Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for guiding the placement of an object to a desired location based on an image generated by an image intensifier where the apparatus includes a first coupling mechanism that is configured to be releaseably attachable to one of the transmitter and receiver of the image intensifier and a second coupling mechanism that is coupled to the first coupling mechanism and includes an object holding mechanism, the object holding mechanism is configured to releaseably hold the object and where at least a portion of the second coupling mechanism is visible in the image generated by the image intensifier when the apparatus is attached to the image intensifier.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This invention is related to Provisional Patent Application 60/632,574, filed Dec. 1, 2004, and entitled “Image Intensifier Based Percutaneous Drill Bit, Screw, and Pin Guide”, which is hereby incorporated by reference for its teachings. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to imager related guides, and more particularly, to image intensifier related guides. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In many procedures including medical related procedures imagers, such as electromagnetic based image intensifiers may be employed to localize or isolate points or planes of interest. The resultant images (generated by the imager(s)) may be used to place one or more objects near or adjacent the point(s) or plane(s) of interest. It is desirable to be able to employ the imager to actively aid in the placement of the object(s). The present invention provides such a system and method. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for guiding the placement of an object to a desired location based on an image generated by an image intensifier. In an embodiment the apparatus includes a first coupling mechanism that is configured to be releaseably attachable to one of the transmitter and receiver of the image intensifier. The apparatus also includes a second coupling mechanism that is coupled to the first coupling mechanism and includes an object holding mechanism. In an embodiment the object holding mechanism is configured to releaseably hold the object and at least a portion of the second coupling mechanism is visible in the image generated by the image intensifier when the apparatus is attached to the image intensifier. 
     In an embodiment the first coupling mechanism may be substantially not visible in the image generated by the image intensifier when the apparatus is attached to the image intensifier. In addition, the second coupling mechanism may be substantially not visible in the image generated by the image intensifier when the apparatus is attached to the image intensifier except for at least one orientation indication. Further, at least a segment of the object holding mechanism may be visible in the image generated by the image intensifier when the apparatus is attached to the image intensifier. 
     In an embodiment, image intensifier may have a central axis between the transmitter and receiver and the object holding mechanism may be substantially coaxial with the image intensifier central axis. In addition, the second coupling mechanism may enable the object holding mechanism to moved along the image intensifier central axis. In addition, the second coupling mechanism may enable the object holding mechanism to be moved around the image intensifier central axis. In an embodiment the image intensifier may be a mobile digital fluoroscopy device. Further, the object may be a medical device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of an imager based object positioner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a top view of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is a side view of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of a portion of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 1A  in a folded configuration in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlarged isometric view of a hinge of the foldable portion of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of the foldable portion of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3B  is a top, partial view of the foldable portion of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a top, partial view of a moveable clamp apparatus of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  is a side, partial view of a of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 1A  showing an vertical offset system configuration in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of a releasable car system of the vertical offset system shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4C  is an isometric view of the releasable car system of the vertical offset system shown attached to a rail of the foldable section of the imager based object positioner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4D  is an isometric, top view of an vertical level adjustment mechanism of the vertical offset system shown attached to a rail of the foldable section of the imager based object positioner system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of a guide boom of the vertical offset system of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a picture of an image generated by an imager of the boom shown in  FIG. 5A  adjacent to bony anatomy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5C  is a picture of another image generated by an imager of the boom shown in  FIG. 5A  adjacent to bony anatomy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a picture of an imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention mounted on an imager. 
         FIG. 7A  is a picture of a spatial positioner that may be used in conjunction with the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram of an imager based object positioner system mounted on an imager and coupled to the spatial positioner shown in  FIG. 7A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention adjacent to exemplary anatomy. 
         FIG. 7C  is another diagram of an imager based object positioner system mounted on an imager and coupled to the spatial positioner shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention adjacent to exemplary anatomy. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout this description, embodiments and variations are described for the purpose of illustrating uses and implementations of the invention. The illustrative description should be understood as presenting examples of the invention, rather than as limiting the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 1A  is an isometric view,  FIG. 1B  is a top view, and  FIG. 1C  is a side view of an imager based object positioner system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The imager based object positioner system  10  includes a first rail section  14 , a second rail section  16 , a moveable clamp  32 , immoveable claims  34 ,  36 , a vertical offset mechanism  40 , and placement/stabilizer bars  72 ,  74 . In an embodiment the first rail section  14  is coupled to the second rail section  16  via two releasable hinges  22 ,  26 . In an embodiment a handle  30  is coupled to the moveable clamp  32  and screw  31 . In an embodiment three clamps  32 ,  34 ,  36  may be used to engage a transmitter of an imager. In an embodiment the imager is an imager intensifier system including an image intensifier or receiver supported by a C-ARM in a mobile digital fluoroscope. 
     In an embodiment the releasable hinge  22  includes a release mechanism  20  and limiter  24  and the releasable hinge  26  includes a release mechanism  21  and limiter  28 . The vertical offset mechanism or apparatus  40  includes a releasable car  44 , vertically translatable arm  42 , car release assembly  50 , and guide boom  60 . In an embodiment, the car  44  release-ably engages the circular rail  12  formed by the two rail sections  14 ,  16 . The car  44  may be move along the rail  12  when the car release assembly  50  is disengaged in an embodiment. In an embodiment the boom  60  is coupled to a distal end of the arm  42  and includes an object mounting bushing  62 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view of the imager based object positioner system  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  in a folded configuration without the vertical offset  40  attached in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2B  is an enlarged isometric view of a hinge  22  of the foldable portion of the imager based object positioner system  10  shown in  FIG. 2A . In this configuration, the release mechanisms  20 ,  21  had been deployed to release hinges  22 ,  26  so the second rail section  16  may be folded over the first rail section  14 . The system  10  may be folded to permit placement in a autoclave for sterilization between use in medical applications. In other embodiment the system  10  may not include hinges  22 ,  26 , and thus be foldable. 
       FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of the imager based object positioner system  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  with the vertical offset mechanism  40  removed.  FIG. 3B  is a top, partial view of the imager based object positioner system  10  shown in  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3C  is a top, partial view of a moveable clamp mechanism  32  of the imager based object positioner system shown in  FIG. 3A . In an embodiment the system  10  may be placed over an imager transmitter and the handle  30  engaged to cause the clamp  32  to apply force in conjunction with clamps  34 ,  36  against the imager transmitter to release-ably hold the positioner system  10  to the imager transmitter or receiver. In an embodiment the clamps are about 120 degrees apart from adjacent clamps. In an embodiment the handle  30  includes a torque limiter to prevent possible damage to the imager. In another embodiment the position system  10  may include two or more clamps  32 ,  34 ,  36  to engage an imager. 
       FIG. 4A  is a side, partial view of a of the imager based object positioner system  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  showing an vertical offset system  40  configuration in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4B  is a side view of a releasable car system  44  of the vertical offset system  40  shown in  FIG. 4A  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4C  is an isometric view of the releasable car system  44  of the vertical offset system  40  shown attached to a rail  12  of a foldable section  16  of the imager based object positioner system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment the car system  44  includes a top rail engagement lip  45 , lower track engagement lip  54 , car release assembly  50 , and release assembly lever  52 . In this embodiment the level  52  may be used to release-ably engage the lower rail  13  via the lower track engagement lip  54  and the upper rail  12  via the upper track engagement lip  45 . 
       FIG. 4D  is an isometric, top view of an vertical level adjustment mechanism  48  of the vertical offset system shown attached to a rail  12  of the foldable section  14  of the imager based object positioner system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The adjustment mechanism  48  is coupled to a gear  49 . The gear  49  is engaged to the vertical arm  42  via the track  41 .  FIG. 5A  is a top view of a guide boom  60  of the vertical offset system  40  of the imager based object positioner system  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment the boom is translucent to the energy generated by the imager to which the system  10  may be attached. In an embodiment the boom may include one or more markers  66 ,  64  that are opaque to the energy generated by the imager to which the system  10  may be attached. The boom  60  also includes an object coupling bushing  62 . In an embodiment bushing  62  may also be opaque to the energy generated by the imager to which the system  10  may be attached. 
       FIGS. 5B and 5C  are pictures of images generated by an imager including the boom shown in  FIG. 5A  adjacent to bony anatomy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in these FIGURES the marks  64 ,  66  and bushing  62  absorb energy generated by an imager enabling their identification in images generated by the imager. The markers  62 ,  64 ,  66  may be used to align the bushing with a desired line or plane of approach to desired target. An object may be coupled to the bushing  62  to enable precise placement of the object along the desired line or plane established by the imager while the system  10  remains coupled to the imager. 
       FIG. 6  is a picture of an imager based object positioner system  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention mounted on an imager  80 . The imager  80  includes a transmitter  82  with a distal end  84 , wherein the transmitter  82  is supported by a mechanical linkage suck as a “C-ARM”.In this example the imager  80  is a mobile digital fluoroscope. In this embodiment the positioner system  10  is coupled to the transmitter&#39;s  82  distal end  84 . As also shown in  FIG. 6  the placement bar/stabilizer bars  72 ,  74  engage the imager  80  transmitter&#39;s  82  distal end  84  while not blocking energy transmission. In this embodiment the system  10  includes three clamps  32 ,  34 ,  36  that, in combination with the stabilization bars  72 ,  74  securely holds the positioner system  10  to the imager  80  transmitter  82 . As shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C  and may be seen in  FIG. 6 , in an embodiment only the boom  60  is positioned in imager&#39;s energy field preventing distortion or artifacts in the image generated by an imager coupled to the system  10 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a picture of a spatial positioner  90  that may be used in conjunction with the imager based object positioner system shown  10  in  FIG. 1A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spatial positioner  90  includes a table clamp  92 , lockable snake  94 , extension arm  96 , lockable pivotable tip  98 , and bushing engaging member  99 .  FIG. 7B  is a diagram of an embodiment of the imager based object positioner system  10  mounted on an imager and coupled to the spatial positioner shown in  FIG. 7A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention adjacent to exemplary anatomy. In this embodiment, the boom&#39;s  60  bushing  62  may be aligned to an anatomical plane or point of anatomy  100  via the imager  80 . The spatial positioner&#39;s  90  bushing engager  99  is then coupled to the boom&#39;s  60  bushing  62 . In this embodiment the spatial positioner  90  is coupled to the table  102  via the table clamp  92 . In addition, a guide wire  68  is inserted into the anatomy  100  via the boom&#39;s  60  bushing  62 . The imager  80  may be employed to generate an image to verify proper placement of the guide wire  68  in an embodiment.  FIG. 7C  is another diagram of an imager based object positioner system mounted on an imager and coupled to the spatial positioner shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention adjacent to exemplary anatomy. 
     In an embodiment the imager  80  and positioner system  10  attached thereto may be removed from the operative field of view leaving the spatial positioner  90 . The spatial positioner bushing  99  may have been aligned with a desired target plane or line enabling a user to employ a tool such as the guide wire  68  along the target plane or line. In another embodiment the position system&#39;s  10  arm  42  may be extended via the adjustment mechanism  48 . In this embodiment the boom&#39;s  60  bushing may be used to employ an object or tool along a desired target plane or line where the tool or object may be a medical tool or other tool in non-medical applications. The tools may include a guide wire  68 , cannula, obturator, drill, reamer, or endoscope. It is also noted that lever  52  may be released partially so the car  44  may be rotated along the track  12  to move the vertical offset mechanism  40  out of the field of view. In an embodiment the boom  60  bushing  62  remains co-axial with the central axis of the imager  80  as the car  44  is rotated around the track due to the geometry of the rail  12  and bushing  62  distance from the arm  42 . 
     While this invention has been described in terms of a best mode for achieving the objectives of the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example the positioner system  10  may be used in conjunction with an imager to access an archeological artifact or access a complex mechanical or electrical device.