Patient order, order and procedure

Abstract

A patient support (1) is disclosed, comprising an airtight shell (6) with one or more air chambers (11). A fabric structure (10) is formed within the shell (6), which defines the gap between the top (7) and bottom (8) of the patient support (1). The fabric structure (10) makes contact with the top (7) and bottom (8) over a surface area to ensure that, when the air chamber(s) (11) are filled with a suitable pressure medium, a uniform tensile force is applied to the bottom (8) and top (7). As long as the maximum gap is not reached, the shell (6) and the fabric structure (10) are flexible. When the maximum gap is reached by filling the air chamber(s) (11) with a suitable pressure medium, the shell (6) and the fabric structure (10) assume a rigid and dimensionally stable state.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient support for a patient table, such as an operating table, or for a patient couch. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising a patient table or a patient couch and such a patient support. The invention also relates to a method for operating the patient support or the arrangement.

[0002] In neurosurgical procedures or operations to resection tumor tissue in a patient's brain—that is, to partially or completely surgically remove the tumor tissue—it must be ensured that the tumor is completely removed without also removing healthy tissue. Safety margins, which are present, for example, in abdominal surgeries, are avoided in neurosurgical procedures in order to spare functional areas of the brain, such as the speech center or the motor center, as much as possible. If tumor tissue is missed and not removed during a neurosurgical procedure, a recurrence can occur, and the tumor can reappear in the same location in the brain. This necessitates further neurosurgical intervention for the patient.

[0003] In neurosurgery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently used to monitor the resection of tumor tissue. For this purpose, the patient is transferred, for example, from an operating table to an MRI table during or after the procedure. During the neurosurgical procedure, the patient's skull is open and, in particular, fixed in a surgical head clamp during the MRI examination. It is essential that the patient is moved extremely carefully during the transfer to prevent the pins of the head clamp, which secure the skull, from becoming dislodged or torn out. The MRI procedure allows for the identification of remaining tumor tissue and important nerve bundles, especially using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

[0004] To avoid repositioning the patient between the operating table and the MRI table, it is known, for example, that the operating table has a transferable tabletop (also known as a tabletop overlay (TTO)) with a viscoelastic mattress. To transfer the patient from the operating table, the patient, lying on the mattress, is transferred along with the tabletop to the MRI table. For this purpose, the MRI table, which is mobile on casters, is moved to the operating table and docked there. After the tabletop with the patient has been transferred to the MRI table, the table is moved to the MRI system to perform the MRI scan. After the MRI scan, the MRI table, along with the tabletop and the patient, is moved back to the operating table, and the tabletop with the patient is transferred to the operating table.

[0005] The tabletop typically has a supporting structure on which the mattress is placed. A minimum thickness is necessary for the mattress, otherwise pressure sores can develop in the patient. These include injuries caused by pressure on anatomically exposed areas of the body or by overstretching as a result of prolonged, unphysiological postures.

[0006] The patient is positioned on the table, for example, lying on their back. Lateral or sideways positioning of the patient during MRI scans is usually only possible for petite patients, as standard MRI systems have a patient scan chamber with a diameter of, for example, 70 cm. If access to the patient's brain from the side is required during neurosurgical surgery, a semilateral approach can be used. For this, the patient lies on their back with one shoulder elevated and the patient's head turned to the side – with their face facing away from the elevated shoulder. Alternatively, the patient can lie on their stomach, again with one shoulder elevated and the head turned to the side – with their face facing towards the elevated shoulder.A semilateral approach represents a compromise, as complications such as problems with ventilation can occur.

[0007] Operating tables for neurosurgical procedures typically have a flat surface. This ensures maximum freedom in positioning the patient during the operation. In contrast, MRI tables can have a concave or curved surface when viewed from above. A direct transfer of the patient from the flat operating table to the concave MRI table is hardly feasible given the requirement for a transfer with minimal vibration. This can be remedied by positioning the patient with the flat tabletop on the concave surface of the MRI table. The disadvantage here is that the patient then lies not on the concave surface, but above it on the flat tabletop. The patient is thus raised by a certain height, which is not ideal for MRI procedures, as this increases the distance between the patient and the radiofrequency coils (RF coils) of the MRI system located below the concave surface.Furthermore, a disadvantage is that with such an arrangement, even petite people can no longer be introduced into the patient admission room of the MRI system when lying laterally due to space constraints.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a patient support for a patient table or for a patient couch, an arrangement and a method for operating the patient support which enables a safe transfer of a patient with minimal technical equipment.

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a patient support according to the features of claim 1, by an arrangement according to the features of claim 8, and by a method according to the features of claim 11, independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention proposes a patient support, an arrangement and a method according to the independent claims as a solution.

[0011] Advantageous further training opportunities arise from the characteristics of the dependent requirements.

[0012] According to the present invention, a patient support or support for a patient table and / or a patient couch is provided. For example, the patient table may be an operating table or a patient table for an imaging procedure, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) table or a computed tomography (CT) table. The patient couch may also be designed, for example, as a patient transport stretcher. The patient support has a top surface that serves as a lying surface for a patient. The patient support also has a bottom surface that allows it to be placed on the patient table or couch. Advantageously, the patient support is formed by at least one fluid-tight, and in particular airtight, cover or outer skin. The cover has a top, a bottom, and a side wall that, in particular, completely surrounds the top and bottom.The casing defines one or more pressure chambers between the top and bottom. The at least one pressure chamber can be filled with pressure medium, particularly via appropriate means, and pressure medium can be released from the at least one pressure chamber. The top and bottom of the casing are connected to each other over a surface, at least in the area of ​​the at least one pressure chamber, via a fabric core. The fabric core is preferably designed such that, above a certain fill quantity of pressure medium in the at least one pressure chamber, the surface is rigid and / or dimensionally stable, and that below this fill quantity, the surface is flexible and / or dimensionally unstable.

[0013] This solution has the advantage that the patient support can assume two states: a rigid and dimensionally stable state and a flexible state. This gives the patient support multiple functionalities. For example, in its rigid and dimensionally stable state, it can be used to transfer a patient lying on it, such as from the operating table to the MRI table and vice versa. In its flexible state, the patient support can adapt to different surfaces or contact points on patient tables and couches. For example, if an MRI table has a concave surface when viewed from above, the patient support can adapt to this surface in its flexible state.Due to the patient support's shape stability, it can advantageously be further filled with pressure medium to increase its flexural rigidity or stiffness once a certain fill level is reached, without altering its shape. It is also advantageous that the pressure medium can be completely released from the patient support, allowing the patient to lie directly on the surface of the operating table or couch. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the patient support can be filled with pressure medium below the specified fill level—so that it is not yet rigid and shape-stable—thus preventing pressure sores caused by an excessively hard surface, such as the operating table. With this patient support, a separate mattress for the operating table is no longer necessary.

[0014] In other words, the patient support incorporates a lifting mechanism using a pressure medium or fluid, gas, or air pressure to allow it to be positioned on differently shaped surfaces. Unlike previous designs, this patient support is not a rigid plate or board, but can assume various positions.

[0015] In other words, the fabric core is designed such that the distance between the top and bottom, particularly in the area of ​​at least one pressure medium chamber, is limited by the fabric core. Thus, once a certain amount of pressure medium is reached or a certain fill level is reached in the at least one pressure medium chamber, the distance will not increase with further addition of pressure medium; instead, the flexural rigidity of the patient support will increase. Therefore, the flexural rigidity is adjustable without affecting the shape of the patient support.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the fabric core can be formed by a multitude, or by hundreds or thousands, of threads, particularly polyester threads. These threads can be firmly connected to the ceiling on one side and to the base on the other, particularly within the at least one pressure medium chamber. Preferably, the threads are evenly distributed. The maximum distance between the ceiling and the base can thus be easily determined by the thread length. A further advantage is that the fabric core is inherently flexible due to its construction with threads. In particular, the fabric core does not transmit a supporting force between the ceiling and the base, but can transmit a tensile force when the threads between the ceiling and base are taut due to the pressure medium being applied to the pressure medium chamber.Thus, the tissue core can be flexible or slack in the relaxed state and transmit a tensile force in the tensed state.

[0017] For example, it is conceivable that an internal pressure of 10 psi (pounds per square inch) or 0.69 bar, or 15 psi or 1.04 bar, particularly when gas, such as air, is used as the pressure medium, may be required to keep the tissue core or the threads of the tissue core taut. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the internal pressure could reach up to 25 psi or 1.73 bar.

[0018] Preferably, threads that extend in the same direction when tensioned, for example, upwards along the patient support, are of the same length. It would also be conceivable for the threads to extend at an angle to the upward direction when tensioned. Furthermore, it would be conceivable to provide multiple groups of threads, which could differ, for example, in the angle of their threads to the upward direction when tensioned. The threads within each group preferably have the same length. This uniform length allows for easy control of the distance between the floor and the ceiling.

[0019] Advantageously, the threads are formed between two layers of fabric, with one layer being connected, glued, or welded to the ceiling and the other layer being connected to the floor.

[0020] A thread can be a flexible structure that may have a dominant one-dimensional extent and uniformity in its longitudinal direction.

[0021] The threads are preferably evenly distributed and / or closely spaced or packed together, at least in the area of ​​the at least one pressure chamber. This allows the patient support in the area of ​​the at least one pressure chamber to have a flat surface in its rigid and dimensionally stable state, since any tensile force or load transmitted via the threads is applied evenly or over a surface to the base and ceiling. It is also conceivable to give the surface a predetermined shape in its dimensionally stable state by using threads of varying lengths, for example, molding it to the anatomy of a patient lying on it.

[0022] The threads can be stretched between the ceiling and the floor from a certain fill level of pressure medium, so that they extend parallel to each other and / or have the same angle of attack.

[0023] In other words, the fabric core, in its vertical direction, particularly perpendicular to the ceiling or floor, can be deformed or stretched to a predetermined height by applying pressure to at least one pressure chamber. This allows the fabric core to define a maximum distance between the ceiling and floor. Thus, once a certain fill level is reached in at least one pressure chamber, the fabric core can maintain a predetermined distance between the ceiling and floor. At this point, the fabric core can be in a taut or stretched state. Further application of pressure then increases the stiffness of the patient support without causing further deformation. The predetermined extension height of the fabric core can be determined by the length and arrangement of the threads.When the fabric core is under tension, the ceiling and floor can be essentially flat or level.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, the fabric core is formed, for example, by drop-stitch threads. These are known, for example, from boatbuilding, particularly in the field of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) boards. With such a fabric core, the deck and the bottom are held together by thousands of polyester threads of equal length.

[0025] The threads can also be arranged diagonally or at an angle, which is known in boatbuilding as X- or cross-drop stitch threads or cross-drop stitch threads.

[0026] In other words, the fabric core is made up of countless tiny polyester threads, each bonded to a PVC layer on both the top and bottom. These polyester threads are flexible and movable on their own. Only when the space between the polyester threads is filled with air and a certain amount of pressure is applied do they become rigid and firm.

[0027] The pressure medium can be, for example, a gas or a liquid. In terms of the device's design, air or ambient air is often used as the gas.

[0028] Advantageously, at least one pressure chamber has at least one pressure medium connection through which the pressure medium can flow into and / or out of the chamber to pressurize the patient support. It would be conceivable to provide one pressure medium connection for the inflow of pressure medium and one for the outflow of pressure medium for at least one pressure chamber. If the housing has multiple pressure chambers, each chamber can have one or more pressure medium connections.

[0029] The pressure medium connection for filling and the pressure medium connection for draining the pressure medium can be designed differently and thus adapted to their intended purpose. For example, it is conceivable that the pressure medium connection for the outflow of the pressure medium has a larger cross-section so that the pressure medium can escape from the patient support more quickly.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one pressure chamber can extend over the entire shell. Alternatively, the shell can enclose a plurality or multiple pressure chambers that together fill the shell. If a plurality of pressure chambers are provided, it is conceivable that these can be fluidically connected or separated from one another via one or more valves, for example, by allowing the valve(s) to be opened and closed, particularly via an electrical actuator. Thus, it is also conceivable that the pressure chambers can either be filled with pressure medium together or that pressure medium can be discharged from the pressure chambers together. It would also be conceivable to fill or discharge the pressure chambers independently of one another in order to create areas with different stiffness in the patient support, in order to position the patient as advantageously as possible.This allows for stable transfer despite different surface geometries of the support surfaces and table heights.

[0031] In other words, the patient support can be designed with multiple pressure chambers, so that it can be filled with pressure medium segment by segment or pressure medium can be released from it segment by segment.

[0032] One application for multiple pressure chambers would be the semilateral approach described earlier. For example, a pressure chamber could be provided below each of the two shoulder support areas on the patient support. To elevate one shoulder, the corresponding pressure chamber can be filled with pressure medium, while the other pressure chambers contain less or no pressure medium. This causes the patient support to protrude upwards at the pressure chamber in the shoulder area compared to the rest of the patient support. The pressure chambers for shoulder elevation are thus arranged, for example, one behind the other or side by side, both transversely to the patient support and perpendicular to the elevation direction. Their size is preferably chosen so that essentially only the patient's shoulder area is elevated.

[0033] Preferably, the tissue core extends over the entire pressure medium chamber or over all pressure medium chambers.

[0034] The pressure medium connection(s) are preferably accessible from the outside and can, for example, be integrated into the side wall. At least one pressure medium line or multiple pressure medium lines can be provided at the pressure medium connection(s) for supplying and discharging the pressure medium. More preferably, at least one internal pressure medium source or pump integrated into the patient support and / or at least one external pressure medium source or pump is provided for supplying the pressure medium. Preferably, the pressure medium source is designed and / or a valve arrangement is provided such that pressure medium can be both supplied and discharged via the pressure medium source.

[0035] Preferably, the ceiling and / or the floor and / or the side wall is / are formed from at least one or more layers. The layer(s) consist, for example, of plastic, PVC, or flexible PVC containing plasticizers that give the material elastic properties. The layers can be simply glued and / or welded together to form the shell.

[0036] Preferably, the top layer or the innermost layer of the top layer is bonded and / or welded to the fabric core. Furthermore, the bottom layer or the innermost layer of the bottom layer can also be bonded and / or welded to the fabric core.

[0037] Preferably, the top layer of the blanket, or a further, in particular outer or outermost, layer of the blanket, is made of a soft or viscoelastic material. For example, an elastic foam or memory foam can be used as the viscoelastic material, which deforms under the influence of pressure and body heat and can thus adapt to body contours.

[0038] It would also be conceivable that the patient support has several covers, each with one or more pressure chamber(s), whereby the covers can be firmly connected to each other via a connecting element.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the invention, a control device can be provided by which the at least one pressure medium source can be controlled in order to supply or discharge pressure medium into the pressure medium chamber(s). The control device is, for example, integrated into the patient support, arranged externally, or connected to the patient support, in particular to a pressure medium source arranged in the patient support, or to the pressure medium source itself, via communication means.

[0040] To enable the most precise control of the pressure medium flow rate, a pressure sensor can be provided for at least one pressure medium chamber, or for each individual pressure medium chamber, to measure the pressure within that chamber. The pressure sensor(s) can be integrated, for example, into the patient support and connected to the control unit via communication channels. Alternatively, the pressure sensor(s) can be positioned at an advantageous location along the pressure medium's flow path to measure the pressure.

[0041] It would also be conceivable to use the control device to control the valve(s) and / or the pressure medium connection(s), if this or a respective one can be opened and closed, i.e., by means of an electric actuator device.

[0042] According to the invention, an arrangement is provided with a patient table or patient couch and a patient support in accordance with one or more of the aforementioned aspects. The patient support can be arranged on a support surface of the patient table or couch. Such a patient table or couch, with its patient support, offers additional functionalities in a technically simple manner. For example, the degree of filling allows the "hardness" or "softness" or flexural rigidity of the patient support to be adjusted for different patients. Furthermore, as already explained above, the patient support can be used for patient transfer. Additionally, the patient support can be adapted to different surfaces or support areas of the patient table or couch.

[0043] The patient table, which may be movable, or the patient bed, can be concave when viewed from above. In other words, when viewed in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support surface, it may be curved or extend along a curve, particularly in the case of an MRI table. Thus, for transfers, the patient support is subjected to pressure, and otherwise, it can adapt to the concave surface with little or no pressure.

[0044] The patient table in the form of the operating table preferably has a lying surface or support surface extending in a horizontal direction for the patient.

[0045] The arrangement preferably includes a surgical head clamp, which is used particularly in neurosurgical procedures or interventions. The patient support can have means designed to attach the surgical head clamp to the patient support, particularly in a detachable manner. This advantageously allows a patient, especially during a neurosurgical procedure, to be transferred via the patient support together with the head clamp, for example, into an MRI system when the head clamp is in use.

[0046] Preferably, the arrangement comprises two patient tables, each exhibiting one or more of the aforementioned features. Alternatively, the arrangement may comprise one patient table exhibiting one or more of the aforementioned features and one patient stretcher exhibiting one or more of the aforementioned features, in particular a patient transport stretcher. Another alternative is the arrangement may comprise two patient stretchers exhibiting one or more of the aforementioned features. The patient transfer platform allows for simple and flexible transfer of the patient between the patient tables, between the patient table and the patient stretcher, or between the patient stretchers. The patient transfer platform is particularly well-suited for neurosurgical procedures, as a rigid surface is required for transfers in these cases.

[0047] According to the invention, a method is provided for operating the patient support according to one or more of the aforementioned aspects, or for operating the patient table or patient couch according to one or more of the aforementioned aspects, or for operating the arrangement according to one or more of the aforementioned aspects. To adjust a height or a distance between the floor and the ceiling, pressure medium can be supplied to and discharged from the at least one air chamber. Once the maximum height is reached, the rigidity of the patient support can be adjusted via the supply and discharge of pressure medium.

[0048] The following steps are preferably used to transfer the patient support pad with the patient: - Filling at least one pressure chamber or chambers of the patient support on the first patient table or bed - on which the patient support lies - with pressure medium in such a way that the patient support is rigid and / or dimensionally stable. - Transferring the patient support to the second patient table or second patient bed.

[0049] In other words, to transfer the patient support with the patient, such a quantity of pressure medium can be supplied to at least one pressure medium chamber or chambers that the patient support is so rigid and / or dimensionally stable that the patient can be transferred with the patient support without repositioning.

[0050] As a further step, it may be provided that pressure is released from at least one pressure chamber(s) of the second patient table or bed, causing the patient support to become flexible and / or no longer dimensionally stable. If the second patient table has a concave surface, as may be the case with an MRI table, a sufficient amount of pressure can be released from at least one pressure chamber(s) so that the patient support conforms to the concave surface. Lowering the patient into the concave surface also allows for lateral positioning of the patient, regardless of their size, without the patient's shoulders touching the MRI system's enclosure when being moved into the patient acquisition chamber.

[0051] In other words, once the transfer is complete and the patient is on the MRI table, the pressure can be released from the patient support. This is preferably done by gently lowering the patient and, if the support surface is concave or shaped like an MRI groove, placing the patient directly into it.

[0052] The MRI table, for example, is mobile, particularly via casters, and can be attached to the operating table, especially in such a way that the patient support can be transferred from the operating table to the MRI table at the same height. The MRI table can then be detached and moved to the MRI system together with the patient.

[0053] A patient support is disclosed, comprising an airtight cover with one or more air chambers. Within the cover is a fabric structure that defines the gap between the top and bottom of the support. This fabric structure makes contact with both the top and bottom surfaces to ensure uniform tensile force is applied to them when the air chamber(s) are sufficiently filled with pressure medium. Until the maximum gap is reached, the cover and fabric structure remain flexible. Upon reaching the maximum gap through sufficient pressure in the air chamber(s), the cover and fabric structure become rigid and dimensionally stable.

[0054] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0055] The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show: Fig. 1 schematically in a perspective view a patient table with a patient support according to an exemplary embodiment, wherein for the sake of better representation the patient support is shown above the patient table; Fig. 2 schematically in a cross-section the patient support according to the exemplary embodiment, Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b each schematically in a cross-section the patient support according to the exemplary embodiment together with a patient, which is arranged on a concave support surface of a patient table; and Fig. 4 in a flowchart a procedure for operating the patient support.

[0056] The exemplary embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] Fig. Figure 1 shows a patient support 1 that can be placed on a support surface 2 of a patient table in the form of an operating table 3 (operating table). The operating table 3 has a table column 4 on which a tabletop 5 with the support surface 2 is arranged.

[0058] The patient support 1 has a fluid-tight, in particular airtight, cover 6, which is located in the Fig. 1. A pressure chamber (not shown) in the form of an air chamber is enclosed or surrounded by a shell 6, the design of which is explained in more detail below. The shell 6 has a top 7 and a bottom 8, which are enclosed by a fully circumferential side wall 9. The top 7 has an upper surface designed as a lying surface for a patient. The patient support 1 has an underside on the bottom 8, which rests on the support surface 2. The top 7, the bottom 8, and the side wall 9 can each be formed from one or more layers, in particular PVC layers, and can be bonded and / or welded together so that the pressure chamber formed in the shell 6 is sealed to the outside.

[0059] According to Fig. In the cross-section of the patient support 1, a tissue core 10 is visible. This core is formed within the pressure chamber 11. As explained above, the pressure chamber 11 is bounded by the ceiling 7, the base 8, and the side wall 9. The tissue core 10 contains several thousand threads in the form of polyester threads 12. Each polyester thread 12 is firmly connected to the ceiling 7 and the base 8. Fig. Figure 2 shows the patient support 1 filled with pressure medium, in which the polyester threads 12 extend vertically along the patient support 1, i.e., perpendicular to the approximately flat ceiling 7 or the flat floor 8. In this state, the polyester threads 12 define a distance a between the ceiling 7 and the floor 8. When pressure medium is released from the pressure medium chamber 11, the polyester threads 12 are relieved of tension when a certain amount of pressure medium is no longer present, as the distance a decreases. This causes the polyester threads 12 to become flexible. The same applies to the cover 6, which also becomes flexible and deformable. Conversely, when pressure medium is supplied to the pressure medium chamber 11, the polyester threads 12 are in a taut state when the certain amount of pressure medium is reached and exceeded. Fig. 2. In this state, the patient support 1 is rigid and dimensionally stable. The more pressure medium is supplied to the pressure medium chamber 11 beyond a certain quantity, the more rigid the patient support 1 becomes, since the distance a between the ceiling 7 and the floor 8 does not change or remains essentially unchanged. The polyester threads 12 are evenly distributed in the pressure medium chamber 11 and thus exert a surface contact with the ceiling 7 and the floor 8. According to the exemplary embodiment, the polyester threads 12 extend parallel to each other when under tension.

[0060] According to Fig. Figure 2 shows that the ceiling 7 has a first layer 13, on the outside of which a further layer 14 is attached. The layer 14 is made, for example, of a viscoelastic material. The side wall 9 also has an inner layer 15 and an outer layer 16, which reinforces it and better protects it from damage.

[0061] According to Fig. 1. A pressure medium connection 17 is formed laterally in the side wall 9. Pressure medium can be supplied to the pressure medium chamber 11 via this connection, see Fig. 2. For this purpose, a pressure medium line 18 is connected to the pressure medium connection 17, which connects the pressure medium connection 17 to a pressure medium source 19, such as a pump. To measure the filling pressure, a pressure sensor 20 is provided, which detects the pressure at the pressure medium line 18. Furthermore, a control device 21 is provided, via which the pressure medium source 19 can be controlled, for example, depending on the pressure signal from the pressure sensor 20. The pressure medium source 19 can be driven, for example, by an electric motor.

[0062] The patient support 1 and the operating table 3 form an arrangement 22. When the patient support 1 is in use, its base 8 rests on the support surface 2. During an operation or procedure on a patient lying on the patient support 1, it may be, for example, empty or filled with pressure medium so that the patient support 1 is flexible. For transferring the patient over the patient support 1, it is filled with pressure medium so that it assumes a rigid and dimensionally stable state by means of the polyester threads 12, see Fig. 2, will be tense. For transfer to an MRI table 23, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 1 (reduced to an example) and as part of the arrangement 22, the MRI table 23 docks to the operating table 3. Preferably, the support surfaces of the MRI table 23 and the operating table 3 are at the same height. The rigid patient support 1 can then be transferred to the MRI table 23 together with the patient. The MRI table 23 is then detached from the operating table 3 and moved, along with the patient support 1 and the patient, to an MRI system.

[0063] Fig. 3a and Fig. Figure 3b shows a so-called MRI groove 24 of an MRI table. The MRI groove 24 has a concave support surface 25 (viewed from above) for a schematically arranged Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b shown patient 26. The patient support 1 according to the invention can also be used for such MRI tables. For example, it can be used in the rigid state 1 according to Fig. 3b together with patient 26 onto the MRI groove 24, for example from operating table 3 ( Fig. 1) are transferred. In the rigid state of the patient support 1, the maximum distance D from an RF coil provided in the MRI groove is comparatively large. Due to the advantageous design of the patient support 1, pressure medium can now be released from the pressure medium chamber 11 after the transfer, see Fig. 2, be discharged, thereby fulfilling patient condition 1 according to Fig. 3a becomes flexible and adapts to the support surface 25 of the MRI groove 24. The distance D is thus advantageously reduced. For the patient transfer 26 back after an MRI examination, the patient support 1 is brought back into its rigid state by applying pressure and can then be transferred.

[0064] According to Fig. 3b. Lateral positioning of patient 26 would not be possible, as he would not normally fit into the patient compartment of the MRI system. By lowering patient 26 according to Fig. In position 3a, a lateral position would also be possible, even if it were robustly designed. Furthermore, the deeper positioning within the MRI system allows for the positioning of the examination volume within the ISO center.

[0065] According to Fig. Section 4 describes the procedure for operating the patient support 1, in particular for transferring the patient support 1 with a patient, as having a first step 27 in which the patient support 1, starting from a flexible state, is filled with pressure medium so that it has a rigid and dimensionally stable state with the desired stiffness. In the following step 28, the patient support 1 is transferred together with the patient. After the transfer, in step 29, pressure medium can be released from the patient support 1 so that it becomes flexible again.

Claims

[1] Patient support (1) for a patient table (3, 23) and / or for a patient couch, wherein the patient support (1) is formed by at least one fluid-tight shell (6), wherein the shell (6) has a top (7), a bottom (8) and a side wall (9) surrounding the top (7) and the bottom (8), and wherein the shell (6) defines at least one pressure medium chamber (11) which can be filled with pressure medium and from which pressure medium can be discharged, characterized by , that at least the top (7) and the bottom (8) of the shell (6) are connected to each other over a surface via a fabric core (10) and that the fabric core (10) is designed such that, from a certain fill quantity of pressure medium in the at least one pressure medium chamber (11) the patient support (1) is rigid and / or dimensionally stable and that, if the fill quantity falls below the required amount, the patient support (1) is flexible. [2] Patient support (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fabric core (10) is formed by several hundred threads (12) which are each firmly connected on one side to the top (7) and on the other side to the bottom (8), so that a maximum distance between the top (7) and the bottom (8) is determined by the thread length of the threads (12). [3] Patient support (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the threads (12) are taut from the determined fill quantity of the pressure medium in the at least one pressure medium chamber (11) and exert a tensile force on the ceiling (7) and on the floor (8), so that the patient support (1) is rigid and / or dimensionally stable, and wherein the threads (12) are slack when the fill quantity of the pressure medium in the at least one pressure medium chamber (11) falls below the set level, so that the patient support (1) is flexible. [4] Patient support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one pressure chamber (11) extends over the entire cover (6), or wherein the cover (6) defines a plurality of pressure chambers (11), or wherein a plurality of interconnected covers (6) are formed, each with one or more pressure chambers (11). [5] Patient support (1) according to claim 4, wherein the pressure medium chambers (11) or at least a part of the pressure medium chambers (11) have at least one or at least one separate pressure medium connection (17) through which pressure medium can be supplied and / or discharged, in particular to supply and / or discharge pressure medium independently of one another to the pressure medium chambers (11) or to at least a part of the pressure medium chambers (11). [6] Patient support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the top (7), the bottom (8) and the side wall (9) are each formed from at least one or more layers (13 to 16) or PVC layers which are fluid-tightly connected to each other. [7] Patient support (1) according to claim 6, wherein the cover (7) is formed from a softer layer (14) compared to the layer(s) (13 to 16) of the base (8) or has an outer softer layer (14) for the patient. [8] Arrangement (22) with a patient table (3, 23) or a patient couch with a patient support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the latter is arranged on a support surface (2) of the patient table (3, 23) or the patient couch. [9] Arrangement (22) according to claim 8, wherein the support surface (2) of the patient table (23) or the patient couch is concave when viewed from above. [10] Arrangement (22) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein two patient tables (3, 23) or one patient table (3, 23) and one patient couch or two patient couches are provided, wherein for the transfer of a patient (26) the patient support (1) which is in a rigid and / or dimensionally stable state by means of pressure means can be transferred between the patient tables (3, 23) or between the patient table (3, 23) and the patient couch or between the patient couches. [11] Method for operating the patient support (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 or the arrangement (22) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, to increase the stiffness of the patient support (1), a pressure medium is supplied to the at least one pressure medium chamber (11) of the patient support (1) from the determined fill quantity and / or, to decrease the stiffness of the patient support (1), pressure medium is discharged from the at least one pressure medium chamber (11). [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein the following steps are provided for transferring the patient support (1) from the first patient table (3) to the second patient table (23) or between the patient table (3, 23) and the patient bed or between the patient beds: - Filling at least one pressure medium chamber (11) of the patient support (1) in the patient table (3) or in the patient couch with pressure medium in such a way that the specified filling quantity is reached or exceeded and the patient support (1) is rigid and / or dimensionally stable, - Transferring the patient support (1) to the next patient table (23) or to the next patient couch. [13] The method of claim 12, wherein a further step is provided: - Release of pressure medium from at least one pressure medium chamber (11) of the patient support (1) at the further patient table (23) or at the further patient couch, so that the patient support (1) becomes flexible. [14] Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the further patient table (23) has a concave support surface (2) and such a quantity of pressure medium is released from the at least one pressure medium chamber (11) so that the patient support (1) adapts to the concave support surface (25) and / or lies over a large area on it.

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