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.

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.

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.