Patient positioning system for use in medical station

Abstract

The invention relates to a patient positioning system (19) which can be used as part of a medical table (10), the patient positioning system (19) comprising a patient support device (18) for supporting a patient, and a carrier device (17) on which the patient support device (18) is placed, wherein the patient support device (18) can be moved with respect to the support device (17) in order to move a patient on the support device, the support device (17) having a plurality of support rollers (40, 41) for supporting and moving the patient support device (18), the support rollers (40, 41) being rotatable independently of one another about their respective axes of rotation, and wherein at least two of the carrier rollers (40, 41) form a first group and the carrier rollers (40, 41) of the first group can only jointly pivot with respect to other parts of the carrier device (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a patient positioning system for medical and especially surgical tables. The present disclosure also relates to a medical table having a system for patient positioning. Background Art

[0002] During a medical examination or surgical operation, a patient can be supported on a medical table, in particular an operating table. Systems for patient positioning are used to place the patient in a desired position for the medical examination or operation. Patient positioning systems can generally be assembled flexibly and offer different possibilities for patient positioning.

[0003] The patient positioning system may have replaceable, detachably connectable segments. Typically, some or all of the replaceable segments may be movable. By using different replaceable segments, a single medical table may be reconfigured in different ways for different patients and procedures.

[0004] During an examination or operation, the patient usually lies or sits on a patient support device which is guided or supported via a linear guide or on load-bearing rollers or via a combination of a linear guide and load-bearing rollers and can be moved in the longitudinal direction. In particular in freely supported or freely vibrating systems, the patient support device can deform significantly under load.

[0005] If only one support roller is used at the support point of the patient support device, the contact between the patient support device and the support roller is maintained even when the patient support device is deformed. However, the surface pressure at the contact surface between the support roller and the patient support device is relatively high when the load is carried by only one support roller. With the aid of an elastomer coating on the support roller, the load is distributed over a larger surface, since the elastomer coating is flattened at the contact surface by the load. However, a larger support roller diameter must usually be selected in order to achieve the largest possible contact surface.

[0006] When two load-bearing rollers are used for supporting the patient support device at the support point of the patient support device, the load is distributed to the two load-bearing rollers when the patient support device is not deformed. However, if the patient support device deforms under the load, the patient support device may lose contact with one of the two load-bearing rollers, so that the entire load is placed on only one load-bearing roller. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a patient positioning system having two or more support rollers for supporting a patient support device, wherein the load is distributed to as many support rollers as possible even when the patient support device is deformed.

[0008] The patient positioning system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure can be used as a part of a medical table, in particular an operating table. The patient positioning system can have a patient support device for supporting a patient and a carrying device, on which the patient support device is placed. The patient support device can be movable relative to the carrying device so that the patient can be moved on the carrying device and positioned for examination or surgery.

[0009] In order to be able to move the patient support device onto the support device, the support device comprises a plurality of support rollers on which the patient support device is supported. The patient support device can be moved onto the support rollers, for example, in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction. The longitudinal direction, which can also be referred to as the longitudinal direction, can correspond to the main direction or longitudinal axis of the patient support device. The transverse direction can extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

[0010] The support rollers of the support device can rotate independently of each other about their respective rotational axes. At least two of the support rollers form a first group. The support rollers of the first group can be pivoted or tilted or tilted only in common with respect to the other parts of the support device.

[0011] By pivoting (or tilting or tilting) at least two support rollers together, the support rollers can automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device when the patient support device is deformed. This has the effect that all support rollers of the first group can remain in contact with the patient support device even when the patient support device is bent by a load. As a result, the load can be distributed to the support rollers of the first group and does not have to be carried by only one of the support rollers. In particular, the support forces can be evenly distributed to all support rollers of the first group.

[0012] The first group can include exactly two support rollers or also more support rollers, for example three support rollers. If the first group has more than two support rollers, it can be useful to provide the support rollers and / or the underside of the patient support device with a flexible elastomeric coating. If the surfaces of the support rollers and the underside of the patient support device are not flexible, the patient support device rests only on the two outer support rollers. The flexible coating can compensate for different spacings between the individual support rollers and the patient support device, which can be caused by bending of the patient support device. In this way, even an uneven load distribution can be achieved on all support rollers.

[0013] Compared to a solution with only one support roller, the contact surface with the patient support device itself can be increased when using a smaller support roller diameter.

[0014] In some embodiments, all the support rollers of the support device may belong to the first group. The support device may in this case contain no further support rollers besides the support rollers of the first group. In other embodiments, the support device may contain further support rollers besides the support rollers of the first group. The support rollers may, for example, be associated with the second group. This is explained in detail further below.

[0015] The load-carrying rollers may also be called support rollers or load-carrying rollers.

[0016] In some embodiments, the patient support device can have an intermediate element, which is supported on the support rollers and is in contact with them. The remaining components of the patient support device can be detachably fastened to the intermediate element. In particular, the surface on which the patient supports can be detachable from the intermediate element. However, the intermediate element is part of the patient support device.

[0017] In some designs, the patient support device can be a surgical patient support device, on which the patient is supported during surgery. The patient support device can be modularly constructed and have a main support surface section, which can be extended by coupling various auxiliary support surface sections. The main support surface section and the auxiliary support surface section can have a mechanical connection element, and the main and auxiliary support surface sections can be detachably connected to the connection element. The auxiliary support surface section can be, for example, a leg section, a foot section, or a head section. In addition, the auxiliary support surface section can also be an extension section or an intermediate section, which is, for example, inserted between the main support surface section and the head section. The patient support device can also be used to fasten accessories. Sliding tracks or side tracks can be arranged on the sides of the main and auxiliary support surface sections. Accessories can be detachably fastened on the sliding tracks or side tracks. In addition, the sliding tracks or side tracks can be arranged at the head end and / or the foot end.

[0018] The patient positioning system can be arranged to be fastened to an operating table pillar of the operating table. The carrying device can have an interface at its underside, which is used to be fastened to the operating table pillar. The patient positioning system can be fixedly or detachably connected to the operating table pillar. The operating table can be movable. The support or base of the operating table can have wheels or rollers, by means of which the operating table can be moved on the ground. Alternatively, the support or base can be fixedly anchored to the ground.

[0019] In some designs, the patient positioning system can be designed so that it can be detachably connected to a movable surgical patient transporter and a support column of an operating table. Before the surgical operation, the patient positioning system can be mounted on the patient transporter. The patient can be brought to the operating table by means of the patient transporter. There, the patient positioning system can be fastened to the operating table support column and decoupled from the patient transporter. Most of the preparations for the surgical operation can be carried out, and the patient positioning system is mounted on the patient transporter. For example, the patient support device can be assembled from individual sections and accessories and the patient can be prepared for the surgical operation. Therefore, it is feasible to fasten the patient positioning system to the operating table support column only after the preparation is completed.

[0020] In some embodiments, linear guides can be used in combination with support rollers in order to be able to move the patient support device in the longitudinal or transverse direction.

[0021] In some embodiments, the at least two support rollers of the first group can be oriented substantially parallel to one another and furthermore the at least two support rollers can be pivotally connected to other parts of the support device via one or more pivot joints. The at least two support rollers can be connected to one another in particular via at least one concave and / or convex joint, at least one arc-shaped joint, at least one elastic connection, at least one drilled connection, at least one pivotable bearing block, at least one hinge or at least one shaft connection.

[0022] In some embodiments, the support rollers can extend below the patient support device along the entire width of the patient support device or also beyond it. The width of the patient support device here extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the patient support device, along which the patient is supported. Improved support can be achieved by a width of the support rollers that corresponds to the width of the patient support device.

[0023] In some embodiments, the patient positioning system may have a support block, which supports the ends of at least two load-bearing rollers of the first group, respectively, so that the rotation axes of the at least two load-bearing rollers are oriented substantially parallel to each other. The support block can be positioned at both ends of the at least two load-bearing rollers. The at least two load-bearing rollers of the first group can be supported in a total of two support blocks. The support block can have a recessed portion, in which the ends of the at least two load-bearing rollers are supported. Due to the support in the support block, the rotation axes of the at least two load-bearing rollers can be oriented parallel to each other and have a fixed spacing. The support block can achieve that the at least two load-bearing rollers of the first group can rotate independently of each other around their respective rotation axes, but can only be pivoted together with respect to other parts of the supporting device.

[0024] If the patient support device is in contact with at least two support rollers, the support rollers are aligned and stabilized relative to each other. Due to the use of at least two support rollers, the load is distributed over a plurality of support rollers, thereby also reducing the forces on the bearings by means of which the support rollers are supported in the support blocks.

[0025] In some embodiments, the two bearing blocks carrying the at least two bearing rollers of the first group can be pivotable about a common pivot axis. By pivoting the bearing blocks, the at least two bearing rollers are also pivoted. The pivoting of the bearing blocks can achieve that, when the patient support device is deformed, the at least two bearing rollers of the first group automatically match the underside of the patient support device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the support block can be mounted rotatably so as to be pivotable relative to the rest of the support device.

[0027] In some embodiments, the patient positioning system can have a carrier block, which is used to pivotally support the support block. In particular, a carrier block can be provided for each support block. The support block can be supported on the corresponding carrier block so that the support block can be pivoted relative to the support block and, in particular, other parts of the support device. Each of the carrier blocks can have a first support section, on which a second support section of the corresponding support block is supported. The first support section of the carrier block can be designed to be complementary to the second support section of the support block. As a result, a pivoting of the support section relative to a complementary, further support section can be achieved in an improved manner.

[0028] The bearing block can slide on the bearing block and thus pivot or tilt or tilt. For the synchronous pivoting, a coupling between two bearing blocks in which at least two bearing rollers of the first group are supported is not necessary and may not be provided.

[0029] The support block can be connected to the carrier block in a non-fixed manner, in particular loosely. The support block can be simply placed on the carrier block. The support block is pressed against the carrier block by its own weight, the weight of the support rollers and the weight of the patient support device located thereon.

[0030] In some embodiments, the support blocks can each have a hole in which a screw is guided, by means of which the respective support block is fastened to the base element of the support device. The screw can be provided for height adjustment of the support block.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first bearing section of the carrier block can engage in the second bearing section of the bearing block.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first bearing section of the carrier block can be respectively concave and the second bearing section of the support block can be respectively convex. Alternatively, the first bearing section of the carrier block can be respectively convex and the second bearing section of the support block can be respectively concave. The complementary and in particular convex / concave design of the contact surfaces between the carrier block and the support block can enable the support block to be pivoted relative to the carrier block.

[0033] In some designs, the first support section and the second support section may respectively have an arc-shaped surface. The center angle or center angle of the arc may be, for example, 180 degrees. The center angle or center angle of the arc is an angle whose vertex is at the center of the circle and whose vertex intersects with a boundary point of the arc. At a center angle of 180 degrees, the first support section of the bearing block may be a semicircle. The center angle may also have another suitable value. In addition, the center angle of the arc-shaped surface of the first support section of the bearing block may be different from the center angle of the arc-shaped surface of the second support section of the bearing block.

[0034] In some embodiments, the height of the at least two support rollers of the first group can be set. The support block can be adjustable in particular in terms of its height, whereby the height of the at least two support rollers can be varied. For example, the distance between the support block and the base surface of the support device can be set by means of screws.

[0035] In some designs, at least two of the support rollers can form a second group, which means that the support device has at least four support rollers as a whole, and two of the at least four support rollers are associated with the first or second group. The support rollers of the first group and the second group can be supported in two support blocks respectively and the support blocks can be pivotally supported on the support blocks. The support rollers of the second group can be pivotally supported together with respect to the other parts of the support device like the support rollers of the first group. The support blocks can also be fastened to a support element, which is pivotally supported on its side. The pivotable support element ensures that all support rollers remain in contact with the patient support device when the patient support device is deformed. The support element can be, for example, a fixed plate, on the upper side of which the support block is mounted. The pivotable support of the support element can be realized in that the support element is pivotably supported on another support block. The support rollers of the first and second groups of the design scheme and the support blocks can have the design scheme described in the above disclosure.

[0036] The expansion of the positioning system with a second group of at least two, jointly pivotable support rollers and a pivotable support element has several advantages. On the one hand, the load is not distributed to at least two support rollers, but to at least four support rollers. On the other hand, the support rollers can then also automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device in the event of a strong deformation of the patient support device. Despite the bending, all support rollers of the support device can remain in contact with the patient support device, whereby the load continues to be distributed to all support rollers.

[0037] In some designs, at least two bearing rollers can form a second group. The bearing rollers of the first group and the second group can be supported in two bearing blocks respectively and the bearing blocks can be pivotally supported on the bearing blocks. The bearing rollers of the first group and the second group can be supported in two bearing blocks respectively and the bearing blocks can be pivotally supported on the bearing blocks. The bearing rollers of the first and second groups of the design and the bearing blocks can have the design described in the above disclosure. In addition, the bearing blocks of the bearing rollers of the first or second group can be spaced apart from each other so that one end of the patient support device is supported on the bearing rollers of the first group and the other end of the patient support device is supported on the bearing rollers of the second group. The bearing rollers are therefore not used for one-side support, as in a free-bearing or free-vibrating system, but for supporting the patient support device on both sides. The spacing between the bearing blocks of the first group and the bearing blocks of the second group can be at least 150 cm or 200 cm in particular. In the design, the bearing rollers of the first and second groups are also always matched to the curvature of the patient support device due to their pivotable support. Furthermore, the number of support rollers at each end of the patient support device can be increased by at least one further group of support rollers that can be pivoted together, wherein the group of support rollers at each end can be arranged on a pivotable support element as described above, so that all support rollers can remain in contact with the patient support device when the patient support device is deformed.

[0038] In some embodiments, the support block on which the bearing block is pivotably mounted can be omitted and the bearing block can be mounted instead, for example, via a hole. The bearing blocks can, for example, each have a recess, in particular a hole, into which a shaft-like element engages for pivotably mounting the bearing block. Alternatively, the bearing blocks can each have a shaft-like element, which is rotatably mounted for pivotably mounting the bearing block. The shaft-like element can, for example, be a carrier with a cylindrical section, which is either fastened to the supporting device or to the bearing block and engages in a recess in the bearing block or is mounted on a bearing element of the supporting device.

[0039] In some embodiments, one or more or all of the support rollers can each have a support section for supporting the patient support device and a support section for supporting the corresponding support roller, which is fixedly connected to the support section. The support section can be rotatably connected to the support block, for example, by means of a needle bearing. Instead of a needle bearing, a plurality of other bearings, in particular rolling bearings or sliding bearings, can be used.

[0040] In some embodiments, the support section of one or more or all of the support rollers for supporting the patient support device can be coated with a flexible elastomer, thereby achieving a larger contact surface with the patient support device. Alternatively or additionally, the underside of the patient support device, which rests on the support rollers, can be coated with a flexible elastomer. As a further alternative, it can be provided that the support rollers or at least some of the support rollers and / or the underside of the patient support device are not coated with an elastomer.

[0041] In addition to a flat underside, the underside of the patient support device can also be curved about the longitudinal axis of the patient support device or can have another profile. The support section of one or more or all of the support rollers can have a profile that is profiled so that it accommodates the profile of the underside of the patient support device. In other words, the profile of one or more or all of the support rollers can be complementary to the profile of the underside of the patient support device. This results in an increased contact surface between the patient support device and the support rollers.

[0042] In some embodiments, the patient support device can be movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the support device. In particular, the patient support device can be rolled during the movement in the longitudinal direction via at least two support rollers of the first group. If the support device has further support rollers, the patient support device can also be rolled via these support rollers.

[0043] In some designs, the patient support device may include an elongated and substantially planar surface for supporting the patient thereon, the surface being substantially radiolucent.The patient positioning system may be used as part of a medical imaging table.

[0044] In some designs, at least a portion of the patient support device can be elongated and generally flat or planar. The patient support device can be capable of bending under a patient load. When the patient support device bends, the first set of at least two load-bearing rollers can pivot together with respect to the rest of the support device so that the at least two load-bearing rollers remain in contact with the patient support device during bending.

[0045] In some embodiments, at least two support rollers of the first group can be pivoted jointly relative to the rest of the support device only within a limited pivot range, in particular within a pivot range of at most 20 degrees or 15 degrees or 10 degrees or less.

[0046] In some design schemes, at least two load-bearing rollers of the first group can be, in particular, generally parallel to each other and at least two load-bearing rollers can be pivoted together with at least a portion of a common load-bearing device; and wherein the load-bearing device has a curved, concave section at the bottom surface, wherein a curved, upwardly convex load-bearing block is arranged below the load-bearing device and carries the load-bearing device, in particular wherein the load-bearing block is semicircular; and wherein the load-bearing device is placed on the load-bearing block and can be moved on the load-bearing block to pivot at least two load-bearing rollers.

[0047] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a medical table, in particular an operating table, is provided, which has a column and a patient positioning system according to the first aspect. The patient positioning system can be fixedly mounted on the column or alternatively can be detachably connected to the column.

[0048] The medical table according to the second aspect may have all the design solutions associated with the patient positioning system described in the present disclosure according to the first aspect.

[0049] The present disclosure also includes circuits and / or electronic instructions for controlling a medical table, as well as a remote operating device, a display device, and a user interface for using the medical table. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show:

[0051] Figure 1A and Figure 1B A schematic side view showing an operating table with a patient positioned on a patient support device of the operating table;

[0052] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a patient positioning system according to the present disclosure;

[0053] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a support block supported on a carrier block;

[0054] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a load-bearing device;

[0055] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a patient positioning system having a carrying device and a patient support device according to the present disclosure;

[0056] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D A schematic diagram showing a fixedly anchored load bearing roller and a pivotably supported load bearing roller;

[0057] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a patient positioning system having two sets of pivotally supported load bearing rollers according to the present disclosure;

[0058] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a patient positioning system having a patient support arrangement supported on bearing rollers at both ends according to the present disclosure;

[0059] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram showing a bearing block with an axle-shaped element for pivotably supporting the bearing block; and

[0060] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a patient support device with a profiled underside and a support roller with a profiled support section is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily true to scale but rather merely schematically illustrate the corresponding features.

[0062] It should be noted that the features and components described below can be combined with each other, regardless of whether they are described in conjunction with a single embodiment. The combination of features in the respective embodiments serves only to illustrate the basic construction and function of the claimed device.

[0063] In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with the same reference symbols wherever this is useful.

[0064] Figure 1A and Figure 1B A movable operating table 10 is schematically shown, which can be used to support a patient 12 during a surgical operation and for its transportation. The movable operating table 10 comprises, from bottom to top, a support 14 for placing the operating table 10 on a foundation, an operating table column 16 connected to the support 14, a carrying device 17 fastened to the upper end of the operating table column 16, and a patient support device 18 placed on the carrying device 17. The carrying device 17 and the patient support device 18 together form a patient positioning system 19. The patient positioning system 19 can be fixedly connected to the operating table column 16 or alternatively detachably fastened to the operating table column 16.

[0065] The patient support device 18 is modular in design and is used to support the patient 12. The patient support device 18 comprises a main support surface section 20, which can be expanded as desired by coupling various auxiliary support surface sections. Figure 1A and Figure 1B In FIG. 2 , the head section 22 is coupled to the bearing surface main section 20 as a bearing surface auxiliary section.

[0066] The patient support device 18 of the operating table 10 can be placed at a suitable height according to the type of surgical operation to be performed and can be both tilted and tilted. In addition, the patient support device 18 can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction.

[0067] The operating table support column 16 is designed to be height-adjustable and has an internal mechanism for setting the height of the patient support device 18. The mechanism is arranged in a housing 28 which protects the components from contamination.

[0068] Figure 1A The operating table 10 of a movable design is shown. The support 14 has wheels or rollers, by means of which the operating table 10 can be moved on the ground. Alternatively, the support 14 can be fixedly anchored to the ground, such as in Figure 1B As shown in .

[0069] For better illustration, Figure 1A and Figure 1B A Cartesian XYZ coordinate system is drawn in. The X-axis and the Y-axis are horizontal axes, and the Z-axis is the vertical axis. The X-axis describes the longitudinal direction or the vertical direction and the Y-axis describes the transverse direction.

[0070] Figure 2 A part of a patient positioning system 19 according to the present disclosure is schematically shown. The patient positioning system 19 is a system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and can be mounted to a pillar of a medical table according to the second aspect.

[0071] The patient positioning system 19 comprises a support device 17 on which is placed a patient support device 18. The patient support device 18 comprises a surface on which a patient can rest and can be moved in a longitudinal direction relative to the support device 17.

[0072] The support device 17 comprises support rollers 40, 41, which together form a first group of support rollers. The ends of the support rollers 40, 41 are supported by needle bearings in the recesses of the support blocks 42, 43. The support blocks 42, 43 align the rotation axes of the support rollers 40, 41 parallel to each other and the support rollers 40, 41 can rotate independently of each other about their respective rotation axes.

[0073] The support blocks 42 and 43 are supported on the bearing block 45 respectively. Figure 2 Only one support block 45 is visible in FIG. 4 , the other support block 45 being covered by the support rollers 40 , 41 .

[0074] Figure 3 The details of the support block 43 and the bearing block 45 are shown. Figure 3The bearing blocks and carrier blocks 42, 45, which are not visible in the figure, are designed in the same way. The carrier blocks 45 each have a first bearing section 47 on their upper side, on which a second bearing section 48 of the respective bearing block 42, 43 is supported. The first and second bearing sections 47, 48 are designed to be complementary so that the respective bearing block 42, 43 can be pivoted on the carrier block 45.

[0075] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 The bearing block 45 shown in FIG. 4 has a convexly designed first bearing section 47 which is semicircular in cross section. In a corresponding manner, the second bearing section 48 of the bearing blocks 42 , 43 is concavely designed and has a circular arc in cross section.

[0076] The support of the support blocks 42, 43 on the carrier block 45 enables the support blocks 42, 43 to pivot relative to the respective carrier block 45. The axis about which the pivoting movement is performed corresponds to the center axis 49 of the semicircular carrier block 45, which is located at Figure 3 Draw it out for better understanding.

[0077] Since the support rollers 40, 41 are guided in the support blocks 42, 43, a pivoting of the support blocks 42, 43 causes a pivoting of the support rollers 40, 41 relative to the support blocks 45 and in particular the support device 17. Figure 2 4 and 5. The common pivoting of the base element 50 shown in FIG. 5, to which the carrier block 45 is fastened, is achieved.

[0078] The support blocks 45 each have a hole 51 in which a screw 52 is guided, by means of which the support blocks 45 are fastened to the base element 50. The screws 52 make it possible for the support blocks 45 to be adjusted in terms of their height.

[0079] When the patient support device 18 is placed on the support rollers 40, 41, the support rollers 40, 41 are aligned and stabilized with respect to each other. In addition, the load is distributed to both support rollers 40, 41. When the patient support device 18 is moved in the longitudinal direction, the support rollers 40, 41 rotate about their respective rotational axes.

[0080] By pivoting the support rollers 40 , 41 together, the support rollers 40 , 41 automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device 18 even when the patient support device 18 is deformed.

[0081] Figure 4The support device 17 is shown in perspective with a base element 50 and support rollers 40 , 41 as well as bearing blocks 42 , 43 which are inserted into recesses in the base element 50 so that the support rollers 40 , 41 protrude from the upper side of the base element 50 so that the patient support device 18 can move on the support rollers 40 , 41 .

[0082] Figure 5 A patient positioning system 19 is shown having a support device 17 and a patient support device 18 supported on the support device 17 .

[0083] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D The diagram illustrates the difference between pivotably mounted bearing blocks 42 , 43 and bearing blocks 42 , 43 which are fixedly connected to the base element 50 .

[0084] exist Fig. 6A and Figure 6B In the embodiment, the support blocks 42, 43 are rigidly fastened to the base element 50 of the carrier device 17, while Figure 6C and Fig.6D In the embodiment, the support blocks 42 and 43 are pivotally supported on the bearing block 45, as shown in the above combination. Figures 2 to 5 Just as described.

[0085] exist Fig. 6A and Figure 6C In , no additional load acts on the patient support device 18. Figure 6B and Fig.6D In the embodiment, an additional load acts on the patient support device 18, which additional load may be caused by the patient, for example. Figure 6B and Fig.6D This is indicated by arrow 55 .

[0086] Fig. 6A and Figure 6C It is shown that, in the case of additional load, the support rollers 40 , 41 in both embodiments come into contact with the underside of the patient support device 18 and distribute the load caused by the patient support device 18 to the two support rollers 40 , 41 .

[0087] However, if an additional load, symbolized by arrow 55, acts on the patient support device 18, this load results in a design with fixedly mounted bearing blocks 42, 43 and thus non-pivotable support rollers 40, 41, which, due to the deformation of the patient support device 18, no longer come into contact with the support rollers 41, as shown in FIG. Figure 6B In this case, the load acts entirely on the carrier rollers 40 .

[0088] In contrast, if the support rollers 40, 41 can be pivoted together, the two support rollers 40, 41 remain in contact with the underside of the patient support device 18 even when the patient support device 18 is deformed, such as Fig.6D By pivoting the support rollers 40, 41 together, the support rollers 40, 41 can automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device 18 when the patient support device 18 is deformed. In this case, the load is distributed to the two support rollers 40, 41 and does not have to be carried only by the support roller 40.

[0089] Figure 7 A patient positioning system 59 is schematically shown, which shows a development of the patient positioning system 19 described above. In addition to the first group of support rollers 40, 41 of support rollers, the support device 17 comprises a second group of support rollers 60, 61, which are supported at their ends in corresponding support blocks 62, 63. The support rollers 60, 61 and the support blocks 62, 63 are designed in the same way as the support rollers 40, 41 or the support blocks 42, 43. In addition, the support blocks 62, 63 are pivotably supported on a support block 65, which is designed in the same way as the support block 45. Therefore, the support blocks 62, 63 can be pivoted together with the support rollers 60, 61 about the support block 65.

[0090] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, the carrier blocks 45, 65 are not mounted directly on the base element 50 of the carrier device 50, but are fastened to a carrier element 67. The carrier element 67 is in turn pivotably supported on two carrier blocks 68, which are fastened to the base element 50. The carrier blocks 68 are designed in the same or similar manner as the carrier blocks 45, 65. Therefore, the carrier element 67 can be pivoted relative to the base element 50.

[0091] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment shown in , the load is distributed to four support rollers 40, 41, 60, 61. Due to the pivotable mounting of both the support rollers 40, 41, 60, 61 and the support element 67, it is ensured that all support rollers 40, 41, 60, 61 automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device 18 when the patient support device 18 is deformed.

[0092] Figure 8 A patient positioning system 69 is schematically shown, which is a modification of the patient positioning system 19 described above. Figure 7 As in the example, the carrier device 17 is Figure 8The first bearing roller group includes bearing rollers 40, 41 and a second bearing roller group includes bearing rollers 60, 61, which are supported at their ends in corresponding bearing blocks 42, 43, 62, 63. In addition, the bearing blocks 42, 43, 62, 63 are pivotally supported on the bearing blocks 45 or 65. The bearing blocks 45, 65 are Figure 8 The bearing blocks 42 , 43 , 62 , 63 are fastened directly to the base element 50 of the support device 17 , so that the bearing blocks 42 , 43 , 62 , 63 together with the respective support rollers 40 , 41 , 60 , 61 can be pivoted relative to the base element 50 .

[0093] Furthermore, the bearing blocks 45, 65 are spaced apart from one another so that one end 18 of the patient support device is supported on the first set of bearing rollers 40, 41 and the other end of the patient support device is supported on the second set of bearing rollers 60, 61. Thus, the bearing rollers 40, 41, 60, 61 serve to support the patient support device 18 on both sides.

[0094] Fig. 9 Another design of the support block is schematically shown. Fig. 9 The bearing block 43 shown in FIG. 4 is not mounted on a carrier block, but has an axle-shaped element 70 which projects on the side of the bearing block 43 facing away from the carrier rollers 40, 41 and is oriented parallel to the rotational axis of the carrier rollers 40, 41. The axle-shaped element 70 is rotatably mounted so that a pivoting of the bearing block 43 and the carrier rollers 40, 41 is possible.

[0095] Fig.10 A patient support device 18 is shown with a profiled underside. The support section of the support roller 40 provided for supporting the patient support device 18 also has a profile complementary to the profile of the patient support device 18 in sections. This creates a larger contact surface between the patient support device 18 and the support roller 40. The remaining support rollers 41, 60, 61 can be designed in the same way.

[0096] Exemplary embodiments and variations consistent with the present disclosure are described in the following list of points and options:

[0097] Point 1: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) which can be used as a part of a medical table (10), wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) comprises:

[0098] a patient support device (18) for supporting a patient, and

[0099] a carrying device (17) on which a patient support device (18) is placed,

[0100] The patient support device (18) is movable relative to the support device (17) in order to move the patient on the support device.

[0101] The support device (17) has a plurality of support rollers (40, 41) for supporting and moving the patient support device (18).

[0102] wherein the carrier rollers (40, 41) can rotate independently of one another about their respective rotational axes, and

[0103] At least two of the support rollers (40, 41) form a first group, and the support rollers (40, 41) of the first group can only be pivoted together relative to the rest of the support device (17).

[0104] Point 2: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to point 1, wherein at least two support rollers (40, 41) of a first group are oriented substantially parallel to one another and at least two support rollers (40, 41) are pivotably connected to other parts of the support device (17) via one or more pivot joints, in particular via at least one concave and / or convex joint, arc-shaped joint, elastic connection, drilled connection, pivotable bearing block, hinge or shaft connection.

[0105] Point 3: According to the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) of point 1 or 2, the patient positioning system also includes support blocks (42, 43), which respectively support the ends of at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) of the first group, so that the rotation axes of the at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) are oriented substantially parallel to each other.

[0106] Point 4: The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to point 3, wherein the support blocks (42, 43) are pivotable about a common pivot axis.

[0107] Point 5: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to point 3 or 4, further comprising a supporting block (45) for pivotably supporting the supporting blocks (42, 43), wherein the supporting blocks (45) respectively have a first supporting section (47) on which a second supporting section (48) of the supporting blocks (42, 43) is respectively supported, and wherein the first supporting section (47) is complementarily constructed to the second supporting section (48).

[0108] Point 6: According to the patient positioning system of point 5 (19, 59, 69),

[0109] wherein the first bearing section (47) is each concave and the second bearing section (48) is each convex, or

[0110] The first bearing sections (47) are each convex and the second bearing sections (48) are each concave.

[0111] Point 7: The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to point 5 or 6, wherein the first support section (47) and the second support section (48) each have an arc-shaped surface.

[0112] Point 8: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points, wherein at least two of the first set of bearing rollers (40, 41) are adjustable in terms of their height.

[0113] Point 9: A patient positioning system (59) according to any of the above points, wherein at least two of the bearing rollers (60, 61) form a second group, wherein the bearing rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) of the first group and the second group are supported in two support blocks (42, 43, 62, 63), respectively,

[0114] wherein the support blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) are pivotally supported on the bearing blocks (45, 65), and

[0115] The support blocks (45, 65) are fastened to a support element (67), which is pivotally mounted.

[0116] Point 10: The patient positioning system (69) according to any of the above points,

[0117] wherein at least two of the load-bearing rollers (60, 61) form a second group,

[0118] The first group and the second group of bearing rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) are supported in two supporting blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) respectively.

[0119] wherein the support blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) are pivotally supported on the bearing blocks (45, 65), and

[0120] The support blocks (45, 65) are spaced apart from each other so that one end of the patient support device (18) can be supported on the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group and the other end of the patient support device (18) can be supported on the at least two support rollers (60, 61) of the second group.

[0121] Point 11: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to point 3 or 4,

[0122] The bearing blocks (42, 43) each have a recess into which a shaft-shaped element engages for pivotably supporting the bearing blocks (42, 43), or

[0123] The bearing blocks (42, 43) each have a shaft-like element (70) which is rotatably mounted for pivotably mounting the bearing blocks (42, 43).

[0124] Point 12: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of points 3 to 10,

[0125] At least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting a patient support device (18) and a support section for supporting the support roller (40, 41, 60, 61), the support section being fixedly connected to the support section, and

[0126] The bearing section is rotatably connected to the bearing block (42, 43) via a bearing, in particular a rolling bearing, a sliding bearing or a needle bearing.

[0127] Point 13: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points,

[0128] wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a bearing section for supporting the underside of the patient support device (18),

[0129] The underside of the support section and / or the patient support device (18) is coated with an elastomer.

[0130] Point 14: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points,

[0131] At least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a bearing section for supporting a patient support device (18), and

[0132] In this case, the support section has a planar or profiled surface.

[0133] Point 15: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points,

[0134] At least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a bearing section for supporting a patient support device (18), and

[0135] The patient support device (18) has a surface for supporting on a support section, which surface is designed complementary to a surface of the support section.

[0136] Point 16: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points, wherein the patient support device (18) can be moved in a longitudinal direction relative to the carrying device (17), in particular wherein the patient support device (18) can roll during movement in the longitudinal direction via at least two carrying rollers (40, 41) of the first group.

[0137] Point 17: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points,

[0138] wherein the patient support device (18) comprises an elongated and substantially flat surface for supporting a patient thereon, the surface being substantially radiolucent, and

[0139] The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) may be used as a part of a medical imaging table.

[0140] Point 18: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points,

[0141] wherein at least a portion of the patient support device (18) is elongated and generally flat,

[0142] wherein the patient support device (18) is capable of bending under patient load, and

[0143] When the patient support device (18) is bent, at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) of a first group pivot together with the rest of the support device (17) so that at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) remain in contact with the patient support device (18) during bending.

[0144] Point 19: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points, wherein at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group can only pivot together relative to other parts of the support device (17) within a limited pivot range, in particular within a pivot range of 20 degrees or less.

[0145] Point 20: A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above points, wherein the at least two bearing rollers (40, 41) of the first group are generally parallel to each other and the at least two bearing rollers (40, 41) pivot together with at least a portion of a common bearing device (17); and

[0146] The support device (17) has a curved, concave section on the bottom surface,

[0147] wherein a curved, upwardly convex bearing block (45) is arranged below the bearing device (17) and bears the bearing device (17), and in particular wherein the bearing block (45) is semicircular; and

[0148] The carrier device (17) is placed on a carrier block (45) and can be moved on the carrier block (45) to pivot at least two carrier rollers (40, 41).

[0149] Point 21: A medical table (10) having a column and a patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) of any of the above points, wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) is fixedly mounted on the column or can be detachably connected to the column.

Claims

1. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) capable of being used as part of a medical table (10), wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) include: a patient support device (18) for supporting a patient, and a carrying device (17) on which the patient support device (18) is placed, wherein the patient support device (18) is movable relative to the support device (17) in order to move the patient on the support device, The support device (17) has a plurality of support rollers (40, 41) for supporting and moving the patient support device (18), wherein the carrier rollers (40, 41) are rotatable independently of one another about their respective rotation axes, and At least two of the bearing rollers (40, 41) form a first group and the bearing rollers (40, 41) of the first group can only be pivoted together relative to the rest of the bearing device (17).

2. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are oriented substantially parallel to each other and the at least two support rollers (40, 41) are pivotally connected to the other part of the support device (17) via one or more pivot joints, in particular via at least one concave and / or convex joint, arc-shaped joint, elastic connection, drilled connection, pivotable bearing block, hinge or shaft connection, and / or The carrier rollers (40, 41) extend underneath the patient support device (18) along the entire width of the patient support device (18).

3. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the patient positioning system further comprises support blocks (42, 43), which respectively support the ends of the at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) of the first group, so that the rotation axes of the at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) are oriented substantially parallel to each other.

4. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 3, wherein the support blocks (42, 43) are pivotable about a common pivot axis.

5. The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a carrier block (45) for pivotably supporting the support block (42, 43), wherein the carrier block (45) respectively has a first support section (47), on which a second support section (48) of the support block (42, 43) is respectively supported, and wherein the first support section (47) and the second support section (48) are constructed to be complementary, and / or The support blocks (45) each have a hole (51) in which a screw (52) is guided, by means of which the corresponding support block (45) is fastened to the basic element (50) of the support device (17), and in particular the screw (52) is provided for height adjustment of the support block (45).

6. The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 5, wherein the first bearing section (47) is each concave and the second bearing section (48) is each convex, or The first bearing sections (47) are each convex and the second bearing sections (48) are each concave.

7. The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first support section (47) and the second support section (48) each have an arc-shaped surface.

8. The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the bearing rollers (40, 41) of the first group are adjustable in terms of their height.

9. A patient positioning system (59) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the load-bearing rollers (60, 61) form a second group, The first group and the second group of the bearing rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) are supported in two supporting blocks (42, 43, 62, 63), respectively. The support blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) are pivotally supported on the bearing blocks (45, 65), and The support block (45, 65) is fastened to a support element (67), which is pivotally supported.

10. A patient positioning system (69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the load-bearing rollers (60, 61) form a second group, The first group and the second group of the bearing rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) are supported in two supporting blocks (42, 43, 62, 63), respectively. The support blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) are pivotally supported on the bearing blocks (45, 65), and The bearing blocks (45, 65) are spaced apart from each other so that one end of the patient support device (18) can be supported on the at least two bearing rollers (40, 41) of the first group and the other end of the patient support device (18) can be supported on the at least two bearing rollers (60, 61) of the second group.

11. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 3 or 4, The bearing blocks (42, 43) each have a recess, into which a shaft-shaped element engages for pivotably supporting the bearing blocks (42, 43), or The bearing blocks (42, 43) each have a shaft-like element (70) which is rotatably mounted for pivotably mounting the bearing blocks (42, 43).

12. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, At least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting the patient support device (18) and a support section for supporting the support roller (40, 41, 60, 61), the support section being fixedly connected to the support section, and The bearing section is rotatably connected to the bearing block (42, 43) via a bearing, in particular a rolling bearing, a sliding bearing or a needle bearing.

13. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, At least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a bearing section for supporting the underside of the patient support device (18), and the bearing section and / or the underside of the patient support device (18) are coated with an elastomer.

14. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a bearing section for supporting the patient support device (18), and The support section has a planar or profiled surface.

15. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a bearing section for supporting the patient support device (18), and The patient support device (18) has a surface for bearing on the support section, which surface is designed complementary to a surface of the support section.

16. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the patient support device (18) is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the carrying device (17), in particular wherein the patient support device (18) is rollable via the at least two carrying rollers (40, 41) of the first group during movement in the longitudinal direction.

17. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient support device (18) comprises an elongated and substantially flat surface for supporting a patient thereon, the surface being substantially radiolucent, and The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) can be used as a part of a medical imaging table.

18. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the patient support device (18) is elongated and generally flat, wherein the patient support device (18) is capable of bending under patient load, and in, When the patient support device (18) is bent, the at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) of the first group pivot together with respect to the rest of the support device (17) so that the at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) remain in contact with the patient support device (18) during the bending.

19. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the above claims, wherein the at least two supporting rollers (40, 41) of the first group can only be pivoted together relative to other parts of the supporting device (17) within a limited pivot range, in particular within a pivot range of 20 degrees or less.

20. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) of the first group are generally parallel to each other and the at least two load-bearing rollers (40, 41) pivot together with at least a portion of a common support device (17); and The support device (17) has a curved, concave section on the bottom surface, wherein a curved, upwardly convex bearing block (45) is arranged below the bearing device (17) and bears the bearing device (17), in particular wherein the bearing block (45) is semicircular; and The carrying device (17) is placed on the carrying block (45) and is movable on the carrying block (45) to pivot the at least two carrying rollers (40, 41).

21. A medical table (10) comprising a column and a patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) is fixedly mounted on the column or can be detachably connected to the column.

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