System for detecting an object or accessory on medical tables

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for detecting an object or accessory placed on or attached to or moved on or removed from a patient-bearing apparatus, the system comprising: a surgical patient-bearing apparatus that can be used as part of an operating table; a load sensor assembly having at least one load sensor that outputs sensor values; a load-determining unit that determines a load and / or a centre of gravity of the load based on the sensor values, the load comprising a load acting on the load sensor assembly or a load acting on the patient-bearing apparatus; and a detection unit which receives the load determined by the load-determining unit and / or the centre of gravity of the load and which, when an object or accessory is placed on or attached to or moved on or removed from the patient-bearing apparatus, thereby changing the load determined by the load-determining unit and / or the centre of gravity of the load, determines therefrom the weight and / or the centre of gravity of the object or accessory.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AN OBJECT OR ACCESSORY ON MEDICAL TABLES

[0002] This application claims priority from German patent application No. 10 2022 108 635.6, filed with the German Patent and Trademark Office on April 8, 2022. The disclosure of German patent application No. 10 2022 108 635.6 is hereby incorporated into the disclosure of this application.

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The present disclosure relates to medical and surgical tables that can be expanded with accessories. In particular, it relates to systems that can detect and identify accessories and objects that are attached to or removed from medical tables.

[0005] Background of the Revelation

[0006] Operating tables are used to support a patient, for example, during a medical or surgical procedure. Operating tables can be expanded with accessories to ensure optimal patient positioning and to perform the procedure reliably. Accessories can be detachably attached to an operating table for various purposes. For example, they can be used to support specific body parts, such as the head, a leg, or an arm. Accessories can also serve other functions, such as instrument tables or IV drip holders that are attached to the side rails of the operating table.

[0007] By using various interchangeable accessories, a single operating table can be reconfigured in a variety of ways for different patients and medical procedures. However, this means that the size, shape, dimensions, weight, and strength of individual operating tables will vary at different times. To prevent tipping of the operating table or overloading of individual structural components or the entire operating table, it is important to know which accessories are attached to an operating table and where these accessories are located. Only once the configuration of the operating table is known can the limitations of the operating table be reliably determined.

[0008] Once the accessories of an operating table have been identified, information about individual accessories can be displayed to a user of the operating table, for example on a display.

[0009] Hospitals often have a variety of accessories that can be connected to different operating tables. To ensure smooth operations and to be able to identify and respond to potential scheduling conflicts, it's important to know where the individual accessories are located in the hospital and to which operating tables they are attached.

[0010] Often, the tracking and management of accessories in a hospital is done manually or using barcodes, making it difficult to locate lost accessories.

[0011] For certain operations, operating tables should be equipped with specific accessories to enable the desired procedure to be performed. It would be desirable to simplify the preparation of an operating table for a procedure and eliminate potential sources of error.

[0012] Document WO 2018222564 A1 discloses a patient support system comprising a platform for supporting a patient. The platform may include various removable attachments for supporting the patient from below, such as leg restraints, head restraints, lower body restraints, back restraints, and the like. The attachments are installed at the head or foot end of the platform, e.g., using a pin or a plug / socket connection. RFID technology may be used at the interfaces between the platform and the removable attachments. The RFID tags and readers may facilitate recognition and communication between the supports and the operating table. WO 2018222564 A1 does not disclose a system, as disclosed here, that detects a change in load and / or center of gravity caused by the attachment of attachments and can determine the weight and / or center of gravity of the attachment therefrom.Furthermore, the combination of proximity sensors with the measurement of weight and center of gravity changes when adding attachments to the operating table is not taught. WO 2018222564 A1 only detects attachments that are connected directly to an RFID reader on the operating table. Attachments at other locations cannot be detected. Furthermore, only attachments that extend the platform at the ends of the table can be detected. Detection of attachments attached to a side rail is not possible.

[0013] Summary of Revelation

[0014] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system that is advantageously designed to detect and in particular to identify an object or accessory that is placed on or attached to a patient support device or that has been moved on or removed from the patient support device.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to determine the weight and / or center of gravity of the object or accessory.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided which serves for the detection and, in particular, identification of an accessory or an object that has been placed on a patient support device, fastened thereto, or moved or displaced thereon, or removed from the patient support device. The system can comprise a surgical patient support device, a load sensor arrangement with at least one load sensor, a load determination unit, and a detection unit. The patient support device can be used as part of an operating table and can serve for supporting a patient, for example, during a surgical procedure. Furthermore, the patient support device can serve for the attachment of accessories. The patient support device can be modular and have a main support surface section that can be expanded by coupling various secondary support surface sections.The secondary sections of the support surface can be considered accessories. The main support surface section and the secondary sections can have mechanical connecting elements that allow the main and secondary sections to be detachably connected. Secondary sections can be leg, foot, or head sections, for example. Furthermore, secondary sections can also be extension or intermediate sections, which are inserted, for example, between the main support surface section and the head section.

[0017] In some embodiments, the patient support device can be permanently connected to a column of an operating table. The operating table can be movable. A base of the operating table can have wheels or casters that allow the operating table to be moved across the floor. Alternatively, the base can be firmly anchored to the floor.

[0018] In some embodiments, the patient support device can be designed such that it can be detachably connected to a movable surgical patient transporter and a column of an operating table. Before a surgical procedure, the patient support device can be mounted on the patient transporter. The patient can be transported to the operating table using the patient transporter. There, the patient support device can be attached to the operating table column and decoupled from the patient transporter. Much of the preparation for the surgical procedure can be carried out while the patient support device is mounted on the patient transporter. For example, the patient support device can be assembled from individual segments and accessories, and the patient can be prepared for the surgical procedure.Only when the preparations are complete can the patient support device be attached to the operating table column. The load sensor arrangement can have one or more load sensors. A single load sensor may be sufficient if only the load is to be determined. If, alternatively or additionally, the center of gravity of the load is to be determined, the load sensor arrangement can contain multiple load sensors, for example two, two or more, three, three or more, or four load sensors or even additional load sensors. If a 6D force measuring sensor is used, the center of gravity can also be calculated using a single sensor. The at least one load sensor can output sensor values ​​from which a load acting on the load sensor arrangement and, in addition, a load acting on the patient support device can be determined. The load acting on the load sensor arrangement can, in particular, include all external force variables, ieForces and moments acting on the load sensor assembly.

[0019] The load sensors can, for example, be force sensors, in particular load cells, each of which measures a force acting on the respective sensor. The force sensors can each output an electrical signal, for example, an electrical voltage, from which the respective measured force can be derived. Furthermore, it can also be provided that the force sensors each output the specific magnitude of the force they measure, for example, in digital form, as a sensor value.

[0020] It is also conceivable that the load sensor arrangement determines a resulting total force from the sensor values ​​of several load sensors, whereby the resulting total force results from the individual forces acting on the different force sensors.

[0021] The load acting on the load sensor arrangement includes, for example, the load caused by the components of the operating table arranged above the load sensor arrangement, as well as the load caused by the patient supported on the patient support device or other objects located on the patient support device. Furthermore, a person can also cause a load on the patient support device, for example by the person standing next to the operating table and leaning on the patient support device with a hand or another body part. In addition, other external forces can create a load on the patient support device. Such loads can also be measured by the load sensor arrangement. In some embodiments, the load sensor arrangement can be arranged at different positions in the operating table.For example, the load sensor assembly can be integrated into the column of the operating table or into the patient support device. Furthermore, the load sensor assembly can be arranged at or adjacent to interfaces formed by the column with the patient support device or the support base (or base). Thus, the load sensor assembly can be arranged, for example, between the patient support device and the column. Alternatively, the load sensor assembly can be arranged, for example, between the column and the support base.

[0022] In some embodiments, the load sensor arrangement may be integrated into the patient transporter.

[0023] The load sensor assembly can be integrated into the operating table or patient transporter in such a way that the entire load flows or is transmitted through the load sensor assembly. In particular, the load generated above the load sensor assembly can flow or be transmitted through the load sensor assembly.

[0024] The load determination unit can be coupled to the load sensor arrangement and receive the sensor values ​​output by the one or more load sensors. Based on the sensor values, the load determination unit can determine a load and / or a center of gravity of the load in a predetermined coordinate system. In other words, the load determination unit determines either only the load or only the center of gravity of the load, or both the load and the center of gravity of the load. The load can comprise a load acting on the load sensor arrangement or a load acting on the patient support device. In some embodiments, the load determined by the load determination unit can be a load acting on the load sensor arrangement or a load acting on the patient support device, or a total load of the operating table or a total load of the patient transporter on which the patient support device is mounted.The load center of gravity can be specified relative to a defined point on the patient support device or operating table. Furthermore, the load center of gravity can also be specified in a coordinate system that may not be related to the patient support device or operating table, but whose origin is fixed at an external point, for example, a defined point in the operating room. This allows the absolute position of the load center of gravity to be specified.

[0025] The load acting on the load sensor array can also be referred to as the measured load. The measured load corresponds to the load generated by all people, objects, and forces on the operating table or patient transporter above the load sensors. The measured load corresponds to the load value measured by the load sensor array.

[0026] The load acting on the patient support device can be referred to as the effective load and corresponds to the load caused by components not assigned to the patient support device, the operating table or the patient transporter, as well as people and external forces, which act on the patient support device. Components assigned to the patient support device can be components that are detected by a detection system, e.g. table surface sections or segments and / or other accessories. The influence of components assigned to the patient support device, the operating table or the patient transporter is not taken into account in the effective load. Only the other components contribute to the effective load, i.e. the components not assigned to the patient support device, the operating table or the patient transporter.These could be, for example, accessories not detected by the detection system or other objects placed on the patient support device. Furthermore, the patient lying on the patient support device contributes to the effective load. All external forces acting on the patient support device, such as those exerted by people and / or objects outside the patient support device, also contribute to the effective load.

[0027] If the patient support device is mounted on the column of the operating table or the patient transporter, the total load of the operating table or the patient transporter can also be determined. The total load of the operating table or the patient transporter is the load resulting from the measured load and from a load caused by components assigned to the operating table or the patient transporter and located below the load sensor arrangement. The total load therefore takes into account loads from components located below the load sensor arrangement that cannot be measured by the load sensor arrangement and therefore do not contribute to the measured load. The total load is therefore the load resulting from the entire operating table or patient transporter, the patient, the components assigned to the operating table or the patient transporter, the operating table or the patient transporter, and the loads exerted on the operating table or the patient transporter.Patient transporter unassigned components and other external forces.

[0028] The detection unit can be coupled to the load determination unit and can receive the variables determined by the load determination unit, i.e., the load and / or the load center of gravity. If an object or accessory is placed on the patient support device, attached to the patient support device, or moved on or removed from the patient support device, the load and / or the load center of gravity determined by the load determination unit change. The movement of an object or accessory on the patient support device means that the object or accessory is already on the patient support device and is moved, i.e., its position on the patient support device is changed. The detection unit can be designed such that it determines the weight and / or the load center of gravity of the corresponding object or accessory from a change in the load and / or the load center of gravity.The center of gravity determined by the detection unit can be the center of gravity that the object or accessory has at the time it is located on or attached to the patient support device. If the object or accessory is moved or shifted on the patient support device, the detection unit can determine the center of gravity of the object or accessory before and / or after the movement or shift. The measured load, effective load and / or total load can in particular remain constant during the movement or shift of an object or accessory on the patient support device. If the object or accessory is removed from the patient support device, the center of gravity determined by the detection unit is therefore the center of gravity that the object or accessory had before it was removed from the patient support device.The detection unit makes it possible to detect an object or accessory that has been added to, moved onto, or removed from the patient support device, and also to determine its weight and center of gravity. Using this information, it is possible to determine which accessories are connected to the patient support device, i.e., which configuration the patient support device is in. This can be done automatically; there is no need to manually enter the configuration into an input unit to inform the system accordingly. Only if the configuration of the patient support device is known can the limits of the operating table or patient transporter be reliably specified, thus preventing the operating table or patient transporter from tipping over or overloading individual structural components or the entire operating table or patient transporter.

[0029] Furthermore, information about the detected configuration of the patient support device can be provided to the user. For example, the configuration can be shown to the user on a display. Information about individual accessories can also be shown on the display.

[0030] Furthermore, information about which objects and accessories are attached to the patient support device and which have been removed can be stored in a central database. In hospitals, this makes it easier to track and manage accessories, especially when the objects and accessories are used for multiple operating tables. The central database can provide information about the location of each object and accessory. In particular, the central database can show which objects and accessories are attached to the various patient support devices and operating tables, and which objects and accessories are not in use and are stored, for example, in a storage room.

[0031] A hospital's central database can also store data on the use of individual objects and accessories. For example, it can document when and / or during which operation the respective objects and accessories were used. Such documentation can help ensure proper maintenance of the objects and accessories. Furthermore, it can be determined whether certain objects and accessories should be purchased again because they are not available in sufficient quantities.

[0032] Furthermore, a central database facilitates surgical planning. Using the central database, for example, existing objects and accessories can be reserved for planned surgeries, ensuring that the required objects and accessories are available for the planned operations. Furthermore, such a reservation system can also detect whether certain objects and accessories are not available in sufficient quantities to perform the desired operations.

[0033] Furthermore, a register or catalog can be created in which the respective configuration of the operating table is noted for each type of operation, i.e. which objects and accessories are required for a specific operation. For example, the operating table may be configured differently for an operation on a patient's arm than for one that is to be operated on the hip. Furthermore, the register can also list specifications for individual surgeons performing the procedures. Each surgeon may have individual wishes regarding the configuration of the operating table. For example, an operating table may be set up differently for a left-handed surgeon than for a right-handed surgeon.

[0034] The system described here can assist a user in assembling a desired operating table configuration. For example, the system can access the register and, with the help of the detection unit, determine which objects or accessories have been added to or removed from the patient support device. A user whose task it is to assemble the operating table in the desired configuration can, for example, be informed on a display about which objects and / or accessories still need to be attached to or removed from the patient support device. Furthermore, the user can also be alerted if an object or accessory is attached in the wrong place on the operating table. Once an operating table is equipped with all the required objects and accessories, the user can be informed that the operating table is ready for the intended operation.

[0035] The load determination unit and / or the detection unit can either be integrated into the operating table or the patient transporter or be located outside the operating table or patient transporter. For example, the load determination unit and / or the detection unit can be integrated into a computing unit located outside the operating table or patient transporter and connected to the operating table or patient transporter, for example, via radio or fixed cabling.

[0036] As described above, the patient support device can be modular and have a main support surface section that can be expanded by coupling various secondary support surface sections or other accessories. Each secondary support surface section can be an intermediate or an end section. An intermediate section can have interfaces on two sides for connecting to the main support surface section, another secondary support surface section, or another accessory. Connecting elements for detachable mechanical connection to the main support surface section or another accessory can be provided at the interfaces. An end section can have a connecting element on only one side for detachable mechanical connection to the main support surface section or another accessory, in particular an intermediate section. The patient support device can have a head end and a foot end.In some embodiments, the head and foot ends can be variable depending on the type and position of the extensions and can be automatically determined based on which extensions are added on different sides of the main bed section. For example, based on where headrest and legrest sections are added and detected. The mechanical connectors can create a strong and resilient connection between the bed sections and accessories.

[0037] In some embodiments, the connecting elements can be configured as male or female plug-in assemblies, wherein the male assemblies attached to one bearing surface section can be plugged into complementary receiving openings of the female assemblies on another bearing surface section or accessory. The male assemblies can be, for example, pins, studs, or plug assemblies, and the female assemblies can have a complementary configuration, such as a socket assembly, a concave space, or an empty interior. Alternatively, hooking, clamping, or locking connections can also be used.

[0038] Locking elements, which are arranged in particular in the male assemblies, can be moved between a release position and a locking position and secure the mechanical connection of two segments against unintentional separation.

[0039] In some embodiments, exactly two male assemblies and exactly two complementary female assemblies can be provided for the connection between two bearing surface sections or accessories, with the two male assemblies being attached to one bearing surface section / accessory and the two female assemblies being arranged on the other bearing surface section / accessory. A different number of male and female assemblies for establishing the connection between two bearing surface sections or accessories is also conceivable.

[0040] The accessories that can be attached to the patient support device using the connectors described above represent one group of accessories. Another group of accessories can be detachably connected to one of the side rails, also called sliding rails, which can be attached to either side of the patient support device. The side rails can also be attached to the head and foot ends. For example, head and / or leg plates can also be equipped with side / sliding rails at the ends.

[0041] Another group of accessories can be attached to the patient support device using adapters. The adapters, in turn, can be connected to the connecting elements or the slide rails. There is also a group of accessories that are not permanently attached to the patient support device, but can only be placed or supported on it. For example, gel cushions, on which the patient's head or other body part can be rested, belong to this group of accessories.

[0042] We've already described accessories used to support the body, for example, the back, head, arms, feet, or legs. However, accessories can also be used for a variety of other purposes. Some examples are listed below:

[0043] - Anesthesia sheets for holding surgical drapes,

[0044] - Tube holders for fixing a ventilation tube,

[0045] - Side protection walls to secure the patient during transport on the patient support device,

[0046] - Infusion holder,

[0047] - Flushing sets for collecting and draining liquids,

[0048] - Catheter racks for storing catheters during surgery,

[0049] - Instrument tables for storing instruments during surgery,

[0050] - Trays for dirty instruments,

[0051] - Trays for collecting surgical waste,

[0052] - Push handles for moving operating tables,

[0053] - Devices for controlling the flow of liquids, and

[0054] - Adjustable arm or hand supports for positioning the arms or hands during surgery, which can be attached to the side rails.

[0055] The system described here can detect other objects in addition to accessories when the objects are placed or stored on the patient support device. There are a variety of different objects that the system can detect. Examples of these objects are listed below:

[0056] Urine collection bag and the corresponding scale,

[0057] Infusion and saline solutions, which can be suspended in particular from an infusion holder, - infusion pumps,

[0058] - surgical drapes, which can be hung on an anesthesia arch or other supports,

[0059] - Assistive devices, such as lung support devices,

[0060] - Instruments that can be stored, in particular, on an instrument table,

[0061] - dirty instruments, which can be placed in a tray for dirty instruments,

[0062] - X-ray image cassettes, which can be pushed under the patient and the patient support device on some operating tables, and

[0063] - Radiation protection curtains.

[0064] In some embodiments, the load determination unit can determine the load and / or the load center of gravity before and after an object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, or moved onto or removed from the patient support device. The detection unit can compare the loads and / or the load centers determined by the load determination unit before and after the object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, or moved onto or removed from the patient support device. From the comparison of both states, the detection unit can determine the weight and / or the center of gravity of the object or accessory.

[0065] In some embodiments, the system can have a first storage unit in which weight information for predetermined objects and / or accessories is stored. The detection unit can have access to the first storage unit and compare the weight of the object or accessory determined by it with the weight information stored in the first storage unit. By comparing the weights, the detection unit can determine which at least one object or accessory may have been placed on the operating table, attached to it, moved on it, or removed from it. If two or more accessories or objects have the same or a similar weight, the detection unit cannot distinguish between these accessories and objects if the weight is used exclusively to detect the accessories and objects.In this case, all accessories or objects stored in the first storage unit that have the same or a similar weight are possible candidates to be detected by the detection unit.

[0066] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the patient support device, and in particular at least a portion of the surroundings of the patient support device, can be virtually divided into multiple regions. For example, the patient support device and its immediate surroundings can be divided into one or two side regions, a foot region, a head region, and optionally further regions. A second memory unit of the system can store region information indicating the regions in which predefined objects and / or accessories are arranged. For example, a head plate can be assigned to the head region, and an arm support can be assigned to the side region(s).Since the detection unit knows the center of gravity of the added or removed object or accessory, the detection unit can compare the center of gravity with the range information and, based on the comparison, determine which at least one object or accessory may have been placed on or attached to the patient support device, or moved on or removed from it.

[0067] Comparing the center of gravity with the data stored in the second storage unit can further improve the detection of the desired object or accessory. For example, if two or more possible candidates were identified when comparing the weight determined by the detection unit with the weight information stored in the first storage unit, one or more of these candidates may be excluded by comparing the center of gravity with the data stored in the second storage unit, since these objects or accessories are not assigned to the area detected by the detection unit.

[0068] If the system has both the first and second storage units, both storage units can be configured as a common storage unit. In some embodiments, at least some of the objects and / or accessories can each have a proximity tag, also called a proximity sensor. The proximity tags emit a respective identification code. The identification code of each proximity tag can be unique, so that the respective object and / or accessory can be precisely identified using the identification code. Furthermore, the system can have a reading unit that receives the identification codes emitted by the proximity tags. This enables the detection unit to precisely determine which objects or accessories are in the vicinity of the patient support device based on the identification codes received by the reading unit.In addition to the weight and / or load center of gravity determined by the detection unit, the received identification code can be used as a further criterion to determine which object or accessory has been attached to or removed from the patient support device. The reading unit can be integrated into the patient support device, the operating table, or the patient transporter. In some embodiments, the reading unit is capable of detecting proximity tags from objects and accessories that are not in the immediate vicinity of the reading unit. For example, the reading unit can be capable of identifying proximity tags that are at least 0.5 m or at least 1 m away from the reading unit.

[0069] In some embodiments, not all objects and accessories, but only some of them, may be equipped with a respective proximity tag. It may also be provided that none of the objects have a proximity tag. Furthermore, it is conceivable that all accessories are equipped with a proximity tag.

[0070] There are many known technologies that can be used for proximity tags. For example, the proximity tags and the reading unit can be configured with one of the following technologies: passive RFID proximity tags (radio-frequency identification) on the objects and / or accessories and an active RFID scanner built into the operating table as the reading unit; active (battery-operated) ultrasonic proximity tags on the objects and / or accessories and an ultrasonic microphone built into the operating table as the reading unit;

[0071] - active (battery-operated) Wi-Fi proximity tags on the objects and / or accessories and a Wi-Fi receiver built into the operating table as a reading unit,

[0072] - active (battery-operated) infrared transmitters on the objects and / or accessories and an infrared receiver built into the operating table as a reading unit, and

[0073] - active (battery-operated) Bluetooth low-energy proximity tags on the objects and / or accessories and a Bluetooth scanner module built into the operating table as a reading unit.

[0074] Preferably, in the system described here, the transmission of the identification codes from the proximity tags to the reading unit is based on the Bluetooth standard.

[0075] Often, the proximity tag emits a periodic signal that can be read by the reader. The fact that the reader receives the signal indicates that the object or accessory is at least within range of the signal.

[0076] Furthermore, the actual strength of the observed signal can be used to estimate the distance between the patient support device and the proximity tag. In some embodiments, the detection unit can determine whether the corresponding object or accessory is in the vicinity of the patient support device based on the signal strength with which the reading unit receives the identification code.

[0077] Furthermore, a threshold for the signal strength can be specified. If the signal strength received by the reading unit exceeds the threshold, the detection unit can determine that the corresponding object or accessory is located near the patient support device.

[0078] In some embodiments, various conditions or criteria are used to determine whether an object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, or moved onto or removed from the patient support device. According to a first condition, the detection unit determines that the corresponding object or accessory is in the vicinity of the patient support device, for example, by the reading unit receiving the identification code of the corresponding proximity tag. According to a second condition, it is required that the weight of the corresponding object or accessory determined by the detection unit lies within a predetermined range around the weight information for this object or accessory stored in the first storage unit. The predetermined range can be selected such that any measurement inaccuracies are compensated for.According to a third condition, the center of gravity of the corresponding object or accessory determined by the detection unit should lie within a range provided for this object or accessory and stored in the second storage unit.

[0079] The first to third conditions can be combined in any way. For example, the detection unit can be configured to use only two of the three conditions, i.e., either the first and second conditions, or the first and third conditions, or the second and third conditions. However, the detection unit can also be configured to use all three conditions. Only if the selected conditions are met can it be determined that an object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, or moved onto or removed from the patient support device.

[0080] A further, fourth condition may involve examining the movement of an object or accessory. Only if an object or accessory is moving or has recently moved can it be added to or removed from the patient support device. In some embodiments, at least some of the objects and / or accessories may each have a motion detector that detects movement of the respective object or accessory. Information about the movement state of the object or accessory may be transmitted to the detection unit, which can then use this information to detect the object or accessory.In some embodiments, the motion sensor may transmit information about the motion state of the respective object or accessory to the proximity tag, and the proximity tag may transmit this information, which may then be received by the reading unit and forwarded to the detection unit.

[0081] In some embodiments, the motion detector and / or the detection unit can have a memory function that stores the movements of the respective object or accessory for a predetermined period of time. This is advantageous because not only one point in time is considered, but rather it can be examined over the predetermined period of time to determine whether the object or accessory has moved. The predetermined period of time can be selected to allow reliable detection of the object or accessory. The predetermined period of time can be a few seconds, for example, 5 or 10 seconds, or another suitable period of time.

[0082] In some embodiments, the detection unit can determine that an object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device, or moved on or removed from the patient support device, if the detection unit receives from the reading unit the identification code of the corresponding object or accessory and additionally the information that the corresponding object or accessory has moved or has recently moved, and the load determination unit also determines that the load and / or the load center of gravity have changed.

[0083] The above system can be further developed by one or more conditions that must be met in order for the detection unit to determine that an object or accessory has been placed on the operating table, attached to it, or moved on it, or removed from it. In some embodiments, the condition can be added that the weight of the corresponding object or accessory determined by the detection unit lies within the predetermined range around the weight information for this object or accessory stored in the first storage unit. In some embodiments, in addition to or alternatively to the aforementioned condition, the condition can be set that the center of gravity of the corresponding object or accessory determined by the detection unit lies within a range provided for this object or accessory and stored in the second storage unit.

[0084] Operating tables, patient transporters, and their patient support devices, or parts thereof, can often be switched from an active mode to a standby mode when not needed to save energy. In some embodiments, the load and / or the determined load center of gravity determined by the load determination unit can be stored before switching to the standby mode. Immediately after returning from the standby mode to the active mode, the load determination unit can redetermine the load and / or the load center of gravity. The detection unit can compare the determined loads and / or load centers before and after operation in the standby mode.Based on the comparison (if only the loads or only the load centers were compared) or the comparisons (if both the loads and the load centers were compared), the detection unit can determine whether an object or accessory was placed on or attached to the patient support device, or moved on or removed from it while the operating table or patient transporter was operating in standby mode.

[0085] In some embodiments, the patient support device can include a touch and / or motion sensor arrangement that can detect touch and / or movement of the patient support device. The touch and / or motion sensor arrangement can also be configured to detect touch and / or movement not only of the patient support device, but of the entire operating table or patient transporter. If touch and / or movement of the patient support device or the operating table or patient transporter is detected during the standby mode, the touch and / or motion sensor arrangement can cause the patient support device or the operating table or patient transporter to return to the active mode. The touch and / or motion sensor arrangement can include, for example, a capacitive sensor and / or an accelerometer.The load sensors can also be used to detect touch and / or movement of the patient support device. The touch and / or motion sensor array can communicate with the load sensors. If a force is detected acting on one or more load sensors during standby mode, this is communicated to the touch and / or motion sensor array so that it can initiate a return to active mode.

[0086] If at least some of the objects and / or accessories are additionally equipped with a motion detector with a memory function that stores the movements of the respective object or accessory for a specified period of time, in addition to the current movements, movements that were completed some time ago can also be reported to the detection unit. This is advantageous when returning from standby mode to active mode, as the detection unit is then also informed about movements of objects or accessories that were already completed before the standby mode was ended and that may have caused the operating table or patient transporter to wake up.

[0087] In some embodiments, at least some of the objects and / or accessories may additionally have an accelerometer. When the object and / or accessory is attached to the patient support device, for example, to a side rail, the accelerometer measures a vibration, i.e., an acceleration. If an accelerometer is also integrated into the patient support device or another component of the operating table, this accelerometer should also measure a vibration caused by the attachment of the object and / or accessory. Corresponding information can be sent to the detection unit from the accelerometer of the object and / or accessory and the accelerometer of the patient support device or the operating table.The detection unit can evaluate this information and determine that an object and / or accessory may have been attached to the patient support device if both accelerometers have detected corresponding accelerations, in particular simultaneously. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for detecting an object or accessory placed on a patient support device, attached to the patient support device, moved on the patient support device, or removed from the patient support device. The patient support device can be a surgical patient support device usable as part of an operating table. A load sensor arrangement having at least one load sensor that outputs sensor values ​​can be provided.Based on the sensor values, a load and / or a center of gravity of the load can be determined, wherein the load includes a load acting on the load sensor assembly or a load acting on the patient support device. If an object or accessory is placed on the patient support device, attached to the patient support device, moved on the patient support device, or removed from the patient support device, thereby changing the determined load and / or the determined center of gravity of the load, the weight and / or center of gravity of the object or accessory can be determined.

[0088] The method according to the second aspect may have all configurations described in the present disclosure in connection with the system according to the first aspect.

[0089] The present disclosure also includes circuits and / or electronic instructions for controlling operating tables, as well as remote controls, displays, and user interfaces for use with operating tables.

[0090] Short description of the drawings

[0091] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an operating table according to the disclosure with a patient positioned on a patient support device of the operating table;

[0092] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the system architecture of a system according to the disclosure;

[0093] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an operating table according to the disclosure to illustrate the measuring load, the effective load and the total load;

[0094] Figs. 4A to 4C are schematic representations of various embodiments of an operating table according to the disclosure with a load sensor arrangement in various positions;

[0095] Fig. 5A to 5D are schematic representations of various embodiments of an operating table according to the disclosure with force sensors arranged parallel and mirror-symmetrically;

[0096] Figs. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the forces acting on the force sensors;

[0097] Fig. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating the reduction of transverse forces due to the symmetrical arrangement of the force sensors;

[0098] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of the

[0099] Gravitational vector in an inclined patient support device;

[0100] Figs. 9A to 9F are schematic representations of a patient support device according to the disclosure, with an object placed thereon and an accessory attached thereto; Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a patient support device according to the disclosure, with a subdivision of the patient support device and its surroundings into different areas;

[0101] Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of two operating rooms and a storage room, as well as objects and accessories that transmit identification codes via radio;

[0102] Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of an operating room with an operating table and objects and accessories that are not connected to or placed on the operating table; and

[0103] Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of the operating room from Fig. 12, after a

[0104] Accessory attached to the operating table.

[0105] Detailed character description

[0106] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, but are intended merely to schematically illustrate the respective features.

[0107] It should be noted that the features and components described below can be combined with each other, regardless of whether they were described in connection with a single embodiment. The combination of features in the respective embodiments serves merely to illustrate the basic structure and functionality of the claimed device.

[0108] In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals where appropriate. Fig. 1 schematically shows a mobile operating table 10 which can be used for supporting a patient 12 during a surgical procedure and for transporting the patient. The mobile operating table 10 comprises, from bottom to top, a base 14 for placing the operating table 10 on a surface, a vertically arranged operating table column 16 comprising the base 14, and a patient support device 18 fastened to an upper end of the operating table column 16. The patient support device 18 can be firmly connected to the operating table column 16 or, alternatively, can be detachably fastened to the operating table column 16.

[0109] The patient support device 18 is modular and serves to support the patient 12. The patient support device 18 comprises a main support surface section 20 connected to the operating table column 16, which can be expanded as desired by coupling various auxiliary support surface sections. The patient support device 18 can be designed as a tabletop of a surgical table or the operating table 10. In Fig. 1, a leg section 22, a shoulder section 24, and a head section 26 are coupled to the main support surface section 20 as auxiliary support surface sections.

[0110] The patient support device 18 of the operating table 10 can be adjusted to a suitable height and can be tilted or canted depending on the type of surgical procedure to be performed.

[0111] The operating table column 16 is height-adjustable and has an internal mechanism for adjusting the height of the patient support device 18 of the operating table 10. The mechanism is arranged in a housing 28, which protects the components from contamination.

[0112] The base 14 has two sections 30, 32 of different lengths. Section 30 is a short section associated with a foot end of the leg section 22, i.e., the end of the patient support device 18 on which the feet of the patient 12 to be treated rest. Section 32 is a long section associated with the head section 26 of the patient support device 18. Furthermore, the base 14 can have wheels or rollers with which the operating table 10 can be moved on the floor. Alternatively, the base 14 can be firmly anchored to the floor.

[0113] Side rails 34 are attached to both sides of the patient support device 18. Accessories can be removably attached to the side rails 34.

[0114] For better illustration, a Cartesian coordinate system XYZ is shown in Fig. 1. The X-axis and Y-axis are the horizontal axes, and the Z-axis is the vertical axis. The X-axis extends along the adjacent bearing surface sections 22, 24, and 26.

[0115] Fig. 2 schematically shows the system architecture of a system 100 according to the disclosure. The system 100 is a system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and can be operated with a method according to the second aspect.

[0116] In addition to an operating table 10 as shown in Fig. 1, the system 100 includes a load sensor assembly 102, a load determination unit 104, a safety unit 106, a monitoring and calibration unit 108, a data storage unit 110, and other components 112 of the operating table system 100. Furthermore, the safety unit 106 includes a tip-prevention unit 113, an overload protection unit 114, a detection unit 115, a storage unit 116, and a storage unit 117. The storage units 116 and 117 can also be configured as a shared storage unit. Furthermore, the system 100 includes a reading unit 118 and a touch and / or motion sensor assembly 119.

[0117] The load sensor assembly 102 contains one or more load sensors and is configured to measure at least one variable from which a load acting on the load sensor assembly 102 can be determined. In this case, the load sensors are force sensors, each measuring a force acting on the respective sensor. The sensor or force values ​​measured by the individual force sensors are output by the load sensor assembly 102 as a signal 120 in digital form. Furthermore, the load sensor assembly 102 contains electronic components required for the operation of the force sensors.

[0118] The load determination unit 104 receives the signal 120 with the measured sensor or force values ​​and uses this to determine a load and / or a center of gravity of the load. The load determination unit 104 can determine a measured load, an effective load, and / or a total load as the load.

[0119] In order to adequately process and analyze the supplied force values, the load determination unit 104 requires some data on the geometry and masses or weights of the operating table 10 and the accessories. This data is stored in the data storage unit 110 and is made available to the load determination unit 104 via a signal 122. In particular, information on the masses and centers of gravity of the individual components of the operating table 10 and the accessories can be extracted from this data. The data storage unit 110 can be expanded via a connectivity module of the operating table 10.

[0120] The load determination unit 104 generates a signal 124 as an output signal, which contains information about the determined loads and / or load centers. This information is transmitted to both the safety unit 106 and the monitoring and calibration unit 108.

[0121] The safety unit 106 analyzes all available data, including the loads, centers of gravity, and position data of the operating table 10 and the accessories detected by the operating table 10. The safety unit 106 decides whether the operating table 10 is safe or whether it is in a dangerous situation. The safety unit 106 generates a safety signal 126 indicating whether the operating table 10 is in a safety-critical state.

[0122] Depending on the severity of the detected situation, the algorithm reacts accordingly. For example, the operating table 10 can either simply issue a warning or stop the movement. The warnings can be issued via an acoustic or visual signal from the operating table 10 or in text form via the remote control. The measures can vary from slowing the movement speed to stopping the movement to blocking certain functionalities, and can continue until a state is reached in which the operating table 10 is safe again.

[0123] It may be provided that the safety functions can be deactivated by the user at any time and the movement of the operating table 10 can be continued at the user's own risk.

[0124] The tipping prevention unit 113 and the overload protection unit 114 are subunits of the safety unit 106. The tipping prevention unit 113 generates a tipping safety signal 128 based on the total load and / or the center of gravity of the total load, which indicates whether there is a risk of the operating table 10 tipping over. The overload protection unit 114 generates an overload protection signal 130 based on the effective load and / or the center of gravity of the effective load, which indicates whether there is an overload risk for the operating table 10 and / or at least one component of the operating table 10. Alternatively, the overload protection unit 114 can use the measured load or the total load and / or the center of gravity of one of these loads to generate the overload protection signal 130. Both the tipping safety signal 128 and the overload protection signal 130 are safety signals of the safety unit 106.

[0125] If the base 14 does not have wheels or casters and is instead rigidly connected to the floor, the anti-tip unit 113 may be deactivated or not implemented in the safety unit 106.

[0126] The detection unit 115 receives the loads and / or load centers determined by the load determination unit 104. When an object or accessory is placed on the patient support device 18, attached to the patient support device 18, moved on the patient support device 18, or removed from the patient support device 18, the load and / or load center determined by the load determination unit 104 change. Based on this change, the detection unit 115 can determine the weight and / or center of gravity of the object or accessory. Adding or removing an object or accessory from the patient support device 18 changes the configuration of the patient support device 18. The load limits of the operating table 10 can be adjusted if the configuration changes.The tipping prevention unit 113 and the overload protection unit 114 can incorporate the changed configuration into the estimation of the tipping risk or the overload risk.

[0127] Since the system 100 is designed to reliably detect critical situations, the system 100 also includes a monitoring and calibration unit 108. This software module checks the plausibility of the measured values ​​and detects whether the system is malfunctioning or whether calibration or taring of the system 100 is necessary. The monitoring and calibration unit 108 generates corresponding output signals 132, 134, which are transmitted to the load determination unit 104 and the components 112 of the operating table 10, respectively.

[0128] The components 112 of the operating table 10 continuously generate position data, data for setting individual components, and information about the accessories detected by the operating table 10. This data is provided to the system 100 via a signal 136.

[0129] The reading unit 118 and the touch and / or motion sensor arrangement 119 are integrated into the operating table 10. The reading unit 118 can receive radio signals, which are particularly emitted by proximity tags attached to objects or accessories. The reading unit 118 can provide the received data 118 to the detection unit 115 via a signal 138.

[0130] The touch and / or motion sensor arrangement 119 can determine whether the patient support device 18 is being touched or moved. If a touch or movement of the patient support device 18 is detected, the touch and / or motion sensor arrangement 119 can transmit a signal 139 to the detection unit 115. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the various loads that the load determination unit 104 can determine based on the data supplied by the load sensor unit 102. In Fig. 3, the measured load, the effective load, and the total load are identified by reference numerals 140, 142, and 144, respectively. For each of these loads, the load determination unit 104 can determine the position of the associated load center of gravity.

[0131] The measured load is the load acting on the load sensor assembly 102. The measured load corresponds to the load generated by all persons, objects, and forces on the operating table 10 above the load sensors. The measured load corresponds to the load value measured by the load sensor assembly 102.

[0132] The effective load corresponds to the load caused by components not assigned to the patient support device 18 or the operating table 10, as well as persons and external forces, and which the patient support device 18 acts on the operating table. The influence of the components assigned to the patient support device 18 and detected accessories is not taken into account in the effective load. Only the remaining components of the patient support device 18 contribute to the effective load, i.e., the components not assigned to the patient support device 18. These can be, for example, accessories that are not detected by the operating table 10. Furthermore, the patient lying on the patient support device 18 contributes to the effective load.The effective load also includes all external forces acting on the patient support device 18, for example, forces exerted on the patient support device 18 by persons and / or objects outside the operating table 10. The effective load is essentially the measured load without the influence of known objects such as tabletop parts, detected accessories, etc.

[0133] The total load is the load resulting from the measured load and from a load caused by components assigned to the operating table 10 and located below the load sensor arrangement 102. The total load therefore takes into account loads from components located below the load sensor arrangement 102 that cannot be measured by the load sensor arrangement 102 and therefore do not contribute to the measured load. The total load is therefore the load resulting from the entire operating table 10, the patient, the components assigned to the operating table 10, the components not assigned to the operating table 10, and other external forces.

[0134] Fig. 4A to 4C schematically show the operating table 10 according to the disclosure in various embodiments.

[0135] In the operating table 10, the load sensor arrangement 102 with the plurality of load sensors is arranged between at least two parts of the operating table 10. The at least two parts can, in particular, be substantially immobile relative to one another. In this embodiment, the at least two parts substantially do not move relative to one another, i.e., they remain substantially in the same position relative to one another when the operating table 10, in particular the patient support device 18, is adjusted during operation, e.g., when tilting and / or edging and / or extending the patient support device 18. This applies both to the distance between the at least two parts and to the angle(s) that the at least two parts form with one another.

[0136] The load sensor arrangement 102 is preferably integrated into the operating table 10 in such a way that the entire load above the load sensors flows or is transmitted through the load sensor arrangement 102.

[0137] The load sensor assembly 102 can be arranged at different positions in the operating table 10. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4A, the load sensor assembly 102 is arranged between the base 14 and the operating table column 16, while in Fig. 4B the load sensor assembly 102 is integrated into the operating table column 16. In Fig. 4C, the load sensor assembly 102 is located adjacent to the interface between the patient support device 18 and the operating table column 16.

[0138] Fig. 5A shows the operating table 10 with a load sensor assembly 102 arranged between the patient support device 18 and the operating table column 16. The load sensor assembly 102 contains four identical force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b, which are arranged parallel and mirror-inverted to one another. Two different variants for the placement of the force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b are illustrated in Figs. 5B and 5C. Figs. 5B and 5C each show a top view of the load sensor assembly 102 along a line AA, which is indicated in Fig. 5A.

[0139] For the alignment of the force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2c, a first axis 210 and a second axis 212 are provided, which are perpendicular to each other. The first axis 210 extends parallel to a main axis of the patient support device 18, while the second axis 212 extends perpendicular to this main axis but parallel to the patient support device 18.

[0140] The force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2c each have a main axis, which in Fig. 5B is aligned parallel to the first axis 210. In Fig. 5C, the main axes of the force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b are aligned parallel to the second axis 212. Furthermore, the force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b are each arranged in pairs with mirror symmetry to the axes 210, 212. The pairs (1a, 1b), (1a, 2a), (1b, 2b), and (2a, 2b) each form a mirror-symmetric force sensor pair. In some embodiments, the force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b are arranged in a 2 x 2 grid as shown. In some embodiments, the grid arrangement has at least two force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b on each side. In some embodiments, the force sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b all lie in a single common plane intersected by both the first axis 210 and the second axis 212.

[0141] The force sensors can also be arranged within the sensor assembly 102 differently than in Figs. 5B and 5C. Several exemplary alternative arrangements of the force sensors in the sensor assembly 102 are shown in Fig. 5D.

[0142] Using the example of the sensor arrangement 102 shown in Fig. 5B or 5C, the measured load can be calculated by summing all the forces measured by sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b. The corresponding center of gravity can be calculated using the torque compensation equation below and the forces shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. Fig. 6A shows a cross-sectional view along the x-axis, and Fig. 6B shows a cross-sectional view along the y-axis. The torque compensation equation can be applied in both directions, so that the x- and y-components of the center of gravity can be determined: PLoad ~ Pia + P2a + Plb + p2b

[0143] > p la+ p lb a rn — W

[0144] C p Last 2 r _ p la + p 2a _ b

[0145] CG ~ p Last 2

[0146] In equations (1) to (3), Fiast is the weight force generated by the patient. The forces Fi a , Fib, F2a, and F2b are the forces measured by sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b. The parameters a and b are the distances between the sensors in the x and y directions, respectively. XCG and YCG are the x and y coordinates of the center of gravity of the patient's load, respectively.

[0147] The effective load and the total load as well as their corresponding center of gravity values ​​can be calculated by adding or subtracting the corresponding components of the operating table 10 and their center of gravity values ​​stored in the data memory 110.

[0148] The arrangement of the sensors 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b proposed in Fig. 5B and 5C makes the system robust against transverse forces F rDue to the symmetrical arrangement, transverse forces F r canceled, as shown in Fig. 7A and 7B.

[0149] The cancellation of the transverse forces also allows the described system to reliably measure forces and the center of gravity when the patient support device 18 is in an inclined position. Fig. 8 shows how the gravitational vector F can be split into two components. One component is located lateral to the force sensors and is canceled due to the effects explained above. The second component F ge The force measurement runs perpendicular to the force sensors or the main surface of the patient support device 18 and is reliably measured. Knowing the inclination angle a of the patient support device 18, the actual load over the sensors and their center of gravity can be calculated.

[0150] The following explains how the detection unit 115 calculates the weight and center of gravity of an object or accessory that is placed on or attached to the patient support device 18 or moved on or removed from the patient support device 18

[0151] 33

[0152] REPLACEMENT LEAF (RULE 26). First, the load determination unit 104 determines the load acting on the patient support device 18 and its load center using equations (1) to (3). These data are stored for some time, for example, a period t p , stored. The object or accessory is then placed on or attached to the patient support device 18, or moved thereon, or removed from the patient support device 18. The load determination unit 104 then redetermines the load acting on the patient support device 18 and its load center of gravity at time t.

[0153] The detection unit 115 can calculate the weight and the x and y coordinates of the center of gravity of the object or accessory using the following equations (4) to (6):

[0154] ^■added / removed t ^t-tp (4)

[0155] _ Y t xm t -Y t-tp xm t-tp

[0156] * added / removed w m \' 3 / added / removed

[0157] The following variables are used in equations (4) to (6): m added / removed - Weight of the added or removed object or accessory added / removed '- x-coordinate of the center of gravity of the added or removed object or accessory added / removed - y-coordinate of the center of gravity of the added or removed object or accessory m tTotal weight acting on the patient support surface 18 after adding or removing the object or accessory

[0158] X t x-coordinate of the center of gravity of the total weight acting on the patient support surface 18 after adding or removing the object or accessory

[0159] Y t y-coordinate of the center of gravity of the total weight acting on the patient support surface 18 after adding or removing the object or accessory

[0160] 34

[0161] REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Total weight acting on the patient support surface 18 before adding or removing the object or accessory

[0162] X t-t : x-coordinate of the center of gravity of the total weight acting on the patient support surface 18 before adding or removing the object or accessory

[0163] K t-t: y-coordinate of the center of gravity of the total weight acting on the patient support surface 18 before adding or removing the object or accessory

[0164] If the weight m calculated by the detection unit 115 added / removed is positive, an object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device 18. If it is negative, it means that an object or accessory has been removed from the patient support device 18.

[0165] 9A to 9F schematically show the patient support device 18 from above, onto which first a patient and then an object are placed, and to which an accessory is finally attached. The load sensor arrangement 102 continuously measures the force acting on the force sensors, and the load determination unit 104 uses the force values ​​to determine the load acting on the patient support device 18 and its load center. The detection unit 115 continuously monitors the current load acting on the patient support device 18 for significant changes and tracks the load and load center values ​​before and after the load changes. The detection unit 115 can observe when objects are added to or removed from the patient support device 18 and can also determine the weight of these objects and the location from which they were added or removed.

[0166] Fig. 9A shows the patient support device 18, on which no external forces act.

[0167] In Fig. 9B, a patient has been placed on the patient support device 18. The load determination unit 104 determines the load acting on the patient support device 18 caused by the patient and its center of gravity 250.

[0168] In Fig. 9C, an object 252 is placed at the head end on the patient support device 18.

[0169] This changes both the load acting on the patient support device 18 and its center of gravity. The load determination unit 104 determines the new load caused by the patient and the object 252 and their center of gravity 254, which has shifted from the previous center of gravity 250.

[0170] The detection unit 115 compares the loads acting on the patient support device 18 before and after the placement of the object 252, and their centers of gravity. These comparisons enable the patient support device 18 to determine both the weight of the object 252 and the center of gravity 256 of the object 252 after it has been placed on the patient support device 18.

[0171] In Fig. 9E, an accessory 258 is attached to a side rail of the patient support device 18. The load on the patient support device 18 changes accordingly, and the load center of gravity shifts from the previous position 254 to the current load center of gravity 260.

[0172] By comparing the load centers of gravity 254 and 260, ie the load centers of gravity before and after the attachment of the accessory 258 to the patient support device 18, and comparing the associated loads, the detection unit 115 determines both the weight of the accessory 258 and its center of gravity 262. The center of gravity 262 of the accessory 258 is shown in Fig. 9F.

[0173] Weight information for various predefined accessories is stored in the storage unit 116 of the system 100, shown in Fig. 2. Table 1 below shows an example of such a database.

[0174] Table 1 The detection unit 115 has access to the storage unit 116 and compares the weight of the accessory 258 it determines with the weight information stored in the storage unit 116. This allows a list of accessories that may have been added to the patient support device 18 to be created.

[0175] Assuming that the weight of accessory 258 added to the side rail is 5.3 kg, Table 1 shows that accessories A and D also weigh 5.3 kg. Therefore, accessory 258 could potentially be accessory A or D. Furthermore, accessories B and C can be eliminated as possible candidates for accessory 258 based on their weight. However, it cannot be ruled out that accessory 258 is an object unknown to the database. In this case, the similarly measured weight would simply be a coincidence.

[0176] In some cases, the location where the accessory is attached may also provide information about what item is attached. For example, a properly used side rail accessory is unlikely to have its center of gravity in the center of the patient support assembly 18, and an accessory designed for use with the patient's legs is more likely to be attached to the foot end of the operating table.

[0177] Fig. 10 shows the patient support device 18, on which the object 252 is placed as in Fig. 9F, and the accessory part 258 is additionally attached to a side rail. Fig. 10 also shows the center of gravity 262 of the accessory part 258 calculated by the detection unit 115. Furthermore, the immediate surroundings of the patient support device 18 and a part of the patient support device 18 are virtually divided into areas 270, 272, 274, 276. The areas 270 and 272 are arranged to the sides of the patient support device, while the areas 274 and 276 are arranged in the head and foot areas, respectively. The storage unit 117 of the system 100 shown in Fig. 2 stores area information that indicates in which of the areas 270, 272, 274, 276 predetermined accessories are usually arranged. For example, accessories that attach to the side rails are typically found in the side areas 270, 272.The detection unit 115 has access to the storage unit 117. Since the detection unit 115 knows the center of gravity 262 of the accessory 258, the detection unit 115 knows that the accessory 258 is located in the area 270. The detection unit 115 can extract possible candidates from the storage unit 117 that are located in the area 270 and that may be the accessory 258. Together with the data stored in the storage unit 116 regarding the weight of the accessory 258, it may be possible to reduce the possible candidates for the accessory 258 to very few accessories or even just one accessory.

[0178] In some embodiments, proximity tags are attached to the accessories and also to some objects. The proximity tags emit a respective identification code, which can be used to identify the respective accessory or object. The reading unit 118 shown in Fig. 2 can receive the radio signals emitted by the proximity tags and transmit the received identification codes to the detection unit 115. This enables the detection unit 115 to determine, based on the identification codes received from the reading unit 118, which accessories and objects are in the vicinity of the patient support device 18. Furthermore, this information can also be used for other applications.

[0179] Fig. 11 shows two adjacent operating rooms 300, 302 with a respective operating table 306 and 308 and a storage room 304. In the operating room 300 there are accessories 310, 312 and an object 314. In addition there are accessories 316, 318 in the storage room 304 and accessories 320, 322 and an object 324 in the operating room 302. All accessories and objects have respective proximity tags that emit radio signals.

[0180] The accessories 310, 312 and the object 314 are located near the operating table

[0181] 306, so that the operating table 306 can receive their radio signals and identify them. Depending on the data transmission technology, it is possible that the operating table 308 also detects the presence of the accessories 310, 312 and the object 314. It is possible that the operating table 308 determines, based on the signal strength, that these objects are too far away and therefore cannot be used with it. In preferred embodiments, the operating tables 306, 308 and / or the reading units 118 are therefore capable of detecting proximity tags that are spaced apart from the reading units 118. For example, proximity tags that are at least 0.5 m or at least 1 m or more away from the reading units 118 can be detected.

[0182] If both operating tables 306, 308 were located in the same room, the operating tables 306, 308 or another system could compare the signal strengths measured by each of the operating tables 306, 308 to determine which operating table the respective accessory or object should be associated with.

[0183] A threshold value for the signal strength may also be specified. If the signal strength received by the reading unit 118 of the operating table 306 is greater than the threshold value, the detection unit can determine that the corresponding accessory or object is located in the vicinity of the operating table 306.

[0184] The objects and accessories can additionally have a motion detector that checks whether the respective object or accessory is moving. The motion detector can transmit information about the movement status of the respective object or accessory to the proximity tag, which transmits this information to the reading unit 118 of the operating table 306. Furthermore, the motion detector can have a memory function that stores the movements of the respective object or accessory for a predetermined period of time. This information is also transmitted to the operating table 306.

[0185] In connection with Figs. 9 and 10, an aspect of the present disclosure was described according to which a change in the load acting on the patient support device 18 and its center of gravity is observed and can thereby be detected when a new accessory or object is attached to or placed on the patient support device 18. Similarly, it can also be detected that an accessory or object is removed from the patient support device 18, since this reduces the load acting on the patient support device 18 and shifts the center of gravity accordingly. In addition, the weight of the accessory or object and the location at which the accessory or object was attached to or removed from the patient support device 18 can be calculated.In addition, databases can be used to create a list of known accessories and / or objects that could plausibly be the accessory or object being sought by comparing the weights and / or attachment areas in the databases with the weight and / or center of gravity of the object.

[0186] In connection with Fig. 11, another aspect of the present disclosure was described in which proximity tags emit radio signals with identification codes that can be received by a reading unit 118 associated with the operating table. This allows the operating table to detect accessories and objects that are in its vicinity and could therefore plausibly be attached to or placed on the operating table, or moved onto or off the operating table. Furthermore, it can be examined whether any of the accessories and objects are moving or have recently been moving.

[0187] The two aforementioned aspects of the present disclosure can also be combined to further improve the detection and identification of the accessories and objects being sought. Some examples are described below.

[0188] Fig. 12 shows an operating room 400 with an operating table 402 as well as accessories 404, 406 and an object 408. The load determination unit 104 of the operating table 402 determines the current weight and the center of gravity 410 for the entire load currently located on the operating table 402. In addition, the operating table 402 detects the accessories 404, 406 and the object 408 that are located in its vicinity via the radio signals emitted by the proximity tags. Fig. 13 shows the operating room 400 from Fig. 12, but the accessory has been

[0189] 406 is attached to a side rail of the operating table 402. The detection unit 115 performs the following steps:

[0190] - The detection unit 115 detects that the accessory 406 is moving or has recently moved because the motion detector of the accessory 406 detected the movement and the proximity tag reported this information to the operating table 402.

[0191] The detection unit 115 also detects that the load on the patient support device 18 and its center of gravity have changed. The detection unit uses the load To and its center of gravity COG(To) determined before the load change, and the load Ti and its center of gravity COG(Ti) determined after the load change, to detect that a new object or accessory has been added to the patient support device 18. The detection unit 115 also uses this information to determine the weight of the new object or accessory and the center of gravity position COG(A) at which the object or accessory has been attached to the patient support device 18.

[0192] - By comparing the measured weight with the weight information stored in the storage unit 116, the detection unit 115 can also identify the accessory attached to the patient support device 18 as the accessory 406, since the weight of the new accessory matches the expected weight of accessory 406.

[0193] In this way, the detection unit 115 can continue to monitor all added and removed objects while the operating table 402 is being configured for its next use. Sufficient time should be allowed between the addition or removal of objects or accessories so that the detection unit 115 is able to distinguish between the individual objects and accessories.

[0194] The operating table 402 also includes the touch and / or motion sensor assembly 119 shown in Fig. 2, which can detect interactions with the operating table 402 even when the operating table 402 is in a standby mode. When an interaction is detected, the touch and / or motion sensor assembly 119 can awaken at least the units required to perform the activities described herein. The detection unit 115 can store the current weight and center of gravity of the load on the patient support device 18 prior to transitioning to the standby mode and immediately compare it with the new weight and center of gravity of the load on the patient support device 18 when the operating table 402 wakes up and returns to the active mode.In this way, as soon as an object is placed on the operating table 402, the operating table 402 can wake up, detect the change, and perform the activities described above.

[0195] The memory function of the motion detectors attached to the objects and / or accessories also makes it possible to report to the operating table 402, in addition to the ongoing movements, movements that were already completed some time ago. This is useful when waking up the operating table 402, as the operating table 402 is then also informed of information about movements of objects or accessories that were already completed before the operating table 402 returned to active mode and that may have caused the operating table 402 to wake up.

[0196] Exemplary embodiments and variants in accordance with the present disclosure are described in the following list of items and options:

[0197] Item 1: System (100) for detecting an object or accessory placed on a patient support device (18), attached to the patient support device (18), moved on the patient support device (18), or removed from the patient support device (18), the system (100) comprising: a surgical patient support device (18) usable as part of an operating table (10); a load sensor arrangement (102) having at least one load sensor (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) that outputs sensor values; a load determination unit (104) that determines a load and / or a center of gravity of the load based on the sensor values, the load comprising a load acting on the load sensor arrangement (102) or a load acting on the patient support device (18);and a detection unit (115) which receives the load and / or the load center of gravity determined by the load determination unit (104) and which, when an object or accessory is placed on the patient support device (18) or fastened to the patient support device (18) or moved on the patient support device (18) or removed from the patient support device (18) and the load and / or the load center of gravity determined by the load determination unit (104) change as a result, determines the weight and / or the center of gravity of the object or accessory therefrom.

[0198] Item 2: System (100) according to item 1, wherein the load determination unit (104) is designed such that the load determination unit (104) determines the load and / or the load center of gravity before an object or accessory is placed on or attached to the patient support device (18) or moved on or removed from it, and the load determination unit (104) determines the load and / or the load center of gravity again after the object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18) or moved on or removed from it;and the detection unit (115) is configured such that the detection unit (115) determines the weight and / or the center of gravity of the object or accessory by comparing the loads and / or the centers of gravity of the loads determined before and after the object or accessory was placed on the patient support device (18) or attached thereto or moved thereon or removed therefrom.;

[0199] Item 3: System (100) according to item 1 or 2, wherein the system (100) has a first storage unit (116) in which weight information for predetermined objects and / or accessories is stored; and the detection unit (115) compares the weight of the object or accessory determined by it with the weight information and, based on the comparison, determines which at least one object or accessory may have been placed on the patient support device (18) or fastened thereto or moved thereon or removed therefrom.

[0200] Item 4: System (100) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least a part of the patient support device (18) and in particular at least a part of the surroundings of the patient support device (18) is virtually divided into a plurality of areas, in particular at least one side area, a foot area, and a head area, and area information is stored in a second storage unit (117) that indicates the areas in which predetermined objects and / or accessories are arranged; and the detection unit (115) compares the center of gravity of the object or accessory determined by it with the area information and, based on the comparison, determines which at least one object or accessory has possibly been placed on the patient support device (18) or fastened thereto or moved thereon or removed therefrom.

[0201] Item 5: System (100) according to item 1, wherein the system (100) has a first storage unit (116) in which weight information for predetermined objects and / or accessories is stored; the load determination unit (102) is designed such that the load determination unit (102) determines the load before an object or accessory is placed on the patient support device (18), attached to it, moved on it, or removed from it, and the load determination unit (102) determines the load again after the object or accessory has been placed on the patient support device (18), attached to it, moved on it, or removed from it;the detection unit (115) is designed such that the detection unit (115) determines the weight of the object or accessory by comparing the loads determined before and after the object or accessory was placed on the patient support device (18) or attached thereto or moved thereon or removed therefrom, and in particular by comparing the load centers determined by the load determination unit (104) before and after the object or accessory was placed on the patient support device (18) or attached thereto or moved thereon or removed therefrom;and the detection unit (115) compares the weight of the object or accessory determined by it with the weight information stored in the first storage unit (116) and, based on the comparison, determines which at least one object or accessory may have been placed on, attached to, or removed from the patient support device (18);

[0202] Item 6: System (100) according to one of the preceding items, wherein the load determination unit (104) is designed such that the load determination unit (104) determines the load center of gravity before an object or accessory is placed on, attached to, or moved on, or removed from the patient support device (18), and the load determination unit (104) determines the load center of gravity again after the object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, or moved on, or removed from the patient support device (18);and the detection unit (115) is configured such that the detection unit (115) determines the position of the object or accessory by comparing the load centers determined before and after the object or accessory was placed on, attached to, or moved onto or removed from the patient support device (18). Item 7: System (100) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least some of the objects and / or accessories each have a proximity tag that emits a respective identification code; the system (100) has a reading unit (118) that receives the identification codes emitted by the proximity tags; and the detection unit (115) determines which objects or accessories are in the vicinity of the patient support device (18) based on the identification codes received by the reading unit.

[0203] Item 8: System (100) according to item 7, wherein the detection unit (115) determines whether the corresponding object or accessory is located in the vicinity of the patient support device (18) based on a signal strength with which the reading unit (118) receives an identification code.

[0204] Item 9: System (100) according to item 8, wherein a threshold value for the signal strength is predetermined and the detection unit (115) determines that the corresponding object or accessory is located in the vicinity of the patient support device (18) when the signal strength received by the reading unit (118) exceeds the threshold value.

[0205] Item 10: System (100) according to one of items 7 to 9, wherein the transmission of the identification codes from the proximity tags to the reading unit (118) is based on the Bluetooth standard.

[0206] Item 11: System (100) according to one of items 7 to 10, wherein the detection unit (115) determines that an object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, or moved on or removed from the patient support device (18) when the detection unit (115) determines that the corresponding object or accessory is located in the vicinity of the patient support device (18), and the detection unit (115) further determines that the weight of the corresponding object or accessory determined by it lies within a predetermined range around the weight information for this object or accessory stored in the first storage unit (116) and / or that the center of gravity of the corresponding object or accessory determined by it lies within a range provided for this object or accessory and stored in the second storage unit (117).

[0207] Item 12: System (100) according to one of items 7 to 11, wherein the reading unit (118) is capable of identifying proximity tags, objects and / or accessories that are not in the immediate vicinity of the reading unit (118), in particular the reading unit (118) is capable of identifying proximity tags, objects and / or accessories that are at least 0.5 meters or at least one meter away from the reading unit (118).

[0208] Item 13: System (100) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least some of the objects and / or accessories each have a motion detector that detects a movement of the respective object or accessory, and wherein information about the movement state of the object or accessory is transmitted to the detection unit (118).

[0209] Item 14: System according to item 13, wherein the motion detector and / or the detection unit (115) have a memory function which stores the movements of the respective object or accessory for a predetermined period of time.

[0210] Item 15: System (100) according to item 13 or 14, wherein the detection unit (115) determines that an object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18) or moved on or removed from the patient support device (18) when the detection unit (115) receives from the reading unit the identification code of the corresponding object or accessory and additionally the information that the corresponding object or accessory has moved or has recently moved, and the load determination unit (102) further determines that the load and / or the load center of gravity have changed.

[0211] Item 16: System (100) according to one of items 7 to 15, wherein the detection unit (115) determines that an object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18) or moved on or removed from the patient support device (18) when the detection unit (115) determines that the weight of the corresponding object or accessory determined by it is within a predetermined range around the weight information for this object or accessory stored in the first storage unit (116).

[0212] Item 17: System (100) according to one of items 7 to 16, wherein the detection unit (115) determines that the corresponding object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18) or moved on or removed from the patient support device (18) when the detection unit (115) determines that the center of gravity of the corresponding object or accessory determined by it lies within a range provided for this object or accessory and stored in the second storage unit (117).

[0213] Item 18: System (100) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least part of the system (100) is operable in an active mode or a standby mode; before switching to the standby mode, the load and / or the load center of gravity determined by the load determination unit (102) are stored; the load determination unit (102) determines the load and / or the load center of gravity immediately after returning to the active mode; the detection unit (115) compares the load and / or the load center of gravity before switching to the standby mode with the load and / or the load center of gravity after returning to the active mode;and the detection unit (115) determines, based on the comparison or comparisons, whether an object or accessory was placed on, attached to, or moved onto or removed from the patient support device (18) while the at least one part of the system (100) was operating in standby mode;

[0214] Item 19: The system (100) according to item 18, wherein the system (100) comprises a touch and / or motion sensor arrangement (119) configured to detect touch and / or movement of the patient support device (18) and to cause the patient support device (18) to return to the active mode if touch and / or movement of the patient support device (18) is detected during the standby mode.

[0215] Item 20: System (100) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least some of the objects and / or accessories each have a first accelerometer and the patient support device (18) or the operating table (10) has a second accelerometer and the detection unit determines that an object and / or accessory may have been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18) or moved on or removed from it when the first and second accelerometers simultaneously detect accelerations.

[0216] Item 21: System (100) according to one of the preceding items, wherein the object or accessory is detachably connectable to a side rail (34) of the patient support device (18).

[0217] Item 22: System (100) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the patient support device (18) is connected to a column (16) of an operating table (10) and / or is detachably connectable to a column of an operating table and a surgical patient transporter. Item 23: System (100) according to item 22, wherein the load sensor arrangement (102) is integrated into the patient transporter.

[0218] Item 24: System (100) according to one of the preceding items, wherein the accessory can be an accessory from the following group of accessories or a differently designed accessory: an anesthesia arch for holding surgical drapes, a tube holder for fixing a ventilation tube, a side protection wall for securing the patient during transport on the patient support device, an infusion holder, a flushing set for collecting and draining fluids, a catheter holder for storing catheters during the operation, an instrument table for depositing instruments during the operation, a tray for soiled instruments, a waste tray for receiving surgical waste and a push handle for moving operating tables.

[0219] Item 25: System (100) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the object can be an object from the following group of objects or a differently configured object: a urine collection bag, a scale for a urine collection bag, an infusion solution, a saline solution, an infusion pump, a surgical drape, an auxiliary device, a lung support device, an instrument, an X-ray image cassette and a radiation protection curtain.

[0220] Item 26: A system (100) comprising a surgical patient support device (18) usable as part of an operating table (10), and a touch and / or motion sensor arrangement (119) configured to detect touch and / or movement of the patient support device (18) and to cause the patient support device (18) to return to an active mode if touch and / or movement of the patient support device (18) is detected during a standby mode. Item 27: A method for detecting an object or accessory placed on a patient support device (18), attached to the patient support device (18), moved on the patient support device (18), or removed from the patient support device (18), wherein: the patient support device (18) is a surgical patient support device (18) usable as part of an operating table (10);a load sensor arrangement (102) with at least one load sensor (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) which outputs sensor values ​​is provided; a load and / or a center of gravity of the load is determined on the basis of the sensor values, wherein the load comprises a load acting on the load sensor arrangement (102) or a load acting on the patient support device (18); and when an object or accessory is placed on the patient support device (18) or fastened to the patient support device (18) or moved on the patient support device (18) or removed from the patient support device (18) and the determined load and / or the center of gravity of the load changes as a result, the weight and / or the center of gravity of the object or accessory is determined therefrom;

Claims

Claims System (100) for detecting an object or accessory placed on, attached to, or moved on, or removed from a patient positioning device (18), wherein the system (100) comprises: a surgical patient positioning device (18) that can be used as part of an operating table (10); a load sensor arrangement (102) with at least one load sensor (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) that outputs sensor values; a load determination unit (104) that determines a load and / or a center of gravity of the load based on the sensor values, wherein the load comprises a load acting on the load sensor arrangement (102) or a load acting on the patient positioning device (18);and a detection unit (115) which receives the load and / or the center of gravity determined by the load determination unit (104) and which, when an object or accessory is placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), moved on or removed from the patient support device (18), and thereby the load and / or the center of gravity determined by the load determination unit (104) changes, determines the weight and / or the center of gravity of the object or accessory. System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the load determination unit (104) is configured such that the load determination unit (104) determines the load and / or the center of gravity before an object or accessory is placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), moved on or removed from it, and the load-; The determination unit (104) redetermines the load and / or the center of gravity of the load after the object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), moved on it, or removed from it; and the detection unit (115) is configured such that the detection unit (115) determines the weight and / or center of gravity of the object or accessory by comparing the loads and / or centers of gravity determined before and after the object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), moved on it, or removed from it.System (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system (100) comprises a first storage unit (116) in which weight information for predetermined objects and / or accessories is stored; and the detection unit (115) compares the weight of the object or accessory determined by it with the weight information and, based on the comparison, determines which at least one object or accessory may have been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), moved on it, or removed from it.System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the patient positioning device (18) and in particular at least a part of the environment of the patient positioning device (18) is virtually divided into several areas, in particular at least one side area, a foot area and a head area, and area information is stored in a second storage unit (117) which indicates in which areas predetermined objects and / or accessories are arranged; and the detection unit (115) compares the center of gravity of the object or accessory determined by it with the area information and determines on the basis of the comparison. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the system (100) comprises a first storage unit (116) in which weight information for predetermined objects and / or accessories is stored; the load determination unit (102) is configured such that the load determination unit (102) determines the load before an object or accessory is placed on, attached to, moved on, or removed from the patient positioning device (18), and the load determination unit (102) determines the load again after the object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, moved on, or removed from the patient positioning device (18);the detection unit (115) is designed such that the detection unit (115) determines the weight of the object or accessory by comparing the loads determined before and after the object or accessory was placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), or moved on or removed from it, and in particular by comparing the load centers determined by the load determination unit (104) before and after the object or accessory was placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), or moved on or removed from it;and the detection unit (115) compares the weight of the object or accessory it determines with the weight information stored in the first storage unit (116) and, based on the comparison, determines which at least one object or accessory may have been placed on, attached to, moved on, or removed from the patient support device (18). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load determination unit (104) is configured such that the load determination unit (104) determines the center of gravity of the load before an object or accessory is placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), or moved on or removed from it, and the load determination unit (104) again determines the center of gravity of the load after the object or accessory has been placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), or moved on or removed from it; and the detection unit (115) is configured such that the detection unit (115) determines the position of the object or accessory by comparing the centers of gravity of the load that were determined before and after the object or accessory was placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), or moved on or removed from it.System (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the objects and / or accessories each have a proximity tag that transmits a respective identification code; the system (100) comprises a reading unit (118) that receives the identification codes transmitted by the proximity tags; and the detection unit (115) determines, based on the identification codes received by the reading unit, which objects or accessories are located near the patient positioning device (18), particularly when the identification code is received from a proximity tag that is spaced apart from the reading unit (118). System (100) according to claim 7, wherein the detection unit (115) determines, based on the signal strength with which the reading unit (118) receives an identification code, whether the corresponding object or accessory is located near the patient positioning device (18). System (100) according to claim 8, wherein a threshold value for the signal strength is specified and the detection unit (115) determines that the corresponding object or accessory is in the vicinity of the patient positioning device (18) when the signal strength received by the reading unit (118) exceeds the threshold value. System (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the transmission of the identification codes from the proximity tags to the reading unit (118) is based on the Bluetooth standard.System (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the detection unit (115) determines that an object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, moved on, or removed from the patient support device (18) when the detection unit (115) determines that the corresponding object or accessory is in the vicinity of the patient support device (18), and the detection unit (115) further determines that the weight of the corresponding object or accessory determined by it is within a predetermined range around the weight value for that object or accessory stored in the first storage unit (116) and / or that the center of gravity of the corresponding object or accessory determined by it is within a range provided for that object or accessory and stored in the second storage unit (117).System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the objects and / or accessories each have a motion detector which detects a movement of the respective object or accessory, and wherein information about the movement state of the object or accessory is transmitted to the detection unit (118). System according to claim 12, wherein the motion detector and / or the detection unit (115) have a storage function which stores the movements of the respective object or accessory for a predetermined period. System (100) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the detection unit (115) determines that an object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, moved on, or removed from the patient support device (18) when the detection unit (115) receives from the reading unit the identification code of the corresponding object or accessory and additionally the information that the corresponding object or accessory is moving or has recently moved, and the load determination unit (102) also determines that the load and / or the load center of gravity has changed.System (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the detection unit (115) determines that an object or accessory has been placed on or attached to, moved on or removed from, the patient support device (18) when the detection unit (115) determines that the weight of the corresponding object or accessory determined by it is within a predetermined range around the weight value for that object or accessory stored in the first storage unit (116).System (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the detection unit (115) determines that the corresponding object or accessory has been placed on, attached to, moved on, or removed from the patient support device (18) when the detection unit (115) determines that the center of gravity of the corresponding object or accessory lies within an area provided for that object or accessory and stored in the second storage unit (117). System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein. at least one part of the system (100) is operable in an active mode or a standby mode; before switching to standby mode, the load and / or the load center of gravity determined by the load determination unit (102) is stored; the load determination unit (102) determines the load and / or the load center of gravity immediately after returning to active mode; the detection unit (115) compares the load and / or the load center of gravity before switching to standby mode with the load and / or the load center of gravity after returning to active mode; and the detection unit (115) determines, based on the comparison or comparisons, whether an object or accessory was placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), moved on it, or removed from it while at least one part of the system (100) was operating in standby mode.System (100) according to claim 17, wherein the system (100) comprises a touch and / or motion sensor arrangement (119) configured to detect touch and / or movement of the patient positioning device (18) and causing the patient positioning device (18) to return to active mode when touch and / or movement of the patient positioning device (18) is detected during standby mode. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the object or accessory is detachably connectable to a side rail (34) of the patient positioning device (18). System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient positioning device (18) is connected to a column (16) of an operating table (10) and / or is detachably connectable to a column of an operating table and a surgical patient transporter. System (100) according to claim 20, wherein the load sensor arrangement (102) is integrated into the patient transporter. Method for detecting an object or accessory placed on, attached to, or moved on the patient positioning device (18), or removed from the patient positioning device (18), wherein: the patient positioning device (18) is a surgical patient positioning device (18) that can be used as part of an operating table (10); a load sensor arrangement (102) with at least one load sensor (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) that outputs sensor values ​​is provided; a load and / or a center of gravity of the load is determined based on the sensor values, wherein the load comprises a load acting on the load sensor arrangement (102) or a load acting on the patient positioning device (18);and if an object or accessory is placed on or attached to the patient support device (18), or moved on or removed from the patient support device (18), and thereby the specified load and / or the center of gravity of the load changes, the weight and / or the center of gravity of the object or accessory is determined from this.

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