Head and jaw immobilization device
AssigneeQfix Systems, LLC
InventorsDaniel D. Coppens, John Damon Kirk, Kristin M. Gagliardi, Sean F. McGrenaghan, Franklin B. Ports
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims41
A method of immobilizing the head of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- heating a thermoplastic mask preform to a formable temperature;
- forming the thermoplastic mask over at least a mouth of the patient;
- 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, thereby moving the portion of the thermoplastic mask preform into the mouth of the patient;
- and
- allowing the thermoplastic mask preform to cool from the formable temperature, thereby causing the portion of the thermoplastic mask to harden.
A device for immobilizing a head of a human, the device comprising:
- a bite piece configured to push a portion of a formable thermoplastic mask preform into a mouth of the human, the bite piece having a mouth receiving end and an applicator end;
- wherein the mouth receiving end immobilizes the head of the human when the human bites down on the mouth receiving end and the thermoplastic mask cools.
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A system for immobilizing a head of a patient, the system comprising:
- a formable thermoplastic mask preform having a portion configured to be positioned over a mouth of the patient;
- and
- a bite piece configured to push the portion of the formable thermoplastic mask preform into the mouth of the patient, the bite piece having a mouth receiving end and an applicator end, wherein the mouth receiving end immobilizes the head of the patient when the patient bites down on the mouth receiving end.
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A patient immobilizer assembly configured to immobilize a head of a patient, the patient immobilizer assembly comprising:
- a thermoplastic mask formed to be positioned over the head of the patient, the thermoplastic mask having a proximal surface configured to be positioned against the head of the patient and a distal surface;
- and
- a bite piece secured to the thermoplastic mask, the bite piece having a mouth receiving end extending into a concave region of the thermoplastic mask and extending outwardly from the distal surface of the thermoplastic mask;
- wherein the mouth receiving end of the bite piece immobilizes the head of the patient when the patient bites down on a portion of the thermoplastic mask corresponding to the mouth receiving end.
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A head and jaw immobilization device for securing a thermoplastic mask to a patient and immobilizing the patient comprising;
- a. a low melting temperature thermoplastic mask;
- and
- b. a bite piece with a mouth receiving end for securing top front teeth and bottom front teeth (incisors) of the patient;
- wherein the mouth receiving end of the bite piece inserts from an outside of the thermoplastic mask, through the mask and into the mouth of the patient.
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A method of securing a thermoplastic mask to a patient and immobilizing the patient comprising;
- a. heating a low melting temperature thermoplastic pre-mask sheet until flexible;
- b. placing the pre-mask sheet over the patient's head and face;
- c. stretching the pre-mask sheet over a head, face and mouth of the patient forming a mask;
- d. inserting a bite piece into the thermoplastic mask and into the mouth of the patient;
- e. closing the mouth of the patient and engaging the bite piece with top front teeth and bottom teeth of the patient;
- f. cooling the mask to room temperature thereby hardening the mask so that the bite piece is in a fixed position in relation to the mask and the teeth of the patient;
- and
- immobilizing the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.