Disposable low-melt thermoplastic mask incorporating an integral locking mechanism for attachment to patient restraint boards

• US 20050045187A1
• Filed: 08/24/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bionix Development Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bionix Development Corporation
• Inventors: Huttner, James J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,213,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/868
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1097 Means for immobilizing the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44026 for cooperating with aperture in supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured

Abstract

A disposable mask system for positioning a patient relative to a patient restraint board during radiation therapy includes a piece of low-melt thermoplastic material affixed to a rigid, non-thermoplastic frame. A lock-down mechanism is integrally incorporated into the rigid, non-thermoplastic frame, such that a manipulable portion of the lock-down mechanism extends upward from the surface of the rigid frame so that it is accessible by the user. An engagement member extends downward from the underside of the rigid frame such that it can engage corresponding holes in a patient restraint board, such that when the rigid frame is pushed down so that its engagement members fully engage the corresponding holes of the patient restraint board, then the thermoplastic mask system may by tightly secured to the patient restraint board by activating the lock-down mechanism.

Claims

1. A disposable mask system comprised of a piece of low-melt thermoplastic material affixed to a rigid, non-thermoplastic frame, with a lock-down mechanism integrally incorporated into the rigid, non-thermoplastic frame, such that a manipulable portion of the lock-down mechanism extends upward from the surface of the rigid frame so that it is accessible by the user, and where an engagement member extends downward from the underside of the rigid frame such that it can engage corresponding holes in a patient restraint board, such that when the rigid frame is pushed down so that its engagement members fully engage the corresponding holes of the patient restraint board, then the thermoplastic mask system may by tightly secured to the patient restraint board by activating the lock-down mechanism.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lock-down mechanism is comprised of a rotating cam-like mechanism that functions to draw closer or extend a locking pin closer-to or further-from the rigid, non-thermoplastic frame, and the locking pin has an expander that engages a split expandable member on the underside of the frame, wherein when the locking mechanism is rotated from the open to locked position, the locking pin is pulled tighter to the frame forcing the expander to engage and expand the expandable member on the underside of the frame.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the corresponding holes of the patient restraint board have a reverse frusto-conical shape to them, such that when the thermoplastic is fully conformed to the patient'"'"'s anatomy and the expander members on the underside of the rigid frame are fully engaged into the corresponding holes in the restraint board, the locking cam is rotated to the “

locked”

position, forcing the expandable members to expand and tightly engage the restraint board, holding the finished thermoplastic mask securely in place.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the lock-down mechanism is comprised of a panel rivet design, such that depressing the head of the locking pin portion that extends upward from the surface of the rigid frame forces expansion of the expandable member on the underside of the rigid frame, and when the expandable members on the underside of the rigid frame are fully engaged into the corresponding holes in the restraint board, then the expansion of the expandable members on the underside of the rigid frame securely engages the finished thermoplastic mask in place on the patient restraint board.

5. A method of securing a patient to a patient restraint board utilizing the disposable mask system of claim 1.

6. A method of securing a mask system, comprised of a piece of low-melt thermoplastic material affixed to a rigid, non-thermoplastic frame, to a patient restraint board utilizing a lock-down mechanism integrally incorporated into the rigid, non-thermoplastic frame.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the lock-down mechanism is comprised of a rotating cam-like mechanism.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the lock-down mechanism is comprised of a panel rivet design.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the lock-down mechanism is comprised of a locking means extending downward from the underside of the rigid frame of the thermoplastic mask that mates with an undercut in the patient restraint board.

10. A disposable mask system comprised of a piece of low-melt thermoplastic material affixed to a rigid, non-thermoplastic frame, wherein a lock-down mechanism is integrally incorporated into the rigid, non-thermoplastic frame for selectively securing the mask system to a patient restraint board.