Radiolucent table extension assembly

Abstract

An elongated patient support table [22] with a horizontal patient support surface has a contoured radiolucent table extension assembly [26, 126] connected thereto in cantilever fashion for supporting the head and upper torso of a patient [27]. An outer end of the extension assembly [26, 126] has a reduced width compared to the support table [22] to enable extendable movement of the radiolucent extension assembly [26, 126] into a scanning zone defined by a central opening [112] of a diagnostic unit such as a CT scanner [20]. The table extension assembly [26, 126] supports the patient [27] via an inboard radiolucent horseshoe headrest [32, 132] and an outer tool support [54, 122] for holding an outer stabilization device [66, 166] such as a radiolucent skull clamp [74, 174]. The combination of the support table [22] with the radiolucent table extension assembly [26, 126] and the inner and outer stabilization devices [32, 132, 66, 166] support the patient [27] in a desired position during successive scanning or surgical procedures. With an imaging system [24] operatively connected to the CT scanner [20], the table extension assembly [26, 126] permits a neurosurgeon to conveniently obtain updated images of the scanned region after performing a stereotactic operative procedure, thereby to immediately and easily determine if any follow-up procedures are necessary before closing up the surgical incision.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.