Importance

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Abstract

A stereotactic neurological instrument placement guide is utilized to facilitate ventriculostomy procedures, or other neurological procedures such as biopsy, radioactive seed placement, and lesion generation. The guide has a pair of point members disposed on a common linear axis. The proposed position of a burr hole in the patient's skull is marked, the location of a target point (e.g. ventricle) within the patient's skull is decided upon, and the patient is given a CT or MRI scan. Utilizing data from the scan, a coordinate line is calculated between the burr hole proposed position and the target point. Utilizing the calculated coordinate line, a fixing point on the patient's skull opposite the proposed position of the burr hole is determined, and the fixing point is marked. The instrument guide is placed into operative association with the patient's skull so that the opposed point members engage the burr hole and the fixing point, and then a neurological instrument is passed into the burr hole positively guided by the instrument guide until the instrument reaches the target point at which a neurological procedure is performed. Calculations establishing the coordinate line are obtained by vector parameterization, utilizing a programmable scientific calculator.

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First Claim