Percutaneous Needle Alignment System

Abstract

The present invention is an alignment system by which a needle or other similar invasive device can be positioned for insertion so as to have a real-time, predetermined trajectory to a targeted tissue region, thereby reducing the need for repetitive needle insertion and withdrawal to move the tip of the instrument accurately to the target site.

1 . An insertion device trajectory system, comprising: 
 a reflecting element; and    an energy source for producing an energy path in a direction toward the reflecting element and away from an insertion device wherein the reflecting element reflects the energy path toward the energy source thereby indicating any trajectory correction required for the insertion device.    
     
     
         2 . A method of realigning a medical insertion device, the method comprising: 
 generating an energy path from an energy source located on an insertion device; and    reflecting the energy path so that a proximity of the reflected energy path to the energy source indicates a realignment for the insertion device.