Surgical Operation Table

Abstract

A surgical operation table has a table top comprising a main section mounted on a frame so as to be slidable lengthwise of itself, a lower trunk section which can be mounted on the frame adjacent an end of the main section but which can be removed from the frame as desired, and a leg section, The leg section is secured in slots in the main frame so that it can be moved from a working position in which it is adjacent to an end of the lower trunk section and a storage position beneath the main section.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The surgical operation table of the present invention is, while capable of general use, particularly suitable for specialised use in gynaecological and urological operations. In such operations, the surgeon works at one end of the table and the legs of the patient are supported above the level of the table top. It is obviously desirable that the buttocks and perineum of the patient be supported as close as possible to the working end of the table top as the area of table top projecting beyond the patient towards the surgeon should be as small as possible to avoid interference with the work of the surgeon. The present invention aims at making this possible. The invention also seeks to provide a table with which the amount of lifting of a patient by operation theatre staff is reduced as compared with that required when using known tables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical operation table according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevation of a slightly modified table,

FIGS. 3 and 4 are detail views illustrating a locking mechanism, and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are further detail views.

In the drawings similar parts are designated by the same references.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a surgical operation table comprises a base 1 carrying a patient-supporting platform or table top T. Any suitable means are provided for enabling the table top to be arranged at any desired height with respect to the base. For example, the height can be adjusted by a conventional hydraulic means operated by a pedal 2.

The table top 1 is carried by a metal support frame F including side plates 3 at opposite sides of the table. The table top is composed of three sections arranged adjacent to one another in end to end relationship, namely a main section 4 arranged to support the head and upper part of the trunk of the patient, an intermediate or lower trunk or lower trunk section 5 and a leg section 6. If desired the main section 4 may (as shown in FIG. 2) itself be composed of two sections, namely the upper trunk section 4 and a separate head section 7 removably fitted to the end of the trunk section 4 remote from the lower trunk section 5. The construction of the table of FIGS. 1 and 2 is exactly the same except for the provision of the additional and separate head section in the FIG. 2 construction. If desired, all of the various sections of the table top may be made of an X-ray translucent material.

The intermediate lower trunk section 5 is removably supported on the main frame F so that it can be simply lifted off when it is not required. The main section 4 is slidably mounted on the main frame F as it is arranged to run on wheels 4a (one of which is illustrated in FIG. 5) so that it can be moved lengthwise of itself. Thus, when the removable lower trunk section 5 is lifted off the main frame, the main section 4 can be moved lengthwise into the space vacated by the lower trunk section as shown in FIG. 2.

A spring-loaded or other suitable locking means accessible from one side of the table is provided to enable the main section to be fixed in any desired longitudinal position relative to the main frame. This locking means is conveniently in the form of a locking pin 8 (FIGS. 3 and 4) slidable in the main section 4 into and out of engagement in the hole 9 in the frame F. The pin can be moved in and out of the hole by means of a knob 10. When the pin is disengaged from the hole 9 against the action of a spring 14 the section 4 is free to slide. A disc 11 is fitted to the inner end of the pin 8 and when the section 4 is tilted from the horizontal into the so-called Trendelenburg position it will engage the inside of the frame F to prevent accidental withdrawal. There is sufficient play to enable the disc 11 to be withdrawn through the hole 9 when the section 4 is horizontal.

The leg section 6 of the table top is fixed to the main frame in such a way that, when it is not required, it can be slid beneath the main section to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. For this purpose, the leg section 6 is secured to a mounting bar 12 extending transversely of the table top. This mounting bar 12 is provided with wedge-shaped retaining blocks 13 (FIG. 6) which engage in sockets of complementary shape in the main frame to retain the mounting bar in position. Retaining means other than wedge-shaped blocks and sockets can be used if desired. The mounting bar 12 also has extensions or runners at each end, i.e., at each side of the main frame, and each of these runners is located in one of two identical guide slots S in the two side plates 3 of the main frame. Each guide slot S includes a vertical portion 15 at the bottom of which one of the runners is located with the leg section 6 is in its position of use and with the wedge-shaped blocks engaged in their associated sockets. These vertical portions 15 of the guide slots lead from the top to intermediate portions 16, 17 which themselves lead to horizontal portions 18, extending a major part of the length of the side plates 3. Thus, when the leg section is not required, the leg section is first lifted in the vertical portions of the guide slots to disengage the wedge-shaped blocks from their sockets and the runners are then caused to slide in the guide slots (and while remaining captive in them) until the runners are located in the horizontal portions 18 of the guide slots. The leg section will then be located in a docked position beneath the main section. Means are provided for holding the leg section in a horizontal position when it is beneath the main section. In a convenient arrangement, a support bracket 26 covered with a low friction material extends beneath the side plates in a position such that a portion of the bottom of the leg section can rest on the bracket 26 to prevent it swinging down. If desired, the leg section can be used as a shelf when in the docked position beneath the main section. If the table is to be used with a fluroscope the section 6 can be positioned to hang vertically from the slots S as also shown in FIG. 2.

The two runners on the mounting bar 12 are provided with locking screw knobs 19 which can be tightened against the main plates 3 to prevent movement of the runners in the guide slots.

The leg section has a hinged connection with its mounting bar and any suitable means such as a stay 20 can be provided for holding the leg section at a desired inclination with respect to the main section when it is in its position of use.

The main frame is also provided with a support 21 for an X-ray cassette tray 22 beneath the table top. The main frame is provided with suitable openings to enable a cassette tray to be loaded from either side or either end of the table as desired.

Side bars 23 are provided on each side of the main section 4 to enable lithotomy stirrups or other equipment to be secured to the table.

When the table is ready for normal use, the main section, intermediate or lower trunk section and leg section are arranged end to end to provide a table top of normal length as shown in FIG. 1. Conveniently, two mattresses 24, 25 are arranged on the table top, one mattress being arranged on the main section and a second one being arranged on both the lower trunk section and leg section. When it is desired to make the table ready for gynaecological or urological operations the patient is placed on the table top and anaesthetised. The legs are then lifted on the lithotomy stirrups so as to raise them clear of the lower trunk section 5. The lower trunk section 5 is then lifted off the main frame complete with its mattress which also covers the leg section. The locking screw knobs 19 of the leg section are then unscrewed and the leg section is then lifted in the vertical position of the guide slots to disengage the wedge-shaped blocks on the mounting bar from the wedge-shaped sockets in the main frame. The leg section is then slid beneath the main section. Finally, the main section is then slid lengthwise into the space vacated by the removal of the lower trunk section.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. trunk surgical operation table comprising a base, a pedestal, and a table top receiving frame supported on the pedestal, the table top comprising a main body section, a lower trunk section, and a leg section, the body, turnk and leg sections being coplanar, the main body section and the leg section being permanently engaged to the table top frame, the lower trunk section being readily removable from between the main body section and the leg section of the table top, the main body section being reciprocably movable towards and into the space vacated by the lower trunk section on removal thereof, the leg section being swingable about its permanent engagement to the table top frame from a position normally coplanar with the main body section to a position at right angles thereto or selectively to storage position below the main body section and wherein the table top supporting frame includes a pair of downwardly extending brackets on opposite sides thereof, slots in the brackets extending downwardly and rearwardly of the table top, and the leg section is provided with laterally extending pins at the end thereof proximate the body section, the pins being engaged to the slots and slidable therealong.