoskeleton material (12) is a thermoplastic mesh and prior to the applying and conforming step the thermoplastic mesh is heat softened and then cooled below human body temperature; and after the applying and conforming step the thermoplastic material is caused to set to a stiff, relatively rigid state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the non-invasive imaging system (20) is a magnetic resonance imaging system, the guide (50) and the instrument (64) are non-ferrous, and insertion of the instrument (64) is performed in the magnetic resonance imaging system (20).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A stereotaxy method as set forth in claim 7 wherein at least portions of the guide (50) are imageable in the magnetic resonance imaging system (20) and the guide (50) is imaged along with the soft portion of the subject to establish a relationship between a coordinate system of the human-readable display and a coordinate system of the soft portion of the subject and the guide (50).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the subject is moved to a remote site before inserting the instrument.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stereotaxy method as set forth in any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein the soft portion is a human breast.