System for restraining head and neck movement

• US 7,185,656 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2004
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ergomd LLC, Rutan & Tucker
• Original Assignee: Ergomd LLC
• Inventors: Wakhloo, Ajay, DeGreiff, Gustavo, Pizarro, Marcelo
• Primary Examiner(s): Bianco; Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN
• Application Number:
  US11/008,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20060124136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 128/845, 128/870, 128/871, 128/869, 602/32, 602/17, 602/18, 563/7
• US Class Current: 128/869
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/14 Fixators for body parts, e.g. skull clamps; Constructional details of fixators, e.g. pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/055 Cervical collars

Abstract

The device configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention comprises a base element having a head support region and an upper body support region. The base element is configured to rest upon a base platform that has an attachment point for securing the base element to the base platform and a joint element that enables movement of the base element into an angled position. A restraint mechanism extends from the base platform and is configured to hold the patient'"'"'s shoulders in position. Head support elements on each side of the device acts as a mechanism for restricting mobility of the patient'"'"'s head. By holding the shoulders and head the device is able to also restrict neck movement. Reducing patient movement enables diagnostic angiography using a digital subtraction technique (DSA) of the head, neck, and upper shoulder, as well as both non-catheter-based and catheter-based interventions without motion artifact. Restricted movement also provides safe access to the patient for critical procedures which require little or no patient motion while still maintaining a comfortable environment for the patient.

Claims

1. An apparatus for restraining and supporting a patient comprising:

a base element having a head support region and an upper body support region;

said head support region comprising an inwardly shaped surface and a base surface where said inwardly shaped surface is concaved to act as a head rest for a patient sitting in a reclined position for purposes of receiving a procedure to be administered;

said upper body support region comprising a base surface, a lower side and a higher side and having a surface region that inclines from said lower side to said higher side and is contoured to provide a comfortable place for the patient'"'"'s shoulders and upper chest area and neck to rest;

a set of one or more upwardly extending arms where said set of upwardly extending arms are configured to wrap around said patient'"'"'s upper body area and coupled with a base platform wherein said set of upwardly extending arms are shaped to extend from said base platform under a patient'"'"'s arm and across said patient'"'"'s chest region; and

said base platform coupled with said base surface of said head support region and said upper body support region and having a joint element configured to enable movement of said base element into a inclined position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said joint element comprises a locking mechanism configured to enable locking of said base element in said inclined position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base platform is coupled with said base support surface via an attachment point.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a set of one or more head support elements coupled with said base platform and configured to restrict movement of a patient'"'"'s head.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said set of upwardly extending arms comprises a pair of upwardly extending arms and further comprising a extension mechanism for changing the distance between said pair to accommodate said patient.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said set of upwardly extending arms are coupled with a joint element configured to enable movement of said arms.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base platform is coupled with a hospital bed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said joint element comprises a motorized mechanism.

9. An apparatus for restraining and supporting a patient comprising:

a base element having a head support region and an upper body support region;

said head support region comprising an inwardly shaped surface and a base surface where said inwardly shaped surface is concaved to act as a head rest for a patient sitting in a reclined position for purposes of receiving a procedure to be administered;

said upper body support region comprising a base surface, a lower side and a higher side and having a surface region that inclines from said lower side to said higher side and is contoured to provide a comfortable place for the patient'"'"'s shoulders and upper chest area and neck to rest;

a set of one or more upwardly extending arms where said set of upwardly extending arms are configured to wrap around said patient'"'"'s upper body area and coupled with a base platform wherein said set of upwardly extending arms are shaped to extend from said base platform under a patient'"'"'s arm and across said patient'"'"'s chest region;

said base platform coupled with said base surface of said head support region and said upper body support region and having a joint element configured to enable movement of said base element into a inclined position; and

,

a set of one or more head support elements attached with said base platform and configured to restrict movement of a patient'"'"'s head.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said set of one or more head support elements are configured to restrict the rotation of said patient'"'"'s head about an axis parallel to said patient'"'"'s spine.