Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080214925 | DEVICE FOR PRECISION POSITIONING OF INSTRUMENTS AT A MRI SCANNER - A device in the form of an elongated articulating arm having a base for mounting it on or at the MRI apparatus. The free end of the arm is arranged to releasably mount any type of device, e.g., a clamp, a bracket, a biopsy needle guide, etc. The arm includes a plurality of interconnected segments each of which is arranged to pivot with respect to adjacent segments. A flexible elongated adjustable tensioning member extends through the arm between the base and the distal end portion to enable the arm to be moved or bent into a desired shape when tension is released and then held in that shape when tension is applied. | 09-04-2008 |
20090072107 | DEVICE FOR PRECISION POSITIONING OF INSTRUMENTS AT A MRI SCANNER - A device in the form of an elongated articulating arm having a base for mounting it on or at the MRI apparatus. The free end of the arm is arranged to releasably mount any type of device, e.g., a clamp, a bracket, a biopsy needle guide, etc. The arm includes a plurality of interconnected segments each of which is arranged to pivot about a respective axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm, but restricted from twisting about the longitudinal axis. A flexible elongated adjustable tensioning member in the form of plural sections of a cord extend through respective ones of plural flexible sheaths within the arm between the base and the distal end portion to enable the arm to be moved or bent into a desired shape when tension is released and then held in that shape when tension is applied. | 03-19-2009 |
20090143684 | NEEDLE GUIDE SYSTEM FOR USE WITH ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS TO EFFECT SHALLOW PATH NEEDLE ENTRY AND METHOD OF USE - An ultrasound needle guide system for use with an ultrasound transducer and method of use of the guide system to provide predictable trajectories for puncture devices at various depths. The needle guide system basically consists of a bracket and a needle guide. The bracket is arranged to be releasably secured to the ultrasound transducer. The transducer/bracket assembly is then placed into an isolating sterile cover. The needle guide is arranged to be readily attached, e.g., snap-fit, to the transducer/bracket with the cover interposed therebetween. The needle guide can be provided in various versions for differing puncture device sizes and various entry angles in relation to the transducer. In one embodiment the needle guide is arranged to establish plural predetermined entry angles. | 06-04-2009 |
20090247819 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A LAPAROSCOPIC DEVICE - A laparoscopic instrument holder for positioning a laparoscopic device includes a central portion having a first member operatively associated with a second member, the members selectively movable with respect to one another along a central axis, with the central portion having a proximal end defined by the first member and a distal end defined by the second member. The holder also includes at least three proximal rotational joints coupled to the first member proximate the proximal end, at least two distal rotational joints coupled to the second member proximate the distal end, a first ball and socket joint coupled to a distal rotational joint, and a second ball and socket joint coupled to the first ball and socket joint. In addition, the holder includes a clamp configured and dimensioned for retaining a laparoscopic device, with the clamp coupled to the second ball and socket joint, and a coupling portion proximate a first of the proximal rotational joints. | 10-01-2009 |
20090307839 | PATIENT TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR USE IN STEREOTACTIC RADIATION THERAPY - A patient transfer system including a patient support panel, a first base member mounted on a first support structure, e.g., a gurney, and a second base member mounted on a second support structure, e.g., a patient treatment table. The patient support panel has a pair of longitudinally extending side rails. Each base member has at least one clamp arranged to engage a rail of the patient support panel to hold it in place thereon. The clamps are releasable to enable the patient support panel to be slid off of one base member and onto the other base member. If the support structures are spaced apart at least one bridging member is provided to bridge the gap therebetween and allow the patient support member to be slid thereacross. | 12-17-2009 |
20090308400 | PATIENT POSITIONING SYSTEM - A system for positioning a patient on a treatment couchtop for SBRT is provided. The system includes a patient support panel and at least one positioning/fixation component for releasable mounting on the patient support panel at a desired position to immobilize a portion of the patient's body. The patient support panel includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a series of longitudinally spaced indexing apertures for receipt of a locking bar for mounting a positioning/fixation component thereon at a discrete index position. The at least one positioning component includes a pair of clamping mechanisms for releasably securing that component to the side rails at any longitudinal position along the side rails. | 12-17-2009 |
20100116095 | OPENER FOR PLASTIC BOTTLE TWIST CAPS - A device for enabling the unscrewing of a cap from a bottle or jar is disclosed. The device is in the form of a somewhat elongated body in which a releasably engageable cam member and a torsion spring are located. The body is arranged to be grasped by a user of the device. The body includes a pair of cavities, each arranged for receipt of a cap of a bottle or jar therein. The cam member has a pair of ridged or serrated surfaces which are normally biased into the cavities by the spring to releasably engage a portion of the periphery of a cap disposed within either cavity. | 05-13-2010 |
20110022034 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A LAPAROSCOPIC DEVICE - A system for positioning a laparoscopic device includes a curvilinear articulating arm and a holder. The holder has at least two rotational regions and a clamping portion for receiving the laparoscopic device, and the holder is coupled to the curvilinear articulating arm. The at least two rotational regions are permitted to articulate. In addition, a method of positioning a laparoscopic device in a skin port of a mammal includes: securing the laparoscopic device to a holder having at least two rotational joints; coupling the holder to a curvilinear articulating arm; disposing the laparoscopic device partially within the skin port; positioning the laparoscopic device by selectively articulating the curvilinear articulating arm and selectively rotating portions of the holder with respect to one another. | 01-27-2011 |
20110166446 | ACTIVE MARKER DEVICE FOR USE IN ELECTROMAGNETIC TRACKING SYSTEM - A device for use in an image-guided procedure on a patient is disclosed. The device includes an EM sensor assembly, a frame assembly (e.g., a base portion from which a plurality of legs project upward to a common point) and a plurality of attachment members. Each attachment member is arranged to be releasably (e.g., adhesively) secured to the skin of a patient and to be coupled to the frame assembly to secure the frame assembly on the skin of the patient. The EM sensor assembly is arranged to be releasably secured to the frame assembly (e.g., pivotably snap-fit into a socket in the frame assembly). The device additionally includes plural visualizable elements (e.g., metal balls) that are adapted to be readily imaged to establish imaging reference points and a plurality of asymmetrically disposed apertures to enable tattooing indicia on the skin of the patient through the apertures. | 07-07-2011 |
20120145582 | POP-UP TOOL CARRIER - A device for holding and carrying various items, e.g., hand tools or other small items, is disclosed. It includes a lower tray, an upper tray, a pair of foldable strut assemblies and a handle. Each strut assembly includes a pair of leg sections pivotably connected together. The strut assemblies are located at diagonally located corners of the trays with their leg sections arranged to be pivoted to an open position, whereupon the upper tray is spaced above said lower tray to provide ready access to any items in said lower tray. Torsion springs are provided to hold the tray in that position. | 06-14-2012 |
20120186588 | PATIENT POSITIONING SYSTEM - A system for positioning a patient on a treatment couchtop for SBRT is provided. The system includes a patient support panel and at least one positioning/fixation component for releasable mounting on the patient support panel at a desired position to immobilize a portion of the patient's body. The patient support panel includes a pair of longitudinally extending side rails having a series of longitudinally spaced indexing apertures for receipt of a locking bar for mounting a positioning/fixation component thereon at a discrete index position. The at least one positioning component includes a pair of clamping mechanisms for releasably securing that component to the side rails at any longitudinal position along the side rails. | 07-26-2012 |
20130312184 | JOINT ASSEMBLY FOR CONNECTING A LONG EXTENSION PANEL TO A PATIENT SUPPORT PANEL OF A RADIATION THERAPY TABLE AND A TWO-PIECE PATIENT SUPPORT TABLE FORMED THEREBY - A joint assembly for forming a two part radiation therapy treatment table is disclosed. The treatment table includes a patient support panel to which one portion of the joint assembly is secured, and a table extension panel to which another portion of the joint assembly is secured. The joint assembly self-aligns, self levels, is immediately stable, and locks automatically by its weight and downward pressure. The joint assembly also includes an automatic failsafe secondary lock that resists joint release if upward forces are applied. Disengaging the secondary lock requires and results in no displacement of the two panels. Upon separation of the two panels the lock resets automatically. | 11-28-2013 |
20130327188 | SLIP-RESISTANT SCREWDRIVER FOR SLOTTED SCREWS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING SLOTTED SCREWS - A screwdriver blade and method for driving a conventional screw having a single transverse slot is disclosed. The driver blade has an elongated body having a central longitudinal axis and a tip. The tip has a distal end in the form of a planar end face that is arranged to engage the bottom surface of the screw's slot. The end face includes a sharply tapered symmetrical spike projecting outward from it along an axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the blade. The spike is arranged to dig into the material of the screw at the bottom surface of the screw's slot to prevent slippage of the tip within the slot and without marring the appearance of the slot. | 12-12-2013 |
20140115786 | PATIENT POSITIONING DEVICE FOR STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY - A device for positioning and immobilizing the head of patient on a treatment table is disclosed. The device comprises a bridge member, a longitudinal arm, and two transverse arms. The bridge member is releasably mounted on the treatment table. The longitudinal arm is pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the bridge member and is arranged to be pivoted from one side of the bridge member to the other side of it, and vice versa, above the patient's head. The transverse arms are releasably secured to the longitudinal arm and are positionable along a portion of the length of the longitudinal arm. Each transverse arm is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and mounts an anatomy engagement component, e.g., a nasion pad or a bite tray, thereon which can be moved into engagement with the patient's head. | 05-01-2014 |