IP Library Granted Patent US 7,328,055
Granted Patent B2
US 7,328,055 · App. 10/855,555 · Granted Feb 5, 2008

Patient support apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,328,055
App. No.
10/855,555
Granted
Feb 5, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention provides a patient support apparatus for use during a medical procedure. The patient support apparatus is configured to receive and support a body of a patient on a base member. The base member includes a top surface having a plurality of adjustable members, wherein each of the adjustable members is configured to support a different portion the body of the patient. A plurality of actuation mechanisms are operably connected to both the base member and one each of the plurality of adjustable members, such that each of the plurality of adjustable members is separately, selectively positionable with respect to the base member. A control device operably connected to the actuation mechanism to selectively control the position of each of the adjustable members and the corresponding body portions.

Claims (46)

1. A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient being examined by a primary coil of a MRI, comprising:

a base member including a patient support surface and having an adjustable member integrated in the patient support surface, the adjustable member being configured to support an extremity of the body of the patient;

an actuation mechanism operably connected to the base member and the adjustable member to selectively position the adjustable member with respect to the patient support surface; and

a secondary coil for increasing resolution of the extremity being examined, said secondary coil remaining aligned with the primary coil as said adjustable member is being selectively positioned.

2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a control device operably connected to the actuation mechanism.

3. The patient support apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the control device is a remote control device.

4. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an index mechanism operably connected to the adjustable member and the base member.

5. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base member further comprises:

a plurality of adjustable members, each configured to support a different extremity of the body of the patient; and

a plurality of actuation mechanisms operably connected to one each of the plurality of adjustable members, such that each of the plurality of adjustable members is separately, selectively positionable with respect to the patient support surface.

6. The patient support apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said secondary coil is positionable to examine a selected one of the extremities while remaining aligned with the primary coil as a respective one of said adjustable members is being selectively positioned.

7. The patient support apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a respective secondary coil for each of said adjustable members, said secondary coils increasing resolution of the extremity being examined and remaining aligned with the primary coil as said adjustable members are being selectively positioned.

8. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a pneumatic mechanism.

9. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes an inflatable bladder.

10. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a hydraulic mechanism.

11. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a mechanical mechanism.

12. The patient support apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a drive member operably connected to the mechanical mechanism.

13. The patient support apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the drive member is a mechanical or electric motor.

14. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 . wherein the adjustable member comprises an attachment member for securing the extremity to the adjustable member.

15. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable member is movable to distract at least a portion of the extremity.

16. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable member is movable to apply a traction to at least a portion of the extremity.

17. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable member is movable to apply a load to at least a portion of the extremity.

18. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base member positions the body of the patient in a seated position.

19. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base member positions the body of the patient in a vertical position.

20. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base member positions the body of the patient in a horizontal position.

21. The patient support apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable first support member removable attached to the base member and configured to receive a second extremity of the body of the patient.

22. The patient support apparatus of claim 21 , where the first support member is configured to receive a leg portion of the patient.

23. A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient being examined by a primary coil of a MRI, comprising:

a base member including a top surface and having a plurality of adjustable members integrated into the top surface, each of the adjustable members configured to support a different extremity of the body of the patient;

a plurality of actuation mechanisms operably connected to the base member and one each to the adjustable members, such that each of the adjustable members is separately, selectively positionable with respect to the top surface;

a respective secondary coil for each of said adjustable members said second coils increasing resolution of the extremity being examined and remaining aligned with the primary coil as said adjustable members are being selectively positioned; and

a control device operably connected to at least one of the actuation mechanisms.

24. The patient support apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising at least one index mechanism operably connected to at least one of the adjustable members and the base member, wherein the index mechanism indicates the position of the adjustable member relative to the base member.

25. The patient support apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the index mechanism indicates the position of the adjustable member relative to the base member in centimeters or degrees.

26. The patient support apparatus of claim 23 , further comprising at least one drive member operably connected to at least one of the actuation mechanisms wherein the drive member is a mechanical or electric motor.

27. The patient support apparatus of claim 23 , wherein a first adjustable member is configured to support a leg portion of the patient.

28. The patient support apparatus of claim 27 , wherein a second adjustable member is configured to support a head portion of the patient.

29. The patient support apparatus of claim 27 , wherein a second adjustable member is configured to support an arm portion of the patient.

30. The patient support apparatus of claim 27 , wherein a second adjustable member is configured to support an upper torso portion of the patient.

31. The patient support apparatus of claim 27 , wherein a second adjustable member is configured to support a back portion of the patient.

32. The patient support apparatus of claim 27 , wherein a second adjustable member is configured to support a chest portion of the patient.

33. A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient being examined by a primary coil of a MRI, comprising:

a base member including a patient support surface and having an adjustable member integrated in the patient support surface, the adjustable member being configured to support at least a portion of a body of the patient;

an actuation mechanism operably connected to said base member and said adjustable member to selectively position said adjustable member with respect to said patient support surface; and

a secondary coil for increasing resolution of the portion of the body being examined, said secondary coil remaining aligned with the primary coil as said adjustable member is being selectively positioned.

34. The patient support apparatus according to claim 33 , wherein said adjustable member positions a back of the patient.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2014
From: BOLT MRI TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 033378/0484 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2012
From: ADVANCED SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC
To: BOLT MRI TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 028964/0127 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2012
From: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC
To: ADVANCED SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 028948/0803 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2012
From: BONUTTI RESEARCH, INC.
To: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 028929/0982 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2012
From: BONUTTI, PETER M, M.D.
To: BONUTTI RESEARCH, INC
Reel/Frame 028336/0567 →