APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING BRAIN SURGERY

摘要

Less invasive surgical techniques for performing brain surgery are disclosed in which a dilating obturator and cannula assembly is inserted into brain tissue until the obturator tip and cannula are adjacent to the target tissue. The obturator is removed and surgery is performed through the cannula. In preferred embodiments the obturator and cannula are placed using image guidance techniques and systems to coordinate placement with pre-operative surgical planning. A stylet with associated image guidance may be inserted prior to insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly to guide insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly. Surgery preferably is performed using an endoscope partially inserted into the cannula with an image of the target tissue projected onto a monitor. Dilating obturator structures having a rounded or semi-spherical tip and/or an optical window for visualizing brain tissue during expansion are contemplated.

主权项

1. A surgical access device for brain surgery, the surgical access device comprising:
an obturator having a proximal obturator end, a distal obturator end and an obturator shaft extending between the proximal obturator end and the distal obturator end, the distal obturator end comprising a transparent window forming an atraumatic blunt dilating tip; a cannula having a proximal cannula end and a distal cannula end and a longitudinal access channel extending from the proximal cannula end to the distal cannula end, the cannula being configured and dimensioned to removably mount over the obturator shaft with the proximal cannula end adjacent the proximal obturator end, and the distal obturator end extending outside the distal cannula end; and a magnetic position sensor located in the obturator.