Video observation of a patient's face during a medical procedure while the patient is in a prone position
First Claim
1. Apparatus for initiating an alert of a change in a feature of a patient'"'"'s face while the patient is in a prone position during a medical procedure, 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 through the at least one frontal aperture; and
a computer coupled to the video camera for processing the video signals;
wherein the computer is programmed (a) for processing the video signals to detect a change in at least one aspect of the sequential images of the at least one facial feature that exceeds a predetermined threshold while the facial cushion is providing cranial support for the patient in a prone position during a medical procedure, and (b) for initiating a alert when the predetermined threshold is exceeded.
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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.
18 Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for initiating an alert of a change in a feature of a patient'"'"'s face while the patient is in a prone position during a medical procedure, 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 through the at least one frontal aperture; and a computer coupled to the video camera for processing the video signals; wherein the computer is programmed (a) for processing the video signals to detect a change in at least one aspect of the sequential images of the at least one facial feature that exceeds a predetermined threshold while the facial cushion is providing cranial support for the patient in a prone position during a medical procedure, and (b) for initiating a alert when the predetermined threshold is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A nontransitory computer readable storage medium for use with a computer in apparatus for initiating an alert of a change in a feature of a patient'"'"'s face while the patient is in a prone position during a medical procedure, said apparatus 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 through the at least one frontal aperture; and
a computer coupled to the video camera for processing the video signals;wherein the computer readable storage medium includes computer executable program instructions for causing the computer to perform and/or enable the steps of; (a) processing the video signals to detect a change in at least one aspect of the sequential images of the at least one facial feature that exceeds a predetermined threshold while the facial cushion is providing cranial support for the patient in a prone position during a medical procedure, and (b) initiating a alert when the predetermined threshold is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
- 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;
Specification