Light beam locator and guide for a biopsy needle

摘要

Method and apparatus for locating and guiding a biopsy needle with respect to an X-rayed specimen having a tumor to be engaged by the needle. Intersecting laser beams are utilized to mark the location of the tumor and to guide the biopsy needle in a vertical path. The laser beam source is movable in orthogonal paths while compensating means redirect the beams to maintain them within a target area or eliminate any parallax. That is, the angular position of the laser light beam is adjusted to different angles at different coordinate positions to have the needle follow along a portion of a straight line path from the X-ray point source through the lesion and to the X-ray film. Thus, the needle tip should not be displaced to one side of a small lesion.