Operating Table Joint with Rotatable Pivot Axis for Large Tilt Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating tables with gimbal mounting systems are limited in achieving large tilt and trend angles due to centrally arranged pivot axes, restricting the adjustment range of the patient support.

Innovation Solution

The patient support is mounted on a joint that can rotate about a vertical axis, allowing the pivot axis to be positioned on either side or end of the support, enabling large tilt and trend angles by rotating the joint to the desired location, and utilizing a single lifting cylinder and two synchronized drive motors for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gimbal mounting with centrally arranged pivot axes is used, then the structure is stable and compact, but the patient support cannot be pivoted to large tilt angles and trend angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting angle rangeVSAvoidjoint rotation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot axis position is made dynamically adjustable through rotation about a vertical axis. The joint can rotate to position the pivot axis on either side or at the end of the patient support, enabling large pivoting angles (up to 90°) while maintaining structural stability. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between stable compact structure and large angle capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If two lifting cylinders are used for gimbal mounting, then both transverse and longitudinal pivoting can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting capabilityVSAvoidnumber of drive elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines transverse and longitudinal pivoting capabilities into a single lifting cylinder system. By rotating the joint about a vertical axis to reposition the pivot axis, one lifting cylinder can achieve both types of pivoting movements that traditionally required two separate cylinders, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining full pivoting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single lifting cylinder is designed to perform multiple functions: it can pivot the patient support both transversely and longitudinally depending on the position of the pivot axis. The joint's ability to rotate about the vertical axis enables the lifting cylinder to universally handle different pivoting directions, eliminating the need for separate drive elements for each direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If pivot axis is arranged centrally, then the structure is compact and stable, but the maximum inclination or tilting angle is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinclination angleVSAvoidpivot axis position range

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2243456B1Operating table

Publication Date: 2013.07.10 BERCHTOLD HLDG GMBH

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AI summary

An operating table has a column on which a patient support is mounted in such a way that it can be pivoted about an axis extending transversely to the patient support and about an axis extending longitudinally to the patient support, the patient support being connected to the column via joint parts which are rotatable.