Body positioner

• US 6,725,481 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mabel E. Marshall
• Original Assignee: Mabel E. Marshall
• Inventors: Marshall, Mabel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Teri Pham
• Assistant Examiner(s): Conley, Fredrick
• Application Number:
  US10/295,608
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 565/0, 564/6, 564/8, 562/1, 562/4, 128/845, 128/846
• US Class Current: 5/650
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/702 Posture restraints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0421 with immobilising means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0442 made of non-metallic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/12 Rests specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of patient-supporting surfaces rests for the surgeon A61B90/60; restraining devices A61F5/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/1225 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/123 Lower body, e.g. pelvis, hip, buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/065 Rests specially adapted therefor

Abstract

A device for positioning a patient for medical imaging comprising an inclined surface comprising a radiotranslucent low end segment and a high end segment. The inclined surface comprises a concave-shaped recess for supporting the patient'"'"'s torso at the low end segment and legs at the high end. The low end and high end of the inclined surface form an obtuse angle with respect to each other. The device also comprises at least one inclined surface support that may be attached to the inclined surface at the low end or, alternatively, to the high end. The support supports the inclined surface such that the high end has a height greater than the low end.

Claims

1. A device for positioning a patient for medical imaging comprising:

an inclined surface, said surface comprising a radiotranslucent low end segment and a high end segment, said inclined surface comprising a concave-shaped recess to receive the patient'"'"'s torso at the low end segment and legs at the high end, said concave-shaped recess supporting the torso such that an upper portion of the torso is positioned lower than a lower portion of the torso to allow medical imaging of the patient'"'"'s head and/or spine, said low end and high end forming an obtuse angle with respect to each other; and

at least one inclined surface support, said support attached to the inclined surface at either the low end or the high end, said support supporting the inclined surface such that the high end has a height greater than the low end.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the obtuse angle is about 135°

.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the inclined surface has a dorsal surface that is curvilinear.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a brace.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the low end segment has a width capable of fitting within an inner diameter of a patient aperture of a medical imager.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the inclined surface and the support comprise a relatively rigid material.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pad.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one restraint.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the restraint is a band, a stretchable band, at least one tie, a joinable stretchable component, or a joinable nonstretchable component.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the restraint is a hook and loop fastener, said fastener positioned to secure at least a portion of the patient'"'"'s body to the inclined surface.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the fastener secures at least one of the patient'"'"'s torso and the patient'"'"'s legs.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the recess is shaped to conform to the patient'"'"'s back, buttocks and legs.

13. The device of claim 1 further comprising a strap to assist in moving the device.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the inclined surface support extends from the low end, said device further comprising:

two opposing sidewalls extending from each opposite lateral side of the inclined surface; and

an end extending from an edge of the high end segment, said end connected to an edge of each sidewall and the inclined surface support such that the inclined surface, inclined surface support, sidewalls and end form a solid shape.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the solid shape further comprises a hollow portion.

16. The device of claim 15 further comprising at least one restraint.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the restraint is a hook and loop fastener, said fastener positioned to secure at least a portion of the patient'"'"'s body to the inclined surface.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the fastener secures at least one of the patient'"'"'s torso and the patient'"'"'s legs.

19. A device for positioning a patient for medical imaging comprising:

an inclined surface, said surface comprising a radiotranslucent low end segment and a high end segment, said inclined surface comprising a concave-shaped recess for receiving the patient'"'"'s torso at the low end segment and legs at the high end, said concave-shaped recess supporting the torso such that an upper portion of the torso is positioned lower than a lower portion of the torso to allow medical imaging of the patient'"'"'s head and/or spine, said low end and high end forming an obtuse angle with respect to each other;

an inclined surface support, said support attached to the inclined surface at the low end;

at least two opposing sidewalls extending from each lateral side of the inclined surface, said sidewalls comprising a strap and at least one hook and loop fastener for holding the patient against the inclined surface; and

an end extending from an edge of the high end segment, said end connected to an edge of each sidewall and the inclined surface support.

20. A device for positioning a patient for medical imaging comprising:

an inclined surface, said surface comprising a radiotranslucent low end segment and a high end segment, said inclined surface comprising a concave-shaped recess for receiving the patient'"'"'s torso at the low end segment and legs at the high end, said concave-shaped recess supporting the torso such that an upper portion of the torso is positioned lower than a lower portion of the torso to allow medical imaging of the patient'"'"'s head and/or spine, said low end and high end forming an obtuse angle with respect to each other;

an inclined surface support, said support attached to the inclined surface at either the low end or the high end; and

at least one hook and loop fastener for holding the patient against the inclined surface.