Gurney for radiotherapy applications

Abstract

The invention relates to a couch board having a lower side for placing the couch board on a couch table of a patient bed of a medical imaging device and an upper side for placing a patient on the couch board. The lower side and the upper side extend in longitudinal direction from an upper edge to a lower edge and in transverse direction from a left edge to a right edge. The couch board has a left-side base fixing element and a right-side base fixing element, which have a respective base body and a respective protrusion, respectively. The left-side base fixing element is fixed with its base body in the vicinity of the left edge of the couch board and the right-side base fixing element is fixed with its base body in the vicinity of the right edge of the couch board. The base bodies of the base fixing elements do not protrude beyond the lower side, whereas the protrusions of the base fixing elements protrude beyond the lower side. The base fixing elements are fixed on the couch board such that their spacing in transverse direction relative to each other is adjustable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention is based on a reclining board,

[0002] -The reclining board has a lower side on a platform for placing the reclining board onto a patient bed of a medical imaging device, and an upper side for placing the patient onto the reclining board.

[0003] -The lower and upper sides extend longitudinally from the upper edge to the lower edge.

[0004] -The bottom and top sides extend horizontally from the left edge to the right edge. Background Technology

[0005] Such a reclining board is known, for example, from US 7 076 821 B2.

[0006] The patient bed platform of medical imaging equipment (such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography) typically has a soft, concave, arched surface. This concave configuration allows the patient to be reliably supported on the platform. Due to the soft surface, the patient lies there comfortably.

[0007] In terms of pure diagnosis, this is not a problem. However, medical imaging equipment is also used in the planning of radiotherapy. Here, the key to accurate radiotherapy planning is that the patient's position on the treatment table within the planned radiotherapy area is exactly the same as their position during the actual radiotherapy treatment. Therefore, a flat, rigid treatment board (often called a support board) is placed on the treatment table within the planned radiotherapy area, and the patient is then placed on this board. To ensure precise positioning of the treatment board on the treatment table, fixation elements are arranged on the underside of the board, which work in conjunction with corresponding elements on the treatment table.

[0008] In the case of multiple reclining tables, the corresponding element is constructed as a groove or trench-like recess extending longitudinally along the reclining table. However, the spacing between the recesses can vary between reclining tables. Therefore, a reclining board designed for a specific reclining table can generally only be placed on that reclining table (or a similar reclining table) and cannot be placed on other types of reclining tables. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The objective of this invention is to further develop the reclining board so that it can be used in different reclining platforms.

[0010] This task is solved by the reclining board of this invention. The advantageous configuration of the reclining board according to this invention is the preferred embodiment.

[0011] According to this utility model, the type of reclining board described at the beginning is configured in the following manner:

[0012] - The reclining board has a base fixing element on the left and a base fixing element on the right.

[0013] -The basic fixing elements each have a corresponding base and a corresponding protrusion.

[0014] - The left-side base fixing element is fixed near the left edge of the deck board with its base, and the right-side base fixing element is fixed near the right edge of the deck board with its base, such that the base of the base fixing element does not protrude below, while the protrusion of the base fixing element protrudes below.

[0015] - The basic fixing elements are fixed to the bed, so that their spacing relative to each other in the lateral direction can be adjusted.

[0016] Because the reclining board is designed to support adults, its length is roughly equivalent to an adult's height, and its width is roughly equivalent to an adult's body width.

[0017] The protrusions of the base fixing elements can be inserted into grooves or recesses that are typically present in the reclining table and extend longitudinally along the table. Since the lateral spacing between the base fixing elements can be adjusted, the lateral spacing between the base fixing elements can be adapted to the spacing of the grooves or recesses in the reclining table. Therefore, the reclining table (within certain limits) can be used regardless of the spacing between the grooves or recesses.

[0018] Alternatively, both base fixing elements can be adjusted laterally. However, preferably, one of the two base fixing elements is fixed laterally relative to the reclining board, and the other of the two base fixing elements is adjustable laterally. This configuration simplifies operation on the one hand, because it immediately becomes clear which base fixing element must be adjusted to adjust the spacing along the lateral direction; on the other hand, it provides a more precise lateral positioning of the reclining board on the reclining table.

[0019] Alternatively, one of the two basic fixing elements may be fixed to the horizontal plate, allowing it to be adjusted laterally without changing its longitudinal position. However, more preferably, the other of the two basic fixing elements is fixed to the horizontal plate such that lateral adjustment of this other basic fixing element is forcibly accompanied by longitudinal adjustment. This configuration offers advantages in both structural design and operation.

[0020] To achieve this adjustability, the reclining board may have a stop edge that, when viewed in a plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse directions, extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction that differs from 0° and 90°, i.e., extends obliquely. In this case, the other of the two basic fixing elements rests against the stop edge in the fixed state and can move along the stop edge for adjustment. This angle is typically between 30° and 60° with respect to the longitudinal direction, particularly between 40° and 50°, for example, an angle of about 45°.

[0021] By fixing one of the two base fixing elements to the stop edge, the threaded hole for the fixing screw can be introduced into the stop edge at a distributed location, and the base of the other base fixing element has an elongated hole extending toward the stop edge. Thus, although the fixing screw is fixed in position along the stop edge, after the fixing screw is loosened, the corresponding base fixing element can move along the stop edge and be fixed in a new position by retightening the fixing screw.

[0022] As already mentioned, one of the two base fixing elements can also be adjusted laterally. Similarly, one of the two base fixing elements can be completely non-adjustable, i.e., neither laterally nor longitudinally adjustable. However, preferably, one of the two base fixing elements can be adjusted longitudinally without changing its lateral spacing with the other of the two base fixing elements. For example, the (additional) stop edge fixed to one of the two base fixing elements of the deck can extend longitudinally.

[0023] Alternatively, one of the two base fixing elements may be infinitely adjustable in the longitudinal direction. However, preferably, when viewed longitudinally, one of the two base fixing elements can only be fixed to the plate at discrete positions. For example, the other stop edge may have threaded holes for fixing screws, wherein the number of threaded holes is greater than the number of fixing screws. Depending on which threaded hole the fixing screw is inserted into and which threaded hole is left empty, one of the two base fixing elements can be fixed in one or the other (and possibly other) positions.

[0024] Preferably, one of the two base fixing elements has a nose extending laterally on its protrusion. This configuration is particularly advantageous by the possibility that one of the two base fixing elements is fixed to the bed plate only at discrete locations when viewed longitudinally.

[0025] Preferably, the lateral spacing between the base fixing elements is infinitely adjustable. This is particularly advantageous because it allows for simple compensation of possible manufacturing tolerances, such as slight variations in the spacing of grooves or troughs between similar platforms. Infinite adjustability can be achieved, for example, in conjunction with the already described inclined extending stop edges.

[0026] In some cases, only basic fixing elements exist. However, it is preferable to arrange:

[0027] In addition to the basic fixing elements, the deck also has additional fixing elements on the left and right sides, which are spaced apart from the basic fixing elements when viewed longitudinally.

[0028] - The additional fixing elements each have a corresponding base and a corresponding protrusion.

[0029] - The additional fixing element on the left is fixed to the vicinity of the left edge of the reclining board with its base, and the additional fixing element on the right is fixed to the vicinity of the right edge of the reclining board with its base, such that the base of the additional fixing element does not extend beyond the lower side, while the protrusion of the additional fixing element extends beyond the lower side.

[0030] - Additional fixing elements are attached to the reclining board, allowing their lateral spacing relative to each other to be adjusted.

[0031] This can significantly improve the positioning and fixation of the reclining board on the reclining platform.

[0032] Unlike the base fixing element, preferably, the two additional fixing elements are adjustable relative to the reclining board when viewed laterally. This allows for adjustment or correction of the reclining board's orientation on the reclining platform as needed. Furthermore, it is preferable that the two additional fixing elements are adjustable laterally without changing their longitudinal position. This provides advantages in structural design.

[0033] Typically, the two base anchors are positioned in the same base location when viewed longitudinally. This applies regardless of the presence of additional anchors. The base location is usually determined such that, in the case of an adult, the shoulders rest in the base location.

[0034] If there are two additional fixing elements, they are usually arranged in the same additional position when viewed longitudinally. If the base position is determined such that, in the case of an adult, the shoulders are placed in the base position, then the additional position is usually determined such that, in the case of an adult, both feet are placed in the additional position. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The above-described features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the ways in which these features, characteristics, and advantages are realized, become clearer and more readily understood in conjunction with the following description of embodiments, which are illustrated in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These are shown schematically herein:

[0036] Figure 1 Medical imaging equipment

[0037] Figure 2 Top view of the deck.

[0038] Figure 3 : A three-dimensional view of the underside of the deck.

[0039] Figure 4 : Figure 3 Details

[0040] Figure 5 Top view of the basic fixing components.

[0041] Figure 6 : Figure 3 Another detail image,

[0042] Figure 7 : View taken from the foot side of the deck. Detailed Implementation

[0043] according to Figure 1 A medical imaging device 1 (e.g., a computed tomography (CT) scanner or an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device has a ring-shaped body 2 that defines a substantially cylindrical examination space 3. A patient bed 4 is arranged in front of the body 2. The patient bed 4 has a base 5 and a reclining platform 6. The reclining platform 6 is height-adjustable on the base 5, which... Figure 1 The double-headed arrow P1 indicates this. The reclining platform 6 can also be arranged longitudinally on the base 5, which is... Figure 1 The double-headed arrow P2 represents this.

[0044] To examine patient 7, place the reclining board 8 with its lower side 9 on the reclining table 6. In this position, place patient 7 on the upper side 10 of the reclining board 8. Patient 7 is typically an adult.

[0045] Therefore, the reclining board 8 is determined to be for the patient 7 to lie on. The dimensions of the reclining board 8 are determined accordingly. Specifically, according to... Figure 2The lower edge 9 and the upper edge 10 extend along the longitudinal x-axis from the upper edge 11 to the lower edge 12 with a length L. The length L is determined such that the patient 7 (viewed along the longitudinal x-axis) is completely within the area of ​​the reclining board 8. Therefore, the length L is approximately 200 cm. Similarly, the lower edge 9 and the upper edge 10 extend along the transverse y-axis from the left edge 13 to the right edge 14 with a width B. The width B is determined such that the patient 7 (viewed along the transverse y-axis) is completely within the area of ​​the reclining board 8. Therefore, the width B is between 50 cm and 70 cm, for example, approximately 60 cm. Edges 13 and 14 are referred to as the left edge 13 and the right edge 14 because the patient 7 typically lies on the reclining board 8 with their back to the ground. Figure 2 The diagram also schematically marks areas 15 to 18. Patient 7's head is roughly located in area 15, patient 7's shoulders are roughly located in area 16, and patient 7's feet are roughly located in areas 17 and 18.

[0046] according to Figure 3 The reclining board 8 has a base fixing element 19 on the left and a base fixing element 20 on the right. Figure 3 In the view, the foundation fixing element 19 on the left is arranged on the right, and the foundation fixing element 20 on the right is arranged on the left. This is because the deck 8 is shown in an inverted position, i.e., in... Figure 3 The lower middle side 9 faces upward. Viewed along the longitudinal x-axis, the two base fixing elements 19 and 20 are clearly arranged approximately at the same base position. The base position is determined such that when an adult is placed on the reclining board, their shoulders are approximately positioned at this base position.

[0047] The two base fixing elements 19 and 20 have corresponding bases 21 and corresponding protrusions 22. The left base fixing element 19 is fixed to the vicinity of the left edge 13 of the reclining plate 8 with its base 21. Similarly, the right base fixing element 20 is fixed to the vicinity of the right edge 14 of the reclining plate 8 with its base 21. They are fixed such that the bases 21 of the base fixing elements 19 and 20 do not protrude beyond the lower side 9, while the protrusions 22 of the base fixing elements 19 and 20 protrude beyond the lower side 9. For example, the reclining plate 8 may have a corresponding groove on its lower side 9 into which the base 21 can be recessed.

[0048] The base fixing elements 19 and 20 are fixed to the reclining board 8 such that their spacing 'a' relative to each other in the lateral y direction is adjustable. Specifically, while the base fixing element 20 on the right is fixed relative to the reclining board 8 in the lateral y direction, the base fixing element 19 on the left is adjustable in the lateral y direction. This is shown in the area of ​​the reclining board 8 where the base fixing element 19 on the left is located. Figure 4 The double-headed arrow P3 represents this.

[0049] Specifically, the left-side base fixing element 19 is fixed to the lying board 8, such that adjustment of the left-side base fixing element 19 in the lateral y-axis is forcibly accompanied by adjustment of the left-side base fixing element 19 in the longitudinal x-axis. In particular, according to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, the reclining plate 8 has a stop edge 23, which, when viewed in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction x and the transverse direction y, extends relative to the longitudinal direction x at an angle α different from 0° and 90°. The angle α is preferably in the range of 30° to 60°, especially about 45°.

[0050] In the fixed state, the left-side base fixing element 19 rests against the stop edge 23. For adjustment, this left-side base fixing element can move along the stop edge 23. For example, according to... Figure 5 As shown, the base 21 of the left-side base fixing element 19 may have an elongated hole 24 through which two fixing screws 25 are screwed into corresponding threaded holes arranged in the stop edge 23. If the fixing screws 25 are loosened, the left-side base fixing element 19 can move along the stop edge 23. If the fixing screws 25 are tightened again, the left-side base fixing element 19 is fixed. Due to this fixation and adjustability, the distance 'a' between the base fixing elements 19 and 20 in the lateral y direction can also be steplessly adjusted.

[0051] As already mentioned, the base fixing element 20 on the right side is not adjustable in the lateral y-direction. However, as in Figure 3 The double-headed arrow P4 indicates that the right-side base fixing element is adjustable in the longitudinal x-axis. Here, the distance 'a' between it and the left-side base fixing element 19 in the transverse y-axis remains constant.

[0052] Viewed along the longitudinal x-axis, the base fixing element 20 on the right can only be fixed at discrete locations on the lying plate 8. For example, according to Figure 3 and Figure 6 The lying plate 8 may have another stop edge 26 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction x near its right edge 14. Threaded holes 27 may be introduced into this other stop edge 26, for example, spaced apart from each other in a uniform grid r along the longitudinal direction x. For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, if there are three threaded holes 27, a fixing screw 28 can be screwed into one of the middle threaded hole and one of the two outer threaded holes respectively. The right-side base fixing element 20 can thus be fixed in a front or rear position along the longitudinal x-axis using the two fixing screws 28.

[0053] according to Figure 3The right-side base fixing element 20 has a nose 29 extending laterally (y) on its protrusion 22. The nose 29 allows for precise positioning of the reclining board 8 on the reclining table 6 in the longitudinal direction (x). This is particularly useful when the right-side base fixing element 20 can only be fixed to the reclining board 8 at a position defined in the longitudinal direction (x).

[0054] Preferably, in addition to the basic fixing elements 19 and 20, the reclining board 8 also has an additional fixing element 30 on the left and an additional fixing element 31 on the right. Viewed along the longitudinal x-axis, the two additional fixing elements 30 and 31 are spaced apart from the basic fixing elements 19 and 20. Typically, viewed along the longitudinal x-axis, the two additional fixing elements 30 and 31 are arranged at the same additional position. The additional position is usually determined such that, in the case of an adult, when a person lies on the reclining board 8, their feet are approximately placed at the additional position.

[0055] according to Figure 7 Similar to the basic fixing elements 19 and 20, the additional fixing elements 30 and 31 also have corresponding bases 21 and corresponding protrusions 22. The arrangement is also completely similar. In particular, the left-side additional fixing element 30 is fixed with its base 21 near the left edge 13 of the reclining plate 8, and the right-side additional fixing element 31 is fixed with its base 21 near the right edge 14 of the reclining plate 8. The fixing also ensures that the bases 21 of the additional fixing elements 30 and 31 do not protrude beyond the lower side 9, while the protrusions 22 of the additional fixing elements 30 and 31 protrude beyond the lower side 9. Finally, the additional fixing elements 30 and 31 are also fixed to the reclining plate 8 such that their spacing a' relative to each other in the transverse y direction is adjustable. However, unlike the basic fixing elements 19 and 20, the two additional fixing elements 30 and 31 are adjustable relative to the reclining plate 8 when viewed in the transverse y direction. However, when adjusted in the transverse y direction, the two additional fixing elements 30 and 31 preferably do not change their position in the longitudinal x direction. Adjustability can be similar to that of the base fixing element 19 on the left. All that is required is that the corresponding stop edge is oriented such that it extends parallel to the lateral y-axis.

[0056] This invention has many advantages. In particular, it provides almost universal usability and deployability of the reclining board 8 with different reclining platforms 6.

[0057] Although the present invention has been elaborated and described in detail through preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reclining board, characterized in that... - The reclining board has a lower side (9) on a platform (6) for placing the reclining board onto a patient bed (4) of a medical imaging device (1), and an upper side (10) for placing a patient (7) onto the reclining board. - The lower side (9) and the upper side (10) extend longitudinally (x) from the upper edge (11) by a length (L) to the lower edge (12). - The lower side (9) and the upper side (10) extend laterally (y) from the left edge (13) to the right edge (14) by a width (B). - The reclining board has a base fixing element on the left and a base fixing element on the right (19, 20). - The base fixing elements (19, 20) respectively have a corresponding base (21) and a corresponding protrusion (22). - Wherein the left-side base fixing element (19) is fixed with its base (21) near the left edge (13) of the reclining board, and the right-side base fixing element (20) is fixed with its base (21) near the right edge (14) of the reclining board, such that the base (21) of the base fixing elements (19, 20) does not protrude beyond the lower side (9), and the protrusion (22) of the base fixing elements (19, 20) protrudes beyond the lower side (9), and - The basic fixing elements (19, 20) are fixed to the lying board such that the spacing (a) of the basic fixing elements relative to each other in the lateral (y) direction can be adjusted.

2. The reclining board according to claim 1, Its features are, One of the two said base fixing elements (19, 20) is fixed relative to the reclining board in the lateral (y) direction, and the other of the two said base fixing elements (19, 20) is adjustable in the lateral (y) direction.

3. The reclining board according to claim 2, Its features are, Another of the two base fixing elements (19, 20) is fixed to the lying board such that the adjustment of the other base fixing element (19) in the lateral (y) direction is forcibly accompanied by the adjustment of the other base fixing element (19) in the longitudinal (x) direction.

4. The reclining board according to claim 3, Its features are, The reclining board has a stop edge (23) that extends at an angle (α) relative to the longitudinal direction (x) at a different angle than 0° and 90° when viewed in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction (x) and the transverse direction (y), and another of the two base fixing elements (19, 20) rests against the stop edge (23) in a fixed state and can move along the stop edge (23) for the purpose of adjustment.

5. The reclining board according to claim 2, 3 or 4, Its features are, One of the two said base fixing elements (19, 20) can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction (x) without changing the distance (a) between it and the other of the two said base fixing elements (19, 20) in the lateral (y) direction.

6. The reclining board according to claim 5, Its features are, Viewed along the longitudinal direction (x), one of the two said basic fixing elements (19, 20) can only be fixed to the lying board at discrete positions.

7. The lying board according to any one of claims 2 to 4, Its features are, One of the two said base fixing elements (19, 20) has a nose (29) extending laterally (y) on its protrusion (22).

8. The reclining board according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Its features are, The spacing (a) between the basic fixing elements (19, 20) relative to each other in the lateral (y) direction can be adjusted steplessly.

9. The reclining board according to claim 1, Its features are, In addition to the basic fixing elements (19, 20), the reclining board also has an additional fixing element on the left and an additional fixing element on the right (30, 31), which are spaced apart from the basic fixing elements (19, 20) when viewed longitudinally (x). - The additional fixing elements (30, 31) each have a corresponding base (21) and a corresponding protrusion (22). - The left-side additional fixing element (30) is fixed with its base (21) near the left edge (13) of the reclining board, and the right-side additional fixing element (31) is fixed with its base (21) near the right edge (14) of the reclining board, such that the base (21) of the additional fixing elements (30, 31) does not protrude beyond the lower side (9), while the protrusion (22) of the additional fixing elements (30, 31) protrudes beyond the lower side (9), and - The additional fixing elements (30, 31) are fixed to the lying board such that the spacing (a') of the additional fixing elements relative to each other in the lateral (y) direction can be adjusted.

10. The reclining board according to claim 9, Its features are, Viewed laterally (y), the two additional fixing elements (30, 31) are adjustable relative to the reclining board.

11. The reclining board according to claim 10, Its features are, The two additional fixing elements (30, 31) are adjustable in the lateral (y) direction without changing their position in the longitudinal (x) direction.

12. The reclining board according to claim 9, 10 or 11, Its features are, Viewed along the longitudinal direction (x), the two said basic fixing elements (19, 20) are arranged in the same basic position, and viewed along the longitudinal direction (x), the two said additional fixing elements (30, 31) are arranged in the same additional position.

13. The reclining board according to claim 12, Its features are, In the case of an adult, when a person lies on the reclining board, the shoulders are placed in the base position and the feet are placed in the additional position.

14. The reclining board according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Its features are, Viewed along the longitudinal direction (x), the two said base fixing elements (19, 20) are arranged in the same base position.

15. The reclining board according to claim 13, Its features are, In the case of an adult, when a person lies on the reclining board, the shoulders are positioned in the base position.

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