Abstract: Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include a central head support for providing subjacent support to a head of a patient, and multiple lateral head supports for providing lateral support to the head of the patient. The central head support includes a cushion with one or more chambers that are fillable with a material. Similarly, the lateral head supports include respective pads with chambers that are fillable with a material. In some instances, the cushion and the pads used with the HFDs can include ports that permit pressure control by way of controlling a fluid volume within specific chambers of the cushion and/or pads.

Abstract: A head stabilization system useable for simulating stabilizing a head of a patient during a medical procedure includes a skull clamp with an adapter assembly that selectively receives a computing device configured to execute an application. Within a virtual reality environment, the skull clamp is represented by a virtual skull clamp and the head of the patient is represented by a virtual head of a virtual patient. Movements of the skull clamp based on instructions or feedback from the application, or from user’s unguided use appear on a display as movements of the virtual skull clamp relative to the virtual head of the virtual patient. The application can also guide the user in manipulating the skull clamp to achieve a successful stabilization. The system is usable for education and training.

Abstract: A head stabilization device or HFD includes a plurality of integrated markers. The HFD may be in the form of a skull clamp, vacuum bag, combinations thereof, or other supporting structure. The integrated markers include MRI markers detectable by an MRI scanner and fiducial markers detectable by a registration tool of a navigation system. The markers provide a reference point relative to an operation site in a patient for use in a navigation guided procedure and aid in registering or calibrating the location of the patient with captured images used in the navigation guided procedure.

Abstract: A head stabilization device or HFD includes a plurality of integrated markers. The HFD may be in the form of a skull clamp, vacuum bag, combinations thereof, or other supporting structure. The integrated markers include MRI markers detectable by an MRI scanner and fiducial markers detectable by a registration tool of a navigation system. The markers provide a reference point relative to an operation site in a patient for use in a navigation guided procedure and aid in registering or calibrating the location of the patient with captured images used in the navigation guided procedure.

Abstract: A head stabilization system useable for stabilizing a head of a patient during a medical procedure includes a sensor assembly and a connection assembly connected with a head fixation device. The sensor assembly includes one or more sensors positioned on the head fixation device for detecting one or more characteristics of the head fixation device. The connection assembly receives and processes the detected characteristic to provide feedback of the detected characteristic. The head fixation device can be adjusted or modified based on the provided feedback.

Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.

Abstract: A retractor system for use in medical procedures is connectable to a head fixation device. The retractor system includes a support assembly and an accessory that is mountable thereto. The support assembly is coupled with the head fixation device such that a position of the support assembly is adjustable relative to the head fixation device. The support assembly includes an upright support and a rod having a non-circular profile. The support assembly and rod are selectively and adjustably coupled to one another via a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes a pair of resilient members having contacting and non-contacting surfaces within bores of the resilient members. The accessory and rod are selectively and adjustably coupled to one another via another coupling assembly that comprises locking features operable to selectively engage and disengage the accessory with the rod.

Abstract: A head stabilization device or HFD includes a plurality of integrated markers. The HFD may be in the form of a skull clamp, vacuum bag, combinations thereof, or other supporting structure. The integrated markers include MRI markers detectable by an MRI scanner and fiducial markers detectable by a registration tool of a navigation system. The markers provide a reference point relative to an operation site in a patient for use in a navigation guided procedure and aid in registering or calibrating the location of the patient with captured images used in the navigation guided procedure.

Abstract: A head fixation device includes a rocker arm assembly containing one or more stabilizing features. The rocker arm is rotatably adjustable about a longitudinal axis of the rocker arm assembly to any rotational position in a non-stepped fashion. The rocker arm assembly is removable from the head fixation device for easy of cleaning. A lever of the rocker arm assembly translates a shaft and includes eccentric features to provide a camming action for moving locking features of the rocker arm assembly to an unlocked state such that the rocker arm can be rotationally adjusted.

Abstract: A flexible arm for use in a medical procedure includes a plurality of bushings and a plurality of double-ball members engaged with one another to thereby provide flexibility to the flexible arm. The double-ball members include a concave bore having a convex interior surface. The flexible arm further includes a wire extending through the concave bore of the double-ball members. An exterior diameter of the wire closely approximates or matches an interior diameter of the concave bore at its smallest point such that the curved members are operable to guide the wire as the flexible arm is flexed. The wire may be adjusted to thereby manipulate the amount of engagement between the bushings and the double-ball members to thereby manipulate the flexibility of the flexible arm.

Abstract: A method or process for making one or more components of a head fixation device includes preforming, molding, and finishing subprocesses. The preforming subprocess includes placing fibers onto a substrate to orient the fibers parallel to a flux of force that the component is expected to experience in use. The fiber layers are combined and can be draped over an optional core before being molded to combine the assembly with a molding material. The resultant molded preform undergoes a finishing subprocess that can include smoothing the component to remove any burrs or sharp edges from the molding subprocess.

Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an integrated rail for attaching accessories thereto. One or more clamps are configured to engage with the integrated rail. Additional accessories can be attached to the one or more clamps, which also include a starburst interface and an integrated rail. The clamps use a linear translating closure mechanism to engage the clamps to the integrated rail of the skull clamp. In some versions, the head fixation device is configured with a navigation adapter that attaches to an upper portion of the skull clamp.

Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an integrated rail for attaching accessories thereto. One or more clamps are configured to engage with the integrated rail. Additional accessories can be attached to the one or more clamps, which also include a starburst interface and an integrated rail. The clamps use a linear translating closure mechanism to engage the clamps to the integrated rail of the skull clamp. In some versions, the head fixation device is configured with a navigation adapter that attaches to an upper portion of the skull clamp.

Abstract: A head stabilization device having the form of a skull clamp includes a first pin assembly and a second pin assembly. The pin assemblies are positioned opposite each other, and the first pin assembly has a first pin while the second pin assembly has a pair of pins. The pins used with the skull clamp are non-uniform. In this respect skull clamp can apply an equal force to a head of a patient from both sides. Additionally, the pressure at each pin location can be the same or substantially the same. This allows each of the pins to have the same or similar bone penetration when in use stabilizing the head of the patient.

Abstract: Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include lateral head supports for providing lateral support to the head of the patient. The lateral head supports include a pad with a fillable chamber where the fill amount of the material within the chamber can be adjusted or changed. This allows the pressure the lateral head supports apply to the head of the patient to be changed as desired. The material used within the pad chamber can be of any suitable type, including a gel, a liquid, a gas, a solid, and combinations of these materials.

Abstract: A skull clamp for patient stabilization comprises a pair of arms where the arms include upright portions and lateral portions. The upright portions and lateral portions define longitudinal axes, where the intersection of these axes defines an arm angle that is greater than about 90 degrees. In some instances the arm angle is between about 100 and about 120 degrees. In some instances the arm angle is about 110 degrees. The skull clamp can have rails integrated in the arms for attaching various accessories to the skull clamp.

Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.

Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.

Abstract: Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include a central head support for providing subjacent support to a head of a patient, and multiple lateral head supports for providing lateral support to the head of the patient. The central head support includes a cushion with one or more chambers that are fillable with a material. Similarly, the lateral head supports include respective pads with chambers that are fillable with a material. In some instances, the cushion and the pads used with the HFDs can include ports that permit pressure control by way of controlling a fluid volume within specific chambers of the cushion and/or pads.

Abstract: Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include a central head support for supporting a patient's head from beneath. The HFDs are connectable to a patient support device such as an operating table. The HFDs can include a cushion associated with the central head support or base assembly and pads extending from adjustable extension bars that provide lateral support. The cushion and/or pads comprise a fluid chamber and a shape-conforming material chamber. The chambers work together such that the cushion and/or pads conform to the patient's head and can be adjusted in position and pressure to provide stabilization to the patient's head. In some instances, the cushions and pads used with the HFDs can include multiple chambers that permit pressure control by way of controlling a fluid volume within specific chambers.