Tiltable patient positioning device and method for tilting a patient positioning device

Abstract

Patient positioning device with a lifting device (1), wherein the lifting device (1) comprises: - an upper part (3), - a lower part (2) and - a lifting linkage connecting the upper part (3) with the lower part (2) with at least one scissor-shaped partial linkage (9) having a central joint (10), characterized in that a pivot point (20) of the central joint (10) is arranged to be movable in such a way that the upper part (3) can be tilted in its transverse direction.

Description

field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a tiltable patient positioning device with a lifting device, the lifting device having an upper part, a lower part and a lifting linkage connecting the upper part to the lower part. A method for tilting such a patient support device is also specified. Background of the Invention

[0002] Patient support devices can be adjusted in height by means of a lifting device in the vertical direction. In the published application DE 10 2004 016 728 A1, a lifting device with an upper part and a lower part is disclosed. The lifting device has a lifting rod connecting the upper part to the lower part, which has two partial rods connected to one another via connecting joints and a drive unit for adjusting the height of the upper part, the drive unit acting on one of the connecting joints.

[0003] figure 1 shows such a lifting device 1 in an oblique view. The lifting device 1 consists essentially of a lower part 2 in the form of a bottom plate, an upper part 3 for accommodating a patient couch and a lifting rod 4 , which is designed as a double scissors mechanism or double scissors. It includes two pairs of scissors 5 , 6 as partial linkages that are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

[0004] The lower pair of scissors 6 is with its front scissor feet 7 articulated with the bottom plate 2 tied together. The rear scissor feet 8 of the lower pair of scissors 6 are connected to each other via a runner that opens and closes the double scissors 4 on one on the bottom plate 2 Fasten the non-visible running rail in the running direction 11 running back and forth.

[0005] Between the front and rear scissor feet 7 , 8 of the lower pair of scissors 6 is a horizontally arranged electric motor 12 on the floor panel 2 fastened. The axis of rotation 13 of the electric motor 12 runs parallel to the running direction 11 of the invisible runner 9 . Above the electric motor 12 there is enough space for the arrangement of a motor controller (not shown).

[0006] Between the front scissor feet 7 there is a gear train 14 , which is the rotary motion of the electric motor 12 into a linear movement perpendicular to the axis of rotation 13 of the electric motor 12 running telescopic spindle 15 converts between the front scissor feet 7 and below the front connecting joint 16 the double scissors 4 is arranged. The telescopic spindle 15 is designed as a trapezoidal screw spindle and with its spindle head via a cross connection 17 with the front link 16 the double scissors 4 articulated.

[0007] For a height adjustment of the upper part 3 becomes the electric motor 12 switched on and the telescopic spindle 15 extended or retracted. The connecting joint performs this 16 the double scissors 4 a linear movement in the vertical direction 18 at a constant speed, with the runner moving in the direction of travel 11 emotional. The axis of rotation 13 of the electric motor 12 runs perpendicular to the spindle axis.

[0008] In radiography, for some image recordings and interventions, it is necessary to tilt a patient lying on a patient support device about a horizontal transverse axis (=transverse to the patient's lying direction). As a result, internal organs can be moved or placed in a position that is favorable for the image acquisition, for example in the case of abdomen or thorax images. Summary of the Invention

[0009] It is therefore the object of the invention to specify a tiltable patient support device and a method for tilting a patient support device.

[0010] According to the invention, the stated object is achieved with the method and the device of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to the invention, a tilting movement of the patient positioning device is generated by shifting the pivot point in the central joint of a scissor-like lifting linkage. The displacement can either be purely translational via a linear guide or rotational via an eccentric.

[0012] The invention claims a patient positioning device with a lifting device, the lifting device having an upper part, a lower part and a lifting linkage connecting the upper part to the lower part. The lifting linkage has at least one scissors-shaped linkage section with a central joint. The pivot point of the central joint is designed to be movable (translationally or rotationally) so that the upper part can be tilted in the transverse direction (i.e. about a transverse axis of a patient).

[0013] One advantage of the invention is that a tilting movement can be generated between a scissor-type lifting scissor and a tabletop (upper part) or between the lower part and scissor-type lifting device without an additional assembly. This means that the space required remains small and the minimum step-up height can be kept as low as possible.

[0014] Another advantage is that a large part of the components used in known lifting scissors can be used unchanged (e.g. linear guide at the bottom, lifting drive, lifting rods at the bottom, interface between tabletop and lifting scissors, etc.), and the ability to integrate the tilting mechanism into existing lifting scissors (= retrofitting) .

[0015] In a development of the device, the upper part can be designed as a table top or a table top can be arranged on the upper part.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the patient positioning device has two partial linkages arranged one above the other, which are connected with connecting joints in such a way that they form double scissors, with the central joint being able to be formed in the upper partial linkage or in both partial linkages.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the patient support device has a first and second scissor arm which forms the partial linkage and which are connected to one another so as to be rotatable about the pivot point by the central joint. The device also has a slot formed in the first scissor arm, in which the pivot point of the central joint is arranged such that it can be moved. This forms a linear guide.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the patient positioning device has a first drive unit, which moves the pivot point in the elongated hole.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the patient support device has a first and second scissor arm forming the partial linkage, which are connected to one another by the central joint so that they can rotate about the pivot point, the central joint being designed as an eccentric that rotates the pivot point eccentrically. This enables a rotating movement.

[0020] In a development, the device has a second drive unit that rotates the eccentric.

[0021] Furthermore, the device can have a third drive unit for adjusting the height of the upper part, the third drive unit acting on one of the connecting joints.

[0022] The third drive unit can preferably be designed for a linear movement of the upper part in the vertical direction.

[0023] The invention also claims a method for tilting a patient positioning device according to the invention, the pivot point of the central joint being moved in such a way that the upper part is tilted in the transverse direction (that is to say about a transverse axis formed transversely to the positioning direction of a patient).

[0024] Further special features and advantages of the invention can be seen from the following explanations of several exemplary embodiments with the aid of schematic drawings.

[0025] Show it:

[0026] figure 1: a spatial view of a patient support device according to the prior art,

[0027] figure2: three side views of a tiltable patient positioning device and

[0028] figure 3: two side views of another tiltable patient positioning device. Detailed description of several exemplary embodiments

[0029] figure In representations A) to C), FIG. 2 shows a side view of a patient positioning device with a lifting device 1 that between a lower part 2 and a top 3 is arranged. The lifting device 1 can the top 3 vertical in relation to the base 2 to lift. The top 3 can be designed as a tabletop or serve as a holder for a tabletop.

[0030] The lifting device 1 has a lifting linkage 4 on, which consists of two scissor-like partial linkages arranged one above the other 9 is formed. The upper and the lower part linkage 9 are via connecting joints 16 movably connected. At one of the connecting joints 16 engages a third drive unit 30 on that for the vertical movement of the lifting linkage 4 responsible for. The lifting linkage 4 can, as in figure 1 shown, can also be formed from pairs of scissors. The rear scissor foot 8 is fixed to the base 2 connected, whereas the front scissor foot 7 in a linear guide 31 is arranged to be movable, so that the lifting rod 4 when opening and closing the partial linkage 9 capable of vertical movement.

[0031] The upper section 9 has a first scissor arm 25 and a second scissor arm 26 on, both by means of a center joint 10 around the pivot point 20 are rotatably connected to each other. So that the upper part 3 a rotating tilting motion 27 can perform, i.e. tilting about a transverse axis, is the pivot point 20 the middle joint 10 in one in the first scissor arm 25 trained slot 25 in the shifting direction 21 moveable. The displacement takes place using the first drive unit 28 (Representation B)). The first drive unit 28 can have a ball screw, for example.

[0032] By shifting the pivot point 20 the upper end of the second scissor arm moves 26 in the vertical direction, with the upper end of the first scissor arm 25 maintains its vertical position. This leads to the tilting movement 27 who have favourited the top 3 inclined to a horizontal.

[0033] figure In representations A) and B), FIG. 3 shows a side view of a further patient positioning device with a lifting device 1 that between a lower part 2 and a top 3 is arranged and the upper part 3 vertical in relation to the base 2 can lift. The top 3 serves as a holder for a table top 32 , on which a patient can lie.

[0034] The lifting device 1 has a lifting linkage 4 on, which consists of two scissor-like partial linkages arranged one above the other 9 is formed. The upper and the lower part linkage 9 are via connecting joints 16 connected with each other. At one of the connecting joints 15 engages a third drive unit 30 on that for the vertical movement of the lifting linkage 4 responsible for. The lifting linkage can, as in figure 1 shown, also be formed from pairs of scissors. The rear scissor foot 8 is fixed to the base 2 connected, whereas the front scissor foot 7 in a linear guide 31 is arranged to be movable, so that the lifting rod 4 capable of vertical movement.

[0035] The upper section 9 has a first scissor arm 25 and a second scissor arm 26 on that by means of a central joint 10 around the pivot point 20are rotatably connected to each other. So that the upper part 3 a rotating tilting movement 27 , i.e. tilting around a transverse axis, is the center joint 10 as an eccentric 24 formed, creating the fulcrum 20 the middle joint 10 eccentric in the direction of rotation 22 can rotate. The rotation of the eccentric 24 takes place with the help of a second drive unit 29 (Representation B)). The second drive unit 29 may have a worm gear, with the worm wheel on the eccentric 24 is attached.

[0036] As an eccentric 24 In mechanics and mechanical engineering, a control disc attached to a shaft is referred to, the center of which lies outside the shaft axis. With the eccentric 24 rotary movements can be converted into linear movements.

[0037] By rotating the fulcrum 20 the upper end of the first scissor arm moves 25 in vertical (and horizontal) direction, with the upper end of the second scissor arm 26 maintains its vertical position. This leads to the tilting movement 27 who have favourited the top 3 inclined to a horizontal.

[0038] In the embodiments according to figure 2 and figure 3 is due to the design when the upper part is tilted 3 also a horizontal displacement of the upper part 3 . This undesired movement can easily be compensated for by a horizontal counter-movement of the patient support device. This is exemplified in representation C). figure 2 shown. Using the fourth drive unit 33 lets the top 3 move.

[0039] Depending on the design and the required tilting angle, the scissors mechanism according to the invention can be used in only one of the two partial linkages 9 (as in figure 2 and figure 3 shown) or in both partial linkages 9 to get integrated. Reference List 1 lifting device 2 lower part 3 top 4 lifting rods / double scissors 5 upper pair of scissors 6 lower pair of scissors 7 front scissor foot 8 rear scissor foot 9 Scissor-type dividing linkage 10 center joint 11 horizontal running direction 12 electric motor 13 axis of rotation 14 gear transmission 15 telescopic spindle 16 connecting joint 17 cross connection 18 Vertical direction 20 pivot point 21 shift direction 22 direction of rotation 23 slotted hole 24 eccentric 25 first scissor arm 26 second scissor arm 27 rotating tilting movement 28 first drive unit 29 second drive unit 30 third drive unit 31 linear guide 32 table top 33 fourth drive unit QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

[0040] This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Patent Literature Cited

[0041] DE 102004016728 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Patient positioning device with a lifting device ( 1 ), wherein the lifting device ( 1 ) shows: – a top ( 3 ), – a lower part ( 2 ) and – the top ( 3 ) with the lower part ( 2 ) connecting lifting linkage with at least one, a central joint ( 10 ) having scissor-shaped partial linkages ( 9 ), characterized by that a pivot point ( 20 ) of the middle joint ( 10 ) is arranged to be movable in such a way that the upper part ( 3 ) can be tilted in its transverse direction. [2] Patient positioning device according to claim 1, characterized by that the top ( 3 ) as a tabletop ( 32 ) is trained. [3] Patient positioning device according to claim 1, characterized by: – a tabletop ( 32 ), which is on the top ( 3) is arranged. [4] Patient positioning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by: – two superimposed partial linkages ( 9 ), which have connecting joints ( 16 ) are connected in such a way that they form a double shear, – whereby the middle joint ( 10 ) in the upper part of the linkage ( 9 ) is trained. [5] Patient positioning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by: – two superimposed partial linkages ( 9 ), which have connecting joints ( 16 ) are connected in such a way that they form a double shear, – whereby the middle joint ( 10 ) in the upper and lower part of the linkage ( 9 ) is trained. [6] Patient positioning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by: – one of the linkages ( 9 ) forming the first and second scissor arms ( 25 , 26 ), which is articulated by the central joint ( 10 ) together around the pivot point ( 20 ) are rotatably connected – where the pivot point ( 20 ) is arranged to be linearly movable. [7] Patient positioning device according to claim 6, characterized by: – one in the first scissor arm ( 25 ) formed elongated hole ( 23 ), in which the pivot point ( 20 ) of the middle joint ( 10 ) is arranged to be linearly movable. [8] Patient positioning device according to claim 6, characterized by: – a first drive unit ( 28 ), which is designed to shift the pivot point in the elongated hole. [9] Patient positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by: – one of the linkages (9 ) forming the first and second scissor arms ( 25 , 26 ), which passes through the middle joint ( 10 ) together around the pivot point ( 20 ) are rotatably connected – whereby the middle joint ( 10 ) as an eccentric ( 24 ) is formed, the pivot point ( 20 ) to rotate eccentrically. [10] Patient positioning device according to claim 9, characterized by: – a second drive unit ( 29 ), which is trained to operate the eccentric ( 24 ) to rotate. [11] Patient positioning device according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized by: – a third drive unit ( 30 ), who is trained, the upper part ( 2 ) to adjust in height, – where the third drive unit ( 30 ) at one of the connecting joints ( 16 attacks. [12] Patient positioning device according to claim 11, characterized by that the third drive unit ( 30 ) for a straight-line movement of the upper part ( 3 ) is formed in a vertical direction. [13] Method for tilting a patient positioning device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pivot point ( 20 ) of the middle joint ( 10 ) is moved in such a way that the upper part ( 3 ) is tilted in a transverse direction.

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