A particle filled neck brace is used for immobilizing the neck and chin of a patient and includes a vacuum pump disposed on the neck brace, which pump is communicated to the interior of the neck brace. After the neck brace is secured around the neck and chin of the patient, the vacuum pump is manipulated to remove air from the neck brace to form a rigid mold about the patient's neck and chin. The vacuum pump has a one way directional valve so that the neck brace remains in a rigid configuration for as long as the neck brace is applied to the patient. The neck brace also specifically forms a rigid mold over the patient's chin so as to immobilize the patient as well as to provide a comfortable fit without inducing further distracting the patient or restricting the patient's venous return blood flow.

A protective device for protecting the face and/or head of an individual receiving medical treatment in a face upward position includes a face portion having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an aperture extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface, and includes a pair of opposed flexible side portions extending outwardly from the face portion. The face portion is configured to be positioned about the face of an individual with at least a portion of the individual's face exposed by the aperture, and the side portions are configured to be wrapped around and completely surround the head of the individual whereby the individual's head is supported on at least one of the side portions when the individual is receiving medical treatment in a face upward position.

A mandible support device comprising a structural member comprising a support component and an adhesive component. The support component is configured to extend from the head or face above the mandible to the region of the gonial angle, or from the gonial angle on a first side of a face to the gonial angle on a second side of a face, across the premaxilla region of the face. The adhesive component is configured such that the structural member can be temporarily attached to the skin.

The present invention relates to an immobilization mask comprising a first layer comprising a low temperature thermoplastic material, the first layer having a first side and a second side; at least one dimensionally stable attachment section connected to the first layer; and at least one deformable molding member connected to the first side or to the second side of the first layer. The present invention also relates to a method of immobilizing a patient's body part, comprising the steps of applying an immobilization mask comprising a first layer having a low temperature thermoplastic material and at least one dimensionally stable attachment section connected to the first layer, wherein at least one deformable molding member is placed between the first layer and the patient's head; and molding the first layer tightly to the patient's head and to the molding member.

Assembly of a carrier (3) for supporting a patient, an immobilisation mask (2) and connection means (13, 21, 22) for connecting the carrier (3) with the immobilisation mask (2), wherein the connection means (13, 21, 22) contain a profile (1) that is provided on a first side to be connected to the immobilisation mask (2) and on a second side contains first connection means (21) for connecting the immobilisation mask (2) to the carrier (3), the connection means (13, 21, 22) comprising carrier connection means (13) on the carrier (3), the first connection means (21) being provided to engage the corresponding carrier connection means (13), wherein a swivel and a swivel anchor point (36) are provided to cooperate such that when swivelling the swivel arm (34) around the swivel anchor point (36) towards the carrier (3), the first connection means (21) are guided to the connected state.

An immobilization apparatus having at least one or more straps that engage a surface; wherein at least one of the straps comprises a force gauge to determine the amount of force applied to a patient immobilized with said straps; wherein the position of the patient is replicable for treatment of radiation and other head or neck treatments.

A spinal treatment system includes a traction device, an exercise device adapted for imparting curvature to the lumbar or sacral spine of a user and for manipulating the spine and intervertebral discs with decompression force, and a cushion coupled to the traction device and configured to bear against one or both of a head of the user and the thoracic spine of the user. The exercise device includes a frame for placement on the floor. A pad or inflatable bladder is carried by the top surface of the frame. A body strap attachment portion encompasses the thoracic-sacral spinal vertebrae region of the user and secures the frame to the user. The cushion includes one or more pad sections or inflatable bladder sections.

Methods of immobilizing the head of a patient include heating a thermoplastic mask preform to a formable temperature, forming the thermoplastic mask over at least a mouth of the patient, and pushing a mouth receiving end of a bite piece into a portion of the thermoplastic mask preform that is positioned over the mouth of the patient, which moves the portion of the thermoplastic mask preform into the mouth of the patient. The methods also include allowing the thermoplastic mask preform to cool from the formable temperature, causing the portion of the thermoplastic mask moved into the mouth of the patient to harden.

Systems for immobilizing a patient are disclosed. The system includes at least one preform formed from a low melting temperature thermoplastic, the preform being configured to be formed to the anatomy of the patient, at least one frame coupled to the at least one preform, and at least one support configured to support the anatomy of the patient. The system also includes at least one lock mechanism coupled to at least one of the frame and the support and configured to couple the at least one frame to the at least one support, and at least one adjuster mechanism coupled to at least one of the at least one frame and the at least one support and configured to selectively adjust a distance between the at least one frame and the at least one support while the at least one frame is coupled to the at least one support.

This device is a positioning device which positions the head in a way that allows for the relaxation and associated limiting of neural inputs to the lateral sternocleidomastoid muscle. The lateral sternocleidomastoid (to be known as lateral SCM) has been described as a proprioceptive muscle that has a feedback system which may be associated with nautical nausea. This device is shaped much like a pillow and places the user's head in a position which relaxes the lateral SCM muscle and further limits certain neural inputs into said muscle, which subsequently decreases the activity in the cranial feedback system that is associated with this nausea. The end result of this positioning and subsequent lack of neural inputs is an effective relief from nausea associated with typical sea-sickness. The user is required to use the device in a specific manner, which includes 90 seconds of relaxation of the neck and associated resting of the head on the device.