Abstract: A patient transfer sled has a support structure including at least one air cushion adjacent a major surface thereof. The air cushion includes a flexible material at least partially surrounding a rigid material, and a portion of the flexible material has a plurality of holes extending therethrough. Systems for patient transfer may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: A patient transfer sled has a support structure including at least one air cushion adjacent a major surface thereof The air cushion includes a flexible material at least partially surrounding a rigid material, and a portion of the flexible material has a plurality of holes extending therethrough. Systems for patient transfer may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: A patient transfer sled having a support structure including at least one air cushion partially disposed within at least one pocket, and a fluid passageway extending through the support structure into the air cushion. Systems for patient transfer that may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: A patient transfer sled having a support structure including at least one air cushion partially disposed within at least one pocket, and a fluid passageway extending through the support structure into the air cushion. Systems for patient transfer that may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: A breast-board system, components and methods of use therefore. A generally U-shaped wrist support with a flattened bottom and rounded post like tops that may be used as either a cupping-support or as a grasping-post is mounted on a post atop a tiltable breast-board. A second support having a generally U-shaped cross section mounted on a supporting framework extends from a base, which is rotatably mounted to the tiltable breast-board near the edge thereof. The base includes a portion extending over the edge of the breast-board, and, a slidable locking mechanism on the bottom surface, which may be retracted to slide the mechanism out of a recess located on the breast-board. The support may then be rotated to a desired position and the slidable locking mechanism actuated to engage with a desired recess on the breast-board.

Abstract: A patient transfer sled having a support structure including at least one air cushion partially disposed within at least one pocket, and a fluid passageway extending through the support structure into the air cushion. Systems for patient transfer that may include a support surface, such as a table, a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and a source of pressurized air. Methods for moving a patient relative to a support surface include positioning a patient on a patient transfer sled having at least one air cushion, and inflating the air cushion with air to form a sheet of flowing air between the patient transfer sled and the support surface. The methods may be used, for example, to move a patient on an air film over a surface within a system.

Abstract: Anti-pinch point device for imaging platforms are disclosed. The stationary imaging platform includes a slidable cradle and fixed shroud adjacent both sides of the slidable cradle. An inventive overlay is configured for mounting on a slidable cradle. The inventive overlay moves with the slidable cradle. Elongated perimeter regions of the inventive overlay have elongated ridges formed on the underside thereof adjacent the outer edges of the elongated perimeter regions. The elongated ridges serve to prevent objects from becoming pinched between the inventive overlay and the fixed shroud.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a tabletop is provided for positioning a patient for diagnostic imaging of a body part. The tabletop preferably rests on a diagnostic imaging table for supporting a patient during diagnostic imaging. The tabletop is defined by (a) a top support surface for supporting a patient being imaged and (b) a bottom support surface for contacting the diagnostic imaging table. A recess, defined in the top support surface, is configured to accommodate a patient support. The recess has a depth sufficient for allowing for vertically positioning a patient on the patient support.

Abstract: A tabletop useful for accurate positioning of a patient for imaging and diagnosis, so that patient positioning in subsequent medical treatments, such as radiation therapy, accurately and precisely correlates with the imaging data. The tabletop of the present invention is a solid flat tabletop adapted to fit over or as an insert in a conventional CT imaging or scan table and provides a flexible support section in which the flexible support material is tensioned to provide a vertical deflection corresponding to the vertical deflection of a flexible patient support of a treatment simulator or linear accelerator. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible support section may be removed and inserted into the treatment table to provide an exact correlation in vertical deflection during treatment.

Abstract: A bilateral immobilization support is disclosed for placing and retaining the arms of a patient in an overhead position during patient examination, diagnostic procedures and/or radiation therapy. The adjustability of the wrist and upper arm supports carried upon a base provides for immediate accurate sizing adjustment in location consistent with the needs of the patient and continuing comfort for the duration of use. The initial settings of the support are visually observable and readily reproducible at subsequent times for the same or similar purposes during which the arms of the patient are immobilized and comfortably supported out of alignment with the area of the body being subjected to a medical procedure. The patient is not restrained, but with both arms above the head the patient inherently tends to relax and remain in a single position.

Abstract: Loose skin grasping and holding devices for use in transdermal radiation medical therapy whereby the loose skin and related tissue are held safely away from the treatment area during radiation. The devices comprise clamping mechanism which connect to radiologically transparent dermal grasping pads which close upon and hold the loose skin away from the treatment site. One of the disclosed devices comprises a compressive spring memory mechanism by which the opposed pads are normally biased toward each other. The second disclosed device comprises a latching connection similar in action to forceps. The pads comprise high density synthetic resinous foam, such as styrofoam, which is or may be contoured to safely and adequately engage the skin.