Low profile instrument immobilizer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10058681-B2
Application number	US-201313828136-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2013
Priority date	Sep 17, 2002
Publication date	Aug 28, 2018
Grant date	Aug 28, 2018

Abstract

This document discusses, among other things, examples of a low profile instrument immobilizer and means for positioning the same. In one example, the low profile instrument immobilizer grasps, secures, and immobilizes an electrode or other instrument that extends through a burr hole in a skull to a target location in a patient's brain.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An instrument immobilizer apparatus for immobilizing an instrument relative to a patient, comprising:
a base having an exterior wall defining a central passage, the base sized and shaped to be disposed about a burr hole of a patient; and
an insert configured to be disposed within the central passage, the insert defining an access opening through the insert and having a first retaining member with a first edge configured to engage the instrument and a second retaining member with a second edge, wherein the first edge and the second edge are configured to engage the instrument;
wherein the first and second retaining members maintain the first edge opposed to the second edge throughout their full range of movement relative to one another;
wherein the first and second retaining members are configured for holding therebetween the instrument extending through the central passage, the access opening, and into the burr hole;
wherein the insert is configured to be rotated when disposed within the central passage of the base;
wherein the first edge is a first beveled edge;
wherein the second edge is a second beveled edge.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base defines a lateral exit groove separate and distinct from the insert;
wherein the instrument extends from the insert and through the exit groove that is sized and shaped to retain a portion of the instrument within the exit groove.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the base defines first and second holes on opposite sides of the central passage for fastening the base around the burr hole.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the insert is configured to be selectively coupled to the base with a groove and detent combination to prevent unwanted rotation of the insert relative to the base.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the insert has an insert wall separate from the base that defines the access opening;
wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member move relative to the wall.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member are both movable toward and away from one another within the access opening and relative to the wall.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the access opening includes opposing side slide rails slidably carrying the first retaining member and the second retaining member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member include mating couplings configured to hold the first retaining member and the second retaining member in engagement.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the mating couplings include snap-fit features.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first retaining member and the second retaining member includes an engagement coupling configured to be secured to the insert, wherein the engagement coupling includes a one-way toothed surface substantially disposed on the slide rails.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the engagement coupling includes tabs disposed on a bottom surface of the at least one of the first retaining member and the second retaining member, the tabs configured to engage the toothed surface and allow sliding motion of the corresponding one of the first and second retaining members.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second edges include opposed semicircular surfaces configured to engage the instrument.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the semi-circular surfaces are configured to form a circular opening when the first retaining member and the second retaining member are positioned adjacent to one another.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cap configured to be affixed to the instrument immobilizer.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 ,
wherein the first beveled edge and the second beveled edge are configured to directly engage the instrument.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first beveled edge is configured to be positioned adjacent to the second beveled edge to form a lateral groove.

17. An instrument immobilizer apparatus for immobilizing an instrument relative to a patient, comprising:
a base having a wall defining a central passage, the base being sized and hoop-shaped to be disposed about a burr hole of the patient; and
an insert separate from and configured to be disposed within the central passage of the base, the insert having:
a wall that defines an access opening through the insert;
a first retaining member slidably positioned on the wall and within the access opening of the insert and having a first engagement face; and
a second retaining member slidably positioned on the wall and within the access opening of the insert and having a second engagement face directed toward the first engagement face;

wherein the first and second engagement faces are configured to be moved relative to another and the wall to engage and hold therebetween the instrument extending through the access opening of the insert and the central passage of the base;
wherein the first and second engagement faces have respective first and second beveled edges.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the first and second engagement faces include opposed semicircular surfaces configured to engage the instrument.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the insert is configured to rotate relative to the base prior to the insert being selectively engaged to the base with a groove and detent combination to prevent unwanted rotation of the insert relative to the base.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the base defines a lateral exit groove sized and shaped to retain a portion of the instrument within the groove.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the base defines first and second holes on opposite sides of the central passage for fastening the base around the burr hole.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the first and second retaining members are movable toward and away from one another within the access opening while the first and second engagement faces are directed toward one another.

23. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising a cap configured to be affixed to the instrument immobilizer.

24. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the insert is configured to be selectively rotatably positioned within the central passage of the base.

25. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the insert is configured to be inserted into the central passage of the base and the insert has the access opening formed at least by sides within the insert that allow the first retaining member and the second retaining member to slide within the access opening.

26. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the first and second retaining members are movable toward and away from one another within the access opening while the first and second engagement faces are directed toward one another;
wherein the first and second engagement faces are moveable relative to one another;
wherein a lateral groove is formed when the first and second beveled edges are adjacent one another.

27. An instrument immobilizer apparatus for immobilizing an instrument relative to a patient, comprising:
a hoop-shaped base having a wall defining a central passage and a grooved surface disposed upon an intermediate surface therein, the hoop-shaped base sized and shaped to be disposed about a cranial burr hole of t

Assignees

• Medtronic Inc

Inventors

• Skakoon James G
• Solar Matthew S
• Miller Thomas I
• Helmer Patrick R
• Freas Mark S

Classifications

• A61B2017/347

  Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula · CPC title

• A61M25/02 Primary

  Holding devices, e.g. on the body · CPC title

• A61B90/11

  with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints · CPC title

• A61M2025/024

  having a clip or clamp system · CPC title

• A61B2090/103

  Cranial plugs for access to brain · CPC title