VIDEO OBSERVATION OF A PATIENT'S FACE DURING A MEDICAL PROCEDURE WHILE THE PATIENT IS IN A PRONE POSITION
First Claim
1. Apparatus that allows at least one feature of a patient'"'"'s face to be observed while the patient is in a prone position, comprising:
- a facial cushion for providing cranial support for a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure, wherein the cushion has at least one frontal aperture that is dimensioned so that at least one facial feature of a patient wearing the facial cushion and in a prone position is visible through the at least one aperture from beneath the patient;
a video camera having a lens disposed for providing a sequence of video signals representing sequential images of the at least one facial feature that are visible through the at least one frontal aperture; and
monitoring means coupled to the video camera for enabling the images of the at least one facial feature to be monitored;
wherein the monitoring means includes a computer that is programmed for processing the video signals to detect a change in at least one aspect of the sequential images that exceeds a predetermined threshold.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus that allows at least one feature of a patient'"'"'s face to be observed while the patient is in a prone position includes a facial cushion, a video camera and a monitor. The facial cushion provides cranial support for a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure. The cushion has a frontal aperture that is dimensioned so that the facial feature of a patient wearing the facial cushion and in a prone position are visible through the at least one aperture. The video camera has a lens disposed for providing a sequence of video signals representing sequential images of the facial features that are visible through the frontal aperture. The monitor is coupled to the video camera for enabling the images of the at least one facial feature to be monitored. The images are monitored by a video monitor and/or a computer.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. Apparatus that allows at least one feature of a patient'"'"'s face to be observed while the patient is in a prone position, comprising:
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a facial cushion for providing cranial support for a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure, wherein the cushion has at least one frontal aperture that is dimensioned so that at least one facial feature of a patient wearing the facial cushion and in a prone position is visible through the at least one aperture from beneath the patient; a video camera having a lens disposed for providing a sequence of video signals representing sequential images of the at least one facial feature that are visible through the at least one frontal aperture; and monitoring means coupled to the video camera for enabling the images of the at least one facial feature to be monitored; wherein the monitoring means includes a computer that is programmed for processing the video signals to detect a change in at least one aspect of the sequential images that exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19)
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3. (canceled)
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9. Apparatus that allows at least one feature of a patient'"'"'s face to be observed while the patient is in a prone position, comprising:
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a facial cushion for providing cranial support for a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure, wherein the cushion has at least one frontal aperture that is dimensioned so that at least one facial feature of a patient wearing the facial cushion and in a prone position is visible through the at least one aperture from beneath the patient; a video camera having a lens disposed for providing a sequence of video signals representing sequential images of the at least one facial feature that are visible through the at least one frontal aperture; monitoring means coupled to the video camera for enabling the images of the at least one facial feature to be monitored; and a mirrored surface disposed beneath the facial cushion to enable upright individuals standing adjacent to the facial cushion to view images of the features of the patient'"'"'s face that are reflected off of the mirrored surface. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17)
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14. Apparatus that allows at least one feature of a patient'"'"'s face to be observed while the patient is in a prone position, comprising:
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a facial cushion for providing cranial support for a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure, wherein the cushion has at least one frontal aperture that is dimensioned so that at least one facial feature of a patient wearing the facial cushion and in a prone position is visible through the at least one aperture from beneath the patient; a video camera having a lens disposed for providing a sequence of video signals representing sequential images of the at least one facial feature that are visible through the at least one frontal aperture; and monitoring means coupled to the video camera for enabling the images of the at least one facial feature to be monitored; wherein the lens is disposed at the end of a flexible arm that is attached to means that are stationary in relation to the facial cushion.
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Specification