Overhead support apparatus for a multi-purpose operating room

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for supporting two or more overhead medical instruments in a single operating room such that each medical instrument can be moved between an operating position in proximity of the patient table and a stored position out of proximity of the patient table so as not to hamper access to the patient. The apparatus includes a set of primary rails connected to the ceiling and at least two support carriages engaging the primary rails such that the support carriages can be moved in a longitudinal direction across the length of the operating room. Each support carriage includes an overhead medical instrument mounted to a trolley which can be moved along the support carriage in a lateral direction across the width of the operating room.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for managing the useable space in a medical operating room. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support carriage apparatus for suspending and mobilizing a plurality of overhead medical instruments in an operating room to increase footprint floor space efficiency and to facilitate different surgical procedures in a single operating room.[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art[0004] In the surgical medicine field, floor space is a critical parameter in the overall design of an balance of utility and versatility. Particularly, the placement of medical tools and instruments in proximity of the patient must be done with consideration given to keeping the immediate area around the patient free from obstructing the surgeon's access to the patient.[0005] In the past, mounting medical instruments to mobile floor stands has been common practice in the operating room. However, floor stand inst...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention is directed toward a support apparatus for facilitating the operation, mobilization, and storage of a plurality of overhead medical instruments in a single operating room. Particularly, the support apparatus provides a means by which at least two overhead medical instruments can be suspended from the ceiling of an operating room such that each instrument is moveable between an operating position where the instrument is in proximity of the patient table to facilitate a particular surgical procedure and a stored position where the instrument is out of proximity of the patient table so that a second overhead medial instrument can be moved into the operating position.

[0012] An embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention includes a set of primary rails connected to the ceiling and spanning approximately the longitudinal length of the operating room. The set of primary rails facilitates longitudinal translation of at least two support carriages. Each support carriage carries an overhead medical instrument and engages the set of primary rails such that the carriage may be moved longitudinally along the primary rails. Each support carriage includes a set of secondary rails spanning approximately the lateral width of the operating room. The set of secondary rail facilitates lateral translation of an overhead medical instrument. The medical instrument is mounted to a trolley which engages the set of secondary rails such that the instrument may be moved laterally along the secondary rails.

[0017] It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide a translating support apparatus that may easily be maneuvered by the operator to move the attached medical instruments into proximity of the patient and when finished into a stored position away from the patient.

[0018] It is still another object and feature of the present invention to provide an overhead gantry system which provides the surgeon with the flexibility to position the surgical bed in any desired location or orientation within the confines of the operating room without limitations normally imposed by bulky floor standing equipment or fixed overhead equipment. Accordingly, the surgeon may position the patient and the operating table in the optimal location for himself or herself, the assistants, surgical instrument tables, and ancillary equipment without restrictions. Once the patient and table are positioned, the gantry system may be employed to move the overhead equipment itself to achieve the desired target location. The gantry system prevents an overhead medical instrument from becoming an impediment or a determining factor in setting up an operating room. Moreover, the gantry system actually increases the flexibility of an operating room by allowing a wide range of convenient arrangements to suit the individual surgeon's needs.

Problems solved by technology

However, floor stand instruments tend to clutter the operating room and take up valuable space thereby limiting patient access and even becoming an obstacle to the surgeon.

However, while ceiling-mounted tools help to maximize spatial efficiency, operating room versatility is necessarily sacrificed.

For example, the ceiling-mounted microscope disclosed by the '872 patent is fixed in place above the patient table thereby strictly limiting the use of the operating room to microsurgery procedures.

While the laser beam positioning device of the '854 patent and the lamp track of the '817 patent may facilitate adapting a single medical instrument or tool to the particular needs of a single surgical procedure, these devices fail to address the operating room versatility problem created by employing ceiling-mounted overhead devices.

Particularly, these devices fail to provide: (1) means for supporting a plurality of overhead medical instruments in a single operating room, and (2) means for moving each instrument between a position near the patient to facilitate a particular surgical procedure and a position away from the patient such that another instrument can be brought near the patient to facilitate a completely different surgical procedure.

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