Dynamic frame for prone surgical positioning

1. A patient positioning device for supporting a patient in a prone position on an operating table during surgery, comprising a frame adapted to be mounted to the operating table, and a plurality of torso support modules mounted to said frame, at least one of said plurality of torso support modules having at least three degree of freedom and comprising a first carriage adjustably mounted to said frame for movement along a first direction relative thereto, a second carriage adjustably mounted to said first carriage for movement along a second direction relative to said frame, and a support pad adjustably mounted to said second carriage for movement along a third direction relative to said frame, thereby providing for individual preoperative and intra-operative adjustments of said at least one of said plurality of torso support modules.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein said support pad is mounted to a pad support structure, said pad support structure being mounted for vertical sliding movement along a post extending from said second carriage.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 , wherein said pad support structure is rotatable about said post.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein said frame includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart longitudinal rails, and wherein said first carriage is mounted for sliding movement along one of said longitudinal rails, said first carriage having a transversal rail on which said second carriage is slidably mounted, and wherein a vertical post extends from said second carriage, said support pad being mounted on a pad support structure slidable along said vertical post.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 , further comprising a pair of corrective pads adapted to be removably mounted to the operating table for temporarily applying corrective forces on patient torso from a postero-anterior approach.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 , wherein each corrective pad is mounted to a set of articulated rods.

7. A device as defined in claim 6 , wherein lacks are provided between the rods for releasably securing the rods in position.

8. A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein a number of corrective pads are mounted to articulated structures adapted to be mounted to the operating table, the articulated structures being securable in a variety of positions for apply pushing forces on the patient torso in a direction opposite to the patient's deformity.

9. A device as defined in claim 1 , wherein said first and second carriages are provided with set screws for allowing said first and second carriages to be releasably locked in a selected position.

10. A device as defined in claim 3 , wherein said pad support structure is releasably securable at various height along said post by means of a plug mounted to said pad support structure and normally urged against said post by a spring, and wherein a handle is provided on said pad support structure for moving said plug away from said post against said spring in order to release said pad support structure from said post.

11. A trunk positioning device for supporting a patient in a prone position on an operating table during surgery, the device comprising a frame adapted to be removably mounted to the operating table, and a plurality of trunk supporting cads independently adjustably mounted to said frame, the trunk supporting pads being preoperatively and intra-operatively movable with respect to the frame along three independent directions in order to permit 3-D manipulation thereof, thereby providing for active application of individual corrective forces at different locations on the patient's trunk.

12. A device as defined in claim 11 , wherein said trunk supporting pads are independently longitudinally and transversally slidable relative to said frame.

13. A device as defined in claim 11 , wherein said trunk supporting pads are individually vertically movable relative to said frame to provide for independent adjustment of the height thereof.

14. A device as defined in claim 11 , wherein said trunk supporting pads are independently angularly orientable relative to the frame.

15. A device as defined in claim 11 , wherein said trunk supporting pads are convexly curved to generally follow the curvatures of the trunk of the patient.

16. A device as defined in claim 11 , wherein said trunk supporting pads each include a first carriage mounted for movement along a first direction relative to said frame, a second carriage adjustably mounted to said first carriage for movement along a second direction relative to said frame, and a pad support structure adjustably mounted to said second carriage for movement along a third direction relative to said frame.

17. A device as defined in claim 16 , wherein said pad support structure is mounted for vertical sliding movement along a post extending from said second carriage.

18. A device as defined in claim 17 , wherein said pad support structure is rotatable about said post.

19. A device as defined in claim 16 , wherein said frame includes at least one rail, and wherein said first carriage is mounted for sliding movement along said rail, said first carriage having a transversal rail on which said second carriage is slidably mounted, and wherein a vertical post extends from said second carriage, said pad support structure being slidable along said vertical post.

20. A device as defined in claim 11 , further comprising a pair of gibbosity corrective pads mounted to respective articulated structures adapted to be mounted to the operating table, the articulated structures being securable in a variety of positions for apply pushing forces on the patient torso in a direction opposite to the patient's deformity.