# US 2009/0260636 A1 · Fixation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260636 A1 - Document ID: US20090260636A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/427,471 - Filed: 2009-04-21 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-22 - Assignees: Elekta AB (publ) - Inventors: Marten MARKSTROEM - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260636A1 ## CPC - A61B 6/04: Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like - A61B 6/0421: {with immobilising means} - A61N 5/1084: {for delivering multiple intersecting beams at the same time, e.g. gamma knives} - A61N 2005/1097: {Means for immobilizing the patient} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract This invention relates to a fixation device for immobilizing a head of a patient relative a treatment unit or medical device during treatment of the head. The fixation device is provided with an interface unit adapted to be fixated in relation to an adaptor unit for connection to the treatment unit, or to a frame for connection to the medical device. Furthermore, the fixation device is further provided with a sliding plate being slidable in relation to said interface unit in an xz-plane of a coordinate system. The system is a Cartesian coordinate system defined by three orthogonal axis having an x-axis extending in the medial-lateral direction of the patient, an y-axis extending in the anterior-posterior direction, and a z-axis extending in the cranial-caudal direction. The fixation device is further provided with a plate locking means for locking said sliding plate in relation to said interface unit, a bite-block for being inserted into a mouth of the patient, a linking means for linking said bite-block with said sliding plate, at least one pivot point arranged such that the bite-block is movable at least in a plane orthogonal to the xz-plane; and a link locking means for locking said at least one pivot point in a desired position in relation to said linking means so as to fixate the bite-block to the interface unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fixation device for immobilizing a head of a patient relative a treatment unit or medical device during treatment of the head, said fixation device comprising an interface unit adapted to be fixated in relation to an adaptor unit for connection to the treatment unit, or to a frame for connection to the medical device; a sliding plate being slidable in relation to said interface unit in an xz-plane of a coordinate system, said system being a Cartesian coordinate system defined by three orthogonal axis having an x-axis extending in the medial-lateral direction of the patient, an y-axis extending in the anterior-posterior direction, and a z-axis extending in the cranial-caudal direction; a plate locking means for locking said sliding plate in relation to said interface unit; a bite-block for being inserted into a mouth of the patient; a linking means for linking said bite-block with said sliding plate; at least one pivot point arranged such that the bite-block is movable at least in a plane orthogonal to the xz-plane; and a link locking means for locking said at least one pivot point in a desired position in relation to said linking means so as to fixate the bite-block to the interface unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pivot point comprises a first shaft arranged on said sliding plate, the first shaft being parallel with said xz-plane, a second shaft arranged on the bite-block, the second shaft being parallel with the first shaft and being arranged outside the mouth when the bite-block is positioned in the mouth. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein said fixation device comprises at least a first pivot point between said sliding plate and said linking means and at least a second pivot point between said bite-block and said linking means for pivotally engaging the linking means with the sliding plate and bite-block, respectively, such that the bite-block is movable at least in a plane orthogonal to the xz-plane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein said pivot point is selected from a group comprising a socket-and-ball joint or hinge joint. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein the linking means comprises two parallel elongated link elements which are pressed together for pivotally holding the first and second shafts in a first and second recesses at opposite elongated ends for co-operation with said first and second shaft, whereby the bite-block is movable in a plane orthogonal to the xz-plane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fixation device according to claim 5, wherein the link locking means comprises screw means such that a force presses the elongated link elements together such that the first and second shafts are locked in position in relation to the link elements, and wherein the screw means is arranged such that said screw means can be operated from the side opposite the side facing the patient during a fixation operation prior to the treatment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The fixation device according to claim 5, wherein a contact surface of the link elements and the first and second shaft which are in contact is a frictional surface for frictional locking of the first and second shaft in position relative the link elements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein the linking means is adjustable in a direction parallel to an axis extending through the first and second shaft for adjusting the distance between the first and second shaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is adapted to be removably connected to an adaptor unit or a frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor unit is adapted to be removably connected to said treatment unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit is removably connected to the adaptor unit by means of fastening means, wherein the fastening means is arranged such that said fastening means can be operated from a side opposite a side facing the patient during a fixation operation prior to the treatment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fixation device according to claim 1, wherein the plate locking means comprises pressure means for pressing the sliding plate against the interface unit for frictionally locking the sliding plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The fixation device of claim 7, wherein the pressure means comprises a locking plate facing the sliding plate and a screw means such that a force is exerted against the locking plate which presses the sliding plate against the interface unit, and wherein the screw means is arranged such that said screw means can be operated from the side opposite the side facing the patient during a fixation operation prior to the treatment. ### Claim 14 A method for immobilizing a head of a patient relative a treatment unit during treatment of the head, said method comprising the steps of: providing an interface unit adapted to be fixated in relation to an adaptor unit for connection to the treatment unit, or to a frame for connection to the medical device; providing a sliding plate adapted to be slidable in relation to said interface unit in an xz-plane of a coordinate system, said system being a Cartesian coordinate system defined by three orthogonal axis having an x-axis extending in the medial-lateral direction of the patient, an y-axis extending in the anterior-posterior direction, and a z-axis extending in the cranial-caudal direction; providing a plate locking means adapted to lock said sliding plate in relation to said interface unit; providing a bite-block adapted to be inserted into a mouth of the patient; providing a linking means adapted to link said bite-block with said sliding plate; providing at least one pivot point arranged such that the bite-block is movable in a plane orthogonal to the xz-plane; providing a link locking means adapted to lock said at least one pivot point in a desired position in relation to said linking means so as to fixate the bite-block to the interface unit; positioning the bite-block in a co-operating position with a portion of the mouth using the slidable plate and the linking means; and fixating the positioning arrangement using the plate locking means and link locking means, thereby fixating the slidable plate and linking means, respectively. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of providing at least one pivot point comprises the steps of providing a first shaft arranged on said sliding plate, the first shaft being parallel with said xz-plane, providing a second shaft arranged on the bite-block, the second shaft being parallel with the first shaft and being arranged outside the mouth when the bite-block is positioned in the mouth. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of providing a linking means adapted to link said bite-block comprises the step of providing linking means having two parallel elongated link elements which are pressed together for pivotally holding the first and second shafts in a first and second recesses at opposite elongated ends for co-operation with said first and second shaft, whereby the bite-block is movable in a plane orthogonal to the xz-plane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises a step of releasing the patient from the bite-block and the interface unit from the adaptor unit or frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of releasing the patient from the bite-block and interface unit from the adaptor unit or frame further comprises the steps of: re-fixating the patient relatively the interface unit by means of inserting the bite-block and thereafter re-fixating the interface unit relative to the adaptor unit or frame. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) The fixation device according to claim 2, wherein said pivot point is selected from a group comprising a socket-and-ball joint or hinge joint. ### Claim 20 (depends on 3) The fixation device according to claim 3, wherein said pivot point is selected from a group comprising a socket-and-ball joint or hinge joint.