Patent ID: 8335553

Claim:
A method of determining a path for performing a surgical procedure through an anatomical feature of a subject, comprising the steps of: disposing a target having an array of X-ray opaque markers in a three dimensional pattern, in the region of said anatomical feature of said subject, and in a location fixed relative to said anatomical feature of said subject; providing an X-ray source to generate fluoroscopic images of said region of said anatomical feature of said subject, including said target; taking at least two fluoroscopic images of said anatomical feature of said subject including said target, said images being aligned in a generally anterior-posterior orientation; marking on each of said at least two fluoroscopic images the estimated position of the center of said anatomical feature; using said target to define the spatial position of said source relative to said anatomical feature of a subject; generating an axial plane virtual image of said anatomical feature of said subject, including a line for each image alignment, said lines for each image alignment being computed to run between said source and said marked position; and using the intersection of said lines to generate a safe zone for performing said surgical procedure through said anatomical feature.