Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A needle guide apparatus for directing an injection needle into a spinal disc of a patient on a conventional operating table having a side rail with the patient having a sagittal this longitudinally oriented to the table comprising: (a) mounting means for connecting the apparatus to the table in a posterior location to a patient lying in a lateral decubital position on the table; (b) needle guide means for guiding the injection needle on a select penetration angle into the lateral posterior of the patient; (c) adjustable support structure supporting said needle guide means and interconnecting said guide means with said mounting means said support structure having adjustable means for locating said needle guide means at a predetermined location for accurate guide of a needle into a select spinal disc wherein said adjustable support structure comprises at least one vertical member with adjustment means for adjusting the height of the needle guide means, at least one horizontal member disposed parallel to the sagittal axis of the patient, said horizontal member cooperating with connected adjustment means for adjusting the fore and aft position of said needle guide means parallel to the sagittal axis of the patient, and at least one transverse member disposed transverse of the sagittal axis of the patient said transverse member cooperating with connected adjustment means for adjusting the cross position of said needle guide means transvrse to the sagittal axis of the patient; (d) indicator means connected to said support structure for indicating the relative position of said guide means relative to the select disc.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A needle guide apparatus for directing an injection needle into a spinal disc of a patient on a conventional operating table having a side rail with the patient having a sagittal this longitudinally oriented to the table comprising: (a) mounting means for connecting the apparatus to the table in a posterior location to a patient lying in a lateral decubital position on the table; (b) needle guide means for guiding the injection needle on a select penetration angle into the lateral posterior of the patient; (c) adjustable support structure supporting said needle guide means and interconnecting said guide means with said mounting means said support structure having adjustable means for locating said needle guide means at a predetermined location for accurate guide of a needle into a select spinal disc wherein said adjustable support structure comprises at least one vertical member with adjustment means for adjusting the height of the needle guide means, at least one horizontal member disposed parallel to the sagittal axis of the patient, said horizontal member cooperating with connected adjustment means for adjusting the fore and aft position of said needle guide means parallel to the sagittal axis of the patient, and at least one transverse member disposed transverse of the sagittal axis of the patient said transverse member cooperating with connected adjustment means for adjusting the cross position of said needle guide means transvrse to the sagittal axis of the patient; (d) indicator means connected to said support structure for indicating the relative position of said guide means relative to the select disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 1 wherein said needle guide means comprises a needle guide sleeve mounted on said support structure at a predetermined guide angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a clamp unit adapted to connect the guide apparatus to the side rail of the operating table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adjustment means of said vertical member includes pivotal orienting means for adjusting the alignment of said horizontal member parallel to the sagittal axis of the patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 4 wherein said vertical member comprises a post socket and post engaged in said socket and said adjustment means includes a clamp unit on said socket which engages said post retaining said post in a select vertical and axial position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 5 wherein said post has a distal end with a clamp, said horizontal member comprising a support bar engaged with said clamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 6 wherein said horizontal support bar has a distal end with a clamp, said transverse member comprising a L-shaped arm with a transverse leg engaged with said clamp of said support bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 7 wherein said L-shaped arm has a second horizontal leg perpendicular to said first leg on which is mounted a post for support of said needle guide means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 1 wherein said needle guide means orients a needle at a 45° downward angle from a horizontal plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 1 wherein said needle guide means orients a needle at a 45° downward angle from a horizontal plane and a 30° caudad angle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 1 wherein said indicator means comprises at least one radioscopically opaque indicator positioned over the patient.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The needle guide apparatus of claim 11 wherein said indicator means has a fixed position relative to said needle guide means and is adjustable therewith.