# US 5,707,572 A · Method for immobilizing the central nervous system of the human anatomy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,707,572 A - Document ID: US5707572A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/597,366 - Filed: 1996-02-08 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1996-02-08 - Inventors: Jeffrey Vincent Kostich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707572A ## CPC - A61B 6/0421: {with immobilising means} - B29C 44/1204: {and giving the material during expanding the shape of a particular article to be supported, e.g. a human body-part} - A61N 2005/1097: {Means for immobilizing the patient} - Y10S 264/30: Use of anatomy in making a mold or using said mold - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - 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) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract An apparatus for immobilizing and positioning the head, shoulder, and torso region of the human anatomy when in the prone position for radiographic examination or treatment. The device consists of a base board, a face support, a pair head side walls, a pair of shoulder walls, and a pair of body side walls. A foam mixture is applied to the upper surface of the base and the entire device is placed into a large flexible container or bag. A patient's head, shoulder and torso region are placed on the device in a prone position. The patient remains in a fixed position while the foam mixture expands around the patient's body and the apparatus. After a brief period of time, the foam sets or hardens and a mold or template is formed. This mold serves to immobilize the head, shoulder and torso region of the body when in a prone position during radiographic examinations and treatment as well as other procedures. The form can be utilized repeatedly with the same patient in subsequent procedure for duplicating the initial examination or treatment posture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of forming a mold for prone positioning of the head, shoulder and torso region of the human anatomy comprising the steps of: a) providing a base structure including an apertured face support region, said apertured face support region being cantilevered from said base to provide access to a human's face whose head, shoulder and torso region are in a prone position; b) applying a foam mixture to the area of said base structure; c) placing a barrier means over said foam mixture; d) positioning said head, shoulder and torso region of the human anatomy onto said base structure with said face support region receiving the head in a prone position; and e) maintaining said head, shoulder and torso of the human anatomy in a fixed prone position for a sufficient length of time for said roam mixture to set and form a mold therefor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 1 wherein said face support is a planar rectangular block. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 1 wherein said apertured face support is T-shaped and supports a patient's frontal bone and zygomatic bone when said patient's head is positioned in said face support in the prone position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 1 wherein said barrier means comprise a flexible container for containing said foam mixture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 4 comprising the further steps, inserted between steps (c) and (d), of: allowing air to circulate inside of said barrier means for a length of time; and expelling said air from said barrier means and sealing said barrier means. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 1 wherein said barrier means is attached to said apertured face support region in a loose manner thereby forming a channel which encircles said patient's face, said barrier means allowing said foaming mixture to raise up above and around said patient's head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 6 wherein said barrier means is attached to said face support and around said aperture thereby leaving said aperture unencumbered by said barrier means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 1, wherein said foam mixture is produced by mixing the contents of a first container means containing a polyol mixture to the contents of a second container means containing polyisocyanate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 8, wherein the ratio of said polyol mixture to said polyisocyanate ranges from about 1:3 to about 5:1 by volume. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 1 wherein said base structure further comprises: a pair of head side walls, each of said head side walls is attached to either side of said face support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of forming a mold as recited in claim 1 wherein said base structure, having an interior region and a periphery, further comprises a wall attached to said base and extending perpendicular along a portion of the periphery of said base structure. ### Claim 12 A method of forming a mold for prone positioning of the head, shoulder and torso region of the human anatomy comprising the steps of: a) providing a base structure including an apertured face support region to receive the prone positioned head, said apertured face support region being cantilevered from said base to provide access to a human's face whose head, shoulder and torso region are in a prone position; b) placing a barrier means over said base structure; c) applying a foam mixture to the area between said barrier means and said base structure; d) positioning said head, shoulder and torso region of the human anatomy onto said base structure with said face support region receiving the head in a prone position; and e) maintaining said head, shoulder and torso of the human anatomy in a fixed prone position for a sufficient length of time for said foam mixture to set and form a mold therefor.