Patent ID: 6459927
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A61B,B33Y

Abstract:
A method for positioning a body in relation to a medical apparatus using a customized positioning fixture comprising:providing a three-dimensional scanned image of the body; determining from the scanned image of the body mounting data that characterizes positions of a plurality of mounting locations on the body; using the mounting data, computing a digital model of the positioning fixture that characterizes a shape of the positioning fixture such that the shape includes a first plurality of mounting structures that mate with the mounting locations on the body, and a second plurality of mounting structures for attaching the positioning fixture to the medical apparatus; fabricating the positioning fixture according to the digital model; and fixing the body to the medical apparatus in a predetermined position of the body relative to the medical apparatus, including mating the first plurality of mounting structures with the mounting locations on the body, and attaching the positioning fixture to the medical apparatus using the second plurality of mounting structures.