Patient information

Abstract

Patient bed - wherein the patient couch has a base (1) and a couch table (4), - wherein a patient (5) can be positioned on the lying table (4), - wherein the lying table (4) is mounted on the base (1) so that the lying table (4) is movable relative to the base (1) in a linear direction (x), - wherein the reclining table (4) has a rack (6) extending in the linear direction (x), - wherein in the substructure (1) a drive (7) with a drive shaft (8) and an output shaft (9) with a pinion (10) arranged non-rotatably on the output shaft (9) are arranged, - wherein the drive shaft (8) acts on the output shaft (9), so that a rotation of the drive (7) also causes a rotation of the pinion (10), - wherein the lying table (4) is motor-driven in the linear direction (x) by means of the drive (7) if and only if the pinion (10) is engaged with the rack (6), wherein an actuator (12) is arranged in the base (1), by actuation of which a unit (13) comprising at least the pinion (10) is movable, so that the pinion (10) is no longer engaged with the rack (6), and the unit (13) continues to be subjected to a restoring force (F), so that the pinion (10) is automatically brought back into engagement with the rack (6) without actuation of the actuator (12). and the unit (13) which can be moved by means of the actuator (12) and the restoring force (F) includes, in addition to the pinion (10), the output shaft (9) and the drive (7), characterized by that the unit (13) is designed as a support component on which the output shaft (9) and the drive (7) are arranged and that the support component interacts with the substructure (1) via a cam guide (15).

Description

[0001] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0002] The present invention relates to a patient bed, - the patient bed has a base and a lying table, - where a patient can be positioned on the examination table, - wherein the reclining table is mounted on the base so that the reclining table can be moved in a linear direction relative to the base, - wherein the reclining table has a rack running in the linear direction, - wherein in the substructure a drive with a drive shaft and an output shaft with a pinion arranged non-rotatably on the output shaft are arranged, - wherein the drive shaft acts on the output shaft, so that turning the drive also causes the pinion to turn, - the reclining table can be moved by motor in the linear direction by means of the drive only when the pinion is engaged with the rack.

[0003] It is possible that the input shaft is identical to the output shaft. Alternatively, the input shaft can act on the output shaft via a gearbox.

[0004] Such patient couches are generally known. For example, Russian patent RU 2 085 120 C1, German utility model DE 20 2019 103 884 U1, US patent application US 2004 / 0 172 756 A1, and Japanese patent application JP H02-124 144 A describe such patient couches.

[0005] Medical imaging systems often feature a patient table with a linearly movable surface. Typically, this movement is longitudinal. In some cases, the table can also be moved transversely, either as an alternative to or in addition to longitudinal movement. In some instances, movement is only possible manually, while in others, it is only possible with a motor. In many cases, movement is possible with both manual and motorized operation.

[0006] If motorized movement is possible, in the simplest case the pinion is permanently engaged with the rack. If manual movement is also required, then, in addition to the forces necessary for moving the table and the patient, the forces required to rotate the entire drive train must also be applied. These forces are often considerable.

[0007] It is common practice to use a direct drive. In this case, the forces required to rotate the drive are particularly high. In practice, this solution also engages the drive when manually moving the treatment table, in order to assist the movement. This approach does not always work as desired. Furthermore, the costs are very high.

[0008] It is also known to provide a coupling by means of which the drive train can be coupled to and uncoupled from the reclining table. However, such a coupling is not inherently fault-proof or can only be made fault-proof with considerable effort.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to create possibilities by which, on the one hand, both motorized and manual movement of the reclining table in the linear direction are possible, and yet only small forces are required for manual movement of the reclining table.

[0010] The problem is solved by a patient bed with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the patient bed are the subject of the dependent claim.

[0011] According to the invention, a patient couch of the type mentioned above is designed in that an actuator is arranged in the substructure, by actuation of which a unit comprising at least the pinion can be moved, so that the pinion is no longer engaged with the rack, and the unit is further subjected to a restoring force, so that the pinion is automatically brought back into engagement with the rack without actuation of the actuator.

[0012] In the minimal case, the pinion is mounted on the output shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, but is displaceable along the longitudinal direction of the output shaft by means of the actuator. In this case, the unit that can be moved by means of the actuator and the restoring force can be the pinion itself (and only the pinion). According to the invention, however, the unit also includes further components such as the output shaft and the drive. In some cases, further components are also present, such as a position sensor connected to the drive and, if necessary, a gearbox that couples the drive shaft to the output shaft.

[0013] In many cases, a holding brake is integrated into the base, which prevents the pinion from rotating. This allows the table to be moved linearly by means of the holding brake. However, this only applies when the pinion is engaged with the rack. The holding brake may be particularly necessary if the table can be pivoted about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the linear direction. In this case, the holding brake must be able to lock the table so that it (including the patient) does not move to its lowest possible position due to gravity. Preferably, the unit, which is movable by means of the actuator and the restoring force, also includes the holding brake. This design makes it easier to ensure first-fault tolerance.

[0014] According to the invention, the unit is designed as a support component on which the output shaft and the drive are arranged. In this case, the support component interacts with the substructure, in particular via a cam guide. This design is simple, robust, and reliable. If a holding brake is present, the holding brake is preferably also arranged on the support component.

[0015] Depending on the design, the restoring force can sometimes even be gravity. However, patient beds typically have a spring mechanism that exerts the restoring force on the unit or at least amplifies the restoring force already exerted on the unit.

[0016] At the moment the actuator is activated, the teeth of the pinion are oriented with the teeth of the rack. If the table is then manually moved to a different position, this alignment may still occur by pure chance, but it is not guaranteed. It is therefore possible that when the actuator is deactivated, the table is in a position in the linear direction where the teeth of the pinion collide with the teeth of the rack, preventing the pinion from immediately engaging with the rack. While this is relatively uncritical, as even a slight movement of the table resolves the issue, allowing the table to be moved a maximum of a few millimeters in the linear direction before the teeth of the pinion align with the teeth of the rack and thus engage.An even better design incorporates a position sensor in the base. This sensor detects the position of the lying table and transmits it to the control unit whenever the actuator and drive unit terminates its actuator control. In this case, the control unit is designed to actuate the drive so that the teeth of the pinion are aligned with the teeth of the rack, at least when it terminates its actuator control. It is even possible for the position sensor to detect the position of the lying table at other times and / or for the control unit to initiate the corresponding actuation at other times. However, this is not necessary. The crucial factor is the appropriate actuation upon termination of the actuator control.

[0017] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understandable in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. These drawings show, in schematic representation: Fig. 1 a patient bed, Fig. 2 a base and a reclining table in an operating state, Fig. 3 the base and the lounge table from Fig. 2 in another operating state, Fig. 4 the structural design of a control arrangement, Fig. 5 a flowchart and Fig. 6 a rack and pinion.

[0018] According to Fig. In Figure 1, a patient couch has a base 1. The base 1 rests on a surface 2. A base frame 3 is mounted on the base 1. The base frame 3 supports a table 4 on which a patient 5 can be positioned. The base frame 3 (together with the table 4 and the patient 5) is movable relative to the base 1 in a linear direction x. Since the base frame 3 is moved together with the table 4, it can be considered part of the table 4. The linear direction x can, for example, extend along the length of the table 4.

[0019] According to the Fig. 2 and Fig. The reclining table 4 has a rack 6 running in the linear direction x. A drive 7 is arranged in the base 1. The drive 7 has a drive shaft 8. Furthermore, an output shaft 9 is arranged in the base 1. A pinion 10 is fixedly mounted on the output shaft 9. The drive shaft 8 acts directly or, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the drive 7 is indirectly connected to the output shaft 9 via a gearbox 11. In any case, rotating the drive 7 also causes the pinion 10 to rotate. Whenever the pinion 10 is engaged with the rack 6, the treatment table 4 can be moved linearly in the x-direction by means of the drive 7. In addition to the motorized movement of the treatment table 4, manual movement of the treatment table 4 should also be possible. Therefore, the pinion 10 can be engaged (engaged) or disengaged (disengaged) with the rack 6 as needed.

[0020] To disengage the pinion 10 from the rack 6, an actuator 12 is arranged in the base 1. Actuation of the actuator 12 moves a unit 13, disengaging the pinion 10 from the rack 6. The unit 13 comprises at least the pinion 10. This same unit 13 is also subjected to a restoring force F. For example, a spring mechanism 14 may be present, by means of which the restoring force F is exerted on the unit 13 or at least amplified. When the actuator 12 is not actuated, the restoring force F moves the unit 13 such that the pinion 10 automatically re-engages with the rack 6. The actuator 12 may, for example, be designed as an electromagnetic actuator similar to a contactor drive or as a motor drive.Crucially, the actuator 12 is not blocking in the sense that it does not prevent the return of the pinion 10 due to the restoring force F.

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 shows the state when actuator 12 is activated. Fig. Figure 3 shows the state when actuator 12 is not actuated.

[0022] Unit 13 can be configured as needed and may also include additional elements as required. For example, according to the... Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 In addition to the pinion 10, the output shaft 9 and the input shaft 7 are also included. If the gearbox 11 is present, the unit 13 also includes the gearbox 11. From a mechanical-constructive point of view, the unit 13 can be described as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, for example, can be designed as a support component on which the output shaft 9 and the drive 7 (and optionally also the gearbox 11) are arranged. In this case, the support component can interact with the substructure 1 via a cam guide 15. By way of example, the cam guide 15 is integrated into the support component, and a bolt 16 is arranged in the substructure 1, which can be moved between two end positions by means of the actuator 12 and the restoring force F. The bolt 16 carries a guide pin 17 that engages in the cam guide 15. The direction of movement of the bolt 16 can, for example, be in the linear direction x. The cam guide 15 allows the movement of the bolt 16 in the longitudinal direction x to be converted into a movement of the support component in a transverse direction y. Thus, the pinion 10 can be engaged in or disengaged from the rack 6.

[0023] In many cases, a holding brake 18 is also arranged in the substructure 1. The holding brake 18 can block the rotation of the pinion 10. Then—and only then—when the pinion 10 is engaged with the rack 6, the holding brake 18 also blocks the movement of the lying table 4 in the linear direction x. If the holding brake 18 is present, the unit 13 preferably also includes the holding brake 18. The holding brake 18 is therefore also optionally arranged on the support component.

[0024] According to the schematic representation of Fig. 4. A control unit 19 is present, which controls the actuator 12 and the drive 7. Furthermore, as a rule - see also the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 - A first position sensor 20 is present, by means of which the current position (rotational position) p1 of the drive 7 is detected. The first position sensor 20 is required to enable the drive 7, and thus indirectly also the treatment table 4, to move to a predetermined target position p1*. If present, the first position sensor 20 may be mounted on the support component.

[0025] In accordance with the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. In the substructure 1, a second position sensor 21 is additionally arranged. The second position sensor 21 may be necessary, for example, to perform a new referencing after the pinion 10 has disengaged and re-engaged from the rack 6. In this case, however, the second position sensor 21 is used for other purposes – possibly in addition to referencing. This will be explained below in conjunction with Fig. 5 explained in more detail.

[0026] According to Fig. In step S1, the control unit 19 checks whether it has received a command to actuate the actuator 12. If not, the control unit 19 proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the control unit 19 moves the drive 6, and thus also the treatment table 4, according to specifications V, which are given to it, for example, by an operator (not shown). If, however, the control unit 19 receives a command to actuate the actuator 12, it proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the control unit 19 actsuates the actuator 12. From this point onward (more precisely: from a point shortly thereafter), manual movement of the treatment table 4 is possible.

[0027] In step S4, the control unit 19 checks whether it receives a command to stop controlling the actuator 12. If not, the control unit 19 returns to step S3, thus continuing to control the actuator 12. However, if the control unit 19 does receive a command to stop controlling the actuator 12, it proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the control unit 19 stops controlling the actuator 12. From this point onward (more precisely, from a point shortly thereafter), manual movement of the treatment table 4 is no longer possible.

[0028] To ensure that the pinion 10 can be easily engaged in the rack 6, steps S6 to S8 are preferably prior to step S5.

[0029] In step S6, the control unit 19 receives a position p2 from the second position sensor 21. At least at this point, i.e., when the control unit 19 ends the control of the actuator 12, the second position sensor 21 thus detects the position p2 and transmits it to the control unit 19. The position p2 is characteristic of the current position of the table 4 and thus also of the rack 6. The accuracy with which the position p2 is detected is considerably greater than the grid in which the teeth 22 of the rack 6 follow one another. For example, the accuracy can be 10% of the grid dimension. The accuracy can also be even higher, for example 5% of the grid dimension or 2% of the grid dimension.

[0030] Based on position p2, the control unit determines a target position p1* for the drive 7 in step S7. Analogous to position p2, the determination of the target position p1* is carried out with an accuracy that is considerably greater than the grid in which the teeth 22 of the rack 6 (and thus also the teeth 23 of the pinion 10) follow one another. The preceding explanations regarding the accuracy of position p2 are applicable in an analogous manner. The determination of the target position p1* is carried out such that the teeth 23 of the pinion 10 are aligned as shown in the illustration. Fig. The pinion 10 is positioned at a gap to the teeth 22 of the rack 6. In step S8, the control unit 19 can thus actuate the drive 7 accordingly, so that the position p1 of the drive 7 corresponds to the target position p1* determined in step S7. This ensures that the pinion 10 engages in the rack 6 when the actuator 12 is actuated.

[0031] The present invention offers many advantages. The drive 7 can be easily and reliably disconnected from and reconnected to the treatment table 4. This means that only minimal force is required to manually move the treatment table 4. Nevertheless, the design of the drive train is fault-tolerant. Due to the second position sensor 21 and the corresponding positioning of the pinion 10, engagement of the pinion 10 is always possible. Tilting, jamming, or jamming is impossible.

Claims

[1] Patient bed, - wherein the patient couch has a base (1) and a couch table (4), - wherein a patient (5) can be positioned on the lying table (4), - wherein the lying table (4) is mounted on the base (1) so that the lying table (4) is movable relative to the base (1) in a linear direction (x), - wherein the reclining table (4) has a rack (6) extending in the linear direction (x), - wherein in the substructure (1) a drive (7) with a drive shaft (8) and an output shaft (9) with a pinion (10) arranged non-rotatably on the output shaft (9) are arranged, - wherein the drive shaft (8) acts on the output shaft (9), so that a rotation of the drive (7) also causes a rotation of the pinion (10), - wherein the lying table (4) is motor-driven in the linear direction (x) by means of the drive (7) if and only if the pinion (10) is engaged with the rack (6), wherein an actuator (12) is arranged in the base (1), by actuation of which a unit (13) comprising at least the pinion (10) is movable, so that the pinion (10) is no longer engaged with the rack (6), and the unit (13) continues to be subjected to a restoring force (F), so that the pinion (10) is automatically brought back into engagement with the rack (6) without actuation of the actuator (12). and the unit (13) which can be moved by means of the actuator (12) and the restoring force (F) includes, in addition to the pinion (10), the output shaft (9) and the drive (7), characterized by , that the unit (13) is designed as a support component on which the output shaft (9) and the drive (7) are arranged and that the support component interacts with the substructure (1) via a cam guide (15). [2] Patient couch according to claim 1, characterized by , that a holding brake (18) is arranged in the substructure (1) by means of which a rotation of the pinion (10) can be blocked, that a displacement of the lying table (4) in the linear direction (x) can be blocked by means of the holding brake (18) if and only if the pinion (10) is engaged with the rack (6), and that the unit (13) which can be moved by means of the actuator (12) and the restoring force (F) also includes the holding brake (18). [3] Patient couch according to claim 2, characterized by, that the unit (13) is designed as a support component on which the output shaft (9), the drive (7) and the holding brake (18) are arranged and that the support component interacts with the substructure (1) via a cam guide (15). [4] Patient couch according to one of the above claims, characterized by , that the patient bed has a spring device (14) by means of which the restoring force (F) is exerted on the unit (13) or the restoring force (F) exerted on the unit (13) is at least increased. [5] Patient couch according to one of the above claims, characterized by, that a position sensor (21) is arranged in the substructure (1) which, at least when a control device (19) controlling the actuator (12) and the drive (7) terminates the control of the actuator (12), detects the positioning (p2) of the lying table (4) and transmits it to the control device (19), and that the control device (19) is designed such that, at least when it terminates the control of the actuator (12), it controls the drive (7) such that teeth (23) of the pinion (10) are in gap to teeth (22) of the rack (6).

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