Medical table assembly having a restrainment apparatus mounted thereto and an associated method of immobilizing object

摘要

A medical table assembly includes a bed frame and a mattress supported by the bed frame. The medical table assembly also includes a restrainment apparatus mounted to the bed frame, wherein the restrainment apparatus includes (1) a strap which (a) defines a fluid impervious bag having a void therein, and (b) is attached to the bed frame so that the fluid impervious bag is positioned over the mattress, and (2) a plurality of beads contained within the void of the fluid impervious bag. The medical table assembly further includes a vacuum source in fluid communication with the void of the restrainment apparatus. An associated method of immobilizing an object is also disclosed. The method includes the use of actuators which cause interior side panels of a passageway defined through a restrainment apparatus to automatically "clamp down" on an object positioned within the passageway upon evacuation of a void defined within the restrainment apparatus.