Tomography head restraint

A head restraint comprising:

• a plurality of adjustably pressurized, inflatable members, each one of said inflatable members having two flexible surfaces which conform to an abutting, contacting surface when said inflatable members are inflated, said head restraint being configured such that, when deployed, for each one of said inflatable members, one of said two flexible surfaces contacts a side of a patient's head and the other of said two flexible surfaces contacts an inner surface of a head holder furnished with an X-ray machine, both of said flexible surfaces establishing a substantial area of contact with the patient's head and with the head holder,
• fluid supply means enabling pressurization above ambient air pressure of said inflatable members,
• structural means for holding at least two of said inflatable members on opposite sides of the patient's head, said head restraint being dimensioned and configured to enable said inflatable members to fit in and partially fill space between the patient's head and a head holder furnished with the X-ray machine,
• said structural means further comprising a flexible member having adjustment means for positioning and securing said head restraint in encirclement of the patient's head;
• and
• said structural flexible member further comprising a plurality of pocket members collectively enclosing all of said inflatable members, whereby said inflatable members are inserted and withdrawn from said pocket members when said head restraint is not deployed.

A head restraint for immobilizing a supine patient's head for use with a tomography X-ray machine comprising:

• a plurality of adjustably pressurized, inflatable members, each one of said inflatable members having two flexible surfaces which conform to an abutting, contacting surface when said inflatable members are inflated;
• said head restraint being configured such that, when deployed, for each one of said inflatable members, one of said two flexible surfaces contacts a side of the patient's head and the other of said flexible surfaces contacts an inner surface of a head holder furnished with the X-ray machine, both of said flexible surfaces establishing a substantial area of contact with the patient's head and with the head holder;
• fluid supply means enabling pressurization above air pressure of said inflatable members;
• structural means for holding at least two of said inflatable members on opposite sides of the patient head, said head restraint being dimensioned and configured to enable said inflatable members to fit in and partially fill the space between the patient's head and a head holder furnished with then X-ray machine;
• said structural means further comprising a structural flexible member having adjustment means for positioning and securing said head restraint in encirclement of the patient's head;
• said structural flexible member further comprising a plurality of pockets collectively enclosing all of said inflatable members, whereby said inflatable members are inserted and withdrawn from said pockets when said head restraint is not deployed;
• and
• at least one strap attachable to at least two of said at least two parts of said structural flexible member, said strap being arranged to partially encircle the patient's head, whereby said head restraint is retained on the patient's head when said inflatable members are not inflated.