Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in medical imaging simulate within an imaging coil normal movements of body parts such as joints, and improve imaging of soft tissue and bony parts as compared to a static system in which images are taken of a joint in only one position. A joint or body parts is moved into various positions in multiple planes within its range of motion while a series of images are taken of the joint in the different positions. The images are collated into a cine format to effectively show the joint in motion. A surface or volume coil may be coupled for movement with the joint or body part and maintained in the proper spatial relationship with the primary coil's electromagnetic field. The systems may be provided as mechanisms usable with existing imaging tables to reduce cost, or may be built into a new imaging table. It is possible to use a larger primary coil, allowing increased range of movement. Traction may be applied to a joint being imaged, in order to load the joint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in medical imaging simulate within an imaging coil normal movements of body parts such as joints, and improve imaging of soft tissue and bony parts as compared to a static system in which images are taken of a joint in only one position. A joint or body parts is moved into various positions in multiple planes within its range of motion while a series of images are taken of the joint in the different positions. The images are collated into a cine format to effectively show the joint in motion. A surface or volume coil may be coupled for movement with the joint or body part and maintained in the proper spatial relationship with the primary coil's electromagnetic field. The systems may be provided as mechanisms usable with existing imaging tables to reduce cost, or may be built into a new imaging table. It is possible to use a larger primary coil, allowing increased range of movement. Traction may be applied to a joint being imaged, in order to load the joint.

Abstract: A base unit for mounting a head support to a medical table wherein a generally U-shaped frame of the base member is mounted with respect to the table. A transitional member has a first end adapted to support the head support and a shaft extending from a second end. A base clamp is mounted on the generally U-shaped frame and has a bore sized and shaped to receive the shaft of a transitional member. The shaft of the transitional member and the bore of the base clamp include a pivot joint comprised of a spring biased plunger that is located in an annular groove that together function to maintain the shaft of the transitional member at a desired axial position with respect to the bore of the base clamp.

Abstract: A hospital bed comprises a base, a patient support platform mounted above the base, and a selectively manipulable support integral with the platform. The support is movable to a position above the platform to raise the bed mattress and corresponding body part such as head, lumbar region of the back and/or the feet.

Abstract: A neck support for supporting the head and neck of a person lying on their back on a supporting surface has a support member having an upper surface which, when the neck support is located on the supporting surface below the head and neck of a person lying on their back thereon, extends upwardly and rearwardly from the supporting surface to engage the back of the person's head and neck to position the head and neck at an angle to the horizontal in the range of from about 40.degree. to about 50.degree.. The upwardly and rearwardly extending surface is transversely inwardly curved to receive the back of the person's neck.

Abstract: A radiolucent head clamp having a C-shaped frame with a fixed head-engaging pin on one side and a pair of head-engaging pins on the opposite side. The opposite side of the clamp has a radiolucent rotation mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the pair of head-engaging pins and a radiolucent translation mechanism for linearly moving the pair of head-engaging pins with respect to the fixed head-engaging pin.

Abstract: A head positioner for CAT scans comprised of a first receptacle. The device contains a slider having a threaded rod. The threaded rod has an open first end and second end. The open first end of the threaded rod extends outwardly of the slider. The slider is secured within the first receptacle with the open first end of the rod extending outwardly of the first receptacle. A second receptacle secures the slider to the first receptacle. A crank is securable to the open first end of the threaded rod of the slider.

Abstract: An adjustable headrest includes a base supporting a crescent-shaped pad. The bottom side of the base is equipped with two triangular support structures, each of which includes a long arm and a short arm pivotally attached to distal and proximal junction structures, respectively, on the bottom side of the base. The other end of the arms are commonly and pivotally connected to a horizontal rod, one end of which is equipped with a cam lever capable of jointly controlling the lock and release status of two clamps, each of which is associated with one of the support structures. In each triangular support structure, one of the arms has an adjustable effective length. The cam lever is movable between a lock-position and a release-position. When the lever is in the lock position, the clamp prevents all rotational movement of both rectangular support structures about the horizontal rod, and prevents any adjustment of the effective length of the arms.

Abstract: A system of head rests is disclosed for use by patients convalescing from optical surgery to re-attach a detached retina. In this procedure, a bubble of air is injected into the affected eye, and the patient is instructed to keep his or her head in a face-downward position for eighteen hours a day during a convalescent period in which the air bubble presses the retina against the back wall of the eyeball. A day-time version of the apparatus is adjustable in height and preferably incorporates armrests and a plurality of mirrors so that a person who has his face turned toward the floor may view television or may make eye contact with another person. A night-time version of the apparatus allows a person to lie in a prone position with his or her head supported above and out of contact with the mattress, and preferably includes a viewing window so that a prone patient can read a book placed on the floor.

Abstract: A head holder with the following characteristics: it is compatible with MR (no metallic parts); it is adjustable for use with adults and children; it does not produce any degradation of imaging or spectroscopy raw data; it does not induce claustrophobia; it can be used as a fixation device for cervical spine MR examinations; and it can operate with any MR unit. A strap is placed around the head of the patient at the forehead, is tightened, and then the head with band attached is positioned for optimal comfort and examining advantage. Lock screws are then tightened, holding the head comfortably in three-dimensional space. Only a single band is placed over the forehead of the person and the rest of the fixation is provided by adjusting and locking screws located in the base and along the sides of the holder. This prevents the patient from being able to rotate his or her head from side to side or up and down. The holder is designed to fit into the MR table.

Abstract: There is disclosed a patient immobilization system for repeated use in imaging and radiation therapy of a patient, the system comprising an immobilization plate, side rails mounted on the plate with mask studs outwardly projecting therefrom engaging a thermoplastic immobilization mask with at least two anchor bars holding the mask on said studs, wherein the improvement comprises a relatively rigid plastic arch having two ventricle leg portions and an apex, the lower ends of each of the leg portions being mounted on a respective one of the anchor bars; a flap of material outwardly projecting from the mask to a point adjacent the arch; a fixation member for mounting the outwardly projecting flap of material to the arch whereby the mask can be tightly held between the bars and the side rails on the studs and at a third point to the arch. Contrast material is provided at the apex of the arch and in each of the leg portions such that the x, y, and z axes can be shown in three-dimensional images of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in medical imaging simulate within an imaging coil normal movements of body parts such as joints, and improve imaging of soft tissue and bony parts as compared to a static system in which images are taken of a joint in only one position. A joint or body parts is moved into various positions in multiple planes within its range of motion while a series of images are taken of the joint in the different positions. The images are collated into a cine format to effectively show the joint in motion. A surface or volume coil may be coupled for movement with the joint or body part and maintained in the proper spatial relationship with the primary coil's electromagnetic field. The systems may be provided as mechanisms usable with existing imaging tables to reduce cost, or may be built into a new imaging table. It is possible to use a larger primary coil, allowing increased range of movement. Traction may be applied to a joint being imaged, in order to load the joint.

Abstract: A head support device to be used in cooperation with a treatment table for humans such as a chiropractic or therapeutic table. The head support device provides a comfortable support for a patient's head during therapy, wherein the head support device includes a baseplate of polygonal shape having at least four sides, including two opposing, longer sides and opposing top and bottom sides. The bottom side includes an opening that allows airflow to a patient when face-down on the table. The baseplate includes a pair of flanges connected to the opposing longer sides of the baseplate and extending upward from the baseplate within a range of 20 to 90 degrees. Attachment structure coupled to the head support device enables attachment of the head support device to the treatment table. A patient controlled pressure adjustment mechanism is attached to the pillow to permit the patient adjust air pressure to a desired comfort level. A second pillow having a medial hinged section is suspended from the baseplate.

Abstract: A device for supporting the head of a bed-ridden patient off an end of a bed during shampooing and cutting of the patient's hair. The device includes a frame with an open top, a series of straps traversing the open top of the frame, and a watertight collection tub disposed over a lower portion of the frame.

Abstract: A hospital bed has a frame. A horizontal plate is pivotally mounted on a vertical axis to swing from an inoperative position underlying the frame to an operative position extending from the head end of the bed. A pillow can be placed on the extender so that the patient can be shifted toward the head end of the bed with the patient's head comfortably supported on the pillow which is in turn supported on the extender. A basin is adapted to be used in conjunction with the extender and is a shell having a head receiving cavity with a pedestal projecting upwardly from within the cavity for resting the patient's head thereatop while providing clearance completely around the head so that a care provider can shampoo the patient's head.

Abstract: A headrest cover for a headrest frame wherein the headrest cover has a connector with clips for securing the headrest cover to the headrest frame to prevent torsional motion of the headrest cover with respect to the headrest frame. The connector on the headrest cover further has stop members in contact with the ends of the headrest frame to prevent longitudinal motion of the headrest cover with respect to headrest frame.

Abstract: A bed for maintaining a patient body with the head in any desired angular position relative to the feet, and for continuously rotating the patient so that one side of the patient is lower than the other, comprises a floor engaging base on which is mounted a cantilever frame elevatable to any desired angular position relative to the base. A bed table subframe is pivotally mounted to the free end of the cantilever frame and adjustable in a vertical plane to accomplish either Trendelenburg and Reverse Trendelenburg therapy on the patient. Pivot connections are provided between the patient support table and the table subframe for effecting the selective movement of the support table about one or the other of two horizontally spaced, longitudinally extending axes. Patient restraining elements are mounted to the sides of the patient supporting table to prevent movement of the patient in any of the various positions to which the support table may be shifted.

Abstract: A head support for a patient support table having a skull securing clamp that is mounted to a non-circular support bar for selective attachment to the side rails of the patient support table. The skull clamp includes a non-circular support aperture for receiving the non-circular support bar. The structural components of the head support are made from radiolucent material and the support bar includes mounting posts at its first and second ends so that arms for mounting the support bar to the side rails may be located out of the path of the x-rays through the patient's head. The non-circular shape of the support aperture and the support bar prevent inadvertent rotation of the radiolucent skull securing clamp with respect to the radiolucent support bar. The location of the mounting posts on the support arms and the utilization of the radiolucent material results in fewer artifacts in the developed x-ray picture.

Abstract: A surgical head clamp having a C-shaped frame with a fixed head engaging pin on one side and a pair of head engaging pins on the opposite side. The opposite side of the clamp also has a rotation mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the pair of head engaging pins and a translation mechanism for linearly moving the pair of head engaging pins with respect to the fixed head engaging pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing stereotactic radiosurgery using a stationary radiation source is comprised of a frame, a platform rotatably connected to the frame about a vertical rotational axis, a patient receiving menas, a means for rotating the platform and a means for adjusting the head of the patient to permit intersection of the radiation beam central axis with the vertical rotational axis at the location of the target site that is the subject of the radiosurgery. A method for performing stereotactic radiosurgery using the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A head holder device for use in conjunction with an imaging table wherein the head holder has a shape to comfortably receive the head of a person and is open at the bottom for improved imaging. A bracket member provides a first pivotal connection to the head holder at one end. There is a second pivotal connection for attachment to either an imaging table or a mounting panel. In a preferred embodiment, one of the pivotal connections also provides for length adjustment.

Abstract: A surgical headrest which comprises two arcuate base segments and a pad affixed to each of the base segments. Each of the pads has a cavity in the surface which is affixed to the base in a shape to accept the base segment, thereby securing the pad to the base segment.

Abstract: A surgery table is provided in which a patient support portion may be tilted about a longitudinal and a lateral axis and in which torso and leg supporting portions of the table may be pivoted relative to a trunk supporting portion. A new headrest locking mechanism is disclosed whereby supporting ball and socket connections for the headrest may be locked in position with a minimum of applied torque force. In addition, a lift mechanism incorporating telescoping members is provided whereby a large variation in table height may be obtained.

Abstract: An adjustable headrest whose height and angle may be selectively adjusted. The selected height may be adjusted by the use of a cam clamp that requires the use of only one hand to operate. The selected angle may be adjusted by the use of a cam clamp that also requires the use of only one hand to operate.

Abstract: An assembly for immobilizing the head of a trauma victim intended to be positioned on a stretcher board. The device includes a first sheet of flexible material which is to be mounted so that, when it is affixed to the board, a pair of normally-flaccid, open-sided loops are defined therein. The loops are intended to be at locations which straddle an intended location of the trauma victim's head. A pair of compressible blocks are also included. Each block is intended to be received within one of the normally-flaccid, open-sided loops. A block can be easily inserted into, and removed from, its corresponding loop because the loops are open-sided in nature. When the compressible blocks are received within the loops and constrained thereby, the blocks, together, define a seat in which the head of the trauma victim can be positioned.