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US-12622709-B1 - Trajectory and aiming guide for use with fluoroscopy

US12622709B1US 12622709 B1US12622709 B1US 12622709B1US-12622709-B1

Abstract

A system for a trajectory and aiming guide for use with fluoroscopy is comprised of a ring holder is with a plurality of connecting arms, a radiolucent ring disk with an outer perimeter wall and a central axle on the bottom surface of the ring disk; a first rotatable disk located below the ring holder and comprised of a handle, a radiolucent disk ring with a central cutout to receive the central axle, the material of the disk comprising an embedded array of a plurality of radiopaque wires and an outer perimeter wall; a second rotatable disk located below the first rotatable disk and comprised of a handle, a radiolucent disk ring with a central cutout to receive the central axle, the material of the disk comprising an embedded array of a plurality of radiopaque wires and an outer perimeter wall; and a locking cap for the axle.

Inventors

  • Eric R. Henderson

Assignees

  • DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK CLINIC

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20231120

Claims (13)

  1. 1 . A method for determining angular trajectory and alignment of objects inserted using x-rays using a trajectory and aiming guide, the method comprising: attaching a trajectory and aiming guide over an x-ray receiver of a fluoroscope; rotating a first rotatable disk of the trajectory and aiming guide comprising radiopaque wire lines to define a first reference axis, the first rotatable disk including indicia for measurement of relative angles; defining a second reference axis with a second rotatable disk of the trajectory and aiming guide that rotates independently of the first rotatable disk; and determining an angular difference between an alignment of one of the radiopaque wire lines of the first rotated rotatable disk and the second reference axis, the angular difference being based on a relationship of the second reference axis with the indicia for measurement of relative angles of the rotated first rotatable disk.
  2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the indicia are disposed on a perimeter wall of the first rotatable disk.
  3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein rotating the first rotatable disk includes rotating the first rotatable disk relative to the x-ray receiver.
  4. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first rotatable disk is rotatably attached to a portion of the trajectory and aiming guide that is fixed relative to the x-ray receiver.
  5. 5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first reference axis includes an orientation of a target fluoroscopy subject.
  6. 6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second reference axis includes a target trajectory for screw placement.
  7. 7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque wire lines of the first rotatable disk are substantially parallel.
  8. 8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque wire lines of the first rotatable disk converge.
  9. 9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque wire lines facilitate determining target entry position for a surgical screw.
  10. 10 . A method for determining a target trajectory of surgical objects, the method comprising steps of: attaching a trajectory and aiming guide over an x-ray receiver of a fluoroscope; aligning radiopaque wire lines of a first rotatable disk of the attached trajectory and aiming guide with a first reference axis; identifying a position of indicia for measurement of relative angles, wherein the indicia are disposed on an outer perimeter of the first rotatable disk; aligning radiopaque wire lines of a second independently rotatable disk of the attached trajectory and aiming guide with a second reference axis based on a bone of a surgical subject; and determining a target trajectory and a point of entry of at least one surgical object based on a relationship of the first reference axis to the second reference axis and the position of the indicia for measurement of relative angles.
  11. 11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the radiopaque wire lines of the first rotatable disk are substantially parallel.
  12. 12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the radiopaque wire lines of the first rotatable disk converge.
  13. 13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the target trajectory defines a target orientation and alignment for a medical device or implant.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/532,298, entitled TRAJECTORY AND AIMING GUIDE FOR USE WITH FLUOROSCOPY, filed Aug. 5, 2019, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/015,089, entitled TRAJECTORY AND AIMING GUIDE FOR USE WITH FLUOROSCOPY, filed Feb. 3, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,390,843, issued Aug. 27, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/111,636, entitled TRAJECTORY AND AIMING GUIDE FOR USE WITH FLUOROSCOPY, filed Feb. 3, 2015, the entire disclosure of each of which applications is herein incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is in the field of medical devices, and more particularly devices for aiming objects inserted into the body using x-rays. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fluoroscopy is used for determining the alignment and placement of invasive medical implants (for example, surgical screws) that are inserted into a body. Fluoroscopes using x-ray emissions are a significant tool in orthopaedic procedures. Proper alignment and placement of implants reduces adverse outcomes and complications for the patient. The ultimate goal of the surgeon is to repair or replace a non-functional joint with a joint that functions as naturally as possible. Poor placement can result in harm to adjacent organs or tissues (for example, nerves and blood vessels), discomfort, gait problems, degradation of the prostheses and possible revision surgery. Fluoroscopic checks during surgery give the surgeon an opportunity to properly align and place the implants. This is of particular importance for the proper trajectory of screws. A surgeon who is able to quickly make a correct determination of alignment and seating of the implants leads to a shorter surgical time, which can result in a reduced tourniquet time, reduced anesthesia time, lower blood loss, and improved recovery by the patient. Implant penetration depth can be ascertained. Furthermore, frequent fluoroscopic checks increases the amount of ambient ionized radiation in the operating room, which can pose a long-term health risk for the patient and surgical team. Improvements in vision technology and shielded garments can reduce the amount of radiation, but not all of the risks of exposure. It would be desirable to have an alignment system for properly aligning the surgical implants as quickly as possible, resulting in a better outcome for the patient and less exposure to radiation for the surgical team. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system and method for a trajectory and aiming guide for use with fluoroscopy. The trajectory and aiming guide is comprised of a ring holder with a plurality of connecting arms, a radiolucent ring disk with an outer perimeter wall and a central axle on the bottom surface of the ring disk; a first rotatable disk located below the ring holder and comprised of a handle, a radiolucent disk ring with a central cutout to receive the central axle, the material of the disk comprising an embedded array of a plurality of radiopaque wires and an outer perimeter wall; a second rotatable disk located below the first rotatable disk and comprised of a handle, a radiolucent disk ring with a central cutout to receive the central axle, the material of the disk comprising an embedded array of a plurality of radiopaque wires and an outer perimeter wall; and a locking cap for the axle. The trajectory and aiming guide is removably attachable to an x-ray receiver of a fluoroscope. The embedded array of a plurality of wires in a rotatable disk can be arranged in a parallel orientation. The embedded array of a plurality of wires in a rotatable disk can be arranged equidistant from one another. The embedded array of a plurality of wires in a rotatable disk can be arranged in a converging orientation. The ring holder can define four connecting arms. The outer perimeter walls of at least one rotatable disk define indicia markings. The first rotatable disk and the second rotatable disk can be interchangeable with each other. The rotatable disk having embedded wires in a parallel array can be interchanged with a rotatable disk having embedded wires in a converging array. A method for determining the angular trajectory and alignment of objects inserted using x-rays using a trajectory and aiming guide is comprised of the steps of attaching the trajectory and aiming guide to a x-ray receiver of a fluoroscope; rotating a first rotatable disk to align embedded wire lines with a first reference axis; rotating a second rotatable disk to align embedded wire lines with a second reference axis; determining the angular difference between the alignment of the first rotatable disk and the alignment of the second rotatable disk. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention description below refers to the accompanying drawings, of which: FIG.