System for endoscopic intracranial procedures

Abstract

A system for intracranial access that includes a support assembly is described. The support assembly has a hub and lobes surrounding a central aperture for introducing a sheathed core that can accommodate an endoscope and/or other devices. Some embodiments include a collar and a ring, each of which can be tightened to secure the sheathed core in place. An accessory device for use during intracranial aspiration procedures is described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for performing an intracranial procedure, the system comprising:
 a transparent column comprising at least one interior lumen and an outer surface, wherein said outer surface includes symbols indicating depth in a mirror image orientation;   a ball joint for coupling with said column;   a support accessory for coupling with said ball joint, said support accessory comprising a central aperture, a hub, and at least three lobes extending radially from the hub; and   a fitting for coupling with said hub, whereby the column can be slidingly and tiltably engaged with the support accessory via the central aperture and the ball joint.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the symbols indicating depth are viewable from inside the transparent column in a standard orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said lobes comprise a broadened segment. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said lobes comprises one or more apertures for accommodating one or more fastening elements. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said ball joint comprises a bulb, said hub comprises walls surrounding said central aperture, and said walls are configured to engage said bulb. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises a collar, and said ball joint further comprises a neck, wherein said neck engages said column, and said collar engages said neck, and said collar is configured for tightening and loosening engagements. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said collar and/or said neck comprise threading for adjustable engagements. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said hub and said fitting are configured for threaded engagements. 
     
     
         9 . A system for performing intracranial procedures, comprising:
 a column comprising at least one interior lumen;   an inner core including an atraumatic distal tip;   a ball joint for coupling with said column;   a support accessory for coupling with said ball joint, said support accessory comprising a central aperture, a hub, and a securing structure extending radially from said hub;   a fitting for coupling with said hub, said fitting comprising an expandable stem; and   a socket configured to be inserted into an opening to engage the opening and the fitting, whereby the column can be slidingly and tiltably engaged with the support accessory via the central aperture and the ball joint.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner core is removably insertable into the column. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner core is at least partially positioned within the column. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner core is positioned within the column and the atraumatic distal tip of the inner core extends distally beyond an open distal end of the column. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the securing structure includes apertures for accommodating one or more fastening mechanisms. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the securing structure is comprised of three or more lobes. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said lobes comprises one or more apertures for accommodating one or more fastening elements. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said ball joint comprises a bulb, said hub comprises walls surrounding said central aperture, and said walls are configured to engage said bulb. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein said system further comprises a collar, and said ball joint further comprises a neck, wherein said neck engages said column, and said collar engages said neck, and said collar is configured for tightening and loosening engagements. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said collar and/or said neck comprise threading for adjustable engagements. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein said hub and said fitting are configured for threaded engagements. 
     
     
         20 . A support assembly for performing an intracranial procedure, comprising:
 a ball joint configured to engage an introducer;   a support accessory for coupling with said ball joint, said support accessory comprising a central aperture, a hub, and at least three lobes extending radially from said hub, wherein at least one of said lobes comprises one or more apertures for accommodating one or more fastening elements;   a fitting for coupling with said hub, said fitting comprising an expandable stem; and   a socket configured to be inserted into an opening to engage the opening and the fitting.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the said ball joint comprises a bulb, said hub comprises walls surrounding said central aperture, and said walls are configured to engage said bulb. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein said system further comprises a collar, and said ball joint further comprises a neck, wherein said neck engages said column, and said collar engages said neck, and said collar is configured for tightening and loosening engagements. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein said collar and/or said neck comprise threading for adjustable engagements. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein said hub and said fitting are configured for threaded engagements. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , including an introducer comprising at least one interior lumen. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the introducer can be slidingly and tiltably engaged with the support assembly via the central aperture and the ball joint.