Patient-positioning system for use in medical tables

Abstract

The invention relates to a patient-positioning system (19) which can be used as part of a medical table (10), wherein the patient-positioning system (19) comprises: a patient-bearing device (18) for bearing a patient; and a support device (17) on which the patient-bearing device (18) rests, wherein the patient-bearing device (18) is movable relative to the support device (17) in order to move a patient thereon, wherein the support device (17) comprises a plurality of support rollers (40, 41) for bearing and moving the patient-bearing device (18), wherein the support rollers (40, 41) can be rotated independently about their corresponding axis of rotation, and wherein at least two of the support rollers (40, 41) form a first group and the support rollers (40, 41) of the first group can be pivoted only jointly with respect to other parts of the support device (17).

Description

[0001] PATIENT POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR USE IN MEDICAL TABLES

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present disclosure relates to patient positioning systems for medical and, in particular, surgical tables. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to medical tables with patient positioning systems.

[0004] Background of the Revelation

[0005] During medical examinations or surgical procedures, patients can be positioned on medical tables, especially operating tables. Patient positioning systems are used to place patients in a desired position for medical examinations or procedures. Patient positioning systems can often be flexibly assembled and offer various patient positioning options.

[0006] Patient positioning systems can feature interchangeable, detachably connectable segments. Often, some or all of the interchangeable segments are movable. By using various interchangeable segments, a single medical table can be reconfigured in different ways for different patients and procedures.

[0007] During the examination or procedure, patients typically lie or sit on a patient support system that is guided or supported by linear guides or support rollers, or a combination of linear guides and support rollers, and can be moved longitudinally. Particularly in cantilevered or freely swinging systems, the patient support system can deform noticeably under load.

[0008] If only one support roller is used at a bearing point of the patient support device, contact between the patient support device and the support roller is maintained even if the patient support device deforms. However, if the load is carried by only one support roller, the surface pressure at the contact surface between the support roller and the patient support device is comparatively high. With an elastomer coating on the support roller, the load is distributed over a larger area, as the elastomer coating is flattened at the contact surface by the load. Nevertheless, a larger support roller diameter often has to be selected to achieve the largest possible contact surface.

[0009] If two support rollers are used to support the patient support at one support location, the load is distributed across both support rollers if the patient support is not deformed. However, if the patient support deforms under load, the patient support may lose contact with one of the two support rollers, so that the entire load rests on only one support roller.

[0010] Summary of Revelation

[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a patient positioning system with two or more support rollers for supporting the patient support device, wherein the load is distributed over as many support rollers as possible even in the event of deformation of the patient support device.

[0012] A patient positioning system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure can be used as part of a medical table, in particular an operating table. The patient positioning system can comprise a patient support device for supporting a patient and a support device on which the patient support device rests. The patient support device can be movable relative to the support device in order to move a patient thereon and position the patient for an examination or surgical procedure.

[0013] To enable the patient support device to be moved on the carrier device, the carrier device contains several support rollers on which the patient support device is mounted. The patient support device can be moved on the support rollers, for example, in a longitudinal direction or in a lateral direction. The longitudinal direction, which can also be referred to as the longitudinal direction, can correspond to the main direction or longitudinal axis of the patient support device. The lateral direction can extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The support rollers of the support device are rotatable independently of each other about their respective axes of rotation. At least two of the support rollers form a first group. The support rollers of the first group can only be pivoted, tilted, or inclined together with respect to other parts of the support device.

[0015] By pivoting (or tilting, or inclining) the at least two support rollers together, the support rollers can automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device when the patient support device deforms. This ensures that all support rollers of the first group can remain in contact with the patient support device, even if the patient support device bends under load. Consequently, the load can be distributed among the support rollers of the first group and does not have to be borne by just one of the support rollers. In particular, the support forces can be evenly distributed among all support rollers of the first group.

[0016] The first group can comprise exactly two support rollers or even more, for example, three. If the first group has more than two support rollers, it may be useful to provide the support rollers and / or the underside of the patient support device with a flexible elastomer coating. If the surfaces of the support rollers and the underside of the patient support device are rigid, the patient support device rests only on the two outer support rollers. The flexible coating can compensate for different distances between individual support rollers and the patient support device, which can be caused by the curvature of the patient support device. This allows for a load distribution, albeit uneven, across all support rollers.Compared to solutions with only one support roller, the contact area with the patient support device can be increased even when using a smaller support roller diameter.

[0017] In some embodiments, all carrier rollers of the carrier device can belong to the first group. In this case, the carrier device can contain no further carrier rollers apart from the carrier rollers of the first group. In other embodiments, the carrier device can contain further carrier rollers in addition to the carrier rollers of the first group. These carrier rollers can, for example, be assigned to a second group. This will be explained in detail below.

[0018] The carrier rollers can also be called support rollers or carrying rollers.

[0019] In some embodiments, the patient support device may include an intermediate element mounted on and in contact with the support rollers. The remaining components of the patient support device may be releasably attached to the intermediate element. In particular, the surface on which the patient is supported may be detachable from the intermediate element. However, the intermediate element is part of the patient support device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the patient support device can be a surgical patient support device on which a patient is supported during a surgical procedure. 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 main support surface section and the secondary support surface sections can have mechanical connecting elements with which the main and secondary support surface sections can be detachably connected. Secondary support surface sections can be, for example, leg, foot, or head sections. Furthermore, secondary support surface sections can also be extension or intermediate sections that are inserted, for example, between the main support surface section and the head section. Furthermore, the patient support device can be used to attach accessories.Slide or side rails can be attached to the sides of the main and secondary storage area sections. Accessories can be detachably attached to the slide or side rails. Slide or side rails can also be provided at the head and / or foot ends.

[0021] The patient positioning system can be designed for attachment to an operating table column. The support device can have an interface on its underside that serves for attachment to an operating table column. The patient positioning system can be permanently or detachably connected to an operating table column. The operating table can be movable. A stand or base of the operating table can have wheels or casters that allow the operating table to be moved on the floor. Alternatively, the stand or base can be firmly anchored to the floor.

[0022] In some embodiments, the patient positioning system can be configured to be detachably connected to a movable surgical patient transporter and a column of an operating table. Before a surgical procedure, the patient positioning system can be mounted on the patient transporter. The patient can be transported to the operating table by the patient transporter. There, the patient positioning system can be attached to the operating table column and decoupled from the patient transporter. Much of the preparation for the surgical procedure can be performed while the patient positioning system 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.It is therefore possible to attach the patient positioning system to the operating table column only after the preparations have been completed.

[0023] In some embodiments, linear guides may be used in combination with the support rollers to enable the patient support device to be moved in the longitudinal or lateral direction.

[0024] In some embodiments, the at least two support rollers of the first group can be aligned substantially parallel to one another, and furthermore, the at least two support rollers can be pivotally connected to the other parts of the support device by one or more pivoting engagements. In particular, the at least two support rollers can be connected to one another by at least one concave and / or convex engagement, at least one circular arc-shaped engagement, at least one elastic connection, at least one borehole connection, at least one pivotable bearing block, at least one hinge, or at least one axle connection.

[0025] In some embodiments, the support rollers can extend beneath the patient support device along the entire width of the patient support device or even beyond it. The width of the patient support device runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the patient support device, along which a patient is intended to rest. By matching the width of the support rollers to the width of the patient support device, improved support can be achieved.

[0026] In some embodiments, the patient positioning system can have bearing blocks that support each end of the at least two support rollers of the first group such that the rotational axes of the at least two support rollers are aligned substantially parallel to one another. The bearing blocks can be positioned at the two ends of the at least two support rollers. The at least two support rollers of the first group can be mounted in a total of two bearing blocks. The bearing blocks can have recesses in which the ends of the at least two support rollers are mounted. Due to the mounting in the bearing blocks, the rotational axes of the at least two support rollers can be aligned parallel to one another and have a fixed distance.The bearing blocks enable the at least two support rollers of the first group to rotate independently of each other about their respective axes of rotation, but can only pivot together with respect to other parts of the support device.

[0027] As soon as the patient support device comes into contact with the at least two support rollers, the support rollers align themselves and stabilize each other. Due to the use of at least two support rollers, the load is distributed across several support rollers, which also reduces the forces on the bearings with which the support rollers are mounted in the bearing blocks. In some embodiments, the two bearing blocks that carry the at least two support rollers of the first group can be pivoted about a common pivot axis. Pivoting the bearing blocks also pivots the at least two support rollers. Pivoting the bearing blocks enables the at least two support rollers of the first group to automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device when the patient support device deforms.

[0028] In some embodiments, the bearing blocks may be rotatably mounted so as to be pivotable with respect to other parts of the support device.

[0029] In some embodiments, the patient positioning system can have support blocks that serve to pivotally support the bearing blocks. In particular, a support block can be provided for each bearing block. A bearing block can be mounted on the respective support block such that the bearing block is pivotable with respect to the support block and in particular other parts of the support device. Each of the support blocks can have a first bearing section on which a second bearing section of the respective bearing block is mounted. The first bearing sections of the support blocks can be designed to be complementary to the second bearing sections of the bearing blocks. This enables pivoting of one bearing section relative to the complementary, other bearing section in an improved manner.

[0030] The bearing blocks can slide on the support blocks and thus pivot, tilt, or incline. A coupling between the two bearing blocks, in which the at least two support rollers of the first group are mounted, is not required for synchronous pivoting and cannot be provided.

[0031] The bearing blocks may not be firmly connected to the support blocks, but rather loosely connected. The bearing blocks may simply sit on the support blocks. The bearing blocks are pressed against the support blocks by their own weight, the weight of the support rollers, and the weight of the patient support device above them. In some embodiments, the support blocks may each have a bore in which a threaded screw is guided, with which the respective support block is attached to a base element of the support device. The threaded screws may be provided for adjusting the height of the support blocks.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first bearing portions of the support blocks can engage the second bearing portions of the bearing blocks.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first bearing sections of the support blocks can each be concave, and the second bearing sections of the support blocks can each be convex. Alternatively, the first bearing sections of the support blocks can each be convex, and the second bearing sections of the support blocks can each be concave. The complementary and, in particular, convex / concave design of the contact surfaces between the support blocks and the support blocks enables the pivoting of the support blocks relative to the support blocks.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first bearing sections and the second bearing sections can each have a circular arc-shaped surface. The corresponding central angle or central angle of the circular arc can be, for example, 180 degrees. The central angle or central angle of the circular arc is the angle whose vertex lies at the center of the circle and whose legs intersect the boundary points of the circular arc. With a central angle of 180 degrees, the first bearing sections of the support blocks can be semicircular. However, the central angle can also have another suitable value. Furthermore, the central angles of the circular arc-shaped surfaces of the first bearing sections of the support blocks can be different from the central angles of the circular arc-shaped surfaces of the second bearing sections of the bearing blocks.

[0035] In some embodiments, the at least two support rollers of the first group are height-adjustable. In particular, the support blocks can be height-adjustable, whereby the height of the at least two support rollers can be changed. For example, the distance of the support blocks from a base surface of the support device can be adjusted using threaded screws. In some embodiments, at least two of the support rollers can form a second group, which means that the support device has a total of at least four support rollers, two of which are assigned to each of the first and second groups, respectively. The support rollers of the first group and the second group can each be mounted in two bearing blocks, and the bearing blocks can be pivotably mounted on support blocks. The support rollers of the second group, like the support rollers of the first group, can be pivotable together with respect to other parts of the support device.Furthermore, the support blocks can be attached to a support element, which in turn is pivotally mounted. The pivotable support element ensures that all support rollers maintain contact with the patient support device when the patient support device is deformed. The support element can, for example, be a solid plate on whose upper surface the support blocks are mounted. The pivotable mounting of the support element can be achieved by pivotally mounting the support element on additional support blocks. The support rollers and bearing blocks of the first and second groups of these embodiments can have the configurations described in the present disclosure.

[0036] Expanding the positioning system to include a second group with at least two jointly pivoting support rollers and the pivoting support element offers several advantages. Firstly, the load is distributed across at least four support rollers rather than two. Secondly, the support rollers can automatically adjust to the underside of the patient support device, even if the patient support device undergoes significant deformation. Despite the bending, all support rollers of the support device can remain in contact with the patient support device, thus continuing to distribute the load across all support rollers.

[0037] In some embodiments, at least two of the support rollers can form a second group. The support rollers of the first group and the second group can each be mounted in two bearing blocks, and the bearing blocks can be pivotally mounted on support blocks. The support rollers of the first group and the second group can each be mounted in two bearing blocks, and the bearing blocks can be pivotally mounted on support blocks. The support rollers and bearing blocks of the first and second groups of these embodiments can have the configurations described in the present disclosure. Furthermore, the support blocks carrying the support rollers of the first and second groups, respectively, can be spaced apart from one another such that one end of the patient support device is mounted on the support rollers of the first group, and the other end of the patient support device is mounted on the support rollers of the second group.The support rollers are therefore not used for one-sided support, as in cantilevered or cantilevered systems, but for bilateral support of the patient support device. The distance between the support blocks of the first group and the support blocks of the second group can in particular be at least 150 cm or 200 cm. In these embodiments too, the support rollers of the first and second groups always adapt to the bending of the patient support device due to their pivoting support. Furthermore, the number of support rollers at each end of the patient support device can be increased by at least one further group of jointly pivoting support rollers, wherein the groups of support rollers at each end can be arranged on a pivoting support element as described above, so that all support rollers can maintain contact with the patient support device in the event of deformation of the patient support device.

[0038] In some embodiments, support blocks on which the bearing blocks pivotally rest can be dispensed with, and the bearing blocks can instead be mounted, for example, via a bore. The bearing blocks can, for example, each have a recess, in particular a bore, into which a shaft-shaped element engages for the pivotal mounting of the bearing blocks. Alternatively, the bearing blocks can each have a shaft-shaped element that is rotatably mounted for the pivotal mounting of the bearing blocks. The shaft-shaped element can, for example, be a support with a cylindrical section that is fastened either to the support device or to the bearing blocks and engages in the recess in the bearing blocks or rests on a bearing element of the support device.In some embodiments, one or more or all support rollers can each have a support section for supporting the patient support device and a bearing section for supporting the respective support roller, which is rigidly connected to the support section. The bearing section can be rotatably connected to the bearing blocks, for example, by means of needle bearings. Instead of needle bearings, a variety of other bearings, in particular roller or plain bearings, can be used.

[0039] In some embodiments, the support sections of one or more or all support rollers for supporting the patient support device can be coated with a resilient elastomer, thereby achieving a larger contact area with the patient support device. Alternatively or additionally, the underside of the patient support device, which rests on the support rollers, can be coated with a resilient elastomer. As a further alternative, it can be provided that the support rollers or at least some of the support rollers and / or the underside of the patient support device are not coated with an elastomer.

[0040] In addition to a flat underside, the underside of the patient support device can also be curved around the longitudinal axis of the patient support device or can have another shaped profile. The support sections of one or more or all support rollers can have profiles shaped to accommodate the profile of the underside of the patient support device. In other words, the profile of one or more or all support rollers can be complementary to the profile of the underside of the patient support device. This results in an enlarged contact area between the patient support device and the support rollers.

[0041] In some embodiments, the patient support device can be displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the support device. In particular, the patient support device can be rolled over the at least two support rollers of the first group during the displacement in the longitudinal direction. If the support device has additional support rollers, the patient support device can also be rolled over these support rollers. In some embodiments, the patient support device can comprise an elongated and substantially flat surface for supporting a patient thereon, which surface is substantially radiotransparent. The patient positioning system can be used as part of a medical imaging table.

[0042] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the patient support device may be elongated and generally planar or level. The patient support device may be capable of flexing under a patient load. When the patient support device flexes, the at least two support rollers of the first group may pivot together with respect to the other portions of the support device, such that the at least two support rollers remain in contact with the patient support device during flexion.

[0043] In some embodiments, the at least two carrier rollers of the first group can be pivotable together relative to the other parts of the carrier device only within a limited pivoting range, in particular within a pivoting range of at most 20 degrees or 15 degrees or 10 degrees or less.

[0044] In some embodiments, the at least two support rollers of the first group can be, in particular generally, parallel to one another, and the at least two support rollers can pivot together with at least part of a common support device; and wherein the support device has a curved, concave section on a bottom surface, wherein a curved, upwardly convex support block is arranged below the support device and supports the support device, in particular wherein the support block is semicircular; and wherein the support device rests on the support block and is displaceable on the support block for pivoting the at least two support rollers.

[0045] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a medical table, in particular an operating table, is provided, comprising a column and a patient positioning system according to the first aspect. The patient positioning system can be fixedly mounted on the column or, alternatively, can be detachably connected to the column. The medical table according to the second aspect can have all the configurations described in the present disclosure in connection with the patient positioning system according to the first aspect.

[0046] The present disclosure also includes circuits and / or electronic instructions for controlling medical tables as well as remote controls, displays and user

[0047] Interfaces for use with medical tables.

[0048] Short description of the drawings

[0049] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, in which:

[0050] Figs. 1A and 1B are schematic side views of an operating table with a patient positioned on a patient support device of the operating table;

[0051] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a patient positioning system according to the disclosure;

[0052] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a bearing block mounted on a support block;

[0053] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a carrier device;

[0054] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a patient positioning system according to the disclosure with a support device and a patient support device;

[0055] Figs. 6A to 6D are schematic representations of fixedly anchored support rollers and pivotally mounted support rollers; Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a patient positioning system according to the disclosure with two groups of pivotally mounted support rollers;

[0056] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a patient positioning system according to the disclosure with a patient support device mounted on support rollers at both ends;

[0057] Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a bearing block with a wave-shaped

[0058] Element for pivoting the bearing block; and

[0059] Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a patient support device with a profiled underside and a support roller with a profiled support section.

[0060] Detailed character description

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals where appropriate. Fig. 1A and 1B schematically show 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, an operating table column 16 connected to the base 14, a carrier device 17 fastened to an upper end of the operating table column 16, and a patient support device 18 which rests on the carrier device 17. The carrier device 17 and the patient support device 18 together form a patient positioning system 19. The patient positioning system 19 can be rigidly connected to the operating table column 16 or, alternatively, detachably attached to the operating table column 16.

[0064] 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, which can be expanded as desired by coupling various secondary support surface sections. In Figs. 1A and 1B, a head section 22 is coupled to the main support surface section 20 as a secondary support surface section.

[0065] The patient support device 18 of the operating table 10 can be adjusted to a suitable height and tilted or angled depending on the type of surgical procedure to be performed. Furthermore, the patient support device 18 can be adjusted longitudinally.

[0066] The operating table column 16 is height-adjustable and has an internal mechanism for adjusting the height of the patient support device 18. The mechanism is arranged in a housing 28, which protects the components from contamination.

[0067] Fig. 1A shows the operating table 10 in a mobile configuration. The base 14 has 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, as shown in Fig. 1B. For clarity, a Cartesian XYZ coordinate system is shown in Figs. 1A and 1B. The X-axis and Y-axis are horizontal axes, and the Z-axis is a vertical axis. The X-axis indicates the longitudinal direction, and the Y-axis indicates the lateral direction.

[0068] Fig. 2 schematically shows a section of a patient positioning system 19 according to the disclosure. The patient positioning system 19 is a system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and can be mounted on a column of a medical table according to the second aspect.

[0069] The patient positioning system 19 includes a support device 17 on which a patient support device 18 rests. The patient support device 18 comprises a surface on which a patient can be supported and is movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the support device 17.

[0070] The support device 17 contains support rollers 40, 41, which together form a first group of support rollers. The ends of the support rollers 40, 41 are each supported by needle bearings in recesses of bearing blocks 42, 43. The bearing blocks 42, 43 align the rotational axes of the support rollers 40, 41 parallel to each other, and the support rollers 40, 41 can be rotated independently of each other about their respective rotational axes.

[0071] The bearing blocks 42, 43 are each mounted on a support block 45. In Fig. 2, only one support block 45 is visible; the other support block 45 is concealed by the support rollers 40, 41.

[0072] Fig. 3 shows details of the bearing block 43 and the support block 45. The other bearing and support blocks 42, 45, not visible in Fig. 3, are designed in the same way. The support blocks 45 each have a first bearing section 47 on their upper side, on which a second bearing section 48 of the respective bearing block 42, 43 is mounted. The first and second bearing sections 47, 48 are designed complementarily to enable pivoting of the respective bearing block 42, 43 on the support blocks 45. The support blocks 45 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 have a convex first bearing section 47 which has a semicircular cross-section. Correspondingly, the second bearing section 48 of the bearing blocks 42, 43 is concave and the cross-section of the second bearing section 48 is circular.

[0073] The mounting of the bearing blocks 42, 43 on the support blocks 45 allows the bearing blocks 42, 43 to pivot relative to the respective support block 45. The axis around which the pivoting movement is performed corresponds to a central axis 49 of the semicircular support blocks 45, which is shown in Fig. 3 for clarity.

[0074] Since the support rollers 40, 41 are guided in the bearing blocks 42, 43, pivoting of the bearing blocks 42, 43 causes a joint pivoting of the support rollers 40, 41 with respect to the support blocks 45 and in particular a base element 50 of the support device 17 shown in Fig. 2, to which the support blocks 45 are fastened.

[0075] The support blocks 45 each have a bore 51 in which a threaded screw 52 is guided, with which the support blocks 45 are fastened to the base element 50. The threaded screws 52 allow the height of the support blocks 45 to be adjusted.

[0076] When the patient support device 18 is placed on the support rollers 40, 41, the support rollers 40, 41 align and stabilize each other. Furthermore, the load is distributed across both support rollers 40, 41. When the patient support device 18 is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the support rollers 40, 41 rotate about their respective axes of rotation.

[0077] By pivoting the support rollers 40, 41 together, the support rollers 40, 41 automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device 18, even if the patient support device 18 is deformed.

[0078] Fig. 4 shows in perspective the support device 17 with the base element 50 and the support rollers 40, 41 as well as the bearing blocks 42, 43, which are inserted into a recess of the base element 50 such that the support rollers 40, 41 project beyond the upper side of the base element 50 so that the patient support device 18 can be moved on the support rollers 40, 41.

[0079] Fig. 5 shows the patient positioning system 19 with the support device 17 and the patient support device 18 mounted on the support device 17.

[0080] Fig. 6A to 6D illustrate differences between pivotally mounted bearing blocks 42, 43 and bearing blocks 42, 43 fixedly connected to the base element 50.

[0081] In Fig. 6A and 6B, the bearing blocks 42, 43 are rigidly attached to the base element 50 of the support device 17, while in Fig. 6C and 6D the bearing blocks 42, 43 are pivotally mounted on the support blocks 45, as described above in connection with Fig. 2 to 5.

[0082] In Figs. 6A and 6C, no additional load acts on the patient support device 18. In Figs. 6B and 6D, an additional load acts on the patient support device 18, which may be caused, for example, by a patient. The additional load is indicated in Figs. 6B and 6D by an arrow 55.

[0083] Fig. 6A and 6C show that, without additional load, the support rollers 40, 41 in both embodiments are in contact with the underside of the patient support device 18 and the load caused by the patient support device 18 is distributed over both support rollers 40, 41.

[0084] However, if the additional load symbolized by arrow 55 acts on the patient support device 18, this load, in the configuration with the fixed bearing blocks 42, 43 and the therefore non-pivoting support rollers 40, 41, causes the patient support device 18 to deform, causing it to no longer be in contact with the support roller 41, as shown in Fig. 6B. In this case, the load acts entirely on the support roller 40.

[0085] In contrast, both support rollers 40, 41 remain in contact with the underside of the patient support device 18 even when the patient support device 18 is deformed if the support rollers 40, 41 are pivotable together, as shown in Fig. 6D. By pivoting the support rollers 40, 41 together, the support rollers 40, 41 can automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device 18 when the patient support device 18 deforms. In this case, the load is distributed across both support rollers 40, 41 and does not have to be borne solely by the support roller 40.

[0086] Fig. 7 schematically shows a patient positioning system 59, which represents a further development of the patient positioning system 19 described above. In addition to the support rollers 40, 41 of the first group of support rollers, the support device 17 contains a second group of support rollers 60, 61, which are mounted at their ends in respective bearing blocks 62, 63. The support rollers 60, 61 and the bearing blocks 62, 63 are constructed in the same way as the support rollers 40, 41 and the bearing blocks 42, 43, respectively. Furthermore, the bearing blocks 62, 63 are pivotally mounted on support blocks 65, which are constructed in the same way as the support blocks 45. The bearing blocks 62, 63, together with the support rollers 60, 61, are therefore pivotable with respect to the support blocks 65.

[0087] In Fig. 7, the support blocks 45, 65 are not mounted directly on the base element 50 of the support device 50, but are attached to a support element 67. The support element 67 is in turn pivotally mounted on two support blocks 68, which are attached to the base element 50. The support blocks 68 are designed in the same or similar manner as the support blocks 45, 65. The support element 67 can therefore pivot with respect to the base element 50.

[0088] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the load is distributed across the four support rollers 40, 41, 60, 61. Due to the pivotable mounting of both the support rollers 40, 41, 60, 61 and the support element 67, it is ensured that all support rollers 40, 41, 60, 61 automatically adapt to the underside of the patient support device 18 when the patient support device 18 deforms.

[0089] Fig. 8 schematically shows a patient positioning system 69, which is a further development of the patient positioning system 19 described above. As in Fig. 7, the support device 17 in Fig. 8 comprises a first support roller group with the support rollers 40, 41 and a second support roller group with the support rollers 60, 61, which are mounted at their ends in respective bearing blocks 42, 43, 62, 63. Furthermore, the bearing blocks 42, 43, 62, 63 are pivotally mounted on support blocks 45 and 65, respectively. The support blocks 45, 65 are fastened directly to the base element 50 of the support device 17 in Fig. 8, so that the bearing blocks 42, 43, 62, 63, together with the respective support rollers 40, 41, 60, 61, are pivotable with respect to the base element 50.

[0090] Furthermore, the support blocks 45, 65 are spaced apart such that one end of the patient support device 18 is supported on the support rollers 40, 41 of the first group, and the other end of the patient support device is supported on the support rollers 60, 61 of the second group. The support rollers 40, 41, 60, 61 are thus used to support the patient support device 18 on both sides.

[0091] Fig. 9 schematically shows another embodiment of the bearing blocks. The bearing block 43 shown in Fig. 9 is not seated on a support block, but rather has a shaft-shaped element 70 that protrudes on the side of the bearing block 43 facing away from the support rollers 40, 41 and is aligned parallel to the rotation axes of the support rollers 40, 41. The shaft-shaped element 70 is rotatably mounted to enable pivoting of the bearing block 43 and the support rollers 40, 41.

[0092] Fig. 10 shows the patient support device 18 with a profiled underside. A support section of the support roller 40, which is provided for supporting the patient support device 18, also has a profile in sections that complements the profile of the patient support device 18. This creates a larger contact area between the patient support device 18 and the support roller 40. The remaining support rollers 41, 60, 61 can be designed in the same way.

[0093] Exemplary embodiments and variants in accordance with the present disclosure are described in the following list of items and options:

[0094] Item 1: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) usable as part of a medical table (10), wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) comprises: a patient support device (18) for supporting a patient, and a carrier device (17) on which the patient support device (18) rests, wherein the patient support device (18) is movable with respect to the carrier device (17) in order to move a patient thereon, wherein the carrier device (17) has a plurality of carrier rollers (40, 41) for supporting and displacing the patient support device (18), wherein the carrier rollers (40, 41) are rotatable independently of one another about their respective axes of rotation, and wherein at least two of the carrier rollers (40, 41) form a first group and the carrier rollers (40, 41) of the first group are only pivotable together with respect to other parts of the carrier device (17).

[0095] Item 2: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to item 1, wherein the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are aligned substantially parallel to one another and the at least two support rollers (40, 41) are pivotally connected to the other parts of the support device (17) by one or more pivoting engagements, in particular by at least one concave and / or convex engagement, a circular arc-shaped engagement, an elastic connection, a borehole connection, a pivotable bearing block, a hinge or an axle connection.

[0096] Item 3: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to item 1 or 2, further comprising bearing blocks (42, 43) which respectively support ends of the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group such that the axes of rotation of the at least two support rollers (40, 41) are aligned substantially parallel to one another.

[0097] Item 4: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to item 3, wherein the bearing blocks

[0098] (42, 43) are pivotable about a common pivot axis. Item 5: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to item 3 or 4, further comprising support blocks (45) for pivotably supporting the bearing blocks (42, 43), wherein the support blocks (45) each have a first bearing section (47) on which a second bearing section (48) of the bearing blocks (42, 43) is mounted, and wherein the first bearing sections (47) are designed to be complementary to the second bearing sections (48).

[0099] Item 6: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to item 5, wherein the first bearing sections (47) are each concave and the second bearing sections (48) are each convex, or wherein the first bearing sections (47) are each convex and the second bearing sections (48) are each concave.

[0100] Item 7: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to item 5 or 6, wherein the first

[0101] Bearing sections (47) and the second bearing sections (48) each have a circular arc-shaped surface.

[0102] Item 8: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding

[0103] Points, wherein at least two of the support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are adjustable in height.

[0104] Item 9: Patient positioning system (59) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least two of the support rollers (60, 61) form a second group, wherein the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) of the first group and the second group are each mounted in two bearing blocks (42, 43, 62, 63), wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) are pivotally mounted on support blocks (45, 65), and wherein the support blocks (45, 65) are fastened to a support element (67) which is pivotally mounted.

[0105] Item 10: Patient positioning system (69) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least two of the support rollers (60, 61) form a second group, wherein the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) of the first group and the second group are each mounted in two bearing blocks (42, 43, 62, 63), wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) are pivotally mounted on support blocks (45, 65), and wherein the support blocks (45, 65) are spaced from one another such that one end of the patient support device (18) can be mounted on the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group and the other end of the patient support device (18) can be mounted on the at least two support rollers (60, 61) of the second group.

[0106] Item 11: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to item 3 or 4, wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43) each have a recess into which a shaft-shaped element engages for the pivotable mounting of the bearing blocks (42, 43), or wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43) each have a shaft-shaped element (70) which is rotatably mounted for the pivotable mounting of the bearing blocks (42, 43).

[0107] Item 12: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of items 3 to 10, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting the patient support device (18) and a bearing section for supporting the support roller (40, 41, 60, 61), which is firmly connected to the support section, and wherein the bearing section is rotatably connected to the bearing blocks (42, 43) via bearings, in particular roller, plain or needle bearings.

[0108] Item 13: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting an underside of the patient support device (18), and wherein the support section and / or the underside of the patient support device (18) are coated with an elastomer. Item 14: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting the patient support device (18), and wherein the support section has a flat or profiled surface.

[0109] Item 15: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding items, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting the patient support device (18), and wherein the patient support device (18) has a surface for supporting on the support section, which surface is complementary to the surface of the support section.

[0110] Item 16: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding items, wherein the patient support device (18) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the support device (17), in particular wherein the patient support device (18) is rollable over the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group during the displacement in the longitudinal direction.

[0111] Item 17: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the patient support device (18) comprises an elongated and substantially flat surface for supporting a patient thereon, which surface is substantially radiotransparent, and wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) is usable as part of a medical imaging table.

[0112] Item 18: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding items, wherein at least a portion of the patient support device (18) is elongated and generally planar, the patient support device (18) being capable of flexing under a patient load, and wherein, when the patient support device (18) flexes, the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group pivot together with respect to the other portions of the support device (17) such that the at least two support rollers (40, 41) remain in contact with the patient support device (18) during flexion.

[0113] Item 19: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding items, wherein the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are jointly pivotable relative to the other parts of the support device (17) only within a limited pivoting range, in particular within a pivoting range of 20 degrees or less.

[0114] Item 20: Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding items, wherein the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are generally parallel to one another and the at least two support rollers (40, 41) pivot together with at least part of a common support device (17); and wherein the support device (17) has a curved, concave section on a bottom surface, wherein a curved, upwardly convex support block (45) is arranged below the support device (17) and supports the support device (17), in particular wherein the support block (45) is semicircular; and wherein the support device (17) rests on the support block (45) and is displaceable on the support block (45) for pivoting the at least two support rollers (40, 41).Item 21: Medical table (10) with a column and a patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding items, wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) is fixedly mounted on the column or detachably connectable to the column.

Claims

Claims Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) usable as part of a medical table (10), wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) comprises: a patient support device (18) for supporting a patient, and a carrier device (17) on which the patient support device (18) rests, wherein the patient support device (18) is movable with respect to the carrier device (17) in order to move a patient thereon, wherein the carrier device (17) has a plurality of carrier rollers (40, 41) for supporting and displacing the patient support device (18), wherein the carrier rollers (40, 41) are rotatable independently of one another about their respective axes of rotation, and wherein at least two of the carrier rollers (40, 41) form a first group and the carrier rollers (40, 41) of the first group are only pivotable together with respect to other parts of the carrier device (17).The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are aligned substantially parallel to one another, and the at least two support rollers (40, 41) are pivotally connected to the other parts of the support device (17) by one or more pivoting engagements, in particular by at least one concave and / or convex engagement, a circular arc-shaped engagement, an elastic connection, a borehole connection, a pivotable bearing block, a hinge, or an axle connection, and / or wherein the support rollers (40, 41) extend below the patient support device (18) along the entire width of the patient support device (18). The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising bearing blocks (42, 43) that respectively support the ends of the at least two support rollers. TI (40, 41) of the first group such that the axes of rotation of the at least two carrier rollers (40, 41) are aligned substantially parallel to one another.

4. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 3, wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43) are pivotable about a common pivot axis.

5. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising support blocks (45) for pivotably supporting the bearing blocks (42, 43), wherein the support blocks (45) each have a first bearing section (47) on which a second bearing section (48) of the bearing blocks (42, 43) is mounted, and wherein the first bearing sections (47) are designed to be complementary to the second bearing sections (48), and / or wherein the support blocks (45) each have a bore (51) in which a threaded screw (52) is guided, with which the respective support block (45) is fastened to a base element (50) of the support device (17) and in particular the threaded screws (52) are provided for adjusting the height of the support blocks (45).

6. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 5, wherein the first bearing sections (47) are each concave and the second bearing sections (48) are each convex, or wherein the first bearing sections (47) are each convex and the second bearing sections (48) are each concave.

7. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first bearing sections (47) and the second bearing sections (48) each have a circular arc-shaped surface.

8. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two of the support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are adjustable in height. Patient positioning system (59) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the support rollers (60, 61) form a second group, wherein the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) of the first group and the second group are each mounted in two bearing blocks (42, 43, 62, 63), wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) are pivotally mounted on support blocks (45, 65), and wherein the support blocks (45, 65) are fastened to a support element (67) which is pivotally mounted.Patient positioning system (69) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two of the support rollers (60, 61) form a second group, wherein the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) of the first group and the second group are each mounted in two bearing blocks (42, 43, 62, 63), wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43, 62, 63) are pivotally mounted on support blocks (45, 65), and wherein the support blocks (45, 65) are spaced from one another such that one end of the patient support device (18) can be mounted on the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group and the other end of the patient support device (18) can be mounted on the at least two support rollers (60, 61) of the second group.The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43) each have a recess into which a respective shaft-shaped element engages for pivotally supporting the bearing blocks (42, 43), or wherein the bearing blocks (42, 43) each have a shaft-shaped element (70) that is rotatably mounted for pivotally supporting the bearing blocks (42, 43). The patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of claims 3 to 10. wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting the patient support device (18) and a bearing section for supporting the support roller (40, 41, 60, 61), which is firmly connected to the support section, and wherein the bearing section is rotatably connected to the bearing blocks (42, 43) via bearings, in particular roller, plain or needle bearings.

13. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting an underside of the patient support device (18), and wherein the support section and / or the underside of the patient support device (18) are coated with an elastomer.

14. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting the patient support device (18), and wherein the support section has a flat or profiled surface.

15. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the support rollers (40, 41, 60, 61) has a support section for supporting the patient support device (18), and wherein the patient support device (18) has a surface for supporting on the support section, which surface is complementary to the surface of the support section.

16. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient support device (18) is arranged in relation to the support device device (17) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction, in particular wherein the patient support device (18) is rollable over the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group during the displacement in the longitudinal direction.

17. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient support device (18) comprises an elongated and substantially flat surface for supporting a patient thereon, which surface is substantially radiotransparent, and wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) is usable as part of a medical imaging table.

18. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the patient support device (18) is elongated and generally planar, the patient support device (18) being capable of flexing under a patient load, and wherein, when the patient support device (18) flexes, the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group pivot together with respect to the other portions of the support device (17) such that the at least two support rollers (40, 41) remain in contact with the patient support device (18) during flexion.

19. Patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are jointly pivotable relative to the other parts of the support device (17) only within a limited pivoting range, in particular within a pivoting range of 20 degrees or less. A patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two support rollers (40, 41) of the first group are generally parallel to one another, and the at least two support rollers (40, 41) pivot together with at least a portion of a common support device (17); and wherein the support device (17) has a curved, concave portion on a bottom surface, wherein a curved, upwardly convex support block (45) is arranged below the support device (17) and supports the support device (17), in particular wherein the support block (45) is semicircular; and wherein the support device (17) rests on the support block (45) and is displaceable on the support block (45) for pivoting the at least two support rollers (40, 41).A medical table (10) comprising a column and a patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patient positioning system (19, 59, 69) is fixedly mounted on the column or detachably connectable to the column.

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