U.S. patent application number 14/711261 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-19 for tiltable patient-supporting apparatus and method of tilting a patient-supporting apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Klaus Hruschka, Richard Kellner, Philip Materne, Patrick Plannerer. Invention is credited to Klaus Hruschka, Richard Kellner, Philip Materne, Patrick Plannerer.
Application Number | 20150328068 14/711261 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54361612 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150328068 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hruschka; Klaus ; et
al. |
November 19, 2015 |
Tiltable Patient-Supporting Apparatus and Method of Tilting a
Patient-Supporting Apparatus
Abstract
A patient-supporting apparatus includes a lifting apparatus. The
lifting apparatus includes an upper part, a lower part, and a
lifting linkage. The lifting linkage connects the upper part to the
lower part and has at least one scissors-form sub-linkage having a
central articulation. A point of rotation of the central
articulation is arranged in a displaceable manner such that the
upper part may be tilted in a transverse direction.
Inventors: |
Hruschka; Klaus; (Erbendorf,
DE) ; Kellner; Richard; (Pullenreuth, DE) ;
Materne; Philip; (Kulmain, DE) ; Plannerer;
Patrick; (Erbendorf, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hruschka; Klaus
Kellner; Richard
Materne; Philip
Plannerer; Patrick |
Erbendorf
Pullenreuth
Kulmain
Erbendorf |
|
DE
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
54361612 |
Appl. No.: |
14/711261 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/610 ;
254/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 7/012 20130101;
A61G 13/06 20130101; A61B 6/04 20130101; A61G 13/04 20130101; A61G
7/005 20130101; A61B 6/0487 20200801; A61G 2200/32 20130101; A61G
7/018 20130101; A61G 2210/50 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61G 7/005 20060101
A61G007/005; A61G 13/04 20060101 A61G013/04; A61G 13/06 20060101
A61G013/06; A61G 7/012 20060101 A61G007/012 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 2014 |
DE |
102014209016.4 |
Claims
1. A patient-supporting apparatus comprising: a lifting apparatus
comprising: an upper part; a lower part; and a lifting linkage that
connects the upper part to the lower part, the lifting linkage
comprising at least one scissors-form sub-linkage having a central
articulation, wherein a point of rotation of the central
articulation is arranged in a displaceable manner such that the
upper part is tiltable in a transverse direction of the upper
part.
2. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper
part is configured in the form of a table top.
3. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising
a table top that is arranged on the upper part.
4. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising
two sub-linkages that are arranged one above the other and are
connected to connecting articulations so as to form a double
scissors structure, wherein the central articulation is formed in
an upper sub-linkage of the two sub-linkages.
5. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising
two sub-linkages that are arranged one above the other and are
connected to connecting articulations so as to form a double
scissors structure, wherein the central articulation is formed in
an upper sub-linkage and a lower sub-linkage of the two
sub-linkages.
6. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising
a first scissors arm and a second scissors arm that form the
sub-linkage and are connected to one another by the central
articulation such that the first scissors arm and the second
scissors arm are rotatable about the point of rotation, wherein the
point of rotation is arranged in a linearly displaceable
manner.
7. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 6, further comprising
a slot that is formed in the first scissors arm, the point of
rotation of the central articulation being arranged in the slot in
a linearly displaceable manner.
8. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 6, further comprising
a drive unit configured to displace the point of rotation in the
slot.
9. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising
a first scissors arm and a second scissors arm that form the
sub-linkage and are connected to one another by the central
articulation such that the first scissors arm and the second
scissors arm are rotatable about the point of rotation, wherein the
central articulation is configured in the form of an eccentric, to
rotate the point of rotation eccentrically.
10. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 9, further comprising
a drive unit configured to rotate the eccentric.
11. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 4, further comprising
a drive unit configured to adjust the upper part in height, wherein
the drive unit acts on one of the connecting articulations.
12. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the drive
unit is configured for a rectilinear movement of the upper part in
the vertical direction.
13. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 2, further comprising
a first scissors arm and a second scissors arm that form the
sub-linkage and are connected to one another by the central
articulation such that the first scissors arm and the second
scissors arm are rotatable about the point of rotation, wherein the
point of rotation is arranged in a linearly displaceable
manner.
14. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 13, further
comprising a slot that is formed in the first scissors arm, the
point of rotation of the central articulation being arranged in the
slot in a linearly displaceable manner.
15. The patient-supporting apparatus of claim 13, further
comprising a drive unit configured to displace the point of
rotation in the slot.
16. A method of tilting a patient-supporting apparatus, the
patient-supporting apparatus comprising a lifting apparatus
comprising an upper part, a lower part, and a lifting linkage that
connects the upper part to the lower part, the lifting linkage
comprising at least one scissors-form sub-linkage having a central
articulation, wherein a point of rotation of the central
articulation is arranged in a displaceable manner such that the
upper part is tiltable in a transverse direction of the upper part,
the method comprising: moving the point of rotation of the central
articulation such that the upper part is tilted in the transverse
direction.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of DE 10 2014 209 016.4,
filed on May 13, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present embodiments relate to a tiltable
patient-supporting apparatus with a lifting apparatus and a method
of tilting such a patient-supporting apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Patient-supporting apparatuses may be adjusted vertically in
height by a lifting apparatus. DE 10 2004 016 728 A1 discloses a
lifting apparatus having an upper part and a lower part. The
lifting apparatus has a lifting linkage that connects the upper
part to the lower part and has two sub-linkages that are connected
to one another via connecting articulations. The lifting apparatus
also has a drive unit for adjusting the height of the upper part.
The drive unit acts on one of the connecting articulations.
[0004] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of such a lifting apparatus 1.
The lifting apparatus 1 includes a lower part 2, in the form of a
base plate, an upper part 3, for accommodating a patient support,
and a lifting linkage 4 that is configured in the form of a double
scissors mechanism or double scissors structure. The lifting
apparatus includes two scissors-structure pairs 5, 6 as
sub-linkages. The two scissors-structure pairs 5, 6 are connected
to one another in an articulated manner.
[0005] The lower scissors-structure pair 6 is connected to the base
plate 2 in an articulated manner via front scissors feet 7. Rear
scissors feet 8 of the lower scissors-structure pair 6 are
connected to one another via a slide that, when the double scissors
structure 4 is opened and closed, runs back and forth in the
running direction 11 on a running rail (not visible) fastened on
the base plate 2.
[0006] Between the front and the rear scissors feet 7, 8 of the
lower scissors-structure pair 6, a horizontally arranged electric
motor 12 is fastened on the base plate 2. The axis of rotation 13
of the electric motor 12 runs parallel to the running direction 11
of the slide 9 (not visible). There is sufficient space for
arranging a measure-control (not depicted) above the electric motor
12.
[0007] Located between the front scissors feet 7 is a toothed gear
mechanism 14 that converts the rotary movement of the electric
motor 12 into a linear movement of a telescopic spindle 15. The
telescopic spindle runs perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 13
of the electric motor 12 and is arranged between the front
scissors-structure feet 7 and beneath the front connecting
articulation 16 of the double scissors structure 4. The telescopic
spindle 15 is configured in the form of a trapezoidal screw spindle
and has a spindle head connected in an articulated manner to the
front connecting articulation 16 of the double scissors structure 4
via a transverse connection 17.
[0008] For a height adjustment of the upper part 3, the electric
motor 12 is switched on, and the telescopic spindle 15 is extended
and/or retracted. The connecting articulation 16 of the double
scissors structure 4 executes a rectilinear movement in the
vertical direction 18 at a constant speed. The slide moves in the
running direction 11. The axis of rotation 13 of the electric motor
12 runs perpendicularly to the spindle axis.
[0009] In radiography, for a fair number of imaging-recording
operations and interventions, for a patient lying on a
patient-supporting apparatus, the patient is to be tilted about a
horizontal transverse axis (e.g., transverse to the direction in
which the patient is lying). This allows internal organs to be
displaced or moved into a position that is advantageous for
image-recording purposes (e.g., for recording images of the abdomen
or thorax).
SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION
[0010] The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the
appended claims and is not affected to any degree by the statements
within this summary.
[0011] The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the
drawbacks or limitations in the related art. For example, a
tiltable patient-supporting apparatus and a method for tilting a
patient-supporting apparatus are provided.
[0012] According to one or more of the present embodiments, a
tilting movement of the patient-supporting apparatus is generated
via a displacement of the point of rotation in the central
articulation of a scissors-form lifting linkage. The displacement
may take place either in a purely translatory manner via a linear
guide or in rotary manner via an eccentric.
[0013] One or more of the present embodiments provide a
patient-supporting apparatus with a lifting apparatus. The lifting
apparatus includes an upper part, a lower part, and a lifting
linkage that connects the upper part to the lower part. The lifting
linkage includes at least one scissors-form sub-linkage having a
central articulation. The point of rotation of the central
articulation is configured to be moveable (e.g., in a translatory
or rotary manner), and therefore, the upper part may be tilted in
the transverse direction (e.g., about a transverse axis of a
patient).
[0014] It is an advantage of the present embodiments that, without
any additional subassemblies being provided between a lifting
scissors structure and a table top (e.g., upper part) or between
the lower part and the lifting scissors structure, a tilting
movement may be generated. The necessary amount of installation
space thus remains small, and the minimum rise height may be kept
as low as possible.
[0015] A further advantage is that many of the components used in
known lifting scissors structures may be used without modification
(e.g., linear guide at the bottom, lifting drive, lifting linkage
at the bottom, table top/lifting scissors structure interface,
etc.), and the tilting mechanism may be integrated in existing
lifting scissors structures e.g., retrofitting).
[0016] In a development of the apparatus, the upper part may be
configured in the form of a table top or for a table top to be
arranged on the upper part.
[0017] In a further embodiment, the patient-supporting apparatus
includes two sub-linkages that are arranged one above the other and
are connected to connecting articulations so as to form a double
scissors structure. The central articulation may be formed in the
upper sub-linkage or in both sub-linkages.
[0018] In a further embodiment, the patient-supporting apparatus
includes a first scissors arm and a second scissors arm that form
the sub-linkage and are connected to one another by the central
articulation such that the first scissors arm and the second
scissors arm may be rotated about the point of rotation. The
apparatus also includes a slot that is formed in the first scissors
arm and in which the point of rotation of the central articulation
is arranged in a displaceable manner. A linear guide is formed in
this way.
[0019] In a further configuration, the patient-supporting apparatus
includes a first drive unit that displaces the point of rotation in
the slot.
[0020] In a further embodiment, the patient-supporting apparatus
includes a first scissors arm and a second scissors arm that form
the sub-linkage and are connected to one another by the central
articulation such that the first scissors arm and the second
scissors arm may be rotated about the point of rotation. The
central articulation is configured in the form of an eccentric that
rotates the point of rotation eccentrically. A rotating movement
may thereby be provided.
[0021] In a development, the apparatus includes a second drive unit
that rotates the eccentric.
[0022] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a third drive
unit, for adjusting the height of the upper part. The third drive
unit acts on one of the connecting articulations.
[0023] In one embodiment, the third drive unit may be configured
for a rectilinear movement of the upper part in the vertical
direction.
[0024] One or more of the present embodiments also provide a method
of tilting a patient-supporting apparatus. The point of rotation of
the central articulation is moved such that the upper part is
tilted in the transverse direction (e.g., about a transverse axis
formed transversely to the direction in which a patient is
supported).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a
patient-supporting apparatus according to the prior art;
[0026] FIGS. 2A-2C shows three side views of one embodiment of a
tiltable patient-supporting apparatus; and
[0027] FIGS. 3A and 3B shows two side views of a further embodiment
of a tiltable patient-supporting apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIGS. 2A-2C show a side view of one embodiment of a
patient-supporting apparatus with a lifting apparatus 1 that is
arranged between a lower part 2 and an upper part 3. The lifting
apparatus 1 may lift the upper part 3 vertically in relation to the
lower part 2. The upper part 3 may be configured in the form of a
table top or may serve as a holder for a table top.
[0029] The lifting apparatus 1 includes a lifting linkage 4 that is
formed from two scissors-form sub-linkages 9 arranged one above the
other (e.g., upper and lower sub-linkages). The upper and the lower
sub-linkages 9 are connected to one another in a movable manner via
connecting articulations 16. A third drive unit 30, responsible for
the vertical movement of the lifting linkage 4, acts on one of the
connecting articulations 16. In one embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 1, the lifting linkage 4 may be formed from scissors-structure
pairs. A rear scissors foot 8 is fixed to the lower part 2. A front
scissors foot 7 is arranged such that the front scissors foot 7 may
be displaced in a linear guide 31, and this allows the lifting
linkage 4 to execute the vertical movement during opening and
closing of the sub-linkages 9.
[0030] The upper sub-linkage 9 includes a first scissors arm 25 and
a second scissors arm 26 that are both connected to one another by
a central articulation 10, such that the first scissors arm 25 and
the second scissors arm 26 may be rotated about the point of
rotation 20. So that the upper part 3 may execute a rotating
tilting movement 27 (e.g., a tilting action about a transverse
axis), the point of rotation 20 of the central articulation 10 may
be displaced in the displacement direction 21 in a slot 23 formed
in the first scissors arm 25. The displacement takes place with the
aid of a first drive unit 28 (illustration B). The first drive unit
28 may include, for example, a ball screw spindle.
[0031] The displacement of the point of rotation 20 causes the
upper end of the second scissors arm 26 to be displaced in the
vertical direction. The upper end of the first scissors arm 25
maintains a vertical position. This results in the tilting movement
27, which inclines the upper part 3 in relation to a
horizontal.
[0032] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a side view of another embodiment of a
further patient-supporting apparatus with a lifting apparatus 1.
The lifting apparatus 1 is arranged between a lower part 2 and an
upper part 3 and may lift the upper part 3 vertically in relation
to the lower part 2. The upper part 3 serves as a holder for a
table top 32, on which a patient may lie.
[0033] The lifting apparatus 1 includes a lifting linkage 4 that is
formed from two scissors-form sub-linkages 9 arranged one above the
other. The upper and the lower sub-linkages 9 are connected to one
another via connecting articulations 16. A third drive unit 30,
responsible for the vertical movement of the lifting linkage 4,
acts on one of the connecting articulations 16. As illustrated in
FIG. 1, the lifting linkage may also be formed from
scissors-structure pairs. The rear scissors foot 8 is fixed to the
lower part 2. The front scissors foot 7 is arranged such that the
front scissors foot 7 may be displaced in a linear guide 31, so
that the lifting linkage 4 may execute the vertical movement.
[0034] The upper sub-linkage 9 includes a first scissors arm 25 and
a second scissors arm 26 that are connected to one another by a
central articulation 10 such that the first scissors arm 25 and the
second scissors arm 26 may be rotated about the point of rotation
20. So that the upper part 3 may execute a rotating tilting
movement 27 (e.g., a tilting action about a transverse axis), the
central articulation 10 is configured in the form of an eccentric
24. As a result of this, the point of rotation 20 of the central
articulation 10 may rotate eccentrically in the direction of
rotation 22. The rotation of the eccentric 24 takes place with the
aid of a second drive unit 29 (illustration B). The second drive
unit 29 may have a worm-gear mechanism (e.g., a worm wheel). The
worm wheel is fitted on the eccentric 24.
[0035] In mechanics and mechanical engineering, an eccentric 24 is
a control disk that is fitted on a shaft and of which a center
point is located outside the shaft axis. The eccentric 24 may
convert rotary movements into lengthwise movements.
[0036] The rotation of the point of rotation 20 causes the upper
end of the first scissors arm 25 to be displaced in the vertical
(and horizontal) direction, wherein the upper end of the second
scissors arm 26 maintains a vertical position. This results in the
tilting movement 27, which inclines the upper part 3 in relation to
a horizontal.
[0037] In the embodiments according to FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3B, the
configuration also gives rise to the upper part 3 being displaced
horizontally when the upper part 3 is tilted. This undesired
movement may be compensated for straightforwardly by a horizontal
movement in the opposite direction of the patient-supporting
apparatus. This is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2C. The
upper part 3 may be displaced with the aid of the fourth drive unit
33.
[0038] Depending on the design and tilting angle required, the
scissors mechanism according to one or more of the present
embodiments may be integrated in just one of the two sub-linkages 9
(as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3B) or else in both
sub-linkages 9.
[0039] The elements and features recited in the appended claims may
be combined in different ways to produce new claims that likewise
fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the
dependent claims appended below depend from only a single
independent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that these
dependent claims may, alternatively, be made to depend in the
alternative from any preceding or following claim, whether
independent or dependent. Such new combinations are to be
understood as forming a part of the present specification.
[0040] While the present invention has been described above by
reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many
changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments.
It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded
as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood
that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are
intended to be included in this description.
* * * * *