U.S. patent application number 09/682859 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for method and apparatus for alignment and orientation of a monitor in a patient support system.
Invention is credited to Barker, David E., Pattee, Jeffrey W., Simmons, John Matthew.
Application Number | 20030079285 09/682859 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24741480 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030079285 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barker, David E. ; et
al. |
May 1, 2003 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNMENT AND ORIENTATION OF A MONITOR IN
A PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEM
Abstract
In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a patient table comprising a patient support
surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base
supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying
medical information relating to a medical procedure, and a support
member mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor,
wherein said support member includes an adjustment linkage
interconnecting said monitor and support member and providing
movement of said monitor of the monitor relative to said support
member in at least three degrees of freedom.
Inventors: |
Barker, David E.; (Salt Lake
City, UT) ; Pattee, Jeffrey W.; (Salt Lake City,
UT) ; Simmons, John Matthew; (West Jordan,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
|
Family ID: |
24741480 |
Appl. No.: |
09/682859 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/105 20130101;
F16M 11/2014 20130101; A61G 13/1295 20130101; A61G 13/10 20130101;
F16M 2200/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/600 |
International
Class: |
A47B 071/00 |
Claims
1. A patient table comprising: a patient support surface for
supporting a patient during a medical procedure; a base supporting
said patient support surface; a monitor displaying medical
information relating to a medical procedure; and a support member
mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor, wherein
said support member includes an adjustment linkage interconnecting
said monitor and support member and providing movement of said
monitor of the monitor relative to said support member in at least
three degrees of freedom.
2. The patient table of claim 1, wherein said adjustment linkage
comprises a ball member connected to said monitor, and directional
pins securely mounted to said support member and slideably engaging
said ball member to permit linear movement in at least one
direction corresponding to one degree of freedom.
3. The patient table of claim 1, wherein said adjustment linkage
comprises a ball member with a slotted floating guide slideably
connected inside said ball member and directional pins securely
mounted to said support member and slideably engaging said slotted
floating guide to limit the linear motion of the monitor in at
least one direction along one degree of freedom.
4. The patient table of claim 1, wherein said adjustment linkage
comprises a ball member and a rotatable pin connected to said
support member to provide rotation of the monitor about the plane
of the monitor.
5. The patient table of claim 1, wherein said patient table is a
urological table.
6. A patient table comprising: a patient support surface for
supporting a patient during a medical procedure; a base supporting
said patient support surface; a monitor displaying medical
information relating to a medical procedure; a support member
connected to said patient table and said monitor for supporting
said monitor; and a ball shaped member interconnecting said monitor
and said support member, wherein said ball shaped member is movably
mounted to one of said monitor and said support member to permit
movement of said monitor in at least two directions.
7. The patient table of claim 6, wherein said ball shaped member
further comprises a rotatable pin which allows rotation of the
monitor about the plane of the monitor.
8. The patient table of claim 6, wherein said ball shaped member
further comprises directional pins securely mounted to said support
member and slidably engaged with said ball shaped member to permit
linear motion along one axis.
9. The patient table of claim 6, wherein said ball shaped member
further comprises a slotted floating guide within said ball shaped
member, said slotted floating guide being movable relative to said
ball shaped member in at least one direction to permit linear
motion along a first axis, and directional pins securely mounted to
said support member and slidably engaged with said slotted floating
guide to permit linear motion along a second axis perpendicular to
said first axis.
10. The patient table of claim 6, wherein said patient table is a
urological table.
11. A urology table comprising: a patient support surface having
opposed ends arranged along a longitudinal axis and having opposed
sides arranged transverse to said longitudinal axis; a monitor
displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure; a
support member connected to said patient table and said monitor for
supporting said monitor; and a linkage interconnecting said monitor
and said support member, wherein the linkage includes a rotational
link providing rotational movement of said monitor and a linear
link providing linear movement of said monitor in at least one
direction perpendicular to said rotational movement.
12. The patient table of claim 10, further comprising directional
pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged
with said linkage to permit linear motion along one axis.
13. The patient table of claim 10, further comprising a slotted
floating guide to permit linear motion along a first axis, and
directional pins securely mounted to said support member and
slidably engaged with said slotted floating guide to permit linear
motion along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.
14. The patient table of claim 10, wherein said linkage comprises a
ball shaped member.
15. A patient table comprising: a patient support surface for
supporting a patient during a medical procedure; a base supporting
said patient support surface; a monitor displaying medical
information relating to a medical procedure; a pivot arm having a
first end connected to said base and a second end connected to said
monitor; a pivot release member provided on one of said monitor and
said pivot arm for releasably securing said monitor and said pivot
arm at predetermined angular positions with respect to said base;
and an adjustment linkage, said adjustment linkage interconnecting
said monitor and said pivot arm and providing movement of said
monitor relative to said pivot arm in at least three degrees of
freedom.
16. The patient table of claim 14, wherein said adjustment linkage
comprises a ball member with directional slots connected to
directional pins and a rotatable pin.
17. The patient table of claim 14, wherein said adjustment linkage
comprises a ball member with a slotted floating guide floating
inside said ball member and interconnected to directional pins to
limit the range of motion of the monitor in at least one direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] At least one embodiment of the present invention generally
relates to an adjustable monitor for patient tables for supporting
patients during medical procedures. More particularly, at least one
embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable
mechanism that allows a user to align and/or orient a monitor to
the desired position.
[0002] Patient tables and monitors exist in a wide range of medical
patient support systems for medical applications, each designed to
be used for specific medical procedures. Medical patient support
systems typically include a patient support surface that is
attached to a support apparatus. The support apparatus may include
a mechanism for adjusting the patient table in various directions,
including up and down, side to side, and/or into a sitting
position. Typically monitors that are used in medical procedures
are separate from the patient support system and are positioned on
one side of the patient support system.
[0003] Conventional urology patient support systems support the
patient in at least two positions, lying on their back and sitting
up. A urologist often needs to view a monitor while treating a
patient. In such conventional systems a monitor is on one side of
the patient. Urology procedures often require the patient and/or
the doctor to be in more than one position. The desired position of
the monitor, however, depends on the procedure being performed and
t. orientation of the doctor and patient relative to the equipment.
The monitor therefore may be in an undesirable position or may be
difficult to reposition during a procedure. There is a need
therefore for a system that allows the monitor to be moved to
different positions depending on the position of the patient and/or
doctor. Additionally, there is a need for a monitor that can be
adjustably aligned, oriented and/or rotated to provide a preferred
placement of the monitor.
[0004] Although monitors have been used with patient support
systems, such monitors have not been easily adjusted to orient or
align the monitor.
[0005] A need, therefore, exists for an improved medical patient
support system that provides a patient table and monitor that may
be easily adjusted to provide a desired alignment, orientation and
rotation.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a patient table comprising a patient support
surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base
supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying
medical information relating to a medical procedure, and a support
member mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor,
wherein said support member includes an adjustment linkage
interconnecting said monitor and support member and providing
movement of said monitor relative to said support member in at
least three degrees of freedom.
[0007] One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is
a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball
member connected to said monitor, and directional pins securely
mounted to said support member and slideably engaging said ball
member to permit linear movement one direction corresponding to one
degree of freedom.
[0008] One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is
a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball
member with a slotted floating guide slideably connected inside
said ball member and directional pins securely mounted to said
support member and slideably engaging said slotted floating guide
to limit the linear motion of the monitor in at least one direction
along one degree of freedom.
[0009] One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is
a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball
member and a rotatable pin connected to said support member to
provide rotation of the monitor about the plane of the monitor.
[0010] One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention
the patient table is a urological table.
[0011] One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is
a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting
a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said
patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information
relating to a medical procedure, a support member connected to said
patient table and said monitor for supporting said monitor, and a
ball shaped member interconnecting said monitor and said support
member, wherein said ball shaped member is movably mounted to one
of said monitor and said support member to permit movement of said
monitor in at least two directions. Optionally, the ball shaped
member may include a rotatable pin which allows rotation of the
monitor about the plane of the monitor. Optionally the ball shaped
member may include directional pins securely mounted to said
support member and slidably engaged with said ball shaped member to
permit linear motion along one axis.
[0012] One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is
a patient table comprising a ball shaped member including a slotted
floating guide within said ball shaped member, said slotted
floating guide being movable relative to said ball shaped member in
at least one direction to permit linear motion along a first axis,
and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and
slidably engaged with said slotted floating guide to permit linear
motion along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.
[0013] One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is
a urology table comprising a patient support surface having opposed
ends arranged along a longitudinal axis and having opposed sides
arranged transverse to said longitudinal axis, a monitor displaying
medical information relating to a medical procedure, a support
member connected to said patient table and said monitor for
supporting said monitor, and a linkage interconnecting said monitor
and said support member, wherein the linkage includes a rotational
link providing rotational movement of said monitor and a linear
link providing linear movement of said monitor in at least one
direction perpendicular to said rotational movement.
[0014] One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is
a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting
a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said
patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information
relating to a medical procedure, a pivot arm having a first end
connected to said base and a second end connected to said monitor,
a pivot release member provided on one of said monitor and said
pivot arm for releasably securing said monitor and said pivot arm
at predetermined angular positions with respect to said base, and
an adjustment linkage, said adjustment linkage interconnecting said
monitor and said pivot arm and providing movement of said monitor
relative to said pivot arm in at least three degrees of
freedom.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention,
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,
there is shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently
preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a patient support system employing the
monitor and adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a moving mechanism, adjustment mechanism
and monitor according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an adjustment mechanism according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an adjustment mechanism according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a frontal view of a partial assembly of
an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a frontal view of a partial assembly of
an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a urology patient support system
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a urology patient support system
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a patient support system 100 with a
patient support surface 11 0, a base 120, a monitor 130, a moving
mechanism 140 and an adjustment mechanism 150. The base 120
includes a support structure 125, which supports the patient
support system 100. The patient support surface 110 is attached to
and supported by the base 120. The monitor 130 is attached to the
adjustment mechanism 150, which is attached to the moving mechanism
140. The moving mechanism 140 is attached to the base 120 and
supports the monitor 130. The monitor 130 is preferably a flat
screen monitor. The moving mechanism 140 allows the monitor 130 to
be moved and locked into different desired positions.
[0025] The moving mechanism 140 rotates the monitor 130 about a
pivot axis, which is perpendicular to the monitor 130 plane. As
shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment mechanism 200 is connected to the
end of the moving mechanism 140. The adjustment mechanism 200
allows the monitor to be moved in three degrees of freedom relative
to the moving mechanism 140.
[0026] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the adjustment mechanism 200 formed
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3
shows a side view of the adjustment mechanism 200, including the
monitor plate 350, the second spherical member 330, first spherical
member 320, support member 360 and handle 361. The support member
360 is hollow and is attached to the moving mechanism 140. The
support member 360 has a first circular opening with a circular
frame 305. Directional pins 310, 311 are securely mounted to the
circular frame 305. The first spherical member 320 fits into the
circular opening in the support member 360. Directional pins 310,
311 pass through an opening in the center of the first spherical
member 320.
[0027] The slotted floating guide 340 is generally rectangular,
square or the like. The slotted floating guide 340 includes two
parallel horizontal slots 341, 342. The directional pins 310, 311
engage the slots 341, 342 and slide horizontally within slots 341,
342 allowing the monitor 130 to be moved in one degree of freedom.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a partial assembly of the
adjustment mechanism 200, including the slotted floating guide 340,
the first spherical member 320 and directional pins 310, 311.
Directional pins 310, 311 move over a range of motion defined by
the ends of slots 341, 342, as shown by range 315.
[0028] The second spherical member 330 is spherical in shape and
includes a rectangular, square or the like hole in the middle of
it. The second spherical member generally fits within the first
spherical member 320 and may move within the first spherical member
320. The hole in the second spherical member 330 is the same width
as the slotted floating guide 340 and taller than the slotted
floating guide 340. The slotted floating guide 340 fits into the
hole in the second spherical member 330 and allows the monitor 130
to be moved in a second degree of freedom. FIG. 6 illustrates a
front view of a partial assembly of the adjustment mechanism 200,
including the second spherical member 330, the slotted floating
guide 340, and directional pins 310, 311. The slotted floating
guide 340 moves over a range of motion defined by the height of the
hole in the second spherical member 330, as shown by range 316.
[0029] A first disc 370 acts as a washer and fits within the outer
diameter of the second spherical member 330. A screw 380 passes
through the first disc, the slotted floating guide 340 within the
second spherical member 330, the first spherical member 320 and is
secured to the circular frame 305.
[0030] The directional pins 310, 311, first spherical member 320,
second spherical member 330, slotted floating guide 340, first disc
370 and screw 380 permit the monitor 130 to be moved in two linear
directions (the x and y axis shown in FIG. 4). The size of the hole
in the second spherical member 330 and the height of the slotted
floating guide 340 may be varied to provide a different range of
motion along the y axis. The width of the slots 341, 342 and the
size of directional pins 310, 311 may be varied to provide a
different range of motion along the x axis.
[0031] The adjustment mechanism 200 may also include a swivel
assembly 390, a connecting disc 400 and a washer 410. The swivel
assembly 390 includes a shoulder washer 394, spring 393, shoulder
392 and screw cap 391. The spring 393 fits over the shoulder 392
and the shoulder washer 394 fits over the spring 393. The shoulder
washer 394 extends through the hole in the connecting disc 400.
[0032] The connecting disc 400 is a larger circular disc with a
hole in the middle that securely fits over the shoulder washer 394.
The connecting disc 400 also includes holes 401, 402, 403, 404
along the outside for fasteners 420 to pass through. A washer 410
rests between the connecting disc 400 and the monitor plate 350.
The screw cap 391 extends through the shoulder 392, spring 393,
shoulder washer 394, connecting disc 400 and washer 410 and
connects to the monitor plate 350.
[0033] Fasteners 420 connect the connecting disc 400 to the second
spherical member 330, and hold the padded disc 410 and swivel
member 390 in place. Hole 405 of the connecting disc 400 fits over
peg 406 of the second spherical member 330 to hold the connecting
disc 400 in place. The monitor 130 is connected to the monitor
plate 350. The swivel assembly 390 allows the monitor 130 to be
moved in a third degree of freedom. Spring 393 is set such that
shoulder washer 394 or washer 410 contact monitor plate 350.
Monitor plate 350 and swivel assembly 390 rotate around the monitor
plate plane (in the z direction as shown in FIG. 4), while the
connecting disc 400 and the other parts of the adjustment mechanism
remain rigid. The swivel assembly 390 holds the monitor plate 350
in its selected orientation once the monitor 130 has been
rotated.
[0034] In operation, the monitor 130 is held in place by the
adjustment mechanism 200. The user moves the monitor 130 in a
horizontal (along the x axis) and/or vertical (along the y axis)
linear direction and/or rotates the monitor 130 (along the z arrow)
about the plane of the monitor 130. When the monitor 130 is moved
horizontally (along the x axis) the second spherical member 330
slides left to right within the first spherical member 320 and the
slotted floating guide 340 slides along the directional pins 310,
311. The directional pins 310, 311 restrict horizontal movement
after a predetermined point. When the monitor 130 is moved
vertically (along the y axis) the second spherical member 330
slides up and down within the first spherical member 320 and the
slotted floating guide 340 moves up and down within the hole in the
second spherical member 330. When the monitor 130 is rotated (along
the z arrow) the swivel assembly 390, washer 410 and monitor plate
350 rotate. The swivel assembly 390 holds the monitor 130 in place
once it has been rotated to a selected position.
[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 show, by way of example only, urology patient
support systems 100 with two typical patient and doctor positions.
In the first position, as shown in FIG. 7, the patient 700 is
laying down on the patient support surface 110 and the doctor 800
is seated or standing near the legs of the patient 700. In this
position, one desired monitor 130 location is over the patient's
chest. In the second position, as shown in FIG. 8, the patient is
sitting upright and the doctor is located at the patient's legs. In
this position, one desired monitor 130 location is over the
patient's head. A preferred embodiment of the present invention
allows a doctor or another person to easily and safely align and/or
orient the monitor 130 in multiple positions to provide the optimum
placement of the monitor 130 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0036] The present invention may also be used in connection with
the invention disclosed in United States patent application number
______, and applicants hereby incorporate by reference application
number ______ in its entirety.
[0037] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *