Patent ID: 7329262

Claim:
A method of positioning an instrument at a target using a stereoguide, the stereoguide comprising first and second guide elements spaced relative to each other through which instruments are passed along an axis of insertion towards a target; characterized by a first clamp having a clamping position on the axis between the guide elements and the target and a second clamp having a clamping position on the axis of insertion and on the opposite side of the guide elements to the first clamp for clamping instruments passing through the guide elements, said method comprising; inserting a wire into a support tube; inserting the wire and support tube together along an axis of insertion towards the target via the guide elements of the stereoguide; once the wire is inserted into the support tube they are fixed together by virtue of a finger tightenable screw by the support tube; removing the support tube form the wire, leaving the wire in situ; inserting a guide tube around the wire towards the target; securing the guide tube in position; removing the wire; and inserting the instrument to the target via the guide tube.