Ultrasound guided surgical instrument guide and method

Claim 2

An ultrasound guided instrument guide comprising: an adaptor housing having a central portion, said adaptor housing having a hole through said central portion thereof for providing access of an ultrasound probe disposed therein to a volume therebelow, said adaptor housing having a lower threaded portion for screwing said adaptor housing in a burr hole in a skull and an upper threaded portion; a probe socket disposed in said hole in said adaptor housing, said probe socket with passage therethrough for holding an ultrasound probe by its tip portion, said probe socket comprising a spherical member and a neck member attached thereto; a clamp ring disposed over said probe socket; a locking ring disposed over said clamp ring, said locking ring being threaded to mate with said upper threaded portion of said adaptor housing such that the tightening of said lock ring with respect to said adaptor housing applies pressure to said clamp ring thereby locking said probe socket in position; and an instrument holder formed in the shape of said ultrasound probe tip and having a hole disposed through its longitudinal axis adapted to hold said instrument therein.

Claim 3

The instrument guide of claim 1 wherein said probe socket further comprises slots disposed therein for allowing fluid to flow from the inside to the outside thereof.

Claim 4

The instrument guide of claim 2 wherein said instrument guide is formed of a sterilizable, non-toxic material.

Claim 5

An ultrasound guided instrument guide comprising: a substantially fruco-conical housing having a vertical wide upper portion and a vertical narrow lower portion, said lower portion having external self-tapping threads, and said upper portion having threads on the inner surface thereof; a probe socket comprising a spherical lower portion of greater size than said narrow lower portion of said housing and a cylindrical upper portion, said probe socket having a cavity disposed therethrough for holding an ultrasound probe therein, and providing said probe with access to a tissue thereunder; said spherical portion having fluid communicating holes therein to permit passage of fluid between a outside and inside thereof; a locking means for reversibly locking said socket in a fixed position with respect to said housing, said locking means comprising: a clamp ring disposed over said spherical portion of said probe socket; and a locking ring disposed adjacent said clamp ring and threaded to mate with said upper portion of said housing such that the tightening of said locking ring applies pressure to said clamp ring, which, in turn, forces said spherical portion against said housing thereby locking it in place; and an instrument guide comprising a substantially cylindrical housing with a spherical lower end, a lip on the upper end thereof, and a hole through the central axis thereof for holding said instrument.

Claim 6

An ultrasound guided instrument guide comprising: a substantially fruco-conical housing having a vertical wide upper portion and a vertical narrow lower portion, said lower portion having external self-tapping threads, and said upper portion having threads on the inner surface thereof; a probe socket comprising a spherical lower portion of greater size than said narrow lower portion of said housing and a cylindrical upper portion, said probe socket having a cavity disposed therethrough for holding an ultrasound probe therein, and providing said probe with access to a tissue thereunder; said spherical portion having fluid communicating holes therein to permit passage of fluid between a outside and inside thereof; a locking means for reversibly locking said socket in a fixed position with respect to said housing, said locking means comprising: a clamp ring disposed over said spherical portion of said probe socket; and a locking ring disposed adjacent said clamp ring and threaded to mate with said upper portion of said housing such that the tightening of said locking ring applies pressure to said clamp ring, which, in turn, forces said spherical portion against said housing thereby locking it in place; and an instrument guide comprising a substantially cylindrical housing with a spherical lower end, a lip on the upper end thereof, and a hole through the central axis thereof for holding said instrument.