Abstract: A patient treatment table for prone patient breast examination and treatment is described. The table may be in the form of a table base and table extension, the table extension being removably attached to the table base. The patient treatment table extension includes one or more hand rails for grasping by the patient above and along one or both longitudinal sides of the device to assist the patient in getting onto the treatment table. The handrails are mounted such that they can be removed or swung out of the way of medical equipment once the patient is positioned on the table. The table may also be in the form of a couch-top overlay.

Abstract: A support device for a container holding various items and a container including a support device. The support device includes a top section, a base section and a pair of foldable strut assemblies connected diagonally between the top section and the base section. The top section either forms a portion of the container or the container is mounted on the top section. Each strut assembly includes a pair of legs pivotably connected together and configured to automatically pivot to an extended position when the support device is held above a support surface and a release mechanism actuated, whereupon the base section drops with respect to the top section into engagement with the support surface. A biasing mechanism is provided to assist in pivoting the legs to the extended position and holding the legs in that position.

Abstract: An assembly for a thermoplastic preform for securing body part is provided. The thermoplastic preform is deformable when heated to a softening temperature by an external heating source and hardens when cooled below the softening temperature. The assembly includes the thermoplastic preform and a protective cover surrounding the thermoplastic preform. The thermoplastic preform is sealed within the protective cover. The protective cover is heat resistant up to a temperature that exceeds the softening temperature for the thermoplastic preform. The protective cover transfers heat from the external heating source to the thermoplastic preform and prevents airborne and waterborne bacteria from contacting the thermoplastic preform.

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 medical treatment or testing mask includes a first profile having a first fastening mechanism, and a second profile, that is separate from the first profile, having a second fastening mechanism that is fastenable to the first fastening mechanism. The mask further includes a first sheet of thermoplastic material attached to the first profile and to the second profile, wherein, when the second fastening mechanism is fastened to the first fastening mechanism, the first profile and the second profile create a single frame structure.

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: 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 device for use in an image-guided procedure on a patient is disclosed. The device includes an EM sensor assembly, a frame assembly (e.g., a base portion from which a plurality of legs project upward to a common point) and a plurality of attachment members. Each attachment member is arranged to be releasably (e.g., adhesively) secured to the skin of a patient and to be coupled to the frame assembly to secure the frame assembly on the skin of the patient. The EM sensor assembly is arranged to be releasably secured to the frame assembly (e.g., pivotably snap-fit into a socket in the frame assembly). The device additionally includes plural visualizable elements (e.g., metal balls) that are adapted to be readily imaged to establish imaging reference points and a plurality of asymmetrically disposed apertures to enable tattooing indicia on the skin of the patient through the apertures.

Abstract: A bridge assembly is disclosed 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 holding and carrying various items, e.g., hand tools or other small items, is disclosed. It includes a lower tray, an upper tray, a pair of foldable strut assemblies and a handle. Each strut assembly includes a pair of leg sections pivotably connected together. The strut assemblies are located at diagonally located corners of the trays with their leg sections arranged to be pivoted to an open position, whereupon the upper tray is spaced above said lower tray to provide ready access to any items in said lower tray. Torsion springs are provided to hold the tray in that position.

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 joint assembly for forming a two part radiation therapy treatment table is disclosed. The treatment table includes a patient support panel to which one portion of the joint assembly is secured, and a table extension panel to which another portion of the joint assembly is secured. The joint assembly self-aligns, self levels, is immediately stable, and locks automatically by its weight and downward pressure. The joint assembly also includes an automatic failsafe secondary lock that resists joint release if upward forces are applied. Disengaging the secondary lock requires and results in no displacement of the two panels. Upon separation of the two panels the lock resets automatically.

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 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 screwdriver blade and method for driving a conventional screw having a single transverse slot is disclosed. The driver blade has an elongated body having a central longitudinal axis and a tip. The tip has a distal end in the form of a planar end face that is arranged to engage the bottom surface of the screw's slot. The end face includes a sharply tapered symmetrical spike projecting outward from it along an axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the blade. The spike is arranged to dig into the material of the screw at the bottom surface of the screw's slot to prevent slippage of the tip within the slot and without marring the appearance of the slot.

Abstract: A joint assembly for forming a two part radiation therapy treatment table is disclosed. The treatment table includes a patient support panel to which one portion of the joint assembly is secured, and a table extension panel to which another portion of the joint assembly is secured. The joint assembly self-aligns, self levels, is immediately stable, and locks automatically by its weight and downward pressure. The joint assembly also includes an automatic failsafe secondary lock that resists joint release if upward forces are applied. Disengaging the secondary lock requires and results in no displacement of the two panels. Upon separation of the two panels the lock resets automatically.

Abstract: A system for positioning a laparoscopic device includes a curvilinear articulating arm and a holder. The holder has at least two rotational regions and a clamping portion for receiving the laparoscopic device, and the holder is coupled to the curvilinear articulating arm. The at least two rotational regions are permitted to articulate. In addition, a method of positioning a laparoscopic device in a skin port of a mammal includes: securing the laparoscopic device to a holder having at least two rotational joints; coupling the holder to a curvilinear articulating arm; disposing the laparoscopic device partially within the skin port; positioning the laparoscopic device by selectively articulating the curvilinear articulating arm and selectively rotating portions of the holder with respect to one another.

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 laparoscopic instrument holder for positioning a laparoscopic device includes a central portion having a first member operatively associated with a second member, the members selectively movable with respect to one another along a central axis, with the central portion having a proximal end defined by the first member and a distal end defined by the second member. The holder also includes at least three proximal rotational joints coupled to the first member proximate the proximal end, at least two distal rotational joints coupled to the second member proximate the distal end, a first ball and socket joint coupled to a distal rotational joint, and a second ball and socket joint coupled to the first ball and socket joint. In addition, the holder includes a clamp configured and dimensioned for retaining a laparoscopic device, with the clamp coupled to the second ball and socket joint, and a coupling portion proximate a first of the proximal rotational joints.

Abstract: A device for holding and carrying various items, e.g., hand tools or other small items, is disclosed. It includes a lower tray, an upper tray, a pair of foldable strut assemblies and a handle. Each strut assembly includes a pair of leg sections pivotably connected together. The strut assemblies are located at diagonally located corners of the trays with their leg sections arranged to be pivoted to an open position, whereupon the upper tray is spaced above said lower tray to provide ready access to any items in said lower tray. Torsion springs are provided to hold the tray in that position.