Axial tomography head holder

A holder for stabilizing the head of a subject lying on the cradle of an X-ray table, the holder comprising:

• a rigid generally U-shaped transmissive receptacle comprised of a longitudinally extending concave bottom wall and laterally spaced apart longitudinally extending side walls projecting, respectively, integrally from opposite sides of the bottom wall, said bottom wall and said side walls defining a U-shaped space that is wider than the head, and a concave extension projecting integrally from the bottom wall at an angle that corresponds generally to the angle of the cervical spine of the subject lying supine on said table top,
• means for mounting said receptacle to said cradle,
• head restraint means comprised of a sheet of X-ray transmissive material for being inserted in said U-shaped space in the receptacle in general conformity with the contour of said U-shaped space in the receptacle, and strap means fastened to said head restraint means and having free ends extending beyond its laterally opposite sides for being wrapped over the head of a subject and at least partially around the receptacle to restrain the head, and
• a unitary liner member composed of a flexible compressible material that is sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape and is insertable into the receptacle, said liner having a concave bottom wall and integral laterally spaced apart side walls for generally conforming to the U-shaped space in the receptacle and for accommodating the head therein. shape and is insertable into the receptacle, said liner having a concave bottom wall and integral laterally spaced apart side walls for generally conforming to the U-shaped space in the receptacle and for accommodating the head therein.