Abstract: A valve assembly for select distributed discharge of received fluid in a predetermined manner is generally provided. The assembly includes a manifold and a rotatable valve body. The manifold has an internal chamber, a fluid ingress passage for receipt of fluid, and a plurality of fluid discharge conduits. The fluid ingress passage and fluid discharge conduits are in fluid communication with the internal chamber. A first internal chamber section is characterized by the fluid ingress passage with a second internal chamber section characterized by ingress portions of the fluid discharge conduits.

Abstract: A diverter is provided for use in directing airflow from an input port to selected output ports. The diverter allows for operation without valves, and is able to provide an air signal to selected output ports in a predetermined manner. The diverter having a rotatable member, or swivel valve, directing air signals to the desired output port depending on the rotational position thereof. The diverter is driven by a controlled actuator or motor, to thus control the manner in which air signals are provided to a plurality of output ports in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A therapeutic massage system is provided. The system is characterized by a controllable compressed air delivery system and a cushion adapted for operative union with a portion of the air delivery system. The cushion includes a support pad and a therapy pad, the support pad having head and vertebral column supporting portions. The support pad vertebral column supporting portion is characterized by longitudinally extending compartments containing filler material. A central compartment of compartments of the support vertebral column supporting portion having a primary region traversing an axial centerline of said cushion and secondary regions spaced apart from said primary central region.

Abstract: A therapeutic massage system includes a cushion and a controller unit operably connected by tubing. The cushion has a therapy pad coupled to a support pad. The support pad includes a plurality of compartments that may be filled with microbeads or other supportive material that self-adjusts to conform to the contours of an individual's body. The therapy pad includes a plurality of selectively inflatable and deflatable channels. The controller unit includes a processor operably connected to a diverter for controlling the delivery of air to and exhausting of air from the channels of the therapy pad. The massage system can be customized to provide user-specific treatment.

Abstract: An arm positioning device for supporting the arms of a patient in an arms-up position for some therapeutic or diagnostic procedure on the patient is disclosed. The device includes a base, a pair of wings or panels, and a pair of arm supports. The wings or panels extend upwardly and outwardly from the base and each mounts a respective one of the pair of arm supports thereon. The arm supports are configured to be slid along the wing or panel on which they are mounted to any one of plural working positions wherein they are located above the wing to hold the upper arm of a patient thereon. Each of the arm supports includes a cuff, which is pivotable to a retracted position located below the wing on which the arm support is mounted so as not to interfere with the placement of the patient on the arm positioning device.

Abstract: A restraint system for a patient to be exposed to a radiation beam is disclosed. The system includes a patient support panel and a head restraint assembly in the form of a face mask to which plural clips are secured. The patient support panel includes plural connectors, which may include fixed or adjustable connectors. The clips include are configured to engage the plural connectors in a snap-on manner, without the need for tools or separate fastening devices.

Abstract: A bridge assembly is described for use with a patient positioning system including a patient support panel. The panel includes a pair of side rails extending along a central longitudinal axis of the panel. The bridge assembly is configured to be releasably secured via respective clamps at any position along the side rails and includes a pair of side sections and a central section connected between the side sections. The length of each side sections can be adjusted independently to enable the distance of the central section at each of the side sections from the patient support panel to be individually established. The central section can also be adjusted laterally with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the patient support panel.

Abstract: A device for positioning and immobilizing the head of patient on a treatment table is disclosed. The device comprises a bridge member, a longitudinal arm, and two transverse arms. The bridge member is releasably mounted on the treatment table. The longitudinal arm is pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the bridge member and is arranged to be pivoted from one side of the bridge member to the other side of it, and vice versa, above the patient's head. The transverse arms are releasably secured to the longitudinal arm and are positionable along a portion of the length of the longitudinal arm. Each transverse arm is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and mounts an anatomy engagement component, e.g., a nasion pad or a bite tray, thereon which can be moved into engagement with the patient's head.

Abstract: A system for positioning a patient on a treatment couchtop for SBRT is provided. The system includes a patient support panel and at least one positioning/fixation component for releasable mounting on the patient support panel at a desired position to immobilize a portion of the patient's body. The patient support panel includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a series of longitudinally spaced indexing apertures for receipt of a locking bar for mounting a positioning/fixation component thereon at a discrete index position. The at least one positioning component includes a pair of clamping mechanisms for releasably securing that component to the side rails at any longitudinal position along the side rails.

Abstract: A system including a support panel and a fixation device for use in radiation therapy is disclosed. The support panel comprises a generally planar member that is arranged to be disposed adjacent an apparatus for producing a radiation beam to support a portion of the patient to which the radiation beam will be directed. The fixation device is arranged to be releasably secured to the support panel to hold the portion of the patient's body at a desired position. The fixation device includes attachment components which enable the releasable securement of the fixation device to the support panel without creating any attenuation discontinuities of a radiation beam passing therethrough.

Abstract: A device for positioning and immobilizing the head of patient on a treatment table is disclosed. The device comprises a bridge member, a longitudinal arm, and two transverse arms. The bridge member is releasably mounted on the treatment table. The longitudinal arm is pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the bridge member and is arranged to be pivoted from one side of the bridge member to the other side of it, and vice versa, above the patient's head. The transverse arms are releasably secured to the longitudinal arm and are positionable along a portion of the length of the longitudinal arm. Each transverse arm is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and mounts an anatomy engagement component, e.g., a nasion pad or a bite tray, thereon which can be moved into engagement with the patient's head.

Abstract: A system for positioning a patient on a treatment couchtop for SBRT is provided. The system includes a patient support panel and at least one positioning/fixation component for releasable mounting on the patient support panel at a desired position to immobilize a portion of the patient's body. The patient support panel includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a series of longitudinally spaced indexing apertures for receipt of a locking bar for mounting a positioning/fixation component thereon at a discrete index position. The at least one positioning component includes a pair of clamping mechanisms for releasably securing that component to the side rails at any longitudinal position along the side rails.

Abstract: A patient transfer system including a patient support panel, a first base member mounted on a first support structure, e.g., a gurney, and a second base member mounted on a second support structure, e.g., a patient treatment table. The patient support panel has a pair of longitudinally extending side rails. Each base member has at least one clamp arranged to engage a rail of the patient support panel to hold it in place thereon. The clamps are releasable to enable the patient support panel to be slid off of one base member and onto the other base member. If the support structures are spaced apart at least one bridging member is provided to bridge the gap therebetween and allow the patient support member to be slid thereacross.

Abstract: A patient restraint member is provided for medical procedures, such as radiation therapy. The restraint member is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material that can be softened upon heating so as to be formable into a shape corresponding to a patient's body part to be restricted and setting upon cooling to retain the shape. The sheet includes spaced apart groups of perforations which minimize shrinkage during the formation process. The sheet also includes solid bands extending between the groups of perforation to provide rigidity and strength to the formed sheet.

Abstract: A curved wing board is provided for use on a CT cradle having a curved upper surface. The wing board includes a base with a curved lower surface and opposite sides. A pair of wing boards extend upwardly and outwardly from the sides of the base to support a patient's arms raised above their head. A pair of hand grips are provided on the base for gripping by the patient. The curved wing board matingly engages the curved CT cradle so as to comfortably support the patient in a stable orientation during CT imaging.