The Need

Both stereotactic neurosurgery and transcranial focused ultrasound surgery systems have historically required a stereotactic frame to precisely position and completely immobilize a patient's head to ensure the correct location for the operation. This frame consists of multiple pins that must be screwed into a patient's skull. For multiple treatments, this procedure must be repeated each time, causing discomfort to the patient and stress on the body.

While there is a plethora of coils or other immobilization devices on the market, none of them seem to either fit the current Exablate setup or be useful during focused ultrasound procedures. Therefore a need exists for a device and system that can ensure full immobilization of the skull without the insertion of pins into the patient's head. Further, this device must be reusable for multiple procedures and cause no damage to the area or reduce the accuracy of the positioning or treatment.

The Technology

To address the problems enumerated above, inventors at The Ohio State University have developed a method of immobilizing a patient's skull allowing for a defined four quadrant area. The device includes at least four pads to correlate with contacting screws from a standard stereotactic frame. The device can be made of waterproof material for situations requiring such accommodations. This device will improve patient comfort, reduce risk of infection through minimization of invasive procedures, and still retain head position for needed neurosurgical procedures.

Commercial Applications

• Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Ablation procedures for Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's and other psychiatric disorders
• Stereotactic neurosurgery

Benefits/Advantages

• Does not require pins or screws in patient's head
• Holds the patient's skull in one location
• Reusable
• Compatible with MR monitoring
• May reduce post-procedure complications