# US 4,392,645 A · Head support and halo jig

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- Number: US 4,392,645 A
- Document ID: US4392645A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/268,007
- Filed: 1981-05-28
- Granted: 1983-07-12
- Earliest claimed: 1981-05-28
- Inventors: Thomas R. Westphal
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4392645A

## CPC

- A61G 13/121: {Head or neck}
- A61F 5/3707: {for the head (cervical supports A61F5/055; splints A61F5/05883)}
- A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

A temporary support structure for the head of a surgical patient combined with an alignment fixture for a steel band to be attached to the patient's head for subsequent attachment to a head and neck support system. A self-standing adjustable pillar is used to support a patient's head as it protrudes over the edge of a bed or table. A three-lobed head support atop the pillar furnishes support to the head while restricting head movement. Also attached to the pillar, by use of several adjustable clamps, is a jig to hold a metal halo for attachment to the patient's skull.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A head support and halo locating jig for use in attaching a halo band to the head of a patient positioned with neck and head extending off the end of a patient support means, comprising:
a base means resting on the floor below the patient's neck and head;
a pillar means movably attached and clamped to the base means and extending vertically upward to the region just below the patient's head;
a head support cradle pivotably attached to permit movement in only a single vertical plane and clamped to the top of the pillar means; and
a halo locating system adjustably clamped to the pillar independent of the head support cradle attachment means, including at least two clamped swivel adjustments independent of the head support cradle adjustment, and holding the halo band in a stable, predetermined position relative to the head support means.

### Claim 2

A head support and halo locating jig for use in attaching a halo band to the head of a patient positioned with neck and head extending off the end of a patient support means, comprising:
a base means resting on the floor below the patient's neck and head;
a pillar means movably attached and clamped to the base means and extending vertically upward to the region just below the patient's head;
a head support cradle, pivotably attached and clamped to the top of the pillar means, comprising three curved lobes essentially conforming to the head, two lobes curving upward to a horizontally reclining patient's ears and the third lobe curving toward the top of the patient's head; and
a halo locating system adjustably clamped to the pillar means, including at least two clamped swivel adjustments, and holding the halo band in a stable, predetermined position relative to the head support means.