Patent ID: 6782288
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of positioning a guide that pivots about a pivot point, the method comprising:locating a target at a first point within a body using an imaging modality; positioning the pivot point at a second point at or near a surface of the body; locating, using an imaging modality, at least one locator on an axis of the guide, wherein an imaginary line defining the axis of the guide passes through the pivot point; locating a third point outside the body using an imaging modality, the third point being substantially located beyond the pivot point on a line extending from the target through the pivot point, the third point also being substantially located on an imaginary plane through the locator and substantially orthogonal to the axis of the guide; displaying images of the locator and the third point on a display of the imaging modality; and aligning displayed images of the locator and the third point on the display of the imaging modality by positioning the guide.