Positioning device for use with a patient under anesthesia and associated methods

Abstract

The present invention provides devices for use with a patient under anesthesia and associated methods. Various embodiments of the present invention include a device for establishing and maintaining a patient's head and/or jaw in a particular position, including the sniffing position. Embodiments also include a method for positioning a patient comprising the use of a device of the present invention, wherein the device may substantially maintain a patient in a desired position.

1 . A device comprising:
 a base comprising a plurality of supports, wherein the base is configured to substantially accommodate a patient's head, wherein each support comprises a mandible arm, wherein each mandible arm is configured to contact a patient's jaw; and wherein each mandible arm is movable in three axes such that each mandible arm is positionable to be in contact with a patient's jaw and to maintain a patient in a desired position.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base is rectangular. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each mandible arm is positionable to be in contact with a patient's jaw at three points. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each mandible arm comprises a mandible pad. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein each mandible pad comprises foam. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4  wherein each mandible arm is positionable such that the mandible pad is in contact with a patient's jaw at one or more points. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4  wherein each mandible arm is positionable such that the mandible pad is in contact with a patient's jaw at three points. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each mandible arm is removably connected to the supports. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each mandible arm is movable relative to a support. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the three axes are the x, y and w axes relative to the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the desired position is the sniffing position. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each support is movable relative to the base. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein each support is movable relative to the base in two axes. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each support is movable relative to the mandible arms. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each mandible arm extends from a circumference of a rotatable portion of a support. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a head rest configured to provide flexion of the patient's neck by elevation of the patient's head. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein supports and the rotatable portions are adjustable while the patient is in contact with the mandible arms. 
     
     
         18 . A method for positioning a patient comprising the steps of:
 providing the device of  claim 1 ;   placing the patient's head substantially on the base;   placing the patient's head in a desired position;   moving the mandible arms to contact the patient's jaw;   wherein the contact of the mandible arms on the patient's jaw provides sufficient force to substantially maintain the patient's head and/or jaw in a desired position.   
     
     
         19 . A mandible arm comprising:
 a curved portion, wherein the curved portion is substantially rigid;   a mandible pad, wherein the mandible pad is flexible, and wherein the mandible pad has a distal side configured to attach to the curved portion and a proximal side configured to contact a patient's jaw at a plurality of points; and   a connector portion wherein the connector portion is configured to attach to a support.   
     
     
         20 . The mandible arm of  claim 19 , wherein the mandible pad comprises foam.