Apparatus and Method for Aiming a Surgical Tool

Abstract

An easy to use mechanical apparatus intended for aiming a surgical tool is provided. Embodiments of the apparatus offer movement in multiple planes while guaranteeing, given proper placement of the leading end of a locator tool at a target, that the leading end of a second tool be placed at precisely the same target. Methods of using the apparatus as well as kits including the apparatus are also provided.

1 . A surgical guide for aiming at least one tool toward a surgical target, the guide having a guide reference plane, the surgical guide comprising:
 a base having a base thickness, the base having a track cut through the base thickness, the track having a constant track curvature so as to define a base arc of a base circle, the base circle spatially oriented in the guide reference plane, the base having a base channel, the base channel sized and shaped so as to be capable of accepting a locator tool therethrough, the base channel oriented upon a radius of the base circle, the base having an adjustable base arc length, the base having a first base portion having a first base arc length and having a base portion orifice extending along the first base arc length and a second base portion; the second base portion sized to be insertable into the base portion orifice to slidingly engage with the first base portion, the second base portion having a second base arc length, such that when the first and second base portions are engaged, the adjustable base arc length is measurable by adding the first base arc length to an adjustable fraction of the second base arc length; and   at least one member, the at least one member having a constant member curvature equal to the constant track curvature so as to define a member arc of a member circle, the at least one member having a member channel, the member channel sized and shaped so as to be capable of accepting the at least one tool therethrough, the at least one member having a first member portion having an adjustable member arc length, the at least one member having a first member portion having a first member arc length and having a member portion orifice extending along the first member arc length, the at least one member having a second member portion; the second member portion sized to be insertable into the member portion orifice to slidingly engage with the first member portion, the second member portion having a second member arc length, such that when the first and second member portions are engaged, the adjustable member arc length is measurable by adding the first member arc length to an adjustable fraction of the second member arc length, the at least one member sized to be receivable in the track to engage with the base so that, when engaged with the base, the member circle is spatially oriented in a member arc plane, the base circle and the member circle defining a sphere having a sphere center located at the surgical target, the member channel oriented upon a radius of the member circle, such that when the at least one member is engaged with the base, both the base channel and the member channel are aligned toward the surgical target.   
     
     
         2 . A surgical guide kit, the kit comprising:
 the surgical guide of  claim 1 ;   the locator tool;   the at least one tool; and   an electrical circuit capable of being coupled with the locator tool at one terminus and capable of being coupled with the at least one tool at a second terminus.   
     
     
         3 . A method for aiming at least one tool toward a surgical target, the method comprising:
 defining a surgical target as a position of a proximal end of a locator tool, the locator tool also having a distal end;   providing the surgical guide of  claim 1 ;   engaging the base of the surgical guide with the locator tool by passing the distal end of the locator tool through the base channel;   engaging the at least one member of the surgical guide with the base of the surgical guide; and   passing the at least one tool through the member channel.