Harpell Associates - Radiation Oncology, Medical Physics, Diagnostic Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, PET, Radiology, Ultrasound, Radiation Safety

Thermoplastic-based systems for head and neck fixation
Thermoplastic masks have been a proven method for accurate patient positioning and immobilization in radiation therapy for years. Our Aquaplast-brand thermoplastic material softens in warm water to form a pliable "mask" that can be formed to the patient's anatomical contours. As it cools, the thermoplastic hardens into a custom, comfortable mold for rigid fixation throughout the imaging process.

Thermoplastic is available in a perforated, solid, or "composite" material. The material is supported by a reloadable plastic frame. A series of non-metallic acrylic and carbon fiber baseplates offer setups in a supine flat, supine tilted, lateral, or prone position.

For functional imaging, image fusion, and image-to-treatment applications, the molded patient mask is useful for achieving accurate placement/positioning (using fiducials directly on the thermoplastic), as well as immobilization during scanning and treatment.

Patient fixation systems for pelvic/prostate, breast, and full-body
MED-TEC offers several excellent patient positioning and fixation systems for hip and pelvic area setups, breast/thorax setups, and full-body imaging, depending on the level of immobilization you require for your imaging procedures.

One simple, cost-effective method for comfortable positioning is our Vac-Lok custom-molded "vacuum" cushions. Made of rugged, radiolucent urethane, these cushions are filled with tiny polystyrene beads. After positioning a patient on a cushion, a vacuum is drawn, creating a rigid, yet comfortable, custom mold of the patient's anatomical area. This "cradle" helps the patient lie comfortably still through the imaging procedure. Because the Vac-Lok cushion maintains its shape until re-inflated, the patient can be accurately repositioned, if desired, in another imaging suite/modality, for radiation therapy treatment, or for surgical procedures.

Vac-Lok™ cushions can conform to even the smallest patient's contours creating a comfortable cradle for pediatric imaging or treatment procedures.

When a greater degree of immobilization is required, consider our exclusive BodyFIX system. This patented system utilizes clear plastic fixation "foils" over the patient that form a very rigid and homogeneous immobilization over the surface of the body part when the air is evacuated between the patient and the foil. When a Vac-Lok cushion is used in conjunction with BodyFIX, and a custom cradle formed underneath the patient, a higher level of repeatable positioning is achieved, along with a greater degree of patient comfort and stability.

For pelvic immobilization, our HipFix system is a tried-and-true method in radiation oncology for many years. This system uses low-temperature Aquplast-brand thermoplastic to form a rigid, custom mold of the patient in either the prone or supine position. The thermoplastic is held by two plastic handles. After softening in warm water, the thermoplastic material becomes pliable. It is pulled over the patient's anatomy, and the handles are locked to the non-metallic baseplate/pelvic board. When the thermoplastic cools and hardens, it forms a rigid "cast" of the patient, providing a great degree of fixation for imaging and treatment. Again, for added comfort, stability, and repeatablity, a Vac-Lok cushion can be custom-molded under the patient, on top of te pelvic board/baseplate.



Manufacturers	Radiation Oncology	Medical Physics	Diagnostic Imaging	Radiation Safety	Exercise Systems

Discounted Nuclear Medicine Equipment