Abstract:
A positioning system is provided that effectively engage the patient's neck/shoulder area so as to enable the caudally migration of the patient's neck/shoulder(s). An instance of the system includes a puller member for engaging a patient's neck/shoulder area and applying a pulling force thereupon. A support member is provided that is joined to the pulling member at a location away from where the engagement portion of the pulling member contacts the patient during normal use. The support member and the joining thereto are operational to enable the pulling member to adjustably maintain a substantially fixed vertical elevation that aligns the engagement portion of the pulling member to effectively engage the patient's neck/shoulder area; and, the support member also has a variable shuttle member that is adjustably joined to a guide member for adjusting the removable joining position of the support member along a length of a guide member. This guide member is configured to have a substantially parallel orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the engagement portion of the pulling member such that the pulling member is operable for being positioned relative to the patient and effectively engage the patient's neck/shoulder area so as to enable the caudally migration of the patient's neck/shoulder(s). A method for using the apparatus is also included.
Abstract:
This invention relates in general to methods and devices for displacing body convection and thereby reducing exposure to allergens and other airborne fine particles within a personal breathing zone during situations of or corresponding to sleep thereby reducing or removing symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis while improving quality of sleep and in particular to methods and devices that utilize Temperature controlled Laminar Airflow (abbreviated TLA from herein and onwards). Also, business methods involving such methods and devices are disclosed.
Abstract:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine (10) with an integrated medical table top (12) on which a patient can lie, the table top (12) having a central polypropylene cellular honeycomb structure (18) thermally fused in a sandwich configuration between two fibre- reinforced polypropylene face sheets (20, 22). A strip (24) of fibre-reinforced polypropylene is thermally fused along the entire length of the edge of the sandwich layers and along the end sections of the strip so that the resultant package of layers and end strip is sealingly enclosed to form the tabletop (14). Table top (14) has a cover which may have a paint or acrylic finish, or may be foamed or "soft-touch" or suitably coated, in order to enhance the patient's comfort and to ensure that tabletop (14) is hard-wearing and readily cleanable.
Abstract:
Systems and methods that process a plurality of surgical instruments for cleaning and/or packaging. A device identifies a robot-ready insert having a predetermined configuration for accepting at least one type of surgical instrument. The surgical instruments are identified and oriented according to type using an automated apparatus. Specialized tools are also provided for automatically opening and closing surgical instruments, flipping instruments and assisting in the processing and maintenance of surgical instruments. The automated apparatus then places each of the surgical instrument types in one or more predetermined areas of the insert, configured to accept a predetermined set of surgical instrument types.
Abstract:
A patient care equipment support system (20) includes an arm (70) supported in a hospital room (24) for pivoting movement about a generally vertical axis (98), a patient care equipment column (80) coupled to the arm (70) for movement therewith, and a brake (200) configured to impede the pivoting movement of the arm (70). The brake (200) allowing the pivoting movement of the arm (70) when the brake is deactivated in response to a user input. The column (80) is configured to support patient care equipment (90).
Abstract:
An apparatus (100) includes a rail (110) configured to be coupled to a support structure such as hospital bed (20), a carriage (112) coupled to the rail (110) for movement along the rail (I 10) and a lock (114) coupled to the carriage (112) for selectively locking the carriage (112) at one of a plurality of locations along the rail (110). The carriage (112) is configured to support a patient care equipment rack such as an IV pole (102). The rail (110) has a plurality of locking portions (120) spaced therealong. The lock (114) is movable between a locking position where a portion of the lock (114) engages a selected one of the locking portions (120) to block the carriage (112) from moving along the rail (I 10) and an unlocking position where the portion of the lock (114) disengages from the selected one of the locking portions (120) to allow the carriage (112) to move along the rail (110).
Abstract:
A patient support system to be used in conjunction with a standard linear accelerator, and other sources, is described that allows access of the treatment beam to the breast from up to 360 degrees. This support system places the patient in a prone position with the breast going through an aperture. The prone position increases the separation of the breast from the chest wall and other critical organs and reduces motion of the target tissue due to breathing. This invention offers up to 360 degree radiation beam access to the breast. This helps in skin sparing, better dose conformity, and allows one to use modern treatment techniques such as IMRT and IGRT. It also includes a provision for an imaging system. This invention can also be used with CT and MR imaging modalities.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for medical, dental or likewise treatment, including also examination, of a patient, comprising: - a frame in use defining a sturdy base; and - an essentially planar support on the frame for supporting a patient during treatment, wherein the frame is collapsible into to a flat package of dimensions closely corresponding to the support.
Abstract:
A patient supporting apparatus used in medical imaging technologies has an inventive tabletop and stretcher system. The tabletop has a gap or narrowing of prescribed location and size, for example, more than thirty percent of the width of the tabletop is removed inferior to the patient's pelvis within a region of at least 0.3 meters in length. The stretcher supports the tabletop and includes a gap or narrowing so that the access of the operator's hand, arm, and line of sight is not obstructed from the gap or narrowing of the tabletop.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a distractor assembly adapted to couple to a leg and capable of providing a distraction load on the leg in both supine and lateral positions of the leg. The assembly is coupled to a surgical table by a ball joint or a universal joint. A method includes coupling a leg to a distractor assembly, positioning the leg in one of a distraction mode and a femoral acetabular impingement mode, and repositioning the leg in the other of the modes without the need for accessing a draped pelvis/thigh region.