WO2024039404A1

WO2024039404A1 - Modular thermoplastic docking device for chest and pelvic immobilization

Info

Publication number: WO2024039404A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/075190
Authority: WO
Inventors: Renaud Durand
Original assignee: Medtec Llc
Priority date: 2022-08-19
Filing date: 2022-08-19
Publication date: 2024-02-22

Abstract

A docking system for body part immobilization includes a first bar, having at least one docking rail configured to dock with a first portion of a thermoplastic assembly, and which detachably mounts to a first position on an underlying baseboard. The docking system further includes a bar assembly that is a separate component from the first bar, having at least one docking rail configured to dock with a second portion of the thermoplastic assembly, and which detachably mounts to the underlying baseboard. The at least one docking rail of the first bar and the bar assembly are configured to dock with the first and second portions, respectively, of the thermoplastic assembly for immobilizing a part of a body upon the baseboard.

Description

MODULAR THERMOPLASTIC DOCKING DEVICE FOR CHEST AND PELVIC IMMOBILIZATION

BACKGROUND

Certain types of medical treatments or tests require that a portion of a human body be held in a same position to facilitate performance of the medical treatment or test upon that portion of the body. For example, when breast cancer patients undergo radiation treatment, their upper bodies and breast(s) must be maintained in a precise, repeatable location for the treatment such that the underlying position of the breast tumor is fixed in space for the duration of the radiation treatment. Various different techniques have been used in the field of radiation oncology for supporting and holding body parts in a fixed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a modular thermoplastic docking system described herein;

FIG. 2A depicts an example of the docking of a thermoplastic sheet assembly, configured for immobilizing a patient’s thorax, with the thermoplastic docking system upon a baseboard;

FIG. 2B depicts an example of the docking of a thermoplastic sheet assembly, configured for immobilizing a patient’s hip/pelvic region, with the thermoplastic docking system upon the baseboard;

FIG. 3 illustrates one implementation of a primary component of the thermoplastic docking system;

FIGs. 4 and 5 illustrate implementations of modular secondary components of the thermoplastic docking system that are interchangeable with one another depending on the portion of a patient’s body that is being immobilized;

FIG. 6 shows an example of a docking rail of the thermoplastic docking system;

FIG. 7 shows details of an example of a clamping system of the thermoplastic docking system;

FIGs. 8A and 8B depict two examples of a clamp of the clamping system described herein;

FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate an example of the clamp support of the clamping system;

FIG. 10 depicts the operation of the clamping system when clamping onto, or unclamping from, the sides of the baseboard; and FIGs. 11 A, 11B, and 12 illustrate an additional implementation of the thermoplastic docking system which includes straps that interconnect the primary and secondary components and maintain a particular spacing between the components upon the baseboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention.

A technique, in the medical treatment/testing fields, for holding body parts in a fixed position uses heat-formable structures that include a sheet of retention material that is stretched over the body part of the patient. For example, for performing radiation treatment of the thorax, breast, abdomen, hip, or pelvic region of a patient, the heat- formable structure includes a patient positioning mold having a sheet of retention material that is stretched over the patient's body part (e.g., breast, abdomen, hip, pelvic region). To form the mold over the patient's body part, a hot water bath or oven may be first used to heat the material of the heat- formable structure such that the sheet of material becomes pliable and deformable. The heat- formable sheet is then stretched over the patient's body part, and the sheet is allowed to cool and harden, permanently forming the sheet to the shape of the body part of the patient. As an example, a mold having a sheet of thermoplastic retention material, after heating, may be stretched over a patient’s pelvic region, and then allowed to cool. Upon cooling, the mold, formed to the patient's pelvic region, creates a structure that can be used to hold the patient's pelvic region in a fixed position during radiation treatments. After the sheet of thermoplastic retention material of the mold is stretched over the body part of the patient, a frame portion of the mask is attached to a patient support table, a base, or other structure, using an attachment mechanism(s).

A wide variety of existing thermoplastic docking systems for immobilizing patient body portions or parts are available for sale across the world. These existing systems include means for positioning a supine patient for external beam radiation treatment of cancer, or medical testing (e.g., Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)), of the thorax, breast, abdomen, hip, and pelvic regions of patients. Existing thermoplastic docking systems can typically be separated into two main categories: 1) a platform with integrated docking points where the thermoplastic sheet docks directly into the platform; or 2) a separate device that registers on a couchtop and integrates docking points for the thermoplastic sheet. The platforms with integrated docking points have the advantage of not requiring a separate device but have extremely limited docking positions for the thermoplastic sheet, usually don’t allow a central thermoplastic docking position between the legs of the patient, and need a phenolic hard point at each docking point. These hard points need to be avoided during treatment or testing, reducing the available treatment angles and complicating the radiation or testing technician’s work. The separate device allows all docking to be done to the separate device without requiring additional hard points in the couchtop. Most devices currently on the market include larger overlays which can be difficult for the operator to handle and which increase the amount of material through which the imaging or treatment needs to be conducted in the region of interest.

A modular thermoplastic docking system described herein includes multiple (e.g., at least three) separate interworking components, with at least two of the components being modular and interchangeable, to provide thermoplastic docking for, for example, immobilizing different body parts or body portions (e.g., the thorax or hip/pelvic region) of a patient upon a baseboard. A primary component of the modular thermoplastic docking system includes a first flat bar that transversely and detachably mounts to a first location upon the baseboard. The first flat bar includes docking rails, one at each end of a top surface of the first flat bar, for docking with one of multiple different thermoplastic sheet assemblies, and clamping systems, one at each end of a bottom surface of the first flat bar, for clamping the first flat bar to the baseboard.

Secondary components of the docking system include multiple, modular, interchangeable components that are designed for docking multiple differently configured thermoplastic sheet assemblies to the baseboard. In one implementation, the multiple, interchangeable components may include a second flat bar and a flat bar assembly. The second flat bar transversely and detachably mounts to a second location upon the baseboard, such that the first flat bar and the second flat bar are separated by a gap that includes a spacing distance. The second flat bar includes docking rails, one at each end of a top surface of the second flat bar, for docking with a first thermoplastic sheet assembly of the multiple thermoplastic sheet assemblies, and clamping systems, one at each end of a bottom surface of the second flat bar, for clamping the second flat bar to the baseboard. The second flat bar may be selected among the modular components for docking with the first thermoplastic sheet assembly which, for example, may be designed to immobilize a thorax of a patient.

The flat bar assembly may have a structure that further includes multiple interconnected flat bars, with a central flat bar that is approximately transverse to other flat bars of the assembly and parallel to the underlying longitudinal baseboard. The multiple interconnected flat bars, and the central flat bar, of the flat bar assembly may approximate a T-shape, with possible additional interconnecting flat bars connecting the central bar to the two ends of the flat bar assembly to enhance the mechanical strength of the flat bar assembly. The flat bar assembly transversely and detachably mounts to the second location upon the baseboard, such that the first flat bar and the flat bar assembly are separated by a gap that includes a spacing distance. The flat bar assembly includes docking rails, one at each end of a top surface of the flat bar assembly, for docking with a second thermoplastic sheet assembly, and a third docking rail attached to a top surface of the central flat bar for docking with a portion of the second thermoplastic sheet assembly between the legs of the patient. The flat bar assembly further includes clamping systems, one at each end of a bottom surface of the flat bar assembly, for clamping the flat bar assembly to the baseboard. The flat bar assembly may be selected from among the modular secondary components for docking with the second thermoplastic sheet assembly which, for example, may be designed to immobilize the hips/pelvic region of a patient.

The modular nature of the thermoplastic docking system described herein enables an operator to easily switch between the different secondary devices for immobilization of different body parts/body portions. Each of the multiple secondary devices described herein can be removed either before, or after, the patient has gotten off the baseboard (or down from the couchtop having the baseboard as an upper surface) depending on which is easiest and most comfortable for the patient. The thermoplastic docking system, including the primary component, the secondary component, or both the primary component and the secondary component, can be moved up or down the baseboard (e.g., the couchtop) while the patient is still lying on the baseboard. The gap between the separate primary and secondary components of the thermoplastic docking system enables a wide window of treatment/testing with a uniform attenuation of electromagnetic treatment/testing beams. The thermoplastic docking system further requires no hard points or high attenuation material on the baseboard (e.g., couchtop) or the docking system itself.

Referring to FIG. 1, the modular thermoplastic docking system 100 includes multiple, separate components that mount to an underlying baseboard 110. The baseboard 110 may include a flat, planar, generally rectangular and longitudinal board upon which a patient (not shown) rests. Baseboard 110 may, in some implementations, be an upper surface of a support table or support couch (e.g., a couchtop). The multiple components of the system 100 may include a first primary component 120 attached at a first position (labeled with a “1” in FIG. 1) upon the baseboard 110, and a separate, secondary component selected from multiple interchangeable, modular components (e.g., either 130 or 140 in the example implementation of FIG. 1), attached at a second position (labeled with a “2” in FIG. 1) upon the baseboard 110. Each of the primary component 120 and the secondary component (e.g., component 130 or 140) includes docking mechanisms for receiving and docking with a thermoplastic sheet assembly, and attachment mechanisms for attaching each component to the underlying baseboard 110. In one implementation, the docking mechanisms of the primary component 120 and the secondary component 130/140 include docking rails disposed upon upper surfaces of the primary component 120 and the secondary component 130/140. Additionally, in one implementation, the attachment mechanisms of the primary component 120 and the secondary component 130/140 include clamps that clamp to the sides of baseboard 110.

As shown in the example implementation of FIG. 1, the secondary component may include two alternative, interchangeable modular components that may be selectively attached to baseboard 110 depending on what portion of the patient’s body needs to be immobilized for treatment or testing. For example, a patient’s thorax or hip/pelvic region may need to be immobilized. In the example implementation of FIG. 1, a secondary component 130 may be selected for use with primary component 120 when a patient’s thorax needs to be immobilized. An example of the use of secondary component 130 with primary component 120 for docking a thermoplastic sheet is shown and described below with respect to FIG. 2A. Further, in the example implementation of FIG. 1 , a different secondary component 140 may be selected for use with primary component 120 when a patient’s hip/pelvic region needs to be immobilized, requiring an attachment point for the thermoplastic sheet between the patient’s legs. An example of the use of the different secondary component 140 with primary component 120 for docking a thermoplastic sheet is shown and described below with respect to FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2 A depicts an example of the docking of a thermoplastic sheet assembly 200, configured for immobilizing a patient’s thorax or chest area, with thermoplastic docking system 100 upon baseboard 110. In the example of FIG. 2A, thermoplastic docking system 100 includes primary component 120 and secondary component 130. Thermoplastic sheet assembly 200 may, for example, include a sheet of thermoplastic material 210 connected to two elongated, L-shaped frames 220. To immobilize the patient (not shown) with the sheet of thermoplastic 210 upon the baseboard, primary component 120 and secondary component 130 of docking system 100 are first spaced a certain distance apart upon baseboard 110, and the attachment mechanisms (e.g., clamps) of each component 120 and 130 are used to attach the components to baseboard 110. Following this, the sheet of thermoplastic material 210 of assembly 200 is stretched over an upper surface of the patient’s thorax or chest area, and the L-shaped frames 220 are docked, via the docking mechanisms, with each of the components 120 and 130 to immobilize the patient’s thorax/chest area upon baseboard 110.

FIG. 2B depicts an example of the docking of a thermoplastic sheet assembly 230, configured for immobilizing a patient’s hip/pelvic region, with thermoplastic docking system 100 upon baseboard 110. In the example of FIG. 2B, thermoplastic docking system 100 includes primary component 120 and secondary component 140. Thermoplastic sheet assembly 230 may include a sheet of thermoplastic material 240 connected to two elongated, L-shaped frames 250. To immobilize the patient (not shown) with the sheet of thermoplastic material 240 upon the baseboard, primary component 120 and secondary component 140 of docking system 100 are first spaced a certain distance apart upon baseboard 110, and the attachment mechanisms (e.g., clamps) of each component 120 and 140 are used to attach the components to baseboard 110. Following this, the sheet of thermoplastic material 240 of assembly 230 is stretched over an upper surface of the patient’s hip/pelvic region, and between the patient’s legs, and the L-shaped frames 250 are docked, via the docking mechanisms, with each of the components 120 and 140, including at a mid-point of secondary component 140 between the patient’s legs.

The docking of the thermoplastic sheet assemblies 200 and 230, described with respect to FIGs. 2A and 2B may be performed at different indexing points upon baseboard 110. Baseboard 110 may include numerous precisely located indexing points (equally spaced numbered points, equally spaced indexing lines, etc.) that are spaced at intervals (e.g., 1 centimeter (cm) or some other interval) along each edge of baseboard 110. These indexing points may be used by the operator to adjust the position of the patient, and to adjust the position of primary component 120 and secondary component 130/140 relative to one another and relative to the patient upon baseboard 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates one implementation of the primary component 120 of thermoplastic docking system 100. As shown, primary component 120 includes an elongated, flat bar 300 that extends approximately a length that equals a width of the baseboard 110. On an upper surface of a first end of the flat bar 300, component 120 includes a first docking rail 310-1 and, on an upper surface of a second end of the flat bar 300, component 120 includes a second docking rail 310-2. Docking rails 310-1 and 310-2 enable the thermoplastic (e.g., thermoplastic assemblies 200 or 230 in FIGs. 2A or 2B) to be docked to the component 120. On a lower surface of the first end of flat bar 300, primary component 120 includes a first clamping system 320-1 and, on a lower surface of the second end of flat bar 300, component 120 includes a second clamping system 320-2. Clamping systems 320-1 and 320-2 enable component 120 to be clamped to each of the sides of baseboard 110. Further details of an example of a docking rail that corresponds to docking rails 310-1 and 310-2, and an example of a clamping system that corresponds to clamping systems 320-1 and 320-2, are described below.

FIG. 4 illustrates one implementation of secondary modular component 130 of thermoplastic docking system 100. As shown, secondary component 130 includes an elongated, flat bar 400 that extends approximately a length that equals a width of the baseboard 110. On an upper surface of a first end of the flat bar 400, secondary component 130 includes a first docking rail 410-1 and, on an upper surface of a second end of the flat bar 400, component 120 includes a second docking rail 410-2. Docking rails 410-1 and 410-2 enable the thermoplastic (e.g., thermoplastic assembly 200 in FIG. 2 A) to be docked to the component 130. On a lower surface of the first end of flat bar 400, component 120 includes a first clamping system 420-1 and, on a lower surface of the second end of flat bar 400, component 130 includes a second clamping system 420-2. Clamping systems 420-1 and 420- 2 enable component 130 to be clamped to each of the sides of baseboard 110. Further details of an example of a docking rail that may be used for docking rails 410-1 and 410-2, and an example of a clamping system that may be used for clamping systems 420-1 and 420-2, are described below. In the implementation shown in FIG. 4, secondary component 130 has a similar design and structure with primary component 120, described above with respect to FIG. 3, with possible differences in width of the flat bar 400 relative to the width of flat bar 300, and possibly other differences as well. In some implementations, primary component 120 and secondary component 130 may be identical in design and structure. Additionally, in an implementation that includes straps between primary component 120 and secondary component 130 (described further below with respect to 11 A, 1 IB, and 12), primary component 120 may have different strap attachment mechanisms than secondary component 130 and/or may have the strap attachment mechanisms located at different locations upon flat bars 300 and 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates one implementation of the modular secondary component 140 of thermoplastic docking system 100 that is interchangeable with secondary component 130 depending on what portion of a patient’s body is being immobilized. As shown, secondary component 140 includes a T-shaped structure 500 that further includes a first elongated, flat bar 510-1 that interconnects with a second elongated, flat bar 510-2, and which, together, extend a length that equals a width of the baseboard 110. The T-shaped structure 500 further includes an elongated, central flat bar 520 that is the base element of the T-shaped structure 500 and which interconnects with, and extends transversely to, the flat bars 510-1 and 510-2 at approximately a mid-point between flat bars 510-1 and 510-2. In some implementations, secondary component 140 may additionally include a flat bar 530-1 that extends from central flat bar 520, at an opposite end from where flat bars 510-1 and 510-2 connect to central flat bar 520, to connect with an outer end of flat bar 510-1. Secondary component 140 may further include a flat bar 530-2 that extends from central flat bar 520, at an opposite end from where flat bars 510-1 and 510-2 connect to central flat bar 520, to connect with an outer end of flat bar 510-2. Flat bar 530-1 and flat bar 530-2 enhance the structural integrity of the T- shaped structure 500 of secondary component 140.

On an upper surface of an outer end of the flat bar 510-1, component 140 includes a first docking rail 540-1 and, on an upper surface of an outer end of the flat bar 510-2, component 140 includes a second docking rail 540-2. An upper surface of central flat bar 530-2 further includes a third docking rail 540-3 that is transverse to docking rails 540-1 and 540-2. Docking rails 540-1, 540-2, and 540-3 enable the thermoplastic (e.g., thermoplastic assembly 230 in FIG. 2B) to be docked to the component 140, with a portion of the thermoplastic connecting to docking rail 540-3 between the legs of the patient (not shown). On a lower surface of the outer end of flat bar 510-1, component 140 includes a first clamping system 550-1 and, on a lower surface of the outer end of flat bar 510-2, component 140 includes a second clamping system 550-2. Clamping systems 550-1 and 550-2 enable secondary component 140 to be clamped to each of the sides of baseboard 110. Further details of an example of a docking that corresponds to docking rails 540-1, 540-2 and 540-3, and an example of a clamping system that corresponds to clamping systems 550-1 and 550-2 are described below.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a docking rail 600 used for docking thermoplastic assembly 200 or 230. Docking rail 600 is one example of a docking rail structure that may be used for docking rails 310-1, 310-2, 410-1, 410-2, 510-1, 510-2 and 510-3 described above. Docking rail 600 includes a rail base 610 and a frame retaining clip 620 disposed upon a flat bar (flat bar 510-1 in the example of FIG. 6). Rail base 610 serves as the surface upon which the bottom of the L-shaped frame (not shown) is placed when the bottom is inserted under retaining fingers 630 of the frame retaining clip 620. Rail base 610 may vary in length at different locations upon components 120, 130, or 140. For example, the rail base 610 of docking rail 540-3 (FIG. 5) upon flat bar 520 may be longer than other rail bases 610 on components 120, 130, or 140. Retaining fingers 630 of the frame retaining clip 620 hold the bottom of the L-shaped frame against the rail base 610, thereby retaining the thermoplastic assembly 200 or 230 in position adjacent baseboard 110.

FIG. 7 shows details of an example of a clamping system 700 that may be used for clamping component 120 to baseboard 110. Clamping system 700 is one example of a clamping system design that may be used for clamping systems 320-1 and 320-2 described above. Clamping system 700, as shown in the exploded view, includes a clamp 720, a clamp support 730, a clamp handle 740, a guide spring 750, a clamping arm 760, and rails 770. Clamp 720 moves translationally along rails 770 of clamp support 730 which attaches to an underside of one end of component 120. The guide spring 750 applies force against the clamp 720 to push an outer surface of clamping arm 760 against the outer edge 710 of the baseboard 110 to perform the clamping action. The outer edge 710 of the baseboard 110 may include multiple, equally spaced pins 780 (e.g., Prodigy 2 pins spaced, for example, 7 centimeters (cms) apart) that are designed to be captured by counterpart slots 790 spaced, for example, 1 cm apart) upon an inner surface (i.e., facing the outer edge 710 of the baseboard 110) of clamp support 730 as clamp support 730 of clamping system 700 is slid along the outer edge 710 of baseboard 110.

As further shown in FIG. 7, a pulling force may be applied to clamp handle 740, against the force of guide spring 750 being applied to clamp 720, to pull clamp 720, along the rails 770, outwards away from the outer edge of 710 baseboard 110, thereby enabling the component 120to be unclamped from baseboard 110.

Components 130 and 140 of docking system 100 may include similar clamping systems to clamping system 700 as described with respect to FIG. 7. Therefore, clamping systems 420-1 and 420-2 of component 130 and clamping systems 550-1 and 550-2 of component 140 may be configured similarly, and operate similarly, to clamping system 700 described above. In some implementations, the clamping systems of components 130 and 140 may not include the slots 790 upon the inner surface of clamp support 730 such that components 130 and 140 may slide freely along the outer edge 710 without capturing the pins 780 upon the outer edge 710 of baseboard 110. In these implementations, the distance between component 120 and either component 130 or 140 is not dependent on the pins 780 on the outer edge 710 of baseboard 110.

FIGs. 8 A and 8B depicts two examples of clamp 720 of clamping system 700. FIG. 8A shows clamp 720 having a single part with an integral clamp handle 740, and FIG. 8B shows clamp 720 having two parts with a separate, attached clamp handle 740. As shown in FIGs. 8A and 8B, clamp 720 farther includes rail recesses 800, a spring cavity 810, and a sliding guide post 820. Rail recesses 800, on each side of clamp 720 mate with corresponding rails of clamp support 730 (not shown), to enable clamp 720 to slide linearly relative to clamp support 730 such that clamping arm 760 moves either towards, or away from, the edge of baseboard 110 (not shown). Clamping arm 760 may have a sloping upper surface to enable clamping arm 760 to handle thickness variations in the edge of baseboard 110. When clamping, clamp 720 slides inwards towards the edge of baseboard 110 (not shown) until the sloping upper surface of clamping arm 760 contacts the edge of baseboard 110. Sliding guide post 820 extends into a slot (not shown) of clamp support 730. One end of spring 750 (not shown) rests against a surface of sliding guide post 820 within spring cavity 810, and the other end of spring 750 rests against a spring stop (not shown) upon clamp support 730, as described further below.

FIGs. 9A and 9B illustrate one example of clamp support 730 of clamping system 700. As shown, a slot 900 extends from an upper surface of clamp support 730 through to a lower surface of clamp support 730. Sliding guide post 820 of clamp 720 (not shown) extends into slot 900 from an underside of clamp support 730 and rides within slot 900. Spring 750 (not shown) applies force to spring stop 910 within slot 900 and against a surface of sliding guide post 820 (not shown). FIG. 9B farther shows the side slide rails 770 on the underside of clamp support 730 upon which clamp 720 slides in and out to clamp onto, or unclamp from, the side of baseboard 110.

FIG. 10 depicts the operation of clamping system 700 when clamping onto, or unclamping from, the sides of baseboard 110. In a clamped state (identified with a “1” within a circle), spring 750, within spring cavity 810 of clamp 720, pushes against a surface of sliding guide post 820 and against spring stop 910 of clamp support 730 to cause clamp 720 to move inwards such that clamping arm 760 clamps against a side of baseboard 110 with a force based on parameters of the spring.

In an unclamped state (identified with a “2” within a circle), spring 750, within spring cavity 810 of clamp 720, is compressed due to a pulling force applied to clamp handle 740. The pulling force pulls clamp 720 outwards, away from the side of baseboard 110 to unclamp clamping arm 760 from the side of baseboard 110. When the pulling force is discontinued, and clamp handle 740 is released, the force applied by spring 750 within spring cavity 810 causes clamp 720 to slide inwards, upon the side slide rails 770 (not shown) of clamp support 730 towards the side of baseboard 110, to return to the clamped state, identified with a “1”, as described above.

FIGs. 11 A, 11B, and 12 illustrate an additional implementation of thermoplastic docking system 100 which includes straps that interconnect the primary 120 and secondary components 130/140 of system 100 and maintain a particular spacing between the components upon baseboard 110. FIG. 11A depicts a first strap 1100-1 connected between primary component 120 and secondary component 130 on a first side of system 100, and a second strap 1100-2 connected between primary component 120 and secondary component 130 on a second side of system 100. As shown in FIG. 11 A, first strap 1100-1 interconnects a first side of component 120 with a first side of secondary component 130 (or component 140 - not shown), and second strap 1100-2 interconnects a second side of component 120 with a second side of secondary component 130 (or component 140). Each end of primary component 120 and secondary component 130 may include holes for attaching to a respective end of strap 1100-1 or 1100-2. Each of straps 1100-1 and 1100-2 includes a flexible, nonelastic material (e.g., a metal, plastic) having an elongated shape with holes at each end for attaching to primary component 120 and secondary component 130 via attachment mechanisms 1110. The attachment mechanisms 1110 may include various different mechanisms for attaching primary component 120 to secondary component 130/140 of docking system 100. In some implementations, attachment mechanisms 1110 may include screws, pins, and/or pins and grommets.

FIG. 11B further shows examples of attachment mechanisms 1110 for attaching strap 1100-2 to the second side of primary component 120, and an attachment mechanism 1110 for attaching strap 1100-2 to the second side of secondary component 130. The attachment mechanism 1110 for attaching strap 1100-2 to the second side of secondary component 130 is shown in the example of FIG. 1 IB as a pin and grommet. The attachment mechanism 1110 for attaching strap 1100-2 to the second side of primary component 120 is shown in the example of FIG. 1 IB as a screw.

FIG. 12 further depicts an example of the docking of thermoplastic sheet assembly 200 with thermoplastic docking system 100 upon baseboard 110 using the implementation of FIGs. 11A and 11B which includes the straps 1100-1 and 1100-2 between components 120 and 130/140. In the implementation of FIGs. 11 A and 11B, a length of each strap 1100-1 and 1100-2 is designed such that the distance between component 120 and modular component 130/140, when the straps 1100-1 and 1100-2 are interconnected between component 120 and 130/140, is compatible with the lengths of the L-shaped frames 220 of thermoplastic sheet assembly 200. Therefore, the length of straps 1100-1 and 1100-2 may be different depending on the configuration of thermoplastic sheet assembly 200 (e.g., depending on a length of the L-shaped frames 220 of thermoplastic sheet assembly 200). Alternatively, straps 1100-1 and 1100-2 may be adjustable straps, with adjustment mechanisms that enable adjustment of a length of each of the straps 1100-1 and 1100-2 so as to further adjust a spacing distance (e.g., a gap distance) between primary component 120 and secondary component 130/140 upon baseboard 110.

The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention.

Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above-mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.

No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A thermoplastic docking system, comprising: a first bar, having at least one docking rail, which detachably mounts to a first position on a baseboard; and multiple modular assemblies that are separate components from the first bar, each having at least one docking rail, wherein the multiple modular assemblies selectively, interchangeably, and detachably mount at a second position on the baseboard creating a gap between the first bar and a selected one of the multiple modular assemblies upon the baseboard, wherein the at least one docking rail of the first bar and the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies permit the docking of a thermoplastic assembly that, when docked to the at least one docking rail of the first bar and the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies, immobilizes a portion of a body upon the baseboard.

2. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one docking rail of the first bar comprises multiple docking rails and wherein the at least one docking rail of the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies comprises multiple docking rails.

3. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 1, wherein the baseboard comprises a flat longitudinal member, wherein the first bar is configured to mount transversely on the baseboard at the first position, and wherein each of the multiple modular assemblies is configured to mount transversely on the baseboard at the second position.

4. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 1, wherein the gap comprises a spacing distance between the first position and the second position on the baseboard and wherein the spacing distance renders the docking system compatible for docking with the thermoplastic assembly.

5. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one docking rail of the first bar comprises a first docking rail and a second docking rail and wherein the first docking rail is attached to a first end of the first bar and the second docking rail is attached to a second end of the first bar.

6. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 5, wherein the at least one docking rail of the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies comprise a third docking rail and a fourth docking rail and wherein the third docking rail is attached to a first end of the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies and the fourth docking rail is attached to a second end of the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies.

7. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 6, wherein the thermoplastic assembly comprises a thermoplastic sheet attached to a first elongated frame and to a second elongated frame and wherein, when the thermoplastic assembly is docked to the docking rails, the first elongated frame docks with the first docking rail of the first bar and the third docking rail of the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies and the second elongated frame docks with the second docking rail of the first bar and the fourth docking rail of the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies.

8. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one strap that interconnects the first bar and one of the multiple modular assemblies, wherein the at least one strap is flexible, non-elastic, and detachable from the first bar and the one of the multiple modular assemblies.

9. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 1 , wherein the first bar further comprises at least one first clamping system for detachably mounting the first bar to the first position of the baseboard and wherein the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies further comprises at least one second clamping system for detachably mounting the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies to the second position of the baseboard.

10. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 1 , wherein, if the portion of the body comprises a thorax of the body, the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies comprises a second bar that has multiple docking rails and which detachably mounts to a second position of the baseboard, or wherein, if the portion of the body comprises hips or pelvic-region of the body, the selected one of the multiple modular assemblies comprises an assembly, comprising at least one third bar that extends transversely to the underlying baseboard and a fourth bar that extends transversely to, and connects to, the at least one third bar, wherein the assembly has multiple docking rails and detachably mounts to the second position of the baseboard and wherein one of the multiple docking rails is disposed upon the fourth bar.

11. A docking system for body part immobilization, comprising: a first bar, having at least one docking rail configured to dock with a first portion of a thermoplastic assembly, and which detachably mounts to a first position on an underlying baseboard; and a bar assembly that is a separate component from the first bar, having at least one docking rail configured to dock with a second portion of the thermoplastic assembly, and which detachably mounts to the underlying baseboard, wherein the at least one docking rail of the first bar and the bar assembly are configured to dock with the first and second portions, respectively, of the thermoplastic assembly for immobilizing a part of a body upon the baseboard.

12. The docking system of claim 11, farther comprising: at least one strap that interconnects the first bar and the bar assembly, wherein the at least one strap is flexible, non-elastic, and detachable from the first bar and the bar assembly.

13. The docking system of claim 11, wherein a first end of the first bar has a first docking rail and a first clamping system that detachably clamps to a first side of the baseboard and wherein a second end of the first bar has a second docking rail and a second clamping system that detachably clamps to a second side of the baseboard.

14. The docking system of claim 13, wherein a first end of the bar assembly has a third docking rail and a third clamping system that detachably clamps to the first side of the baseboard, and wherein a second end of the bar assembly has a fourth docking rail and a fourth clamping system that detachably clamps to the second side of the baseboard.

15. The docking system of claim 13, wherein a first end of the bar assembly has a third docking rail and a third clamping system that detachably clamps to the first side of the baseboard, wherein a second end of the bar assembly has a fourth docking rail and a fourth clamping system that detachably clamps to the second side of the baseboard, and wherein the bar assembly comprises a central bar having a fifth docking rail configured to be located between legs of the body upon the baseboard.

16. The docking system of claim 11, wherein the bar assembly comprises one of: a second bar having a length that extends transversely to the underlying baseboard, wherein a first end of the second bar has a first docking rail and a first clamping system that detachably clamps to the first side of the baseboard and wherein a second end of the second bar has a second docking rail and a second clamping system that detachably clamps to the second side of the baseboard; or a bar structure comprising at least one third bar that extends transversely to the underlying baseboard and a fourth bar that extends transversely to the at least one third bar and connects to the at least one third bar at an approximate mid-point of the bar structure, wherein a first end of the at least one third bar has a third docking rail and a third clamping system that detachably clamps to the first side of the baseboard, wherein a second end of the at least one third bar has a fourth docking rail and a fourth clamping system that detachably clamps to a second side of the baseboard, and wherein the fourth flat bar has a fifth docking rail.

17. The docking system of claim 16, wherein if the bar assembly comprises the second bar, the thermoplastic assembly, when docked to the docking rails, immobilizes a thorax of the body upon the baseboard, and wherein if the bar assembly comprises the bar structure, the thermoplastic assembly, when docked to the docking rails, immobilizes hips or pelvic region of the body upon the baseboard.

18. A thermoplastic docking system, comprising: a first bar, having multiple first docking rails, which detachably mounts transversely to a first position on a baseboard; and a bar assembly that is a separate component from the first bar, having multiple second docking rails and which detachably mounts transversely at a second position on the baseboard creating a gap between the first bar and the bar assembly upon the baseboard; a first strap that interconnects a first end of the first bar with a first end of the bar assembly, wherein the first strap is flexible, non-elastic, and detachable from the first bar and the bar assembly; and a second strap that interconnects a second end of the first bar with a second end of the bar assembly, wherein the second strap is flexible, non-elastic, and detachable from the first bar and the bar assembly, wherein the multiple first and second docking rails of the first bar and the bar assembly are configured to dock a thermoplastic assembly that, when docked to the multiple first and second docking rails, immobilizes a portion of a body upon the baseboard.

19. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 18, wherein the first strap and the second strap maintain a spacing distance between the first bar and the bar assembly upon the baseboard.

20. The thermoplastic docking system of claim 18, wherein, if the portion of the body comprises a thorax of the body, the bar assembly comprises a second bar that has multiple docking rails and which detachably mounts to the second position of the baseboard, or wherein, if the portion of the body comprises hips or pelvic-region of the body, the bar assembly comprises at least one third bar that extends transversely to the underlying baseboard and a fourth bar that extends transversely to, and connects to, the at least one third bar, wherein the bar assembly has multiple docking rails and detachably mounts to the second position of the baseboard and wherein one of the multiple docking rails is disposed upon the fourth bar.