Imaging medical technology modality examination couch

Abstract

An examination couch (4) of an imaging medical technology modality (1) has a base (5) and a table plate (6). The table plate (6) is connected to the base (5) via a plurality of lifting devices (9) such that the table plate (6) can be raised and lowered relative to the base (5). The lifting devices (9) are constituted in the form of a screw lift as described in US 4875660 A.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an examination bed based on an imaging medical technology modality.

[0002] - The examination bed has a base and a platform.

[0003] - The platform is connected to the base via multiple lifting devices, allowing the platform to be raised and lowered relative to the base. Background Technology

[0004] Imaging medical technology modalities can be configured as CT facilities or MR facilities, for example. The tabletop is also commonly referred to as the tabletop.

[0005] This type of examination bed is commonly known.

[0006] The patient is typically supported on the platform of an examination bed, and then, while lying on the examination bed, retracted into the examination area of ​​the imaging medical technology modality. The platform can be raised and lowered relative to the base. Especially for supporting the patient on the examination bed, the platform is often lowered as much as possible. If hydraulic cylinders or threaded structures are used as lifting devices for height adjustment, even the lowest position of the platform may still be too high for some patients, such as the elderly or those with physical disabilities. One example of this is transferring a patient from a wheelchair to the platform.

[0007] Therefore, in existing technologies, the vertical movement of the platform is mostly achieved through a scissor mechanism. The motor is coupled to the scissor mechanism via a transmission device. This transmission device is often configured as a self-locking type, so that the platform will not descend uncontrollably when the motor is off or in case of a malfunction. A typical example of such a self-locking transmission device is a worm gear drive.

[0008] While a compact vertical lifting device is achieved using a scissor mechanism, the force required to raise the platform depends not only on gravity but also, consequently, on the lifting position. Therefore, the actuators for raising and lowering the platform must be designed to ensure safe lifting even under the most unfavorable conditions. Consequently, considering the need to lift heavy patients—typically considering a maximum weight of 320 kg—a large-scale actuator mechanism is required. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide an examination bed that is compactly constructed and in which a relatively small design of the drive mechanism is feasible.

[0010] The objective is achieved by an examination bed having the features of this invention. Advantageous designs of the examination bed are the subject of this paper.

[0011] According to this utility model, the examination bed of the type described at the beginning is designed in the following manner:

[0012] - The lifting equipment is composed of extendable tubes.

[0013] - The corresponding telescopic tube includes a corresponding first metal strip, which is wound in a spiral form with multiple turns around a corresponding central axis.

[0014] - The loops of the first metal strip extend orthogonally to their respective central axes, and when viewed from the direction of their respective central axes in the retracted position of the corresponding telescopic tubes, they are flat and closely abutting each other, and when viewed from the direction of their respective central axes in the extended position of the corresponding telescopic tubes, they are spaced apart from each other.

[0015] - The corresponding telescopic tube includes a corresponding second metal strip, which comprises multiple coils.

[0016] - The loops of the second metal strip are wound in a spiral overlapping manner in the retracted position of the corresponding telescopic tube, and are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the corresponding central axis when viewed from the extended position of the corresponding telescopic tube, forming a spiral around the corresponding central axis and being radially spaced substantially uniformly from the corresponding central axis, so as to form the corresponding telescopic tube.

[0017] - In the retracted position of the respective telescopic tubes, the first and second metal strips are spaced apart from each other, and in the extended position of the respective telescopic tubes, the edge of the loop of the second metal strip is introduced between the spaced loops of the first metal strip and abuts against the loop of the first metal strip, such that the second metal strip forms a spacing retainer for the loops of the first metal strip.

[0018] - The corresponding lifting device has an adjusting device for adjusting the spacing between the loops of the first metal strip, and a guiding mechanism for introducing the loops of the second metal strip into the space between the loops of the first metal strip.

[0019] - The corresponding lifting equipment is equipped with a drive device, which is used to generate relative rotation of the first metal belt and the adjusting device around the corresponding central axis.

[0020] Such lifting devices are known, for example, from US 4,875,660 A. These lifting devices are also sold by Pacospiralift, Inc. of Montreal, Canada. The lifting devices offer the following advantages: they provide a very large lifting height for a given structural height. For the same maximum lifting height (= fully retracted position), a smaller minimum lifting height (= fully retracted position) can be achieved compared to using a hydraulic cylinder or threaded structure. The drive technology offers advantages over scissor-type constructions because the force required to raise the platform is independent of the lifting position. Therefore, the drive mechanism can be designed to be significantly smaller compared to using a driven scissor-type construction.

[0021] The metal used to make up the strip is usually steel, especially stainless steel. The thickness of the strip is usually between 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm.

[0022] The lifting device is relatively stable in terms of transmitting vertical forces. It also provides some resistance to horizontal forces acting on the platform. When the magnitude of such horizontal forces is not too large, it is feasible for the examination bed not to have a scissor mechanism between the base and the platform. Otherwise, the examination bed may have a scissor mechanism between the base and the platform. However—contrary to the prior art—in this case, it is not necessary to drive the scissor mechanism. When a scissor mechanism is present, it even has the advantage that the dimensions of the scissor mechanism can be determined such that it does not need to transfer the platform along with the weight of an adult sitting on it—as already mentioned, typically considering a maximum mass of 320 kg—to the base. The scissor mechanism only needs to transfer forces acting horizontally on the platform to the base. Therefore, the scissor mechanism can be relatively lightweight and compact compared to the prior art.

[0023] In the simplest case, there is only one lifting device, and therefore only one drive unit. Alternatively, the drive unit can be configured as a common drive mechanism for all lifting devices, which acts uniformly on the lifting devices via force transmission devices (e.g., shafts and drive mechanisms). Still alternatively, there can be multiple drive units, each acting on at least one lifting device. In this case, the examination bed has a control device for synchronously operating the drive units.

[0024] Preferably, the lifting device is equipped with a force measuring device for detecting the gravity acting on the corresponding lifting device. This allows for completely different types of checks, particularly, for example, reliability checks to determine whether the correct patient is positioned on the platform. If necessary, checks based on weight distribution can also be performed to verify the patient's correct position on the platform. In particular, for example, in the case of an MR facility, the applied radiofrequency power also depends on the patient's body weight. Therefore, the question of which patient is positioned on the platform is important for the subsequent operation of the modality. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The features, characteristics, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the ways and methods of achieving said features, characteristics, and advantages, become clearer and easier to understand in conjunction with the following description of the embodiments, which are illustrated in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Schematic diagrams are shown here:

[0026] Figure 1 Demonstrates imaging medical technology modalities and

[0027] Figure 2 and Figure 3 One examination bed is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] according to Figure 1 The imaging medical technology modality 1 (e.g., a CT facility or an MR facility) has an annular base 2 that defines a substantially cylindrical examination volume 3. An examination bed 4 is positioned in front of the base 2. The examination bed 4 has a base 5 and a platform 6. Alternatively, the examination bed 4 may be fixedly associated with the modality 1. Alternatively, the examination bed 4 may have casters 7 on the underside of the base 5, by means of which the examination bed 4 can be moved on the ground 8. The casters 7 may be driven or not driven as needed.

[0029] The platform 6 is connected to the base 5 via multiple lifting devices 9. The lifting devices 9 allow the platform 6 to be raised and lowered relative to the base 5. This is... Figure 1 The double arrow P1 indicates this.

[0030] The number of lifting devices 9 can be determined as needed. It is feasible to have only one lifting device 9. In this case, the lifting device 9 is often centrally located. However, another arrangement of the lifting device 9 is perfectly feasible. Alternatively, according to... Figure 1 The diagram shows that there may be two lifting devices 9. In this case, the lifting devices 9 are usually located at the front and rear. Alternatively, there may be four lifting devices 9. In this case, the lifting devices 9 are usually located at the left front, right front, left rear, and right rear.

[0031] The platform 6 can also be longitudinally movably positioned at the base 5. This is in Figure 1 This is indicated by the double arrow P2. Specifically, there is typically an intermediate element 10, which is fixedly connected to the lifting device 9. Thus, the platform 6 can be longitudinally movably supported on the intermediate element 10.

[0032] In order to examine patient 11, patient 11 was placed on table 6. Patient 11 is usually an adult.

[0033] The lifting device 9 is configured in the form of a so-called Spira Lift. This lifting device 9 is described in detail in US 4875 660 A. The disclosure of the referenced US document is incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Since the lifting device 9 is constructed in the form of a so-called screw jack, according to Figure 2 The diagram shows that the lifting devices 9 are configured as telescopic tubes. The construction of a single lifting device 9 is described below. For further details on construction and operation, refer to US 4,875,660 A.

[0035] according to Figure 2 The corresponding expandable tube includes a first metal strip 12 and a second metal strip 13. Hereinafter, the first metal strip 12 will be referred to as the horizontal metal strip, and the second metal strip 13 as the vertical metal strip. This is because, in the case of the first metal strip 12, the flat side is oriented horizontally or approximately horizontally, while in the case of the second metal strip 13, the flat side is oriented vertically.

[0036] A horizontal metal strip 12 is wound in a spiral around a corresponding central axis 14. The horizontal metal strip has multiple loops. The loops of the horizontal metal strip 12 extend orthogonally to the corresponding central axis 14. Viewed loop by loop, the loops of the horizontal metal strip 12 have a uniform radius. In the retracted position of the corresponding telescopic tube, the loops are flat and closely abutting each other in the direction of the corresponding central axis 14. In the extended position of the corresponding telescopic tube, the loops, viewed in the direction of the corresponding central axis 14, according to… Figure 2 The diagram shows the loops spaced apart. Therefore, the horizontal metal strips 12 form a spiral. This spiral is often referred to as a helical surface. For clarity, it should be mentioned that the central axis 14 is not a physical mechanical component, but merely imaginary. Specifically, according to... Figure 2 The diagram shows that they form a spiral around the corresponding central axis 14.

[0037] The vertical metal strip 13 also comprises multiple loops. In the retracted position of the corresponding telescopic tube, the loops are wound in an overlapping spiral pattern. Therefore, the loops of the vertical metal strip 13 have an increasing radius when viewed turn by turn in the retracted position of the corresponding telescopic tube. In the extended position of the corresponding telescopic tube, the loops are spaced apart from each other when viewed in the direction of the corresponding central axis 14.

[0038] The rings are radially spaced substantially uniformly from the corresponding central axis 14, thus forming corresponding telescopic tubes. Therefore, in the removed positions of the corresponding telescopic tubes, the rings of the vertical metal strip 13 also have a uniform radius when viewed ring by ring.

[0039] In the retracted position of the respective telescopic tubes, the two metal strips 12 and 13 are spaced apart from each other. In the extended position of the respective telescopic tubes, the edge of the loop of the vertical metal strip 13 is introduced between the spaced loops of the horizontal metal strip 12 and abuts against the loop of the first metal strip 12. Therefore, the vertical metal strip 13 forms a spacing retainer for the loops of the horizontal metal strip 12. The spacing of the loops of the horizontal metal strip 12 is thus constant and the same as the width of the vertical metal strip 13.

[0040] The corresponding lifting device 9 also has an adjusting device for adjusting the spacing between the coils of the horizontal metal belt 12 and a guiding mechanism for introducing the coils of the vertical metal belt 13 between the coils of the horizontal metal belt 12. Figure 2 The adjusting device and guiding mechanism are not shown in the diagram. However, the construction and operation of the adjusting device and guiding mechanism are described in detail in US4,875,660 A.

[0041] Finally, the corresponding lifting device 9 is also equipped with a drive unit 15. The drive unit 15 generates relative rotation of the horizontal metal belt 12 and the adjusting device around the corresponding central axis 14. The drive unit 15 is controlled by a control device (not shown).

[0042] Figure 2 Some feasible design options for the examination bed 4 are also shown.

[0043] Therefore, according to Figure 2The examination bed 4 has a scissor mechanism 16 between the base 5 and the platform 6. However, the scissor mechanism 16 is not driven, but only serves to absorb forces acting horizontally on the platform 6. The scissor mechanism 16 transmits these forces to the base 5. For this purpose, the scissor mechanism 16 can be designed to be relatively small and lightweight. In particular, it can be designed to be so lightweight that the scissor mechanism 16 cannot transmit the weight of the platform 6, along with the weight of the adult sitting on the platform 6, to the base 5. Therefore, although the scissor mechanism 16 is still used for guidance, it is no longer used to transmit lifting forces. Lifting forces are applied solely by the lifting device 9. The scissor mechanism 16 may be necessary, especially when there is only one lifting device 9.

[0044] according to Figure 2 The corresponding drive unit 15 is also individually designed for the corresponding lifting device 9. The control device synchronously operates the drive unit 15.

[0045] Finally, according to Figure 2 The lifting device 9 is equipped with a force measuring device 17. The force measuring device 17 can detect the gravity F acting on the corresponding lifting device 9. The corresponding sensor signal can be transmitted to a control device, for example.

[0046] Figure 3 Showing with Figure 2 Similar design schemes. Therefore, the following discussion will only focus on schemes similar to [other schemes]. Figure 2 The difference.

[0047] exist Figure 3 In the case of examination bed 4, examination bed 4 does not have a scissor mechanism 16 between the base 5 and the platform 6. Furthermore, in Figure 3 In the case of the inspection bed 4, the drive unit 15 is configured as a common drive mechanism for the lifting device 9. The common drive mechanism acts evenly on the lifting device 9 via the force transmission device 18.

[0048] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Different design schemes can be combined as needed, as long as they are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, the force measuring device 17 can be implemented completely independently of other design schemes. The scissor structure 16 may or may not exist, regardless of whether the lifting device 9 has an individual drive device 15 or a common drive mechanism.

[0049] This invention offers numerous advantages. Due to the small structural height of the lifting device 9 (often only 17cm or less), the platform 6 can be lowered very low. It is readily feasible to achieve a minimum platform height of 430mm to 480mm above the ground 8. Since the lifting force is independent of the height of the platform 6, the drive unit 15 can be designed to be relatively small. This results in size and cost advantages. It is even possible to reduce the voltage supply to a lower level, which also brings advantages. No transmission device is required. The scissor mechanism 16, as long as it is not completely eliminated, can be designed to be compact and lightweight. Weighing functionality can also be easily integrated using the force measuring device 17.

[0050] Although the details of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by those skilled in the art without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An examination bed for an imaging medical technology modality (1), - The examination bed described therein has a base (5) and a platform (6). - The platform (6) is connected to the base (5) via a plurality of lifting devices (9), such that the platform (6) can be raised and lowered relative to the base (5). Its features are, - The lifting devices (9) are each configured as telescopic tubes, - The corresponding telescopic tube includes a corresponding first metal strip (12), which is wound in a spiral form with multiple turns around a corresponding central axis (14). - The loops of the first metal strip (12) extend orthogonally to the corresponding central axis (14), and in the retracted position of the corresponding telescopic tube, they are flat and closely abutting each other in the direction of the corresponding central axis (14), and in the extended position of the corresponding telescopic tube, they are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the corresponding central axis (14). - The corresponding telescopic tube includes a corresponding second metal strip (13), which includes a plurality of loops. - The loops of the second metal strip (13) are wound in a spiral overlapping manner in the retracted position of the corresponding telescopic tube, and are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the corresponding central axis (14) in the extended position of the corresponding telescopic tube, forming a spiral around the corresponding central axis (14) and being radially spaced substantially uniformly from the corresponding central axis (14) in order to form the corresponding telescopic tube. - In the retracted position of the respective telescopic tube, the first and second metal strips (12, 13) are spaced apart from each other, and in the extended position of the respective telescopic tube, the edge of the loop of the second metal strip (13) is introduced between the spaced loops of the first metal strip (12) and abuts against the loop of the first metal strip (12), such that the second metal strip (13) forms a spacing retainer for the loops of the first metal strip (12). - The corresponding lifting device (9) has an adjusting device for adjusting the spacing between the loops of the first metal strip (12), and a guiding mechanism for introducing the loops of the second metal strip (13) between the loops of the first metal strip (12), and - The corresponding lifting device (9) is equipped with a drive device (15) for generating relative rotation of the first metal belt (12) and the adjusting device around the corresponding central axis (14).

2. The examination bed according to claim 1, Its features are, The examination bed does not have a scissor structure (16) between the base (5) and the platform (6).

3. The examination bed according to claim 1, Its features are, The examination bed has a scissor mechanism (16) between the base (5) and the platform (6), but the scissor mechanism (16) is not driven.

4. The examination bed according to claim 3, Its features are, The dimensions of the scissor structure (16) are determined such that although the scissor structure (16) can transmit the force acting horizontally on the platform (6) to the base (5), it cannot transmit the weight of the platform (6) and the adult (11) located on the platform (6) to the base (5).

5. The examination bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Its features are, There is only one lifting device (9), and therefore only one drive device (15), or the drive device (15) is configured as a common drive mechanism for all lifting devices (9), which acts uniformly on the lifting device (9) via a force transmission device (18), or there are multiple drive devices (15), which act on at least one lifting device (9) respectively, and the examination bed has a control device for synchronously operating the drive device (15).

6. The examination bed according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Its features are, The lifting device (9) is equipped with a force measuring device (17), which is used to detect the gravity (F) acting on the corresponding lifting device (9).

7. The examination bed according to claim 5, Its features are, The lifting device (9) is equipped with a force measuring device (17), which is used to detect the gravity (F) acting on the corresponding lifting device (9).

Images