Patient alignment device

Abstract

A patient alignment device includes a table and a rotatable member positioned to rotate relative to the table. The rotatable member may be a head-support plate or a board which supports substantially all of a patient's body. A motor moves the board or plate so as to align the patient's body, or a part of the body, in a desired direction. The board may be formed in two segments, the segments being selectively connectable to each other, the segments also being selectively connectable to the table by pins, at various possible pivot points. Positioning of the pins determines the mode of rotation of the board. The invention allows an operator to align the patient's body with precision, by remote control, and without interrupting the medical procedure.

1 . A method of aligning at least a portion of a body of a patient, the method comprising:
 a) placing a patient on a table, the table being connected to a rotatable member having a generally flat surface which supports at least a portion of a body of the patient, and   b) rotating the rotatable member so as to adjust a position of said at least a portion of the body of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) is performed by remote control, while a medical procedure is being performed on the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member comprises a head-support plate, and wherein step (b) comprises rotating the head-support plate so as to align a head of the patient in a desired direction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member comprises a board which supports the body of the patient, and wherein step (b) comprises rotating the board so as to align the body of the patient in a desired direction. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the board is formed in two segments, and wherein at least one removable pin is associated with each segment, and wherein step (b) is preceded by selecting a combination of pins to be affixed to, or removed from, the segments, so as to determine a mode of rotation of at least one of the segments of the board. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the board includes at least one removable connector which joins said segments, and wherein step (b) is preceded by choosing a condition of said connector, said condition being selected from the group consisting of the connector being attached to the segments and the connector being removed from the segments.