Arm positioner for diagnostic procedure

Abstract

An arm positioning system for a diagnostic procedure, such as an MRI, can include a positioning block and a retention device. The retention device and the positioning block can be coupled together to position a patient's arm in various desired positions. The retention device and positioning block also can be configured to accommodate left and right arms and variation among arm, hand, and digit sizes of patients.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system for maintaining an arm of a patient in position for a diagnostic procedure of at least one of a shoulder and upper arm, the system comprising:
 a positioning block comprising:
 an upper surface configured to support an arm of a patient, including an elbow and hand of the patient, and 
 an attachment surface; and 
   a restraint device couplable to the attachment surface of the positioning block and configured to enclose about at least a portion of the patient and maintain the hand of the patient in a desired position.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the desired position is a substantially palm-up position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the patient comprises at least one digit of the hand of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the restraint device comprises a strap having a loop configured to retain one or more digits of the hand of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the restraint device comprises a strap having a thumb loop. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the restraint device comprises a glove. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first attachment surface is located on a side of the positioning block. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment surface comprises an elongate attachment surface and defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the positioning block. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the positioning block comprises a removable jacket or swabbable jacket 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment surface comprises a fastening strip. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the fastening strip comprises one of a hook fastener and a loop fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the restraint device comprises the other of the hook fastener and the loop fastener and couples with the fastening strip and the restraint device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the restraint device and the attachment surface allow the restraint device to be easily removed and repositioned relative to the attachment surface. 
     
     
         15 . A system for positioning an arm of a patient comprising:
 a positioning block comprising an upper surface configured to support a hand and elbow of a patient; and   a restraint device coupled to the positioning block and configured to receive at least a portion of a hand of the patient and maintain the hand of the patient in a desired position.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the desired position is a substantially palm-up position. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the portion of the patient comprises at least one digit of the hand of the patient. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the restraint device comprises a strap and the strap encircles at least one digit of the hand of the patient. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the restraint device and the attachment surface allow the restraint device to be easily removed and repositioned relative to the attachment surface. 
     
     
         20 . A method of retaining an arm of a patient in a desired position for a diagnostic procedure comprising:
 orienting a hand of a patient in a desired position on an upper surface of a positioning block;   positioning at least one digit of the hand of the patient in a retention device associated with the positioning block to maintain the hand in the desired position; and   performing a diagnostic procedure on at least one of a shoulder and upper arm of the patient.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the desired position is a substantially palm-up position. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising coupling the retention device to an attachment surface of the positioning block. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the attachment surface comprises an elongate surface that defines a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the positioning block. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising positioning the retention device on the positioning block in a desired position for purposes of positioning the at least one digit.