초록 ▼

Apparatus is disclosed for maintaining the position of a patient during a dical procedure such as imaging by position emission tomography (PET) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or radiotherapeutic uses of medical procedures wherein maintaining a portion of the patient's body in a stationary posit

Apparatus is disclosed for maintaining the position of a patient during a dical procedure such as imaging by position emission tomography (PET) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or radiotherapeutic uses of medical procedures wherein maintaining a portion of the patient's body in a stationary position is important. The apparatus includes a system for tracking motion of the particular body portion of interest, such as the head, a computer for receiving signals from the tracking system, and determining if undesired motion of the body portion has occurred and, if so, issuing a corrective signal which through a plurality of motors effects repositioning of the body portion to the desired location. This monitoring and repositioning may take place at a very high frequency. A particular contemplated use is immobilizing and positioning of the head during brain scans. An associated method is disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for positioning a patient in a desired position during a medical procedure, the patient having a body including a head and a face said apparatus includingmeans for restraining the portion of the patient's body being subjected to said medical procedure,tracking m

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for positioning a patient in a desired position during a medical procedure, the patient having a body including a head and a face said apparatus includingmeans for restraining the portion of the patient's body being subjected to said medical procedure,tracking means for tracking motion of said body portion,computer means for receiving signals from said tracking means and determining if said body portion has moved from the desired position and if it has emitting a corrective signal, andpower means for receiving said computer means corrective signals and responsively moving said body portion to the desired position, said power means being capable of moving said body portion in both translational and rotational directions,said means for restraining including means for restraining the patient's head,said means for restraining the patient's head having a head support portion for underlying support of the patient's head and a mask for overlying the patient's face, andmask securing means for securing said head support and said mask with a patient's head positioned therebetween,said power means including motor means operatively associated with said head support for moving said head support to the desired position,said motor means including (a) a first motor for moving said head support in a first translational direction (b) a second motor for moving said head support in a second translational direction generally perpendicular to said first translational direction, and (c) a third motor for moving said head support in a third translational direction generally perpendicular to said first and second translational directions, andsaid motor means also including (a) a fourth motor for effecting rotary movement of said head restraint about said first translational direction, (b) a fifth motor for effecting rotary movement of said head support about said second translational direction, and (c) a sixth motor for effecting rotary movement of said head support about said third translational direction.