Puncture guide for computer tomography

摘要

An apparatus (10) is disclosed for guiding the needle (112) of a tissue sampling device to a target location (132) within the body of a patient. The device permits accurate and easy retrieval of acceptable tissue speciments from locations within the body of a patient which require angling of the needle to reach the target tissue. The apparatus further permits accurate and easy retrieval of tissue speciments from even small pathological changes, and the apparatus can by introduced into the tomograph with the patient to verify correct location of the biopsy needle with respect to the target tissue. The device not only directs the biopsy needle (112) along the desired path but also controls the depth of penetration of the needle to prevent accidental overpenetration of the needle. The guidance device is not limited to the plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the patient but is capable of guiding the needle in a plane which is oblique to the longitudinal axis. The device has a base (12), track (14), support arm (18) and path determiner (20).