Abstract: Methods of immobilizing the head of a patient include heating a thermoplastic mask preform to a formable temperature, forming the thermoplastic mask over at least a mouth of the patient, and pushing a mouth receiving end of a bite piece into a portion of the thermoplastic mask preform that is positioned over the mouth of the patient, which moves the portion of the thermoplastic mask preform into the mouth of the patient. The methods also include allowing the thermoplastic mask preform to cool from the formable temperature, causing the portion of the thermoplastic mask moved into the mouth of the patient to harden.

Abstract: Methods of immobilizing the head of a patient include heating a thermoplastic mask preform to a formable temperature, forming the thermoplastic mask over at least a mouth of the patient, and pushing a mouth receiving end of a bite piece into a portion of the thermoplastic mask preform that is positioned over the mouth of the patient, which moves the portion of the thermoplastic mask preform into the mouth of the patient. The methods also include allowing the thermoplastic mask preform to cool from the formable temperature, causing the portion of the thermoplastic mask moved into the mouth of the patient to harden.

Abstract: Methods of immobilizing the head of a patient include heating a thermoplastic mask preform to a formable temperature, forming the thermoplastic mask over at least a mouth of the patient, and pushing a mouth receiving end of a bite piece into a portion of the thermoplastic mask preform that is positioned over the mouth of the patient, which moves the portion of the thermoplastic mask preform into the mouth of the patient. The methods also include allowing the thermoplastic mask preform to cool from the formable temperature, causing the portion of the thermoplastic mask moved into the mouth of the patient to harden.

Abstract: A heat formable patient positioning cushion is provided including an impermeable or permeable outer shell; a filler material contained within an interior region defined by the outer shell; and a thermoplastic material applied to the outer shell, to the filler material, or to the outer shell and the filler material. The cushion has a first condition configured to be conformed to the anatomy of a patient in which the filler material moves relatively freely within the interior region defined by the outer shell, and a second condition conformed to the anatomy of the patient in which the filler material is relatively fixed against movement within the interior region defined by the outer shell. Heating and cooling changes the cushion from the first condition to the second condition and reheating permits increased movement of the filler material as compared to the second condition to further conform the cushion to the anatomy of the patient.

Abstract: A heat formable patient positioning cushion is provided including an impermeable or permeable outer shell; a filler material contained within an interior region defined by the outer shell; and a thermoplastic material applied to the outer shell, to the filler material, or to the outer shell and the filler material. The cushion has a first condition configured to be conformed to the anatomy of a patient in which the filler material moves relatively freely within the interior region defined by the outer shell, and a second condition conformed to the anatomy of the patient in which the filler material is relatively fixed against movement within the interior region defined by the outer shell. Heating and cooling changes the cushion from the first condition to the second condition and reheating permits increased movement of the filler material as compared to the second condition to further conform the cushion to the anatomy of the patient.

Abstract: Methods of immobilizing the head of a patient include heating a thermoplastic mask preform to a formable temperature, forming the thermoplastic mask over at least a mouth of the patient, and pushing a mouth receiving end of a bite piece into a portion of the thermoplastic mask preform that is positioned over the mouth of the patient, which moves the portion of the thermoplastic mask preform into the mouth of the patient. The methods also include allowing the thermoplastic mask preform to cool from the formable temperature, causing the portion of the thermoplastic mask moved into the mouth of the patient to harden.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patient positioning device, which enables the latest advances in Stereotactic Radiation Therapy. The geometry, which incorporates at least one window or lateral cut-out, is designed to allow clear treatment access to the patient during non-coplanar treatment regimes through the use of windows or lateral cut-outs. A laterally positionable diaphragm compression device allows the full use of the geometry. The development of a stand-alone device and a couch top insert device allows for a maximum number of protocol methods while minimizing the skin surface radiation dose to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patient positioning device, which enables the latest advances in Stereotactic Radiation Therapy. The geometry, which incorporates at least one window or lateral cut-out, is designed to allow clear treatment access to the patient during non-coplanar treatment regimes through the use of windows or lateral cut-outs. A laterally positionable diaphragm compression device allows the full use of the geometry. The development of a stand-alone device and a couch top insert device allows for a maximum number of protocol methods while minimizing the skin surface radiation dose to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides direct contact moldable low temperature thermoplastic prosthetic devices and method of making same. A direct contact moldable low temperature thermoplastic prosthetic socket preform that is formable between 50° Celsius and 80° Celsius wherein the socket preform can be direct contact molded on at least one appendage of a patient thereby forming a prosthetic socket and wherein the prosthetic socket is reformable after initial forming. The present invention also provides method of creating a direct contact moldable and reformable prosthetic socket.

Abstract: A patient support device with shoulder depression devices for accurately and repeatably positioning a patient on a treatment table. The patient support device includes a headrest frame and an adjustable shoulder depression device and optionally includes a torso positioning device and a buttock restraint device.

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.

Abstract: A patient support device with shoulder depression devices for accurately and repeatably positioning a patient on a treatment table. The patient support device includes a headrest frame and an adjustable shoulder depression device and optionally includes a torso positioning device and a buttock restraint device.

Abstract: A portable, adjustable and angling head immobilization device for accurately and repeatably positioning a patient's head.