US 12,268,561 B2
Apparatus and method for orienting an instrument relative to a target object
Arne Hengerer, Möhrendorf (DE)
Assigned to Siemens Healthineers AG, Forchheim (DE)
Filed by Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Erlangen (DE)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/126,654.
Claims priority of application No. 102020200239.8 (DE), filed on Jan. 10, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0212791 A1, Jul. 15, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 90/11 (2016.01); A41D 13/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/17 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 34/10 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 90/11 (2016.02) [A41D 13/1236 (2013.01); A61B 17/1739 (2013.01); A61B 18/14 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2034/105 (2016.02)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for fixing a target object in place and for orienting an instrument relative to the target object which has been fixed in place, the apparatus comprising:
at least one base element;
a first mask element comprising a first thermoplastic material having an opening in the first mask element, wherein the first mask element is configured to at least partially cover the target object and fix the target object in place between the first mask element and the at least one base element, wherein the first mask element is fastened to the at least one base element, and wherein the first mask element is configured to be shaped to a surface of the target object;
a second mask element comprising a second thermoplastic material having an opening in the second mask element, wherein the second mask element is configured to at least partially cover the target object, wherein the second mask element is fastened to the at least one base element, and wherein the second mask element is shaped on top of an outer surface of the first mask element such that the first mask element is positioned between the target object and the second mask element;
a guide sleeve configured to receive the instrument, wherein the guide sleeve extends through both the opening in the first mask element and the opening in the second mask element; and
an adjusting facility mechanically coupled to the second mask element,
wherein the adjusting facility is configured to mechanically shift the second mask element relative to the first mask element, and
wherein the guide sleeve is configured to be shifted and reoriented relative to the target object by the mechanically shifting of the second mask element relative to the first mask element via the adjusting facility.