U.S. patent application number 10/739990 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for patient supporting table.
Invention is credited to Georgi, Falk, Hopfe, Peter, Stolze, Dirk.
Application Number | 20040200001 10/739990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32336621 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040200001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stolze, Dirk ; et
al. |
October 14, 2004 |
Patient supporting table
Abstract
A patient supporting table that includes a supporting device
having a table column with a vertical axis, and a table top for
supporting a patient, the table top supported by the table column
and arranged to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction
of the table top between a retracted and an extended position, and
further arranged to rotate back and forth about the vertical axis
between a first and a second pivot position. The table top can be
detached from the supporting device in at least one pivot
position.
Inventors: |
Stolze, Dirk; (Saalfeld,
DE) ; Hopfe, Peter; (Ludwigsstadt, DE) ;
Georgi, Falk; (Unterwirbach, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
225 FRANKLIN ST
BOSTON
MA
02110
US
|
Family ID: |
32336621 |
Appl. No.: |
10/739990 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/601 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 7/1057 20130101;
A61G 13/02 20130101; A61G 7/103 20130101; A61G 7/1019 20130101;
A61G 7/1046 20130101; A61B 6/04 20130101; A61G 7/1034 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/601 |
International
Class: |
A47B 013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 19, 2002 |
DE |
102 61 759.7-26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A patient supporting table comprising: a supporting device
comprising a table column having a vertical axis; and a table top
for supporting a patient, the table top supported by the table
column and arranged to move back and forth in the longitudinal
direction of the table top between a retracted and an extended
position, and further arranged to rotate back and forth about the
vertical axis between a first and a second pivot position, wherein
in at least one pivot position the table top can be detached from
the supporting device.
2. The patient supporting table of claim 1, wherein in an extended
position the table top projects by a length of at least 1.5 m away
from the supporting device.
3. The patient supporting table of claim 1, wherein the table top
is placeable in its extended position on a trolley.
4. The patient supporting table of claim 3, wherein the trolley is
height-adjustable.
5. The patient supporting table of claim 3, wherein the table
column is height-adjustable.
6. The patient supporting table of claim 1, wherein the table top
is fixed with respect to rotation to the supporting device, and
wherein the supporting device can be rotated about the vertical
axis of the table column.
7. The patient supporting table of claim 1, wherein the table top
can be rotated with respect to the supporting device.
8. The patient supporting table of claim 1, wherein the table top
can be rotated through at least 90 degrees about the vertical axis
of the table column.
9. The patient supporting table of claim 1, wherein the supporting
device comprises a table top receptacle that constrains the table
top with respect to lateral motion, and the table top receptacle is
fixed to the table column at an offset to the vertical axis of the
table column.
10. The patient supporting table of claim 9, wherein the table top
receptacle constrains the table top at longitudinal sides of the
table top receptacle.
11. The patient supporting table of claim 10, wherein the table top
receptacle can be tilted about a tilting axis that is transverse to
the longitudinal axis of the table.
12. A method comprising: transporting a patient on a table top
located on a trolley; securing the table top in a first pivot
position to a supporting device of a patient supporting table;
retracting the table top, thereby removing the table top from the
trolley; rotating the table top to a second pivot position that
aligns with a therapeutic or diagnostic medical device having a
working space; extending the table top to move the patient into the
working space of the medical device; performing a therapeutic or
diagnostic procedure on the patient; retracting the table top;
rotating the table top to the first pivot position; extending the
table top onto the trolley; detaching the table top from the
supporting device; and transporting the patient away from the
medical device using the trolley.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the table top in the
first pivot position to the supporting device comprises raising the
supporting device to contact and lift the table top from the
trolley.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein detaching the table top from
the supporting device comprises lowering the supporting device to
lower the table top onto the trolley.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein securing the table top in the
first pivot position to the supporting device comprises lowering
the trolley to rest the table top on the supporting device.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein detaching the table top from
the supporting device further comprises raising the trolley to
contact and lift the table top from the supporting device.
17. The method of claim 12 further comprising tilting the table top
along a tilting axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of
the table top.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the supporting device is a
table column.
19. A patient supporting system comprising the patient supporting
table of claim 1 and a trolley.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to patient supporting tables.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
German application No. 102 61 759.7, filed Dec. 19, 2002, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Patient support tables commonly position a patient during
treatment or examination in medical therapy or diagnosis. For
example, patient support tables can position a patient during an
imaging procedure such as magnetic resonance and computer
tomography. To examine the patient, patient support tables allow a
table top (holding the patient) of the patient support table to be
placed in the longitudinal direction of the table between a
retracted position and an extended position. In the extended
position, the front end of the top is further from the supporting
device than in the retracted position. The table top can also be
pivoted about the vertical axis of the table column between a first
pivot position and a second pivot position. In a first pivot
position, the table top can be taken up for examining the patient.
In a second pivot position, the patient resting on the table top
can, for example, be subjected to additional therapies or
diagnosis. In the second pivot position, the patient can also be
picked up from the table top and transferred to a trolley for
transportation.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, the invention features a patient supporting
table that includes a supporting device having a table column with
a vertical axis, and a table top for supporting a patient, the
table top supported by the table column and arranged to move back
and forth in the longitudinal direction of the table top between a
retracted and an extended position, and further arranged to rotate
back and forth about the vertical axis between a first and a second
pivot position, wherein in at least one pivot position the table
top can be detached from the supporting device.
[0005] Embodiments may include one or more of the following. In an
extended position, the table top projects by a length of at least
1.5 m away from the supporting device. The table top is placeable
in its extended position on a trolley. In some cases, the trolley
is height-adjustable. In some cases, the table column is
height-adjustable. The table top is fixed with respect to rotation
to the supporting device, and the supporting device can be rotated
about the vertical axis of the table column. The table top can be
rotated with respect to the supporting device. The table top can be
rotated through at least 90 degrees about the vertical axis of the
table column. The supporting device includes a table top receptacle
that constrains the table top with respect to lateral motion, and
the table top receptacle is fixed to the table column at an offset
to the vertical axis of the table column. In some cases, the table
top receptacle constrains the table top at longitudinal sides of
the table top receptacle. In some of these cases, the table top
receptacle can be tilted about a tilting axis that is transverse to
the longitudinal axis of the table.
[0006] In another aspect, the invention features a method that
includes transporting a patient on a table top located on a
trolley, securing the table top in a first pivot position to a
supporting device of a patient supporting table, retracting the
table top, thereby removing the table top from the trolley,
rotating the table top to a second pivot position that aligns with
a therapeutic or diagnostic medical device having a working space,
extending the table top to move the patient into the working space
of the medical device, and performing a therapeutic or diagnostic
procedure on the patient. The method also includes retracting the
table top, rotating the table top to the first pivot position,
extending the table top onto the trolley, detaching the table top
from the supporting device, and transporting the patient away from
the medical device using the trolley.
[0007] Embodiments may include one or more of the following.
Securing the table top in the first pivot position to the
supporting device includes raising the supporting device to contact
and lift the table top from the trolley. Detaching the table top
from the supporting device includes lowering the supporting device
to lower the table top onto the trolley. Securing the table top in
the first pivot position to the supporting device includes lowering
the trolley to rest the table top on the supporting device.
Detaching the table top from the supporting device further includes
raising the trolley to contact and lift the table top from the
supporting device. The method further includes tilting the table
top along a tilting axis that is transverse to the longitudinal
axis of the table top. The supporting device is a table column.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention features a patient
supporting system that includes the patient supporting table of
claim 1 and a trolley.
[0009] These and other embodiments may have one or more of the
following advantages. The transfer of a patient from a table top of
a patient supporting table off or onto a trolley can be simplified.
The patient resting on the table top can be examined by an imaging
procedure, e.g., magnetic resonance or computer tomography.
[0010] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a schematic side view and a schematic plan
view, respectively, of a patient supporting table in combination
with a magnetic resonance installation, with the table top of the
patient supporting table in its first pivot and extended
position.
[0012] FIGS. 3 and 4 are a schematic side view and a schematic plan
view, respectively, of the patient supporting table of FIGS. 1 and
2, with the table top in its first pivot and retracted
position.
[0013] FIGS. 5 and 6 are a schematic side view and a schematic plan
view, respectively, of the patient supporting table of FIGS. 1 and
2, with the table top in its second pivot and retracted
position.
[0014] FIGS. 7 and 8 are a schematic side view and a schematic plan
view, respectively, of the patient supporting table of FIGS. 1 and
2, with the table top in its second pivot and extended
position.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective illustration of a patient
supporting table, with the table top in its first pivot and
extended position.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective illustration of the
patient supporting table of FIG. 9, with the table top in its
second pivot and extended position.
[0017] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a patient supporting table 10 is
used for examining a patient 12 in a magnetic resonance
installation 14. The patient supporting table 10 includes a table
top 16 on which the patient 12 rests, and a supporting device in
the form of a table column 18 that supports the table top 16. The
table top 16 can be made of a material having a high degree of
transparency for X-ray radiation. The total length of the table top
16 preferably exceeds 2.0 meters, in particular, 2.3 meters. This
ensures that the patient can be examined over the total length of
his body by an imaging procedure. This also ensures that a reliable
holding of the table top 16 in its extended position is guaranteed,
with the table top 16 being held on the table column 18 for
displacement in the longitudinal direction over a length of at
least 2.0 meters.
[0019] The table column 18 allows the table top 16 to be displaced
in the longitudinal direction of the table top 16, so that the
table top 16 can be moved back and forth between a retracted
position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and an extended position shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. The retracted position of the table top 16 is
selected such that the center of gravity of the patient coincides
approximately with the vertical axis 20 of the table column 18. The
extended position of the table top 16 is selected to enable
introduction of the patient 12 on the table top 16 into the
magnetic resonance installation 14 for at least partial
transillumination. Table column 18 includes linear guides (not
shown), such as electric servomotors, to move the table top 16 on
the table column 18 in the longitudinal direction. The linear
guides can be controllable by a central control unit of the
magnetic resonance installation 14 using standard techniques. The
linear guides can be used to move the table top 16 in and out of
the magnetic resonance installation 14 under control of the central
control unit, or by conventional control switches generated by a
user. The linear guides are positioned such that they are located
as far as possible from the magnetic resonance installation 14. The
linear guides can be made of materials which do not significantly
affect magnetic fields. Such materials include high-grade or
stainless steels and ceramics. Thus, the magnetic fields of the
magnetic resonance installation 14 are not significantly affected
by the linear guides.
[0020] The table top 16 is fixed with respect to rotation on the
table column 18, and the table column 18 can be pivoted back and
forth about the vertical axis 20 between a first and a second pivot
position. In the first pivot position, shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the
longitudinal axis of the table top 16 is in parallel alignment with
the axis of symmetry 22 of the magnetic resonance installation 14.
In the second pivot position, shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the table top
16 is pivoted such that the longitudinal axis of the table is
aligned perpendicularly to the axis of symmetry 22 of the magnetic
resonance installation 14. The table top 16 can be pivoted manually
or by additional rotational servomotors. The table top 16 can be
locked into either the first or second pivot position using the
rotational servomotors. In some examples, brakes can be used to
hold the table top 16 in the first or second pivot position.
Locking the table top 16 into a pivot position is either done
manually using a foot pedal or by using the electric controls for
the servomotors.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, in the second pivot position, the
table top 16 can be moved back and forth between its extended
position and its retracted position. In this second pivot position,
it is possible to move the table top 16 relative to the table
column 18 to such an extent that a trolley 24 can be positioned
below the longitudinal portion of the table top 16 projecting over
the table column 18. The trolley 24 can be a manual cart with
wheels for transporting patients. The height of the trolley 24 can
be adjusted under manual control using hydraulic cylinders and a
manual pump.
[0022] The table column 18 can be adjusted in its height. In some
examples, servomotors (not shown) are used to adjust the height of
the table column 18 under manual or automatic control. In other
examples, this adjustment is done using a manual crank. After the
trolley 24 has been positioned below the projecting portion of the
table top 16, the table top 16, in its extended position, can be
placed and fixed on the trolley 24. The table top 16 can be
subsequently detached from the table column 18 by lowering the
table column 18 downwards until the table top 16 is fully released
from the table column 18 and seated on the trolley 24, so that the
table top 16 can be removed together with the trolley 24.
Subsequently, the patient can be rolled to another location without
moving the patient from the table top 16.
[0023] The patient 12 can also be brought in on the table top 16 on
the trolley 24. The table top 16 can be attached to the table
column 18 by raising the lowered table column 18 upwards until the
table top 16 is fully released from the trolley 24 and then
securing the table top 16 to the table column 18. Then the trolley
24 can be removed.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 1O, a patient supporting table 40
is used for positioning a patient during an examination in a
magnetic resonance installation 42. The patient supporting table 40
includes a table top 44. The table top 44 can be introduced into
the magnetic resonance installation 42 over the entire length of a
patient's body from at least 1.5 meters to over 2.0 meters. The
table top 44 can be held on a table top receptacle 46 which
embraces the table top 44 at the longitudinal sides thereof. The
table top receptacle 46 is held on a height-adjustable table column
48. The table top 44 can be made of a material having a high degree
of transparency for magnetic fields and/or X-ray radiation. The
total length of the table top 44 preferably exceeds 2.0 meters, in
particular, 2.3 meters. This ensures that the patient can be
examined over the total length of his body by an imaging procedure,
e.g., by the magnetic resonance installation 42. This also ensures
that the table top 44 in its extended position is reliably held on
the table top receptacle 46 for displacement in the longitudinal
direction over a length of at least 2.0 meters.
[0025] The table top receptacle 46 is arranged at an offset to the
vertical axis 50 of the table column 48 and has an approximately
C-shaped cross section in the longitudinal direction of the table
top 44. The vertical axis 50 of the table column 48 forms an axis
of rotation for the table top 44 and the table top receptacle 46.
However, the axis of rotation of the table top 44 is positioned
laterally outside the table top 44. Such an alignment has the
advantage that the pivoting behavior of the table top 44 and the
table top receptacle 46 can be adapted to the respectively
prevailing spatial conditions. The table column 48 can be manually
or automatically rotated by servomotors and fixed to two different
pivot positions using brakes or the servomotors. The first pivot
position occurs with the longitudinal axis of the table top 44
being parallel to the axis of symmetry of the magnetic resonance
installation 42, as shown in FIG. 9. The second pivot position
occurs with the longitudinal axis of the table top 44 being
perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the magnetic resonance
installation 42, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 10, the table top 44 can be moved to its
extended position and released from the table top receptacle 46.
The table top 44 projects quite considerably in its extended
position beyond the table top receptacle 46. Thus, the table top 44
can be held in a cantilever manner on the table top receptacle 46.
By lowering the height-adjustable table column 48, the projecting
portion of the table top 44 can be placed on a trolley (e.g., 24;
not shown) which is positioned below the projecting portion of the
table top 44. Subsequently, the table top 44 can be disengaged from
the table top receptacle 46 and the patient can be transported to
another location.
[0027] The patient 12 can also be brought in on the table top 44 on
the trolley. The table top 44 can be attached to the table top
receptacle 46 by raising the lowered table column 18 upwards until
the table top 44 is fully released from the trolley and the table
top receptacle 46 holds the table 44. Then the trolley can be
removed.
[0028] A number of embodiments of the invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the table top can hold a
patient for various treatments or diagnosis that are different from
MRI such as X-ray imaging. In this example, the table top and
column are designed to operate with the radiation from the various
treatments or diagnosis. In another example, another embodiment
includes raising a trolley up to the table top with the patient and
then removing the table top from the table column rather than
lowering the table column. In another example, another embodiment
includes a table top that can be rotated relative to the table
column rather than fixing the orientation of the table top to the
table column. In another example, another embodiment includes a
table top receptacle that is held on the table column such that the
table top receptacle is tiltable about a tilting axis aligned
transversely to the longitudinal axis of the table. The tilt of the
table top can be used in the various treatments or diagnosis of the
patient. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *