What type of legal case could be brought against a technologist who threatens to tie an uncooperative patient to the table?

The correct answer in this scenario is assault. Assault in legal terms refers to the act of creating apprehension in another person of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. When a technologist threatens to tie an uncooperative patient to the table, the patient would reasonably feel fear or apprehension due to that threat. This threat alone, even without any physical contact, fulfills the criteria for assault because it suggests an intention to cause a harmful action.

In contrast, other legal concepts like battery involve actual physical contact or harm, while negligence pertains to a failure to meet a standard of care resulting in injury. Fraud involves deception for personal gain, which is not applicable in this context. Therefore, the most fitting legal case regarding the scenario presented is assault, as it directly involves the threat of harm and the resulting fear or apprehension experienced by the patient.