In the medical treatment and examination of animate patients, means to flex and secure a spinal column against movement, exclusive of applying pressure to the head and/or neck, comprising coactively adjustable seat and shoulder engaging elements, arranged to flex the spinal column in an optimum posture of flexure, while simultaneously restraining the patient against movement of his spinal column. Coactive plates engaging patient's shoulders and the seat under and around the pelvis are compressed while the patient is strapped therein, whereby the vertebral column is bowed posteriorly, thus widening the inter-vertebral space for introduction of the spinal tap needle therein. The mechanism permits the patient's pelvis to be advanced anteriorly so that it is sustained in the same vertical plane as the shoulders, whereby flexion of the vertebral column is obtained, instead of leaning the patient out of vertical axis, a normal vertical or horizontal axis.
A footrest and an abdomen locator are supported on a post mounted on a base which rests on a floor. A patient is seated on the table of a medical cart, with feet on a footrest bar on a floor mounted positioning device. The cart table height is adjusted so that the patient's knees are higher than the pelvis, tipping the pelvis backward. A horizontally and vertically adjustable bar on the device is placed against the abdomen at about the height of the umbilicus, providing a stop about which the patient can curl the upper part of the body forward, reversing the normal lumbar curve, opening the space between vertebral bodies at the dorsal side, facilitating a spinal tap. Base support feet are provided for non-slip engagement with the floor during the procedure, and rollers are provided on the base and situated to facilitate tipping and rolling the base from one location to another after a procedure has been completed.
A medical device for positioning a patient correctly in the sitting position when performing spinals or epidurals. The medical device is wedge shaped and inflexible. The device can have handles adjacent to the front wall of the wedge or can be used without the handles. The device is used by first placing it on an elevated surface, then having a patient sit on the device so that the patient's knees flex at the front and upper juncture of the device. The patient is then instructed to sit upright. By sitting upright, the pelvis will rotate backwards thereby promoting flexion of the lumbar/thoracic spine. On the medical device with handles, the flexion of the lumbar/thoracic spine can be augmented by having the patient push upward, palms up, on the handles. The upward pushing forces will force the lumbar spine posteriorly and further increase thoracic/lumbar flexion. Then either inserting the tip of a spinal needle into the patient's spinal space or inserting the tip of an epidural needle into the patient's epidural space.
A restraining device for patients who are undergoing a spinal tap procedure. A frame is shaped like an inverted V. The patient sits on one side of the frame with his knees over the apex and his feet on the other side. His head is placed between his knees and his wrists extend near his ankles. One adjustable belt fits around his waist. Another belt holds his neck. An adjustable bar carries belt loops to hold both ankles and wrists. The patient is held from moving by the belts yet is not uncomfortable during the procedure.
