Apparatus for supporting an adjustable surgical platform

Abstract

In one aspect, an apparatus for supporting an adjustable surgical platform is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a supporting platform portion with a body portion that defines bore along a central axis. Arm portions with engaging means extend radially from the supporting platform portion. The apparatus also includes a shaft portion extending from the supporting platform portion in a first direction, with a shaft body portion that defines a bore along a longitudinal axis B. The bore of the shaft body portion is in communication with the bore of the supporting platform portion. The apparatus further includes a base portion connected to the shaft portion, and that defines a bore in communication with the bore of the shaft portion and the bore of the supporting platform portion. Mounting means are configured to secure the base portion to a region of interest of a living subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting an adjustable surgical platform, comprising:
 (a) a supporting platform portion having a body portion defining a bore along a central axis;   (b) a plurality of arm portions, each extending radially from the supporting platform portion around the central axis;   (c) a plurality of engaging means, each positioned on a respective one of the arm portions; and   (d) mounting means configured to secure the supporting platform portion to a region of interest of a living subject.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each arm portion comprises a first end portion connected to the body portion of the supporting platform portion, a second, opposite end portion, and a body portion defined therebetween, and wherein at least one of the engaging means is disposed proximate the second end of a respective at least one of the plurality of arm portions. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the arm portions is configured to elevate a respective at least one of the engaging means from the supporting platform portion. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of engaging means is configured to engage at least a portion of an adjustable surgical platform, and at least one of the engaging means is configured to engage a leg member of the adjustable surgical platform. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the engaging means is adjustable in three-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for an engaged leg member of the adjustable surgical platform. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arm portions are separated at angles θ 1 , θ 2 , θ 3  from each other around the central axis and the angles θ 1 , θ 2 , θ 3  are the same or different. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means comprises at least one fastening means configured to secure the supporting platform portion to the region of interest of the living subject. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for securing a surgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of arm portions. 
     
     
         9 . A support frame for an adjustable surgical platform, comprising:
 (a) a supporting platform portion having a body portion defining a bore between a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion along a central axis;   (b) a plurality of arm portions, each extending radially from the supporting platform portion around the central axis, each arm portion having a first end portion connected to the body portion of the supporting platform portion, a second, opposite end portion, and a body portion defined therebetween;   (c) a plurality of engaging means, each positioned on a respective one of the plurality of arm portions proximate the respective second end portions; and   (d) mounting means configured to mount the supporting platform portion to the skull of a living subject.   
     
     
         10 . The support frame of  claim 9 , wherein each of the arm portions is configured to elevate a respective one of the engaging means from the body portion of the supporting platform portion. 
     
     
         11 . The support frame of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of engaging means is configured to engage a leg member of the adjustable surgical platform. 
     
     
         12 . The support frame of  claim 11 , wherein the engaging means of each of the arm portions are adjustable in three-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for corresponding engaged leg members of an adjustable surgical platform. 
     
     
         13 . The support frame of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of engaging means is configured to engage a ball portion of a respective leg member of the adjustable surgical platform. 
     
     
         14 . The support frame of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of engaging means comprises a socket-ball joint. 
     
     
         15 . The support frame of  claim 13 , wherein each of the engaging means comprises a concave recess. 
     
     
         16 . The support frame of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of arm portions are separated at equal angles θ 1 , θ 2 , θ 3  from each other around the central axis. 
     
     
         17 . The support frame of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of arm portions comprises three arm portions separated 120° from each other around the central axis. 
     
     
         18 . The support frame of  claim 9 , wherein the mounting means comprises at least one fastening means configured to secure the supporting platform portion to the skull of the living subject. 
     
     
         19 . The support frame of  claim 9 , further comprising a means for securing a surgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of arm portions. 
     
     
         20 . A support frame for an adjustable surgical platform, comprising:
 (a) a supporting platform portion having an annular body portion defining a bore between a first end portion and second, opposite end portion along a central axis;   (b) a plurality of arm portions extending radially from the annular body portion around the central axis, each arm portion having a first end portion connected to the annular body portion, a second, opposite end portion, and a body portion defined therebetween;   (c) a plurality of engaging means, each positioned on a respective one of the arm portions proximate the second end portion and configured to engage a corresponding leg member of an adjustable surgical platform; and   (d) mounting means configured to mount the supporting platform portion to the skull of a living subject.   
     
     
         21 . The support frame of  claim 20 , wherein each of the arm portions is configured to elevate a respective one of the engaging means from the body portion of the supporting platform portion. 
     
     
         22 . The support frame of  claim 20 , wherein each of the engaging means is adjustable in three-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for a corresponding engaged leg member of the adjustable surgical platform. 
     
     
         23 . The support frame of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of arm portions comprises three arm portions separated 120° from each other around the central axis. 
     
     
         24 . The support frame of  claim 20 , wherein the mounting means comprises at least one fastening means configured to secure the supporting platform portion to the skull of the living subject. 
     
     
         25 . The support frame of  claim 20 , further comprising a means for securing a surgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of arm portions.