U.S. patent number 3,868,103 [Application Number 05/354,111] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-25 for surgical and examination table structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Millet Roux & Cie., Ltee.. Invention is credited to Jacques Pageot, Cesar Purkhardt, Yvon Roy.
United States Patent |
3,868,103 |
Pageot , et al. |
February 25, 1975 |
SURGICAL AND EXAMINATION TABLE STRUCTURE
Abstract
An improved table structure capable of adopting various surgical
operation positions as well as positions for X-ray and image
intensifier examinations includes a base, a vertical supporting
frame, carrier means pivotably mounted at the upper end of the
supporting frame, and patient-receiving serially interconnected
panels. Means are provided in the carrier means for longitudinally
displacing the panels with respect to the supporting frame in such
a way that a complete examination of a patient is possible without
any need of moving him so that body areas ordinarily hidden to
examination due to the structure of conventional tables may now be
reached. The table structure also includes novel mechanisms for
effecting various pivotal movements of the panels with respect to
one another or with respect to the carrier means. Also provided is
a novel manual control device for actuating the hydraulically
operated parts of the table structure to achieve the various
examination and surgical operation positions.
Inventors: |
Pageot; Jacques (Laval, Quebec,
CA), Roy; Yvon (Saint Leonard, Quebec, CA),
Purkhardt; Cesar (Ste-Foy, Quebec, CA) |
Assignee: |
Millet Roux & Cie., Ltee.
(Laval, Quebec, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23391915 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/354,111 |
Filed: |
April 24, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/614; 5/608;
137/596; 378/209; 5/618 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
13/02 (20130101); Y10T 137/87169 (20150401); A61G
2210/50 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61G
13/02 (20060101); A61G 13/00 (20060101); A61g
013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/62,66-69
;250/439,444,448-452 ;269/322-325 ;74/222 ;137/596 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Custer, Jr.; Granville Y.
Assistant Examiner: Abrams; Neil
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cushman, Darby & Cushman
Claims
We claim:
1. A surgical and examination table structure capable of
longitudinal displacement in opposite directions comprising: a
base; vertical supporting frame means fixed at one end thereof to
said base; carrier means slidably mounted to said supporting frame
means at the other end thereof; platform means mounted to said
carrier means for supporting a patient and including a head panel,
a back panel, a trunk panel connected to said carrier means along
the side edges of said trunk panel and at least one leg panel, said
panels being serially connected; hydraulic drive means including at
least one hydraulic cylinder fixedly mounted on the vertical
supporting frame means at said other end thereof and having a
piston member connected to said carrier means for slidably
displacing in the longitudinal direction said carrier means
relative to said supporting frame means; the longitudinal
displacement of the carrier means being such that all points on the
platform means have at one time or another a vertical axis which
clears the vertical supporting frame means thereby permitting an
examination of a patient positioned on said platform means without
moving the patient during the examination and tilting means in said
carrier means for pivotably moving said platform means relative to
said carrier means.
2. A surgical and examination table structure capable of
longitudinal displacement in opposite directions comprising: a
base; vertical supporting frame means fixed at one end thereof to
said base including vertically upstanding housing means, a coupling
member pivotably connected to the upper end of said housing means
and a plate means pivotably connected to the coupling member;
carrier means slidably mounted to said supporting frame means at
the other end thereof; platform means mounted to said carrier means
for supporting a patient and including a head panel, a back panel,
a trunk panel and at least one leg panel, said panels being
serially connected; and hydraulic drive means supported by said
plate means including at least one hydraulic cylinder fixedly
mounted on the vertical supporting frame means at said other end
thereof and having a piston member connected to said carrier means
for slidably displacing in the longitudinal direction said carrier
means relative to said supporting frame means; the longitudinal
displacement of the carrier means being such that all points on the
platform means have at one time or another a vertical axis which
clears the vertical supporting frame means thereby permitting an
examination of a patient positioned on said platform means without
moving the patient during the examination.
3. A table structure as defined in claim 2 further comprising
hydraulic drive means mounted between said housing means and said
coupling member for causing transverse pivotal movement of said
platform means relative to the longitudinal plane thereof.
4. A table structure as defined in claim 2 further comprising
hydraulic drive means mounted between said housing means and said
plate means for causing longitudinal pivotal movement of said
platform means relative to said housing means.
5. A table structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said drive means
consist of a pair of hydraulic cylinder and piston units
respectively disposed along each side edge of said trunk panel; the
cylinders of said unit being attached to said plate means; the
pistons of said units being fixed to said side edges whereby the
introduction of pressurized fluid in said cylinders causes the
longitudinal displacement of said side edges relative to said
cylinders.
6. A table structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said vertically
upstanding housing means include first and second hollow housings
telescopically received in one another, and hydraulic drive means
mounted in said housings for lowering and raising said platform
means.
7. A table structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said tilting
means include two elongated housings mounted respectively beneath
the longitudinal edges of said trunk panel; each housing including
a bottom wall and opposite side walls; an elongated drive plunger
longitudinally displaceable in each housing centrally thereof;
hydraulic drive means in each housing for displacing said plunger
therein; a pair of elongated linking members respectively mounted
in each housing on opposite sides of said drive plunger, each
linking member being pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a
transverse axis secured to an adjacent side wall of said housing,
the transverse axes being parallel and longitudinally spaced in
said housing; each of said linking members being provided with an
elongated curved slot; said plunger including on each side wall
thereof a projection extending into an associated slot in said
linking members; plate means extending longitudinally over said
housing and having one end pivotally connected to one linking
member at the end thereof opposite to the end pivotally mounted to
a side wall of the housing and having the other end pivotally
connected to the other linking member at the end thereof opposite
the end pivotally mounted to the side wall of the housing; said
slots being shaped whereby the longitudinal displacement of the
plunger into the housing by said hydraulic drive means and the
resulting travel of said projection in said slots cause the
following positions: a first position where a first linking member
is pivotally inclined with respect to the plane of the housing; a
second position where both linking members are received in the same
plane as the plane of the housing and the plunger; and a third
position where the other linking member is pivotally inclined with
respect to the plane of said housing and in opposite direction
relative to the first position.
8. A surgical and examination table structure capable of
longitudinal displacement in opposite directions comprising: a
base; vertical supporting frame means fixed at one end thereof to
said base; carrier means slidably mounted to said supporting frame
means at the other end thereof; platform means mounted to said
carrier means for supporting a patient and including a head panel,
a back panel, a trunk panel and at least one leg panel, each trunk
panel including along each longitudinal side edge thereof means for
articulating a respective leg panel thereto; each said articulating
means including an elongated housing secured to said trunk panel
along said side edge; a pair of spaced parallel transverse axes
mounted at opposite ends of the housing; sprocket means mounted on
each said axis; chain means entrained around said sprocket means,
said chain means defining opposite intermediate strands extending
between said sprocket means; toothed wheel means mounted on a first
of said transverse axes; hydraulic drive means mounted in said
housing and including a cylinder and piston, said piston having one
end received in said cylinder and the other end fixed to one of the
intermediate strands, a third transverse axis transversely mounted
to said housing in the vicinity of said first transverse axis and
adapted to receive thereon a toothed portion of said leg panel for
meshing engagement with said toothed wheel means whereby torque
received on said first transverse axis through actuation of said
chain means by said hydraulic drive means is transmitted from said
toothed wheel means to the toothed portion of the leg panel to
thereby cause pivotal movement of the leg panel relative to the
trunk panel, said panels being serially connected; and hydraulic
drive means including at least one hydraulic cylinder fixedly
mounted on the vertical supporting frame means at said other end
thereof and having a piston member connected to said carrier means
for slidably displacing in the longitudinal direction said carrier
means relative to said supporting frame means; the longitudinal
displacement of the carrier means being such that all points on the
platform means have at one time or another a vertical axis which
clears the vertical supporting frame means thereby permitting an
examination of a patient positioned on said platform means without
moving the patient during the examination.
9. A table structure as defined in claim 8 further comprising
second articulating means mounted in each longitudinal side edge of
said back panel for causing pivotal movement of said back panel
relative to said trunk panel; each said second articulating means
including:
an elongated housing secured to said longitudinal side edge of said
back panel; a pair of spaced parallel transverse axes mounted at
opposite ends of said housing; sprocket means mounted on each said
axis; chain means entrained around said sprocket means, said chain
means defining opposite intermediate strands extending between said
sprocket means; toothed wheel means mounted on a first of said
transverse axes; hydraulic drive means mounted in said housing and
including a cylinder and a piston, said piston having one end
received in said cylinder and the other end fixed to one of said
intermediate strands; a third transverse axis transversely mounted
to said housing in the vicinity of said first transverse axis;
each elongated housing of said first articulating means including a
block fixedly secured to said housing of said articulating means
adjacent a second of said pair of transverse axes of said first
articulating means; said block provided thereon with a toothed
portion to be meshed with the toothed wheel means of the second
articulating means in said back panel whereby actuation of the
drive means of the second articulating means in said back panel
causes the pivotal movement of the back panel relative to the trunk
panel.
10. In a surgical table structure having platform means including
at least a back panel, a trunk panel, and one leg panel, a device
for articulating a first panel relative to a second panel
comprising, in combination: at least one elongated housing secured
to a first panel of said platform means; a pair of spaced parallel
transverse axes mounted at opposite ends of said housing; sprocket
means mounted on each said axis; chain means entrained around said
sprocket means, said chain means defining opposite intermediate
strands extending between said sprocket means; toothed wheel means
mounted on a first of said transverse axes; hydraulic drive means
mounted in said housing and including a cylinder and a piston, said
piston having one end received in said cylinder and the other end
fixed to one of said intermediate strands; a third transverse axis
transversely mounted to said housing in the vicinity of said first
transverse axis and adapted to pivotally receive thereon a toothed
portion of said second panel of said platform means for meshing
engagement with said toothed wheel means whereby torque received on
said first transverse axis through actuation of said chain means by
said hydraulic drive means is transmitted from said toothed wheel
means to the toothed portion of the second panel to thereby cause
pivotal movement of the second panel relative to the first
panel.
11. In a surgical table structure, as defined in claim 10, said
first panel is said trunk panel and said second panel is a leg
panel.
12. In a surgical table structure, as defined in claim 11, a second
similarly constructed articulating device provided in said back
panel; the elongated housing of the articulating device in said
trunk panel including a block fixedly secured to said housing
adjacent the second of said pair of spaced transverse axes; said
block having thereon a toothed portion to be meshed with the
toothed wheel means of the second articulating device in said back
panel whereby actuation of the drive means of the second
articulating device in the back panel causes pivotal movement of
the back panel relative to trunk panel, and actuation of the drive
means of the articulating device in the trunk panel causes pivotal
movement of the leg panel relative to the trunk panel.
13. In a surgical table structure having a trunk panel, vertical
supporting frame means and carrier means slidably mounted to the
supporting frame means, a mechanism for tilting the trunk panel in
opposite directions with respect to the carrier means comprising:
at least one elongated housing mounted in the carrier means and
including a bottom wall and opposite side walls; an elongate drive
plunger longitudinally displaceable in said housing centrally
thereof; drive means for displacing said plunger in said housing; a
pair of elongate linking members respectively mounted in said
housing on opposite sides of said drive plunger, each linking
member being pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a transverse
axis secured to an adjacent side wall of said housing, the
transverse axes being parallel and longitudinally spaced in said
housing; each of said linking members being provided with an
elongated curved slot; said plunger including on each side wall
thereof a projection means extending into an associated slot of
said linking members; plate means extending longitudinally over
said housing and having one end pivotally connected to one linking
member at the end thereof opposite to the end pivotally mounted to
a side wall of the housing and having the other end pivotally
connected to the other linking member at the end thereof opposite
the end pivotally mounted to the side wall of the housing; said
slots being shaped whereby the longitudinal displacement of the
plunger in said housing by said drive means and the resulting
travel of said projection means in said slots cause the following
positions: a first position where a first linking member is
pivotally inclined with respect to the plane of the housing; a
second position where both linking members are received in the same
plane as the plane of the housing and the plunger; and a third
position where the other linking member is pivotally inclined with
respect to the plane of said housing and in opposite direction
relative to the first position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a table structure for use in surgical
operation, X-ray examination and image intensifier examination.
More particularly, the invention relates to a table structure for
use in major operations where, in addition to surgery, X-ray
examination and/or image intensifier examination are required.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Presently available image intensifier examination apparatus, for
example, consist of a bifurcated arm in the form of either a C or a
U, at one end of which is mounted an image intensification tube
positioned over the table top on which is placed a patient to be
studied and at the other end of which is mounted a coacting
mechanism mounted in the path of the beam of rays emitted by the
tube through an area of the body. The arm is constructed so that
the tube may move horizontally, vertically and rotatably relative
to the table top. The vertical supporting frame of conventional
tables, however, hinders a complete horizontal examination of the
patient's body due to the presence of cross-members and mechanical
linkages. It is frequently required to move the patient after a
first examination so that a complete examination of all or other
areas of the body may be conducted. When a patient is either
seriously injured or critically ill, the movement may be painful
and detrimental to his health.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, an examination and surgical
table is so constructed as to enable a longitudinal displacement of
the table top relative to the table vertical frame whereby the
opposite ends of the arm of the image intensifier examination
apparatus, for example, may be moved along its three axes to focus
on any part of the body to comprises: studied without the need of
moving the patient. relative to the
The present invention therefore relates to a surgical operation and
examination table structure capable of longitudinal displacement in
opposite directions which comprises: a base; vertical supporting
frame means fixed, at one end thereof, to the base; a carrier means
slidably mounted to the supporting frame means at the other end
thereof; platform means mounted on the carrier means to support a
patient and including a head panel, a back panel, a trunk panel and
a leg panel, said panels being serially connected; and drive means
mounted to the supporting frame means at said other end thereof for
slidably displacing in the longitudinal direction the carrier means
relative to the supporting frame means; the longitudinal
displacement of the carrier means being such that all points on the
platform means have at one time or another a vertical axis which
clears the supporting frame means to thereby facilitate an
examination of a patient on said platform means without moving the
patient during the examination.
In addition to be capable of longitudinal displacement, the table
structure described herein is also capable of various positions.
For instance, the platform means and carrier means may be raised
and lowered, tilted sideways, frontwardly or rearwardly.
Furthermore, the individual panels defining the platform means are
capable of relative tilting movements relative to one another
thereby adopting various surgical and examination positions which
are required during either an X-ray examination, an image
intensifier examination, or during surgery.
Another aspect of this invention is a novel mechanism for
articulating the leg panel or the back panel relative to the
intermediate trunk panel. This mechanism includes at least one
elongated housing fixed to a first panel; a pair of spaced parallel
transverse axes mounted at opposite ends of the housing; sprocket
means mounted on each axis; chain means entrained around the
sprocket means, the chain means defining opposite intermediate
strands extending between the sprocket means; toothed wheel means
mounted on a first of the transverse axes; hydraulic drive means
mounted in the housing and including a cylinder and a piston having
one end received in the cylinder and the other end fixedly attached
to one of the intermediate strands; a third transverse axis
transversely mounted to the housing in the vicinity of the first
transverse axis and adapted to receive thereon a toothed portion of
a second panel for meshing engagement with the toothed wheel means
whereby torque received on the first transverse axis through
actuation of the chain means by the hydraulic drive means is
transmitted from the toothed wheel means to the toothed portion of
the second panel to thereby cause pivotal movement of the second
panel relative to the first panel.
The table structure made in accordance with the present invention
also includes a novel mechanism for tilting, in opposite
directions, the intermediate trunk panel to provide various angled
positions between the platform means and the carrier means. During
a surgical operation, it is often required to change the normally
horizontal position of the patient-receiving platform means to
angles varying from 150.degree. to 210.degree..
The novel tilting mechanism comprises: at least one elongated
housing mounted in the carrier means and including a bottom wall
and opposite side walls, an elongate drive plunger longitudinally
displaceable in the housing centrally thereof; drive means for
displacing the plunger in the housing; a pair of identically shaped
elongated linking members respectively mounted in the housing on
opposite sides of the drive plunger; each linking member being
pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a transverse axis secured
to an adjacent side wall of the housing, the transverse axes of the
linking members being parallel and longitudinally spaced in the
housing; each linking member being provided with an elongated
curved slot; the drive plunger including, on each side wall
thereof, a projection means extending into an associated slot of
the linking members, plate means extending longitudinally over the
housing and having one end pivotally connected to one linking
member at the end thereof opposite the end pivotally mounted to a
side wall of the housing and having the other end pivotally
connected to the other linking member at the end thereof opposite
the end pivotally mounted to the other side wall of the housing;
the slot being shaped whereby the longitudinal displacement of the
plunger in the housing by the drive means and the resulting travel
of the projection means in their respective slots cause the
following positions: a first position where a first linking member
is pivotally inclined relative to the plane of the housing, a
second position where both linking members are received in the same
plane as the plane of the housing and the plunger; and a third
position where the other linking member is pivotally inclined
relative to the plane of the housing and in opposite direction
relative to the first position, the linking members entraining the
plate means in identical positions.
The actuation of all movable parts of the table structure of the
present invention is hydraulically carried out by means of
cylinders and pistons. A novel manual device has been devised to
remotely command and control the various movements of the
structural parts of the table structure.
The hydraulic manual control device comprises: a housing; a fluid
input line and a fluid return line received in the housing, the
fluid in the input line being under pressure; a series of cavities
vertically extending in the housing; actuatable piston means
received in each of the cavities, including a piston head dividing
the cavity into first and second chambers respectively disposed on
either side of the piston head; a first series of channels
interconnecting the fluid input line with the first chambers; a
second series of channels interconnecting the fluid return line
with the second chambers; and a third series of channels extending
in the housing and received in the cavities vertically between the
first series of channels and the second series of channels, the
channels of the third series adapted to be operatively connected to
hydraulic drive means for each of the movable parts of the table;
each channel of the second series being in communication, via an
associated second chamber, with a related channel of the third
series when the associated piston head is in a normal rest position
in the cavity; each channel of the first series being in
comminication, via an associated first chamber, with a related
channel of the third series when the associated piston head is
depressed in the cavity whereby depression of a piston head allows
fluid pressure to be transmitted from the first chamber to an
associated channel of the third series to cause the actuation of a
movable part of the table.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the present
invention will be in part obvious from the accompanying drawings,
and in part pointed out as the description of the invention
progresses. In describing the invention in detail, reference will
be made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
characters designated corresponding parts throughout the several
views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view illustrating a surgical operation
and examination table structure made in accordance with the present
invention;
FIGS. 2-11 represent various movements made possible with the table
structure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is an elevational view, partly broken away, taken along
lines 12--12 of FIG. 6 and principally representing the vertical
supporting frame;
FIG. 13 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along lines 13--13 of
FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines
14--14 of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along lines 15--15 of
FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a top perspective view illustrating the coupling member
used at the upper end of the supporting frame;
FIG. 17 is an elevational longitudinal view showing part of the
platform means in pivotal movement relative to the supporting
frame;
FIG. 18 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the platform
means in pivotal movement relative to the supporting frame;
FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view taken along lines 19--19 of
FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a side cross-sectional view taken along lines 20--20 of
FIG. 18;
FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is an enlarged side view showing the pivotal movement of a
leg panel relative to the trunk panel of the platform means;
FIG. 23 is a side perspective view showing the connection between
one extremity of the leg panel and its coupling attachment member
to the trunk panel;
FIG. 24 is a top a top view showing, in broken parts, the mechanism
illustrated in FIGS. 20-23;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing, in broken parts, a tilting
mechanism used with the present table structure;
FIGS. 26 and 27 are schematic diagrams representing two inclined
positions of the tilting mechanism;
FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic circuitry to
operate the different movable parts of the table structure;
FIG. 29 is a side perspective view of a manual control device used
for the actuation of the hydraulic circuitry of the table
structure;
FIG. 30 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines
30--30 of FIG. 29;
FIG. 31 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along lines
31--31 of FIG. 30; and
FIG. 32 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along lines
32--32 of FIG. 30.
GENERAL
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an examination and surgical
operation table structure 100 generally comprises patient-receiving
platform means 102 which consist of four serially interconnected
panel sections, namely a head panel 104, a back rest panel 106, an
intermediate trunk panel 108 and a leg panel 110, the latter being
preferably in two sections. These panels are adapted for
fluoroscopic examination and radiography purposes and are made of
Bakelite or other satisfactory material suitably permeable to
X-rays. The platform means 102 are supported on carrier means 112
longitudinally displaceable over vertical supporting frame means
114 mounted on a base 116.
Referring to FIGS. 2-11, there are shown some of the various
positions in which the table structure 100 may be moved. Reference
will be made to these figures as the description of the different
components of the table structure progresses.
Referring to FIG. 12, parts of two panels 106 and 108 are shown and
are hingedly connected at 109. All panels are somewhat similarly
configurated, in that they include a flat horizontal top surface,
such as 106a, 108a, and are each provided with downwardly and
longitudinally extending side edges, such as 106b, 108b. This panel
construction allows the insertion of a cassette or other type of
diaphragm beneath the panels when the table is used for radiography
purposes.
The vertical supporting frame means 114 include a cover 118
surmounted by a bellow 120, both enclosing housings 122 and 124.
Housing 122 has its lower end fixed to the base 116 and its upper
end opened to telescopically received therein housing 124 to the
upper end of which is pivotably connected the carrier means 112, as
described below. Housings 122 and 124 receive therein hydraulically
operated cylinder 126 and piston 128, one end of the piston being
received in the cylinder while the other end is attached to the
upper end of the housing 124 (not shown).
On base 116, within the enclosure 118, is mounted the hydraulic
drive unit that includes a pump 130 and a series of valves, two of
which are shown as 132. The pump may be electrically operated or,
in a case of a power failure, may be converted to foot actuation by
means of a foot pedal 134 which projects outside the cover 118
through an opening 136. For clarity purposes, the different fluid
lines connecting the pump, the valves and the respective cylinders
operating the various parts of the table structure have not been
shown, except for fluid line 138 which serves in the actuation of
respective cyliniders operating the variouos 128 in and out of
cylinder 126 thereby raising and lowering the table structure
relative to the base 116, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
The frame means 114 are connected to the carrier means 112 by a
transversely extending plate 140 and a coupling member 142, the
plate and the coupling member being pivotally mounted to each
other. The coupling member has a pair of ears 144-145 (FIG. 16)
between which is received, for pivotal connection, by means of pin
146, a downwardly extending lug 147 of the plate 140 (FIG. 12).
Fixedly secured to the undersurface of plate 140 by means of
brackets 148, 149, 150 and 151, FIG. 13, are two cylinders 152 and
153, each traversed by a pair of piston units 154-155 and 156-157,
respectively. The opposite ends of the piston rods are fixedly
secured to adjacent longitudinally extending housings 160 and 162
by means of lugs 163-164 and 165-166, respectively. The assembly of
piston rods 154 to 157, lugs 163 to 166 and housings 160 and 162
forms the carrier means 112 which support and carry the platforms
means 102. The cylinders 152 and 153 being fixedly mounted to plate
140, pressurized fluid introduced simultaneously at either
appropriate ends (see port 167 in FIG. 19) of these cylinders
causes the longitudinal displacement of the piston units relative
to the cylinders.
Coupling member 142 is pivotally mounted at the upper end of the
housing 124 by means of a pair of lugs 167, 168 and a pin 170
extending through these lugs and through the housing 124. Member
142 further includes a pair of arms 172 and 173, FIG. 16, fixedly
secured to a side edge 175 thereof and receiving therebetween a
cylinder 174 pivotally attached thereto at its lower end by pin
means 176. A piston 178 having one end received in cylinder 174 has
its other end pivotally mounted to a bracket 180 fixed to one of a
pair of angled iron members 182, 183 which extend transversely of
the plate 140 and are fixedly secured therebeneath.
Housing 124 supports a second cylinder 186, the lower end thereof
being pivotally mounted by means of lower 188 and pin means 190,
the upper thereof being pivotally mounted through pin 192 to a pair
of ears 194, 16 integral with the coupling member 142, FIG. 16.
An important feature of the present invention is that the table is
constructed so as to allow a longitudinal displacement of the
platform means so that, for example, the opposite ends of C-shaped
image intensifier may be conveniently travel along these platform
means and an examination of the patient is made possible over the
entire body without the need of displacing the patient.
To achieve this, the longitudinal displacement of the platform
means is made so that all points of the platform means may
vertically extend at one time or another outside the veritcal
supporting frame means 114.
A longitudinal displacement of the platform means consists in
introducing through appropriate fluid lines (not shown) pressurized
fluid in cylinders 152 and 153, which action causes the
displacement of piston units 154-155 and 156-157 in and out of
their respective cylinders. Since the piston extremities are
attached to their respective housings 160 and 162 by means of lugs
163 to 166, the platform means, which are attached to these
housings by plate 332, are also displaced longitudinally. Comparing
FIGS. 12 and 2, a point P arbitrary chosen in FIG. 12 as extending
axially and centrally over the vertical frame means 114, may be
longitudinallly displaced to a point where a vertical axis
extending through this point completely avoids the enclosure
118-120 of the frame means 114. Hence, a complete examination of a
patient is possible. As shown in FIG. 13, the cylinders are
provided at opposite ends thereof with fluid conduit lines 152',
152", 153', 153"; depending on which side pressurized fluid is
received in these cylinders, the direction of the displacement of
the carrier means will either be to the right or to the left.
The pivotal movement of the carrier means in the longitudinal
direction of the platform means, as shown in FIG. 4, consists in
introducing pressurized fluid in cylinder 174 whereby the actuation
of piston 178, FIG. 12, causes the pivotal movement, about pin 146,
of plate 140 relative to the coupling member 142. Deviations of up
to 35.degree. with the horizontal plane have been obtained with a
table structure made in accordance with the present invention.
The transverse pivotal movement of the table, as shown in FIGS. 5
and 7, is caused by the actuation of piston 187 in and out of
cylinder 186 thereby pivoting plate 140, and the platform means
102, about pin 190 (FIG. 18). Deviations of up to 25.degree. with
the horizontal plane have been obtained with a table structure made
in accordance with the present invention.
HINGE MECHANISM
FIGS. 20-24 illustrate a mechanism for articulating one panel of
the platform means 102 with respect to another panel, as
illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 10, 11. In the embodiment shown, the
mechanism enables the articulation of a leg panel 110 relative to
the trunk panel 108 and the articulation of the back rest panel 106
relative to the trunk panel 108.
The trunk panel 108 includes along opposite sides thereof (FIG. 18)
two elongated housings 202, 204 respectively extending over
housings 160 and 162 of the carrier means 112; they also form the
sides 108b of the trunk panel 108. Both housings 202, 204 are
identically shaped and include the same hinge mechanism described
hereinbelow. Each housing includes two opposite side walls 206, 208
and a top wall 210 fixedly secured to the trunk panel 108, FIG. 20.
Transversely mounted to the opposite side walls 206 and 208 of the
housing 202, is a pair of transverse axes 212 and 214 on which are
respectively mounted for rotation sprockets 216 and 218. Entrained
around these sprockets is a chian 220 which has one intermediate
strand 222 is fixed to a block 224. A piston 226 has one end fixed
to the block 224, the other end thereof being received in a
cylinder 228 which, in turn, is fixedly mounted in housing 202. A
pair of gear wheels 230 and 232 are mounted on axis 214 on either
side of the sprocket 218.
A third axis 234 extends transversely of the housing and is fixed
to the opposite side walls 206 and 208 thereof. Each leg panel 110
is pivotally connected on this axis 234 by means of a coupling
attachment 236 which has two projections 238 and 240, respectively
provided with a toothed portion 242, 244 adapted to mesh with a
corresponding gear wheel 230, 232.
The articulation of a leg panel 110 relative to the housing 202
consists in introducing pressurized fluid in cylinder 228 thereby
actuating piston 226 which causes the rotation of the chain 220
around sprockets 216 and 218; the gear wheels 230, 232 are thus
rotated causing similar rotation of the coupling attachment 236 of
the leg panel 110.
A similar mechanism may be installed in the side edges 106b of the
back rest panel 106 to effect relative movement of the back rest
panel relative to the trunk panel 110. An adapter block 246 is
fixed to the side walls 206 and 208 of the housing 202. The block
has two projections 238' and 240' respectively provided with
toothed portions 242', 244' mounted on a transverse axis 234'
mounted to the side walls 248 and 250 of the partially shown
housing of the side edge 106b. These toothed portions 242', 244'
mesh with corresponding gear wheels 230' and 232'.
The operation of this articulating mechanism is similar to the one
described for housing 202. The introduction of a pressurized fluid
in a cylinder 228' results in the rotation of the chain 220' as
well as that of gear wheels 230', 232'. Since trunk panel 108 is
fixed to the carrier means 112, actuation of the articulating
mechanism of back panel 106 results in the articulation movement of
the back panel relative to the fixed trunk panel.
TILTING MECHANISM
Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of a
tilting mechanism for the trunk panel relative to the carrier means
112, FIG. 9. This mechanism may be found in the two identically
constructed elongated housings 160, 162 vertically disposed beneath
housings 202, 204, respectively, of the hinge mechanism (FIG. 14).
Referring to FIG. 25, each housing includes opposite side walls
304, 305 and a bottom wall 306. The top of the housing has an
opened portion 307 and a closed covered portion 308. Extending
longitudinally in the opened portion 307 of the housing are three
elongate members 310, 312 and 314 disposed in parallel relationship
to one another and in close proximity. The centrally disposed
member 310 is a plunger having a flat rectangular-shaped portion
provided on each side face thereof with an outwardly extending
projection in the form of a pin 316, 318. These projections are
received in corresponding curved slots 320 and 322 provided in
linking members 312 and 314, respectively.
Member 312 is pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the side wall
304 of the housing by means of a pin 324; linking member 314 is
pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the side wall 305 by means
of pin 326. The opposite end of linking member 312 is pivotally
mounted to a plate 332 by means of a pin 328 extending through an
ear 330 located at one end of the plate. The opposite end of
linking member 314 is pivotally mounted to plate 332 by means of a
pin 336 extending through an ear 336 located at the other end of
plate. An appropriate groove 337 in wall 305 receives ear 334 while
ear 330 is received in housing 302 in the same plane as the plane
of the plunger 310, between linking members 312 and 314.
Plunger 310 is actuated longitudinally in the housing 160 by means
of a hydraulically operated cylinder 338 fixed to the walls of the
housing and is connected thereto by a piston 340.
FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate plate 332 in an inclined position. The
operation of the tilting mechanism will be described with respect
to the passage of plate 332 from its inclined position in FIG. 26
to its inclined position in FIG. 27. It will be assumed for
description purposes, that housings 160 and 162, which form part of
the carrier means and therefore may pivot longitudinally and
transversely, will be considered in a horizontal position.
Pressurized fluid introduced in cylinder 338 causes the
longitudinal displacement of the plunger 310 in the direction
opposite to that shown by arrow 342. Pin 316 slides to the left in
slot 320; similarly, pin 318 slides to the left along the curved
surfaces of slots 322. Linking member 314 pivots about pin 326 in a
clockwise direction. Since slot 320 has a horizontal portion 320h,
linking member 312 remains in a horizontal position inside the
housing while the plunger is moving towards the left. When pin 318
reaches the junction of the curved portion 322c and the straight
portion 322h, all three members 310, 312, 314 are in a horizontal
plane and parallel to each other. In this position, the plate 332
is also in a horizontal position and is in the prolongation of
cover 308. Further actuation of plunger 310 towards the left causes
pin 316 to contact the curved portion 320c of slot 320 thereby
pivoting plate 312 in a clockwise direction about pin 324. At the
same time, pin 318 on the plunger travels in the horizontal portion
of slot 322h of link member 314; hence, link member 314 remains in
the horizontal plane of the housing and parallel to the plunger.
The pivoting of link member 312 causes its upper edge 313 to
contact the undersurface of plate 332 which, in turn, pivots also
in a clockwise direction about pin 336.
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
FIG. 28 is a representative diagram of an hydraulic circuitry which
can be used to assist in the operation of the different movable
mechanisms described above. Fluid is pumped, for example, from a
reservoir R by means of a pump 130 which may be electrically
operated or, in a case of a power failure, foot operated.
Pressurized fluid is then directed to a series of pilot-operated
four-way valves 402-409 which are adapted to take three positions.
The actuation of each of these valves is effected by operating a
manual control device 410 which is connected to the hydraulic pump
and reservoir by means of a pressure reducing valve 412, a fluid
input line 414 and a fluid return line 416. The actuation of a
valve by the control device 410 results in the operation of a
cylinder associated therewith. Each cylinder has been described
above in connection with the operation of one or more parts of the
table structure. For example, the actuation of valve 402 may result
in the operation of cylinder 126 which was described above as
causing the lowering and raising of the platform means. It is
expected from the man skilled in the art to modify the arrangement
of these cylinders to achieve other various movements; for example,
two cylinders 228 may be arranged in parallel to effect the
longitudinal displacement of the carrier means in two directions. A
valve or restriction 418 in the main return line 420 is preferably
provided to smoothen out the various operations of the
cylinders.
The manual control device 410 is an important feature of the
present invention and is shown in FIGS. 30-33. The device 410
includes an elongated housing 422 filled with a solid material 424
in which is practiced a series of fluid lines extending
longitudinally and transversely of the housing. A series of
cylindrical chambers 426, arranged in pair and disposed
longitudinally of the housing, are also provided therein with
finger operated pistons 428. The head 430 of each piston divides
each chamber 426 into an upper portion 426a and a lower portion 426
A series of channels 432, 433 connect the fluid input line 414 with
the chambers 426 while another set of channels 434, 435 connect the
fluid return line 416 with the same chambers 426. Channels 432, 433
are always in communication with the upper portion 426a of a
chamber while channels 434, 435 are always in communication with
the lower portion 426b of a chamber. A third series of channels
436, 437 connect the chambers with the four-way valves
schematically represented as 402-409 in FIG. 28. These channels
436, 437 are in communication another either the upper portions of
the chambers or with the lower portions thereof depending on the
position of the piston head 430 therein. A spring 438 is received
in each chamber between the piston head 438 and the bottom wall of
the chamber to automatically return the spring to its rest
position. Depression of the piston 430 against the spring 431
allows pressurized fluid to flow from channels 432, 433 to
corresponding channels 436, 437, and to the associated four-way
valve. When the piston, under spring action, is returned to its
normal rest position, the associated valve causes the return of the
fluid therein, via channels 436, 437 to corresponding channels 434,
435.
The valves 402-409 will not be described in detail since it is
expected from the man skilled in the art to know of their
construction and operation.
Although the table structure has been described above in relation
to various aspects, it is believed that it may be further refined
and modified in various ways. It is therefore wished to have it
understood that the present invention is not limited in
interpretation except by the terms of the following claims.
* * * * *