Abstract: A positioning arm for positioning instruments, devices or tools, is disclosed. The positioning arm includes at least two arm elements pivotably connected to one another about a pivot axis via a central joint. At least one of the arm elements includes a further joint at an end opposite the central joint. The positioning arm includes a blocking device for blocking and releasing the central joint and the at least one further joint. The blocking device is arranged on the central joint and effects the blocking and release of the further joints via at least one transmission device formed on the arm elements. The transmission device is formed by a pair of gripper arms which also form the arm elements.

Abstract: A motorized positioning arm is disclosed for positioning instruments, in particular medical instruments, wherein the motorized positioning arm includes at least two arm elements connected to one another so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis by means of a central joint. At least one of the arm elements includes a further joint at an end opposite to the central joint. The motorized positioning arm includes a blocking mechanism for blocking and releasing the central joint and the at least one further joint. The blocking mechanism includes a central shaft arranged coaxially with the pivot axis, and at least one transmission device from the central shaft to the at least one further joint. The blocking mechanism includes an electrical blocking device configured to engage with the central shaft to enable blocking and unblocking of the joints. The electrical blocking device is configured to move along the central shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a patient immobilization apparatus (100) comprising a planar element (105) made of a non-woven fabric. The planar element (105) has an elongate middle section (110) and a plurality of arms (120; 130), which extend out laterally on both sides of the middle section (110). The patient immobilization apparatus (100) can be provided to the end user, preferably in a folded state. In the folded state, each of the arms (120; 130) is folded laterally on the elongate middle section (110). Parts of the elongate middle section (110), having the arms (120; 130) folded laterally thereon, are advantageously additionally foldable onto each other in the longitudinal direction. Each arm (120; 130) can be folded laterally in part on itself before it is folded laterally on the elongate middle section (110).

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create a device for arranging medical targeting devices, markers, probes or surgical instruments for image-assisted, minimally invasive operations, which has a simple construction and is easy to use. Said device according to the invention has at least one carrier element (1) that can be positioned preferably with an adhesive layer on the surface of the body, and a fine-positioning unit (2). It is proposed that the carrier element (1) comprises at least one interlocking mount (3) for the fine-positioning unit (2) which has a matching complementary shape (3c).

Abstract: In order to provide a simple device for positioning sterile instruments, particularly puncture needles, injection needles or surgical probes, with respect to a patient (P), where said device comprises a sheath (3) at least the inside of which is sterile and which at least partially encompasses a sterile instrument (2), as well as at least one gas-tight feedthrough provided on said sheath (3), it is suggested that the sterile instrument (2) has at least one sterile instrument holder (2?) and that, by moving the instrument holder (2?) outside of the sheath (3), said instrument may be moved in a controlled manner in at least two spatial directions.

Abstract: A compact medical robot provides guidance and actuation of a medical instrument with five or more degrees of freedom. The robot has a lower actuator arm movable within a lower plane. A lower gimbal mount is attached to the lower actuator arm. An upper actuator arm is movable within an upper plane and an upper gimbal mount is attached to the upper actuator arm. A guide tube is attached to the lower gimbal mount and to the upper gimbal mount. A linear actuator is attached to the guide tube to longitudinally move a medical instrument which extends through the guide tube. The linear actuator includes an actuating rod and a linear motor arranged within a main body portion of the linear actuator. An additional rotational actuator for rotating the medical instrument may be provided and firmly connected to the actuating rod.

Abstract: In order to create a simple device for immobilizing the human body or parts of the body in a manner that is gentle on the patient, in particular for arranging medical targeting devices, markers or surgical instruments for image-guided, minimally invasive surgery, said device having at least one immobilization element (1) which can be positioned on the surface of the body, the immobilization element (1) is made of a bonded nonwoven fabric (2) which can be fastened by means of a micro hook-and-loop fastener (3).

Abstract: For variable use and simple construction of an instrument guide, particularly for inserting a puncture needle into patients, wherein the instrument guide (1) has a main body (2), which is mounted pivotably in a plurality of axes preferably on two adjusting arms (3, 4), according to the invention the instrument guide (1) has two or more guide cheeks (5), which are centrally adjustable and coupled to one another. This ensures that, when changing between instruments or needles of different thicknesses, the centre of the needle channel remains precisely on the target or central axis (6a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling corporeal structures, especially for introducing puncture needles or operation probes. Said device comprises a base plate (1), at least one base holder (2) applied to the base plate (1), and holding rods (3, 4) that are fixed to the base holder in a fixed manner and are used to hold and position a targeting device (10) for a medical instrument (8). The aim of the invention is to create one such device in such a way that it has a simple structure and can guide medical instruments in a variable and precise manner. To this end, the targeting device (10) is mounted on two adjustment arms (7) that can be respectively displaced in the X and/or Y plane, on the free ends of the holding rods (3, 4), by means of an actuating drive (6).

Abstract: In order to provide a simple device for positioning sterile instruments, particularly puncture needles, injection needles or surgical probes, with respect to a patient (P), where said device comprises a sheath (3) at least the inside of which is sterile and which at least partially encompasses a sterile instrument (2), as well as at least one gas-tight feedthrough provided on said sheath (3), it is suggested that the sterile instrument (2) has at least one sterile instrument holder (2?) and that, by moving the instrument holder (2?) outside of the sheath (3), said instrument may be moved in a controlled manner in at least two spatial directions.

Abstract: In order to create a simple device for immobilizing the human body or parts of the body in a manner that is gentle on the patient, in particular for arranging medical targeting devices, markers or surgical instruments for image-guided, minimally invasive surgery, said device having at least one immobilization element (1) which can be positioned on the surface of the body, the immobilization element (1) is made of a bonded nonwoven fabric (2) which can be fastened by means of a micro hook-and-loop fastener (3).

Abstract: A device for immobilizing a patient for a medical test or operation includes a molding element that is convertible from a flexible, elastic form to a rigid form by the application of a vacuum. The molding element is attached to the patient by an elastic layer while in the flexible, elastic form where it conforms to the contours of the patient's body. Then the molding element is converted to its rigid form thereby immobilizing the patient. Auxiliary devices can be attached to the immobilizing device and these devices, such as a pivot arm suspension can be used to fix the immobilized patient to an operating table.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create a device for arranging medical targeting devices, markers, probes or surgical instruments for image-assisted, minimally invasive operations, which has a simple construction and is easy to use. Said device according to the invention has at least one carrier element (1) that can be positioned preferably with an adhesive layer on the surface of the body, and a fine-positioning unit (2). It is proposed that the carrier element (1) comprises at least one interlocking mount (3) for the fine-positioning unit (2) which has a matching complementary shape (3c).

Abstract: For variable use and simple construction of an instrument guide, particularly for inserting a puncture needle into patients, wherein the instrument guide (1) has a main body (2), which is mounted pivotably in a plurality of axes preferably on two adjusting arms (3, 4), according to the invention the instrument guide (1) has two or more guide cheeks (5), which are centrally adjustable and coupled to one another. This ensures that, when changing between instruments or needles of different thicknesses, the centre of the needle channel remains precisely on the target or central axis (6a).

Abstract: A device for immobilizing a patient for a medical test or operation includes a molding element that is convertible from a flexible, elastic form to a rigid form by the application of a vacuum. The molding element is attached to the patient by an elastic layer while in the flexible, elastic form where it conforms to the contours of the patient's body. Then the molding element is converted to its rigid form thereby immobilizing the patient. Auxiliary devices can be attached to the immobilizing device and these devices, such as a pivot arm suspension can be used to fix the immobilized patient to an operating table.

Abstract: A reference phantom includes CT-imageable detail together with light-reflective spheres. This item can be placed on a patient table in a known location, following which the diagnostic source can be activated to detect the phantom position relative to the isocentre and camera employed to detect the PSS position. A synthetic image of the phantom can be used for comparison with the CT dataset. This allows improved correlation of the source and the patient support, enable further steps to be taken in enhancing the clinical effectiveness of the apparatus. In-use variations of the isocentre location can be corrected in real time by adjustment of the patient support. Thus, as the isocentre moves, the patient can be moved so as to track the moving isocentre. The linac arm could also be designed differently, as the existing design constraint (that isocentre movement must be limited as far as possible) could potentially be relaxed in order to achieve other aims.

Abstract: A reference phantom includes CT-imageable detail together with light-reflective spheres. This item can be placed on a patient table in a known location, following which the diagnostic source can be activated to detect the phantom position relative to the isocentre and camera employed to detect the PSS position. A synthetic image of the phantom can be used for comparison with the CT dataset. This allows improved correlation of the source and the patient support, enable further steps to be taken in enhancing the clinical effectiveness of the apparatus. In-use variations of the isocentre location can be corrected in real time by adjustment of the patient support. Thus, as the isocentre moves, the patient can be moved so as to track the moving isocentre. The linac arm could also be designed differently, as the existing design constraint (that isocentre movement must be limited as far as possible) could potentially be relaxed in order to achieve other aims.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiotherapy system for directing a treatment beam onto an isocenter (14) in a patient (13), especially for tumor treatment in radiotherapy. Said radiotherapy system comprises a base (15) on which the patient (13) rests and a radiation device, more particularly, a linear accelerator (1) that generates a treatment beam (12). According to the invention, the direction of the treatment beam (12) can be regulated by means of a hexapod (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

Abstract: A solid-state video camera is equipped with pixel addition logic such that, if the measured object brightness falls below a certain threshold value, a brightening of the image is effected without increasing the noise component accepting a loss in real-time representation. The pixel addition by way of the pixel addition logic is coupled to the gain control of the camera in a manner such that, in each case, the gain control compensates for jumps in brightness which arise by way of the pixel addition and creates for the user a flowing transition without noticeable jumps in brightness.