DEVICE FOR POSITIONING A PERSON'S HEAD IN PREPARATION FOR A TREATMENT AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

A head positioner is provided for correctly positioning a patient’s head, the head positioner configured for use with a stand, the head positioner comprising: a platform which is configured to be mounted on the stand; a slider which is in slidable engagement with the platform, the slider movable longitudinally; a bracket which is mounted on the slider or is integral with the slider; and a landmark pad, the landmark pad including a pin which is in rotational engagement with the bracket, and a central depression or a central aperture for accepting a selected landmark of a patient’s head.

Claims

1. A head positioner for use with a stand, the head positioner comprising: a platform which is configured to be mounted on the stand; a slider which is in slidable engagement with the platform, the slider movable longitudinally; a bracket which is mounted on the slider or is integral with the slider; and a landmark pad, the landmark pad including a pin which is in rotational engagement with the bracket, and a central depression or a central aperture for accepting a selected landmark of a patient’s head.

2. The head positioner of claim 1, further comprising an adjustor configured for horizontal movement of the landmark pad.

3. The head positioner of claim 2, wherein the landmark pad further includes an elongated wedge which is parallel to the pin.

4. The head positioner of claim 3, wherein the elongated wedge is disposed on an inner surface of the landmark pad.

5. The head positioner of claim 4, wherein the landmark pad further includes a cone which is disposed on an outer surface of the landmark pad and is configured to mate with a cone-mate.

6. The head positioner of claim 5, wherein the pin is a gimballed pin.

7. The head positioner of claim 6, wherein the landmark pad is configured to accept an ear of the patient’s head.

8. A head positioner for positioning a patient’s head, the head positioner having at least five degrees of freedom, the head positioner comprising: a platform which is configured to be mounted on a stand or a treatment table; a first member configured to move along the platform on a longitudinal axis; a second member configured to move along the platform along a horizontal axis; and a landmark pad attached to the first member and the second member and configured for rotation in relation to the platform, the landmark pad including a central depression or a central aperture for accepting a selected landmark of the patient’s head.

9. The head positioner of claim 8, further comprising a vertical adjustment member attached to the platform and configured for mounting on the treatment table.

10. The head positioner of claim 9, wherein the landmark pad further includes an elongated wedge which is parallel to the pin.

11. The head positioner of claim 10, wherein the elongated wedge is disposed on an inner surface of the landmark pad.

12. The head positioner of claim 11, wherein the landmark pad further includes a cone which is disposed on an outer surface of the landmark pad and is configured to mate with a cone-mate.

13. The head positioner of claim 12, further comprising a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to control positioning of the landmark pad.

14. The head positioner of claim 13, wherein the microprocessor includes a wireless radio.

15. A head positioning system, the head positioning system comprising a vertically adjustable stand and a head positioner, the head positioner including: a platform which is mounted on the stand; a slider which is in slidable engagement with the platform, the slider movable longitudinally; a bracket which is mounted on the slider or is integral with the slider; and a landmark pad, the landmark pad including a pin which is in rotational engagement with the bracket, and a central depression or a central aperture for accepting a selected landmark of a patient’s head.

16. The head positioning system of claim 15, wherein the head positioner further comprises an adjustor configured for horizontal movement of the landmark pad.

17. The head positioning system of claim 15, wherein the landmark pad of the head positioner further includes an elongated wedge which is parallel to the pin.

18. The head positioning system of claim 17, wherein the elongated wedge of the head positioner is disposed on an inner surface of the landmark pad.

19. The head positioning system of claim 18, wherein the landmark pad of the head positioner further includes a cone which is disposed on an outer surface of the landmark pad and is configured to mate with a cone-mate.

20. A head positioning system, the head positioning system having six degrees of freedom, and comprising a vertically adjustable stand and a head positioner, the head positioner comprising: a platform which is mounted on the stand; a first member configured to move along the platform on a longitudinal axis; a second member configured to move along the platform along a horizontal axis; and a landmark pad attached to the first member and the second member and configured for rotation in relation to the platform, the landmark pad including a central depression or a central aperture for accepting a selected landmark of the patient’s head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the head positioning system of the present technology.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present technology.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a top view of the yoke or bracket with an additional slider orthogonal to the first slider.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the landmark pad.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment landmark pad.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment landmark pad.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment landmark pad.

[0055] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment landmark pad.

DESCRIPTION

[0056] Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification: (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term “about” applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words “herein”, “hereby”, “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereinbefore”, and “hereinafter”, and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) “or” and “any” are not exclusive and “include” and “including” are not limiting. Further, the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

[0057] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

[0058] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.

[0059] A head positioning system, generally referred to as 10, is shown in FIG. 1. It includes a stand, generally referred to as 12, which has a sleeve 14 and arm 16 adjustably housed therein. The stand 12 allows for vertical adjustment through a telescoping action. At the proximal end 18 of the stand 12 a platform 20 is mounted. The platform 20 includes a slide 22. A yoke 24 is in slidable engagement with the slide 22 allowing for movement along a longitudinal axis. To this end, the yoke includes a slider 28. The yoke 24 retains a landmark pad 30. The landmark pad 30 includes a pin 32 which is releasably retained by the yoke 24 with a lever 34. When the lever 34 is loosened, the landmark pad 30 can be tilted up and down about a horizontal axis (the pitch axis). The landmark pad 30 is shaped as an elongated doughnut, with a central aperture 38 or central depression.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the pin 32 is replaced with a gimballed pin 40. The gimballed pin 40 allows for rotational adjustment about the longitudinal axis (the roll axis), about the horizontal axis (the pitch axis) and about the vertical axis (the yaw axis). The platform 20, yoke 24 and landmark pad 30 are collectively referred to as the head positioning device 42. The head positioning system 10 is located proximate to a treatment table 50 but is independent of the treatment table 50.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, in another embodiment, an additional adjustor 52 is provided that allows for movement along the horizontal axis. A second slide 54 allows for the movement. Thus, between the stand 12 and the head positioning device 42, the head positioning system 10 provides six degrees of freedom.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, in another embodiment, a head positioning device 142 has six degrees of freedom. The head positioning device 142 has the additional adjustor 52 for movement along the horizontal axis and also has a vertical adjustor 144 for up and down adjustment. The yoke 24 includes a sleeve 146 and an arm 148 slidably engaged therein.

[0063] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the head positioning device 42 is integrated into the treatment table 50. Vertical adjustment is effected with a telescoping member, generally referred to as 56 on the treatment table 50. As in the first embodiment, at the proximal end 18 of the telescoping member 56 a platform 20 is mounted. The platform 20 includes a slide 22. A yoke or bracket 24 is in slidable engagement with the slide 22 allowing for movement along a longitudinal axis. To this end, the yoke 24 includes a slider 26. The yoke 24 retains a landmark pad 30. The landmark pad 30 includes a pin 32 which is releasably retained by the yoke 24 with a lever 34. When the lever 34 is loosened, the landmark pad 30 can be tilted up and down about a horizontal axis 36. The landmark pad 30 is shaped as an elongated doughnut, with a central aperture 38 or central depression.

[0064] In another embodiment of the integrated system, as shown in FIG. 6, the head positioning device 42 is integrated into the treatment table 50. The pin 32 is replaced with a gimballed pin 40. The gimballed pin 40 allows for rotational adjustment about the longitudinal axis (the roll axis), about the horizontal axis (the pitch axis) and about the vertical axis (the yaw axis). The platform 20, yoke 24 and landmark pad 30 are collectively referred to as the head positioning device 42.

[0065] In another embodiment of the integrated system, an additional adjustor 52 is provided that allows for movement along the horizontal axis (as is shown for the floor mounted stand version of FIG. 3). A second slide 54 allows for the movement. Thus, between the treatment table 50 and the head positioning device 42, there are six degrees of freedom.

[0066] The details of the landmark pad 30 are shown in FIG. 7. The landmark pad 30 is designed to support the user’s head both in a face down position and in a face to the side position. The ear of the user should be located in the central aperture 38 or central depression when the user is on their side. The landmark of interest in one embodiment is the ear, and more specifically the tragus.

[0067] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the landmark pad 30 includes an elongated wedge 58 on the inner surface 60 of the landmark pad 30. It parallels a pin 62 which retains a headband 64. The wedge 58 acts as a pivot point on the patient’s tragus. In another embodiment, the elongated wedge 58 parallels the pin 32 which is releasably retained by the yoke 24.

[0068] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the landmark pad 30 includes an elongated wedge 58 on the outer surface 66 of the landmark pad 30. It parallels the pin 62 which retains the headband 64. The wedge 58 acts as a pivot point at the contact point with the treatment table headrest 68, hence any positioning other than the tilt of the landmark pad 30 is a function of the treatment table 50 and/or the treatment table headrest 68. In another embodiment, the wedge 58 parallels the pin 32 which is releasably retained by the yoke 24.

[0069] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the landmark pad 30 includes a cone 70 centrally located on the outer surface 66 of the landmark pad 30. The cone 70 releasably mates with a cone mate 72 which is mounted on the treatment table headrest 68 with a mounting plate 74. The cone 70, cone mate 72 and mounting plate 74 form the connection between the patient’s head and the treatment table headrest 68, hence any positioning is a function of the treatment table 50 and/or the treatment table headrest 68.

[0070] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, both the elongated wedge 58 and the cone 70-cone mate 72 combination are included in the landmark pad 30. The elongated wedge 58 is on the inner surface 60 of the landmark pad 30. It parallels the pin 62 which retains the headband 64 as is shown in FIG. 8. The wedge 58 acts as a pivot point on the patient’s tragus. In another embodiment, the elongated wedge 58 parallels the pin 32 which is releasably retained by the yoke 24.

[0071] In one embodiment the stand 12 and the telescoping member 54 include one or more of a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and a spring to assist in vertical adjustment.

[0072] In one embodiment, the head positioning system 10 is automated. A microprocessor controls adjustment of the system 10. The microprocessor may include a wireless receiver and therefore, the practitioner can set the adjustments by communicating wirelessly to the microprocessor via a computing device.

[0073] In one embodiment the head positioning device 42 and the telescoping member 54 are automated. A microprocessor controls adjustment. The microprocessor may include a wireless receiver and therefore, the practitioner can set the adjustments by communicating wirelessly to the microprocessor via a computing device.

[0074] The following is a list of the functions of both the head positioning system 10 and the head positioning device 42 with telescoping member 54: [0075] Support head during treatment to the cervical (C) spine, and C1 region; [0076] Support head when patient is face down for other bodily treatments; [0077] Pivot head using tragus as pivot point; [0078] Provide tragus adjustments of 0.5 cm increments within a ± 3 cm range; and [0079] Allow 6 degrees of freedom (X, Y and Z [longitudinal, horizontal, and vertical] and pitch, yaw and roll).

[0080] The following is a list of the functions of the head positioning device 42: [0081] Support head during treatment to the cervical (C) spine, and C1 region; [0082] Support head when patient is face down for other bodily treatments; [0083] Pivot head using tragus as pivot point; [0084] Provide tragus adjustments of 0.5 cm increments within a ± 3 cm range; and [0085] In one embodiment, allow 5 degrees of freedom (X and Y [longitudinal and horizontal] and pitch, yaw and roll).

[0086] In another embodiment, the head positioning device 142 allows for 6 degrees of freedom (X, Y and Z [longitudinal, horizontal, and vertical] and pitch, yaw and roll).

[0087] While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.