Patent ID: 6355049
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Apparatus for use in stereotactic diagnosis and treatment comprising frame means and fixation means for repeatably and reproducibly fixing the frame means to the patient's head such that locations within the head are spatially definable with reference to the frame means, characterised in that the fixation means comprises a cast of the patient's upper teeth and or palate, the cast including a U-shaped portion indented with an impression of substantially all of the patient's upper teeth;support means positioned with the fixation means for rigidly connecting the cast to the frame means, the support means including a plate having a central portion connected to the front of the cast so as to be generally coplanar with the U-shaped portion and which extends rearwardly inside of the patient's mouth in supporting contact with the cast to at least as far as the location of the premolar teeth, the plate further including side portions which extend rearwardly outside of the patient's mouth to at least as far as the location of the premolar teeth and at a downwardly inclined angle with respect to the central portion of the plate; and biasing means non-invasively engageable with the head and operable between the head and the frame means and/or the fixation means to bias the cast into positive contact with the upper teeth and or palate.