Kit for image guided surgical procedures

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a kit of parts for use in a surgical procedure performed under image guidance, and particularly under real time image guidance. The kit includes a sterilized drape for use with the chosen imaging machine and which can be used to provide a sterile operating environment when the procedure is performed under the imaging beam. The kit also includes a needle holder that can keep the surgeon's hand away from the imaging beam. The needle holder is operable to hold a needle that is made from a material suitable for piercing tissue, but also substantially preserves the appearance of the needle when it is viewed under the imaging beam.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10 / 373,835 filed Feb. 27, 2003, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 366,530 filed Mar. 25, 2002 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 366,529 filed Mar. 25, 2002, and for which co-inventor Murphy of the present application is also named as co-inventor. The contents of all of these documents are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to image guided surgery and more particularly relates to a kit of parts, and the individual parts of the kit, for use in navigation during a surgical procedure. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Over one million CT-guided biopsies are performed per year in the US. There are two million ultrasound-guided biopsies a year. Many of these ultrasound biopsies are performed because computerized tomography (“CT”)is not available. Ultrasound is ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a kit of parts for image guided surgical procedures that overcomes the disadvantages of previous methods. The kit includes a sterile needle holder that allows for the transmission of force from the physician's hand to the needle without requiring the physician to be in the x-ray beam. The needle is made of a material that reduces artifacts on CT images. The kit also includes a biopsy needle with a locking mechanism for securely attaching the needle to the holder. A drape is provided to protect the operator's hand from contamination during the procedure. Overall, the invention provides a safer and more effective tool for image-guided surgery."

Problems solved by technology

Many of these ultrasound biopsies are performed because computerized tomography (“CT”)is not available.

With this process a biopsy could take hours and it was hard to keep track of the needle tip relative to the patient and know if it was necessary to angle up or down to get to the target.

However, there are drawbacks and limitations to CT fluoroscopy.

This can result in an accumulation of excessive radiation dose to the physician's hand.

The physician may perform the procedure repeatedly during his career or even during a single day and this cumulative dose becomes an issue of personal radiation safety.

Furthermore, current biopsy needles are composed of metal that generates significant artifacts when used with x-ray detectors of CT quality.

These artifacts can obscure the intended target or obscure an important structure and possibly make it possible for inadvertent injury of the target.

Accordingly, current biopsy needles are not generally suitable for CT image guided surgical procedures.

A further disadvantage of the prior art is that needles that are currently used for biopsies typically have the stylet attached to the trocar loosely, yet such a loose attachment can present certain hazards when using such a needle under CT imaging.

A further disadvantage of the prior art is that, since CT machines are typically used for simple capturing of images, they are typically non-sterile, and therefore, under CT image guidance procedures, elaborate sterilization can be necessary to reduce risk of patient infection.

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