Abstract: A device for holding the head of a patient in a fixed position during a surgical operation characterized by a base support, a ring-like curved element having a sufficient radius of curvature to enable receiving the head of a patient within the element, means for supporting the ring-like element on the base support including a ball and socket joint having means for manually arresting the joint in any desired position, a pad supported on a rod acting as a headrest, a pin supported on a rod for holding the head in a fixed position on the pads, and means for mounting the rods supporting the pad and the rod for supporting the pins so that a head is clamped therebetween within the curved element. Preferably, the curved element is a ring having an opening along one side and the mounting means for each of the rods includes a bolt extending through spaced apertures in the ring so that the position of the rods can be adjusted on the ring.

Abstract: A patients support table which is displaceable in two directions. In the inventive arrangement, when a patients support arrangement of the table is removable from a pedestal and drive motors are located therein, there are provided compressed air couplings between the pedestal and the patients support arrangement. In the event of minor sealing leaks of these couplings, some compressed air will escape into the atmosphere which is not of any significance.