Abstract: A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.

Abstract: A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.

Abstract: A patient trolley configured for transporting a patient to a target modality includes a top portion having a top surface and an overhang area along at least one side of the top portion, a bottom portion supporting the top portion, and a side rail coupled to the top portion for movement between a deployed position and a stowed position. The patient trolley is configured to dock adjacent the target modality such that the overhang area is capable of extending over at least a portion of the target modality. The patient trolley may be combined with a patient transfer device to facilitate transfer of a patient from the top surface of the patient trolley to the patient support surface of the target modality. Methods of docking the patient trolley adjacent a target modality and transferring a patient from the patient trolley to the target modality are also provided.

Abstract: A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.

Abstract: A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.

Abstract: A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.

Abstract: Systems for patient support, imaging, or transport include a modality with a support surface configured to support a patient thereon, a converter associated with the modality, the converter being configured to receive relatively low-volume high-pressure air from a source of the relatively low-volume high-pressure air and to convert the relatively low-volume high-pressure air into relatively high-volume low-pressure air, and an air flow device configured to receive the relatively high-volume low-pressure air from the converter and provide an air flow function to the modality using the relatively high-volume low-pressure air.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include preforms used to be formed into an immobilizer for use with a patient. The preform includes a preform member that is formed from a thermoplastic material and a filler material. The preform member is relatively rigid at a first temperature and formable at an elevated second temperature. The preform member is opaque at the first and second temperatures. The preform also includes at least one indicator associated with the preform member. The at least one indicator is formed from a thermoplastic material and is opaque at the first temperature and translucent at the second temperature. The at least one indicator can provide a visual indication of readiness to form the preform into the immobilizer upon heating the preform member to the second temperature at which the indicator is translucent.

Abstract: A patient trolley configured for transporting a patient to a target modality includes a top portion having a top surface and an overhang area along at least one side of the top portion, a bottom portion supporting the top portion, and a side rail coupled to the top portion for movement between a deployed position and a stowed position. The patient trolley is configured to dock adjacent the target modality such that the overhang area is capable of extending over at least a portion of the target modality. The patient trolley may be combined with a patient transfer device to facilitate transfer of a patient from the top surface of the patient trolley to the patient support surface of the target modality. Methods of docking the patient trolley adjacent a target modality and transferring a patient from the patient trolley to the target modality are also provided.

Abstract: A trolley system configured to transport a patient within an MRI environment includes a patient support portion, a base portion configured for movement relative to a floor, a lift coupled to the patient support portion and the base portion, an electric motor coupled to the lift, and an electric blower coupled to the patient transfer device. The lift is configured to change the elevation of the patient support portion relative to the base portion. The motor is mounted such that the elevation of the motor is fixed relative to base portion. The trolley system is positionable adjacent an MRI apparatus within the MRI environment and the magnetic field of the MRI does not interfere with the operation of the motor or blower. The trolley system may further include a patient transfer device having an air bearing. The blower is configured to deliver air to the air bearing.

Abstract: Systems for patient support, imaging, or transport include a modality with a support surface configured to support a patient thereon, a converter associated with the modality, the converter being configured to receive relatively low-volume high-pressure air from a source of the relatively low-volume high-pressure air and to convert the relatively low-volume high-pressure air into relatively high-volume low-pressure air, and an air flow device configured to receive the relatively high-volume low-pressure air from the converter and provide an air flow function to the modality using the relatively high-volume low-pressure air.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include preforms used to be formed into an immobilizer for use with a patient. The preform includes a preform member that is formed from a thermoplastic material and a filler material. The preform member is relatively rigid at a first temperature and formable at an elevated second temperature. The preform member is opaque at the first and second temperatures. The preform also includes at least one indicator associated with the preform member. The at least one indicator is formed from a thermoplastic material and is opaque at the first temperature and translucent at the second temperature. The at least one indicator can provide a visual indication of readiness to form the preform into the immobilizer upon heating the preform member to the second temperature at which the indicator is translucent.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include preforms used to be formed into an immobilizer for use with a patient. The preform includes a preform member that is formed from a thermoplastic material and a filler material. The preform member is relatively rigid at a first temperature and formable at an elevated second temperature. The preform member is opaque at the first and second temperatures. The preform also includes at least one indicator associated with the preform member. The at least one indicator is formed from a thermoplastic material and is opaque at the first temperature and translucent at the second temperature. The at least one indicator can provide a visual indication of readiness to form the preform into the immobilizer upon heating the preform member to the second temperature at which the indicator is translucent.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include preforms used to be formed into an immobilizer for use with a patient. The preform includes a preform member that is formed from a thermoplastic material and a filler material. The preform member is relatively rigid at a first temperature and formable at an elevated second temperature. The preform member is opaque at the first and second temperatures. The preform also includes at least one indicator associated with the preform member. The at least one indicator is formed from a thermoplastic material and is opaque at the first temperature and translucent at the second temperature. The at least one indicator can provide a visual indication of readiness to form the preform into the immobilizer upon heating the preform member to the second temperature at which the indicator is translucent.

Abstract: A patient support device for accurately and repeatably positioning a patient for treatment. The device comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, two sides and at least two sidewalls. The device can include an integral indexing means and an accessory device adaptor for receiving various accessories. The device can incorporate chamfered edge technology and can include indexing grooves on at least one surface of the device. In another embodiment, the present invention includes asymmetric indexing that can be achieved by using different indexing features from one side of the receiving device to the other. This asymmetric indexing is accomplished by using indexing features on either side of the receiving device that do not have the same geometry. As an alternative, the features can be of different geometries and the opposing features can be offset. When offset, the portion of the couchtop directly opposing a feature will be free of an indexing feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patient couch top or device for quickly and accurately positioning a patient during simulation and treatment by placing a series of small fiducial markers in discrete locations on the couch top or device. With use of the fiducial markers, the present invention allows for the correction for misalignment and deformation of patient positioning equipment which occurs due in part to a patient's size and weight. The present invention also provides a method for positioning a patient and correcting for deformation of the couch top or device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiolucent patient treatment table top with a removable tip extension base that can be accurately and repeatably mounted at the end of a table top that is completely metal free in the area of interest for imaging and treatment. The table top is composed primarily of polymer composites reinforced with carbon fibers or other non-metallic fibers such as Kevlar®. The table top allows for accurately and repeatably mounting removable tip extension members, radiographic phantoms, immobilization devices, brachytherapy steppers, and other devices to the end and sides of the patient table top. The present invention further provides a method of adding a variety of useful accessories without introducing any permanent metal components in the imaging/treatment area of the table top.

Abstract: A radiation therapy patient couch top which provides optimal fields of treatment in a high-energy radiation therapy environment. In addition, the patient couch top provides superior imaging qualities when used in a diagnostic imaging x-ray environment. All metal is eliminated from the treatment/imaging area. This ensures that no metal will be in the way of the radiation treatment beam and that no artifacting will occur when used with diagnostic imaging techniques such as Computed Tomography. By employing moveable fiber reinforced support beams, the main patient support structure can be positioned so that a minimum of electron generation will occur through Compton scattering. By allowing for a removable insert, the top patient surface can be optimized for treatment, diagnostic imaging or the addition of other useful features.

Abstract: A low temperature thermoplastic material for use in medical procedures including radiotherapy patient immobilization, orthopedic splinting or casting, plastic and reconstructive surgery splinting, and orthotic or prosthetic socket cone production or reproduction. The material is made from a thermoplastic that softens when heated to approximately 140 F, after which it can then be formed directly on the patient. The material will then retain this new shape as it cools. The material is composed of Polycaprolactone reinforced with a discontinuous short length fiber and/or fines. The device can also be cross-linked to improve its handling properties.

Abstract: A rigid patient support element that is substantially transparent to high energy x-radiation comprising a structural core and one or more perforated face sheets attached to at least one of the top side or bottom side of the element. The support element reduces Compton scattering thereby reducing patient skin damage. The support element of the present invention can be integrated into a patient support surface, used as an insert or used as a spacer and easily removable from a patient support surface.