Vacuum-assisted fixation apparatus
First Claim
1. A stereotactic fixation apparatus, comprising:
- a stereotactic frame; and
a mouthpiece attached to said stereotactic frame, said mouthpiece having a surface for contacting a patient'"'"'s hard palate and a port positioned at a point on said mouthpiece distal of said surface and adapted for connection to a source of vacuum, said mouthpiece being configured to provide a fluidic path between said surface and said port to provide a vacuum attachment between the surface and the hard palate of the patient.
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Accused Products
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.
102 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A stereotactic fixation apparatus, comprising:
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a stereotactic frame; and a mouthpiece attached to said stereotactic frame, said mouthpiece having a surface for contacting a patient'"'"'s hard palate and a port positioned at a point on said mouthpiece distal of said surface and adapted for connection to a source of vacuum, said mouthpiece being configured to provide a fluidic path between said surface and said port to provide a vacuum attachment between the surface and the hard palate of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A fixation apparatus, comprising:
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a platform for supporting a body of a patient; a skull immobilization device contacting said platform at least at one interface region; and a port adapted for connection to a source of vacuum, said port being in fluidic communication with said interface region and formed in said platform or in said skull immobilization device whereby a vacuum holds said immobilization device against said platform when vacuum pressure is applied to said interface region through said port. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of accurately and reproducibly positioning a patient'"'"'s skull for a medical procedure, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a mouthpiece attached to a stereotactic frame; positioning said mouthpiece within said patient'"'"'s mouth in a position in which said mouthpiece extends beneath the patient'"'"'s hard palate; and applying a vacuum to draw said mouthpiece against the patient'"'"'s hard palate so as to secure said mouthpiece within the patient'"'"'s mouth. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification