Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for marking a predetermined position of a target for surgical treatment within a patient's brain, comprises a frame for fixedly embracing the patient's skull and having at one side thereof a side-piece provided with a guide extending along a first line, a first support member mounted to the guide for adjustment along the first line and along a second line perpendicular to the first line, a rotatable member supported on the first support member for rotation about a third line perpendicular to the first and second lines, a second support member spaced from the third line and including an arm having a first end attached to the rotatable member and extending longitudinally parallel to the third line in a direction away from a side of the frame opposite the aforementioned one side, the arm thus being adjustable about the third line by rotation of the rotatable member, an arcuate support member mounted to the arm for adjustment along the third line and for adjustment transversely of the arm along an arcuate path defined by the arc of the arcuate support member, and a laser light source mounted to the arcuate support member for aiming a laser beam into the patient's skull directly at the position of the target to provide guiding beam illumination of intervening tissue on a surgical path to the target as the surgeon proceeds to the target along the path, and to mark the target when reached by the surgeon.

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First Claim