MRI-COMPATIBLE HEAD FIXATION APPARATUS

• US 20140024925A1
• Filed: 02/28/2013
• Published: 01/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clearpoint Neuro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MRI Interventions, Inc. (Clearpoint Neuro, Inc.)
• Inventors: Piferi, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,031,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/415
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head

Abstract

An MRI-compatible base is configured to support an MRI-compatible head support frame. The base is configured to be secured to a gantry associated with an MRI scanner, and to extend across a width of the gantry. The base allows the head support frame to be moved to any of a plurality of locations across the width of the gantry, and allows the head support frame to rotate about two orthogonal axes so as to be positioned at any of a plurality of angles relative to the gantry.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a head support frame within a bore of an MRI scanner, the apparatus comprising an elongated base formed entirely of MRI compatible material, wherein the base is configured to be secured to a gantry associated with an MRI scanner and to extend across a width of the gantry, wherein the base is configured to removably receive an MRI compatible head support frame for immobilizing the head of a patient during a medical procedure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base allows the head support frame to be moved to any of a plurality of locations across the width of the gantry.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base allows the head support frame to rotate about two orthogonal axes so as to be positioned at any of a plurality of angles relative to the gantry.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base allows the head support frame to slide along the base to any of a plurality of positions relative to the width of the gantry.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a pair of support members and an elongated member extending therebetween and movably coupled to the support members such that the elongated member can rotate about its axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the head support frame is slidably secured to the elongated member and can be positioned at any of a plurality of locations between the support members.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elongated member has a substantially rectangular cross section.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elongated member comprises a plurality of substantially flat, elongated surfaces with rounded edges between adjacent ones of the flat, elongated surfaces.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each support member comprises a lower surface that is oriented at an angle relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongated member.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each support member comprises a lower surface and a gripping element that extends outwardly from the lower surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the gripping element extends outwardly from the lower surface at an angle relative to the lower surface.

12. A head fixation assembly for immobilizing the head of a patient during a medical procedure, comprising:

an elongated base formed entirely of MRI compatible material, wherein the base is configured to be secured to a gantry associated with an MRI scanner and to extend across a width of the gantry;

a head support frame movably attached to the base, wherein the head support frame comprises a pair of head engagement arms extending outwardly from opposing sides of the base, wherein each head engagement arm comprises a free end, wherein the head support frame is slidable along the base so as to be positioned at any of a plurality of locations across the width of the gantry, and wherein the head support frame is rotatable about two orthogonal axes so as to be positioned at any of a plurality of angles relative to the gantry; and

at least one head fixation member associated with the free end of each respective arm, wherein the head fixation members are configured to engage a patient'"'"'s head within the head support frame.

13. The head fixation assembly of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a pair of support members and an elongated member extending between and movably coupled to the support members such that the elongated member can rotate about its axis.

14. The head fixation assembly of claim 13, wherein the support members are configured to be secured to a gantry associated with an MRI scanner.

15. The head fixation assembly of claim 13, wherein the head support frame is slidably secured to the elongated member and can be positioned at any of a plurality of locations between the gantry support members.

16. The head fixation assembly of claim 13, wherein the elongated member has opposite first and second end portions, wherein each of the first and second end portions includes a free end portion that is received within a bore in a respective one of the supports.

17. The head fixation assembly of claim 16, further comprising a first connector that surrounds a free end portion of the elongated member, wherein the first connector has a plurality of engagement teeth, and wherein a support that receives the free end portion includes a second connector that has a plurality of engagement teeth configured to mateably engage with the engagement teeth of the first connector to prevent axial rotation of the elongated member.

18. The head fixation assembly of claim 13, wherein the elongated member comprises a connector housing slidably secured thereto, a shaft having a free distal end extending outwardly from the connector housing, and a first connector that surrounds the shaft, wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of engagement teeth.

19. The head fixation assembly of claim 18, wherein the head support frame comprises a bore extending through one of the head engagement arms that is configured to receive the shaft, and a second connector surrounding the bore, wherein the second connector that has a plurality of engagement teeth configured to mateably engage with the engagement teeth of the first connector to prevent axial rotation of the shaft.

20. The head fixation assembly of claim 13, wherein the elongated member has a substantially rectangular cross section.

21. The head fixation assembly of claim 13, wherein the elongated member comprises a plurality of substantially flat, elongated surfaces with rounded edges between adjacent ones of the flat, elongated surfaces.

22. The head fixation assembly of claim 12, further comprising a flexible RF coil closely spaced to the free end of each head engagement arm of the head support assembly.