Kit for image guided surgical procedures

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a kit of parts for use in a surgical procedure performed under image guidance, and particularly under real time image guidance. The kit includes a sterilized drape for use with the chosen imaging machine and which can be used to provide a sterile operating environment when the procedure is performed under the imaging beam. The kit also includes a needle holder that can keep the surgeon's hand away from the imaging beam. The needle holder is operable to hold a needle that is made from a material suitable for piercing tissue, but also substantially preserves the appearance of the needle when it is viewed under the imaging beam.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A kit of parts for use in an image guided surgical procedure using a substantially real time imaging machine comprising: 
 a needle holder having a grasping means and a handle depending therefrom, said handle being configured such that said grasping means can be exposed to said imaging beam and an operator's hand can be kept a distance away from said imaging beam;    a needle attachable to said grasping means and having a rigidity to travel through mammalian tissue to a target area and having a radioopacity that substantially preserves an appearance of said needle when said needle is viewed on a display of said real time imaging machine; and    a sleeve for attachment to said real time imaging machine that provides a substantially sterile operating environment for using said needle when attached to to said machine.    
     
     
         2 . The kit of parts according to  claim 1  wherein a locking mechanism is associated with at least one of said grasping means and said needle for releasably locking said needle to said needle holder.  
     
     
         3 . A surgical instrument for use in an image guided surgical procedure using a substantially real time imaging machine comprising: 
 a needle holder having a grasping means and a handle depending therefrom, said handle being configured such that said grasping means can be exposed to said imaging beam and an operator's hand can be kept a distance away from said imaging beam; and,    a needle attachable to said grasping means and having a rigidity to travel through mammalian tissue to a target area and having a radioopacity that substantially preserves an appearance of said needle when said needle is viewed on a display of said real time imaging machine.    
     
     
         4 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1  wherein said needle is a trocar comprising a cannula and a stylet receivable within said cannula.  
     
     
         5 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1  wherein a locking mechanism is associated with at least one of said grasping means and said needle for releasably locking said needle to said needle holder.  
     
     
         6 . A sterile drape for attachment to a real time imaging machine comprising: 
 a sheet of material for providing a substantially sterile barrier between said imaging machine and a patient; and,    an attachment means for affixing said body to said imaging machine.    
     
     
         7 . The drape according to  claim 6  wherein said sheet of material is plastic and substantially tubular.  
     
     
         8 . The drape according to  claim 7  wherein said imaging machine has a pair of annular lips that flare outwardly from a respective opening of said machine and wherein said attachment means comprises an annular shaped elestic integral with each open respective ends of said sheet, each of said elastics for grasping a respective lip.  
     
     
         9 . The drape according to  claim 6  wherein said material is plastic and said attachment means is a series of series of rods integrally affixed to said plastic, said rods made from a springed material such that said sleeve has a first position wherein said sleeve is collapsed and a second position wherein said sleeve is outwardly springed.  
     
     
         10 . The drape according to  claim 6  wherein said material is nitinol and said attachment means is achived through configuring said nitinol to be outwardly springed.  
     
     
         11 . The drape according to  claim 7  wherein said attachment means is selected from the group consisting of velcro, ties, or snaps.  
     
     
         12 . An imaging machine comprising: 
 a channel for receiving a patient and exposing said patient to a substantially real time imaging beam; and,    an attachment means for affixing a sterile drape to said channel, such that when said sterile drape is attached thereto a substantially sterile barrier between said channel and said patient is provided.    
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 12  wherin said attachment means is comprised of a pair of annular lips flanged so as to provide a secure attachment to a pair of annular eleasticed openings of a sterile sleeve.  
     
     
         14 . The machine according to  claim 12  wherein said beam is selected from the group consisting of CT, MRI, and X-Ray.  
     
     
         15 . The machine according to  claim 12  wherein a refresh rate of said real-time imaging beam is greater than about thirteen frames per second.  
     
     
         16 . The machine according to  claim 15  wherein said rate is greater than about thirty frames per second.  
     
     
         17 . The machine according to  claim 15  wherein said rate is greater than about fifty frames per second.