Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for positioning patient

US6138302A · kind A · utility

86Cited by
7References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 10, 1998
Grant dateOct 31, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 10, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2005/1097
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.