Surgical guidance tool to facilitate delivery of a neurostimulator into a pterygopalatine fossa

Abstract

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a surgical guidance tool configured to facilitate delivery of a neurostimulator to a target craniofacial region of a subject. The surgical guidance tool can include a main body, a securing mechanism, and an adjustable guide mechanism. The main body can have a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal ends. The securing mechanism can be disposed at the distal end and configured to secure a neurostimulator delivery tool to the main body. The guide mechanism can be configured to temporarily mate with a bodily target location of the subject and facilitate positioning of the neurostimulator delivery tool about the target craniofacial region. The guide member can be slidably attached to the distal end and selectively translatable along the longitudinal axis of the main body.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for delivering a neurostimulator to within close proximity of a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
 creating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a skull of the subject;   shaping a portion of a neurostimulator delivery tool to match the curvature of an implantation pathway to the SPG based on the 3D model;   securing the neurostimulator delivery tool to a surgical guidance tool, the surgical guidance tool comprising a main body, a securing mechanism disposed at a distal end of the main body, and an adjustable guide mechanism slidably attached to the distal end and being selectively translatable along a longitudinal axis of the main body;   advancing the neurostimulator delivery tool until the surgical guidance tool contacts a bodily target location of the subject and thereby positions a portion of the neurostimulator delivery tool in close proximity to a pterygopalatine fossa of the subject; and   delivering a neurostimulator in close proximity to the SPG via the neurostimulator delivery tool.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said shaping step further comprises:
 adjusting the surgical guidance tool to align with the bodily target location and/or at least one fiducial marker on the 3D model; and   securing the guide mechanism in place.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said advancing step further comprises visually aligning the surgical guidance tool with the bodily target location and/or at least one fiducial marker on the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of applying an electrical current from the neurostimulator to the SPG to treat a medical condition.