Patents by Inventor Winston J. Nethery

Winston J. Nethery has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Vacuum-assisted fixation apparatus
    Patent number: 5730745
    Abstract: A stereotactic fixation apparatus provides for accurate and reproducible positioning of a patient's skull during medical diagnostic and treatment procedures. The stereotactic fixation apparatus includes a mouthpiece having a bite block formed as an impression of the patient's upper teeth and hard palate. The mouthpiece is connected to a stereotactic frame, which in turn is releasable connected to an adaptor board on which the patient rests. Vacuum pressure is used to draw the bite block firmly against the patient's hard palate. Vacuum pressure is also used to hold the stereotactic frame on the adaptor board. The stereotactic fixation apparatus additionally includes a patient-activated safety release mechanism which allows the patient to disconnect the vacuum pressure and to dislodge the restraints of the mouthpiece and frame, as well as to disable the medical equipment used with the medical diagnostic or treatment procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Reinhard W. Schulte, William J. Wicks, Helmut J. Meinass, Winston J. Nethery
  • Vacuum-assisted fixation apparatus
    Patent number: 5464411
    Abstract: A stereotactic fixation apparatus provides for accurate and reproducible positioning of a patient's skull during medical diagnostic and treatment procedures. The stereotactic fixation apparatus includes a mouthpiece having a bite block formed as an impression of the patient's upper teeth and hard palate. The mouthpiece is connected to a stereotactic frame, which in turn is releasable connected to an adaptor board on which the patient rests. Vacuum pressure is used to draw the bite block firmly against the patient's hard palate. Vacuum pressure is also used to hold the stereotactic frame on the adaptor board. The stereotactic fixation apparatus additionally includes a patient-activated safety release mechanism which allows the patient to disconnect the vacuum pressure and to dislodge the restraints of the mouthpiece and frame, as well as to disable the medical equipment used with the medical diagnostic or treatment procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical Center
    Inventors: Reinhard W. Schulte, William J. Wicks, Helmut J. Meinass, Winston J. Nethery