US5387220A — Stereotactic frame and localization method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 176 words

A method of stereotactic localization of a target point in a patient's head comprising the steps of: a. establishing a first orbitomeatal line on a first side of a patient's head, said first orbitomeatal line extending from a first orbital ridge to a center point of a first external auditory meatus; b. establishing a second orbitomeatal line on a second side of said patient's head, said second orbitomeatal line extending from a second orbital ridge to a center point of a second external auditory meatus; c. establishing an orbitomeatal plane, said orbitomeatal plane formed by connecting said first orbitomeatal line and said second orbitomeatal line; d. establishing a central axis in said orbitomeatal plane, said central axis formed by connecting said center points of said first external auditory meatus and said second external auditory meatus; e. establishing a vertical plane perpendicularly intersecting said orbitomeatal plane along said central axis; f. using said orbitomeatal plane, said vertical plane, and said central axis to form a spherical coordinate system to locate said target point in said patient's head.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 176 words

A method of stereotactic localization of a target point in a patient's head comprising the steps of: a. establishing a first orbitomeatal line on a first side of a patient's head, said first orbitomeatal line extending from a first orbital ridge to a center point of a first external auditory meatus; b. establishing a second orbitomeatal line on a second side of said patient's head, said second orbitomeatal line extending from a second orbital ridge to a center point of a second external auditory meatus; c. establishing an orbitomeatal plane, said orbitomeatal plane formed by connecting said first orbitomeatal line and said second orbitomeatal line; d. establishing a central axis in said orbitomeatal plane, said central axis formed by connecting said center points of said first external auditory meatus and said second external auditory meatus; e. establishing a vertical plane perpendicularly intersecting said orbitomeatal plane along said central axis; f. using said orbitomeatal plane, said vertical plane, and said central axis to form a spherical coordinate system to locate said target point in said patient's head.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

A method of stereotactic localization of a target point in a patient's head as recited in claim 1 further comprising taking electronic image slices of said patient's head and of said target point, and transferring said target point location into said spherical coordinate system.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 56 words

A method of stereotactic localization of a target point in a patient's head as recited in claim 2 comprising the steps of: a. supporting said patient's head in a head frame; b. attaching a stereotactic frame to said head frame; and c. using said stereotactic frame to position a needle guide proximate to said target point.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 145 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 3 comprising the steps of: a. removably fastening a fixed mount member of said stereotactic frame to said head frame, said fixed mount member including a rigidly attached bar; b. locking a snake-like retractor arm of said stereotactic frame in a desired configuration; c. positioning a first disc, affixed to an end of said snake-like retractor arm, such that said first disc aligns with said patient's head, said first disc having a centered opening, a zero degree arm, and a ninety degree arm; and d. positioning a second disc and a third disc in relation to said patient's head wherein said second disc and said third disc are rotatably attached, said second disc and said third disc further secured to a first end of an elongated rod wherein said elongated rod slidably engages said first disc.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 4, wherein positioning said first disc in relation to said patient's head comprises the steps of: a. aligning said 0 degree arm of said first disc with said orbitomeatal plane; and b. aligning said 90 degree arm of said first disc with said vertical plane.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 4, wherein positioning said first disc in relation to said patient's head comprises the steps of: a. aligning said 0 degree arm of said first disc with said vertical plane; and b. aligning said 90 degree arm of said first disc with said orbitomeatal plane.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 137 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 4, wherein positioning said second disc and said third disc comprises the steps of: a. sliding said second disc and said third disc towards said first disc such that said second disc is immediately adjacent to said first disc; b. aligning a radial arm, attached to said third disc, with said orbitomeatal plane; c. positioning an arc frame, slidably attached to said radial arm, such that a base of said arc frame meets a center point of said third disc; and d. establishing a radius distance "r" wherein said radius distance "r" is the distance from said center point of said third disc to a closest one of said first auditory meatus and said second auditory meatus, said radius distance "r" being a radius of said arc frame.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 127 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 7 further comprising the steps of: a. determining a distance "a" from said central axis to said target point in a plane "a" wherein said plane "a" is parallel with said orbitomeatal plane; b. determining a distance "b" from said central axis to said target point in a plane "b" wherein said plane "b" is parallel with said vertical plane; c. determining a point "c" on said central axis by projecting a line "c" from said target point to a closest point on said central axis; and d. determining a distance "d" along said central axis, said distance "d" being a shorter distance from said point "c" to either said first auditory meatus or said second auditory meatus.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 8, wherein determining said distance "a" comprises the steps of: a. projecting a line "a" from said target point to a closest point "a" on said vertical plane; b. ascertaining said distance "a" from said target point to said vertical plane along said line "a".

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 9 further comprises the step of calculating an angle "ac" between said line "a" and said line "c".

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 105 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 10 further comprising the steps of: a. moving said second disc and said third disc away from said first disc by said distance "d"; b. rotating said third disc through said angle "ac" from said orbitomeatal plane; c. sliding said arc frame along said radial arm by said distance "c"; and d. inserting a needle guide through said arc frame at a point of insertion wherein said needle guide is perpendicular to said arc frame at said point of insertion, said needle guide passing through said target point at a distance "r" from said arc frame.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 8, wherein determining said distance "b" comprises the steps of: a. projecting a line "b" from said target point to a closet point "b" on said orbitomeatal plane; b. ascertaining said distance "b" from said target point to said orbitomeatal plane along said line "b".

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 12 further comprises the step of calculating an angle "bc" between said line "b" and said line "c".

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 105 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 13 further comprising the steps of: a. moving said second disc and said third disc away from said first disc by said distance "d"; b. rotating said third disc through said angle "bc" from said vertical plane; c. sliding said arc frame along said radial arm by said distance "c"; and d. inserting a needle guide through said arc frame at a point of insertion wherein said needle guide is perpendicular to said arc frame at said point of insertion, said needle guide passing through said target point at a distance "r" from said arc frame.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 48 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 14 wherein said rigidly attached bar is an edged piston member, further comprising the step of extending said edged piston member to an elongated position for removing said sterotactic frame from the surgery field after locating said target point.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 137 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 4, wherein positioning said second disc and said third disc comprises the steps of: a. sliding said second disc and said third disc towards said first disc such that said second disc is immediately adjacent to said first disc; b. aligning a radial arm, attached to said third disc, with said vertical plane; c. positioning an arc frame, slidably attached to said radial arm, such that a base of said arc frame meets a center point of said third disc; and d. establishing a radius distance "r" wherein said radius distance "r" is the distance from said center point of said third disc to a closest one of said first auditory meatus and said second auditory meatus, said radius distance "r" being the radius of said arc frame.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 206 words

A method of stereotactic localization of a target point in a patient's head, said patient's head supported by a head frame during surgery, comprising the steps of: a. positioning a localization frame on a patient's head such that a first side member of said localization frame establishes a first orbitomeatal line on a first side of said patient's head, said first orbitomeatal line extending from a first orbital ridge to a center point of a first external auditory meatus and a second side member of said localization frame establishes a second orbitomeatal line on a second side of said patient's head, said second orbitomeatal line extending from a second orbital ridge to a center point of a second external auditory meatus; b. establishing an orbitomeatal plane by connecting said first orbitomeatal line and said second orbitomeatal line; c. establishing a central axis in said orbitomeatal plane by connecting said center points of said first external auditory meatus and said second external auditory meatus; d. establishing a vertical plane perpendicularly intersecting said orbitomeatal plane along said central axis; e. attaching a stereotactic frame to said head frame; f. determining variable values for location of a target point within said patient's head; and g. locating said target point.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 206 words

A method of stereotactic localization of a target point in a patient's head, said patient's head supported by a head frame during surgery, comprising the steps of: a. positioning a localization frame on a patient's head such that a first side member of said localization frame establishes a first orbitomeatal line on a first side of said patient's head, said first orbitomeatal line extending from a first orbital ridge to a center point of a first external auditory meatus and a second side member of said localization frame establishes a second orbitomeatal line on a second side of said patient's head, said second orbitomeatal line extending from a second orbital ridge to a center point of a second external auditory meatus; b. establishing an orbitomeatal plane by connecting said first orbitomeatal line and said second orbitomeatal line; c. establishing a central axis in said orbitomeatal plane by connecting said center points of said first external auditory meatus and said second external auditory meatus; d. establishing a vertical plane perpendicularly intersecting said orbitomeatal plane along said central axis; e. attaching a stereotactic frame to said head frame; f. determining variable values for location of a target point within said patient's head; and g. locating said target point.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 47 words

A method of stereotactic localization of a target point in a patient's head, said patient's head supported by a head frame during surgery, as recited in claim 17 further comprising the step of using said stereotactic frame to position a needle guide proximate to said target point.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 162 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 17 further comprising the steps of: a. removably fastening a fixed mount member of said stereotactic frame to said head frame for securing said stereotactic frame to said head frame; b. stationing an edged piston member, said edged piston member attached to said fixed mount member; c. locking a snake-like retractor arm of said stereotactic frame in a desired configuration; d. positioning a first disc, affixed to an end of said snake-like retractor arm, such that said first disc aligns with said patient's head, said first disc having a centered opening, a zero degree arm, and a ninety degree arm; and e. positioning a second disc and a third disc in relation to said patient's head wherein said second disc and said third disc are rotatably attached, said second disc and said third disc further secured to a first end of an elongated rod wherein said elongated rod slidably engages said first disc.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 19, wherein positioning said first disc in relation to said patient's head comprises the steps of: a. aligning said 0 degree arm of said first disc with said orbitomeatal plane; and b. aligning said 90 degree arm of said first disc with said vertical plane.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 19, wherein positioning said first disc in relation to said patient's head comprises the steps of: a. aligning said 0 degree arm of said first disc with said vertical plane; and b. aligning said 90 degree arm of said first disc with said orbitomeatal plane.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 137 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 19, wherein positioning said second disc and said third disc comprises the steps of: a. sliding said second disc and said third disc towards said first disc such that said second disc is immediately adjacent to said first disc; b. aligning a radial arm, attached to said third disc, with said orbitomeatal plane; c. positioning an arc frame, slidably attached to said radial arm, such that a base of said arc frame meets a center point of said third disc; and d. establishing a radius distance "r" wherein said radius distance "r" is the distance from said center point of said third disc to a closest one of said first auditory meatus and said second auditory meatus, said radius distance "r" being the radius of said arc frame.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 137 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 19, wherein positioning said second disc and said third disc comprises the steps of: a. sliding said second disc and said third disc towards said first disc such that said second disc is immediately adjacent to said first disc; b. aligning a radial arm, attached to said third disc, with said vertical plane; c. positioning an arc frame, slidably attached to said radial arm, such that a base of said arc frame meets a center point of said third disc; and d. establishing a radius distance "r" wherein said radius distance "r" is the distance from said center point of said third disc to a closest one of said first auditory meatus and said second auditory meatus, said radius distance "r" being the radius of said arc frame.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 19 further comprising the step of extending said edged piston member to an elongated position for removing said stereotactic frame from the surgery field after locating said target point.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 131 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 17 wherein determining said variable values comprises the steps of: a. determining a distance "a" from said central axis to said target point in a plane "a" wherein said plane "a" is parallel with said orbitomeatal plane; b. determining a distance "b" from said central axis to said target point in a plane "b" wherein said plane "b" is parallel to said vertical plane; c. determining a point "c" on said central axis by projecting a line "c" from said target point to a closest point on said central axis; and d. determining a distance "d" along said central axis, said distance "d" being a shorter distance from said point "c" to either said first auditory meatus or said second auditory meatus.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 55 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 25, wherein determining said distance "a" comprises the steps of: a. projecting a line "a" from said target point to a closest point "a" on said vertical plane; and b. ascertaining said distance "a" from said target point to said vertical plane along said line "a".

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 26 wherein determining said variable values further comprises the step of calculating an angle "ac" between said line "a" and said line "c".

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 109 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 27, wherein locating said target point comprises the steps of: a. moving said second disc and said third disc away from said first disc by said distance "d"; b. rotating said third disc through said angle "ac" from said orbitomeatal plane; c. sliding said arc frame along said radial arm by said distance "c"; and d. inserting a needle guide through said arc frame at a point of insertion wherein said needle guide is perpendicular to said arc frame at said point of insertion, said needle guide passing through said target point at a distance "r" from said arc frame.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 55 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 25, wherein determining said distance "b" comprises the steps of: a. projecting a line "b" from said target point to a closest point "b" on said orbitomeatal plane; and b. ascertaining said distance "b" from said target point to said orbitomeatal plane along said line "b".

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 29 wherein determining said variable values further comprises the steps of calculating an angle "bc" between said line "b" and said line "c".

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 109 words

A method of stereotactic localization as recited in claim 30, wherein locating said target point comprises the steps of: a. moving said second disc and said third disc away from said first disc by said distance "d"; b. rotating said third disc through said angle "bc" from said vertical plane; c. sliding said arc frame along said radial arm by said distance "c"; and d. inserting a needle guide through said arc frame at a point of insertion wherein said needle guide is perpendicular to said arc frame at said point of insertion, said needle guide passing through said target point at a distance "r" from said arc frame.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-02-06	1998-08-08	1999-02-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-02-06	2002-08-08	2003-02-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-02-06	2006-08-08	2007-02-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Stereotactic frame and localization method

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