Abstract: A head stabilization device useable for stabilizing a head of a patient during a medical procedure includes a tensioning assembly operable to increase or decrease an amount of force the stabilization assembly applies to the patient's head. The head stabilization device includes an adjustment feature to adjust a spacing between frame members. The head stabilization device further includes features that promote enhanced imaging output when the head stabilization device is used during imaging.

Abstract: A stabilization assembly includes a receptacle, a pin, and a retainer. The pin is positioned within the receptacle and the retainer selectively retains the pin in position within the receptacle. Additionally, the receptacle includes a sloped surface surrounding an opening within the receptacle where the pin is received, and the pin includes a corresponding sloped surface for contact with the sloped surface surrounding the opening within the receptacle. A pin can be keyed to a specific receptacle and retainer such that pins of differing geometries will only properly fit with their intended receptacle and retainer. This provides a poka-yoke configuration so users cannot incorrectly associate pins of different styles with the wrong receptacles. For instance, if pins are specifically configured to be received by a specific receptacle, the poka-yoke configuration mentioned here ensures that the pins are installed in the proper stabilization assembly.

Abstract: Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include a positioning assembly with a curved elongated portion extending generally concentrically relative to a head of a patient when supported by the HFD. The HFD is adjustably connectable with the positioning assembly and moveable relative to the positioning assembly along an arc length of the curved elongated portion. This adjustment changes a position of the HFD relative to the head of the patient with the HFD moving generally concentrically about the head of the patient.

Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp includes an adjustment assembly along a base of the skull clamp. The adjustment assembly includes one or more locking features that place the skull clamp in an adjustable or fixed state. In the adjustable state the skull clamp is adjustable about an axis defined by the base which is perpendicular to the sagittal plane. In this manner a portion of the skull clamp is movable along the sagittal plane and such adjustment allows the base of the skull clamp to maintain its relative position to a table adapter and/or patient support table. The device includes a positioning adapter that connects the skull clamp with a table adapter. The positioning adapter includes an adjustable degree of freedom for the skull clamp to permit rotation of the skull clamp about an axis perpendicular to the axis defined by the base.

Abstract: A joint assembly and adapter couple with a head stabilization device about one or more circumferential toothed rings of the head stabilization device. This coupling provides rotatable adjustment of the head stabilization device about two degrees of freedom including a first longitudinal axis of the head stabilization device and a second longitudinal axis of the joint assembly. The toothed rings of the head stabilization device can have multiple coupling locations to allow for a third degree of freedom for adjustment along the first longitudinal axis. A locking feature is coupled with the adapter to actuate the adapter and joint assembly for selective adjustment of the head stabilization device among the various degrees of freedom for adjustment.

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) for supporting and stabilizing a head of a patient during a medical procedure include a positioning assembly defining an axis of rotation. The positioning assembly includes a selectively rotatable portion that is rotatable about the axis of rotation to adjust a rotational position of the rotatable portion of the positioning assembly relative to the head of the patient. Also included is a head support configured to directly or indirectly adjustably connect with the positioning assembly such that the head support is translatable relative to the positioning assembly and rotatable in unison with the rotatable portion of the positioning assembly. The translation and rotation of the head support permits changing a position of the head support relative to the head of the patient.

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.

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 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 joint assembly and adapter couple with a head stabilization device about one or more circumferential toothed rings of the head stabilization device. This coupling provides rotatable adjustment of the head stabilization device about two degrees of freedom including a first longitudinal axis of the head stabilization device and a second longitudinal axis of the joint assembly. The toothed rings of the head stabilization device can have multiple coupling locations to allow for a third degree of freedom for adjustment along the first longitudinal axis. A locking feature is coupled with the adapter to actuate the adapter and joint assembly for selective adjustment of the head stabilization device among the various degrees of freedom for adjustment.

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.

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.