EP2452664B1 - Operating table - Google Patents

Abstract

The table has a mobile base (10) provided with four rollers (18, 20) e.g. steering wheels, which are pivoted by pivotal levers (22-28) from driving position to standing position, where the pivotal levers are fastened to the base. The pivotal levers are connected with each other by a drive and a lever arm, where the drive and lever arm are decoupled from the base and moved between pivotal positions of the pivotal levers. The drive includes a single electric motor and/or self-locking gear, and the drive and lever arm are freely moved relative to the base along a motion direction of the drive. An independent claim is also included for a method for positioning an operating table.

Description

The present invention relates to an operating table according to the preamble of claim 1 ( DE 1 054 663 B ).

Operating tables are known in various embodiments. In order to ensure the stability of the operating table, the base should stand on four support points, since at only three support points a stability would not be guaranteed, even if the table would not wobble in this case. If supported at four points, the table can wobble if the ground or ground is not completely flat.

From the o.g. It is also known in the prior art to provide compensation for ground unevenness, namely by means of hydraulic parking cylinders. However, such solutions are relatively expensive and depending on the weight of the patient may still cause a misalignment of the table surface.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an operating table with a mobile base, which allows a simple positioning a wobble-free positioning.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of claim 1 and in particular by the fact that the base is provided with four rollers, which are each pivotable via a pivot lever mounted on the base of a driving position in a standing position. In the driving position, each roller forms the lowest point of the operating table so that it can be rolled over the ground when all four rollers are in motion are in their driving position. In the standing position, the roller is raised relative to the base so that the base itself touches the ground. The transition from the driving position to the standing position is effected according to the invention by a pivoting lever, which can be pivoted in particular about a horizontal axis. Here, the roller can be attached directly to the pivot lever or indirectly actuated by the pivot lever, for example within a vertical guide or the like.

According to the invention, at least one pair of rollers, i. with two opposite rollers, the associated pivot lever connected by a linkage and a common drive. In other words, located between the two pivoting levers only the linkage and the drive and both the drive and the linkage are decoupled from the base between the pivot axes of the two pivot levers movable. In this context, although it is a possible embodiment that the drive and / or the linkage are mounted in a sliding guide or the like on the base. However, according to the invention, such a guide or mounting must ensure that a free movement of the linkage and the drive is possible and in particular along an imaginary connecting line between the two connection points of the drive and the linkage to the associated pivoting levers.

With the construction according to the invention, which can be made very simple mechanically, two opposing rollers can be freely and independently raised or lowered, since the elements connecting the two pivot levers are freely movable in the longitudinal direction and not fixed to the base. In this way, it is possible, the base by lifting all rollers first completely on the Lower the floor and then operate the drive until the operating table stands wobble-free on the ground. If the two rollers, which are connected to each other via the drive and the linkage, stand on an uneven surface, then one of the two rollers will have contact with the ground due to the weight of the operating table, whereas the other roller will not touch the ground or will not touch it with sufficient contact force. By operating the drive, this roller can be lowered independently of the roller connected to it via the linkage, so that the unevenness of the floor can be compensated.

According to a further aspect of the invention, this comprises a method for positioning a surgical table of the type described above, in which the casters of the base are first pivoted at a desired location of the operating table from its driving position to an end position in which the base is lowered completely to the ground If necessary, then the drive is actuated if necessary until four measuring devices for determining the bearing force on conditions of the base output a substantially matching measured value. Due to tolerances, it is not absolutely necessary for the output measured value to match exactly. As a result, the match must be so large that the operating table does not wobble.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the description, the drawings and the subclaims.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the drive may comprise an electric motor, in particular a single electric motor, and in particular be provided with a self-locking gear. In addition to pneumatic or hydraulic linear cylinders, which also drive can be provided, in this embodiment, the lifting and lowering of the rollers can control very precisely, in the case of a self-locking gear no locking or braking device must be provided to ensure the freedom from wobbling of the operating table. Furthermore, the use of an electric motor allows the measurement of the motor current, wherein from the motor current can also be deduced the pressure with which the rollers rest on the ground.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the drive causes a linear movement and both the drive and the linkage are relative to the base in the direction of movement of the drive, i. in the direction of linear movement, freely movable. In this embodiment, the linear motion may be generated, for example, by a motor-driven spindle that moves linearly within a guide. Alternatively, linear drives such as linear motors, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders or other drives are possible.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the pivot lever comprises a hinged to the base hinge plate to which a roller is attached. Such a hinge plate may be attached to a horizontal pivot axis to the base and be designed for example as a two-armed lever, wherein attached to one arm of the lever, the roller and the linkage or the drive are hinged to the other arm of the lever. By thus formed hinge plate, the functions of the invention can be realized structurally in a particularly simple manner. Alternatively, the roller and the articulation point for the linkage or the drive relative to the pivot axis of the hinge plate can lie on one and the same side.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the rollers of the other roller pair can be connected to each other via a further common drive and another linkage, wherein the further drive and the further link between the pivot axes of the two pivot levers are decoupled from the base movable. In this embodiment, two rollers are connected to each other via drive and linkage and the rollers can be pivoted independently, so that even better adaptation to an uneven surface is possible.

If all rollers are designed as castors, the operating table can be maneuvered particularly well.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a measuring device for determining the contact pressure or the contact force between the rollers of the roller pair and the bottom can be provided. By means of such a measuring device, the operating table can be set up automatically without wobbling, by determining whether the measured contact pressure corresponds to a desired value. In this case, the measuring device can be configured such that it detects the current consumption of the electric motor. By specifying a static or dynamic limit value, the electric motor can then be activated until the measured value output by the measuring device corresponds to the limit value.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the base has four defined conditions, wherein on all supports a measuring device for determining the contact force is provided. The measurement results can be evaluated with suitable electronics and in the event of a risk of tipping, a corresponding warning can be issued in good time or certain drives of the operating table can be shut down. It is also possible to use the measuring devices at the same time to determine the patient's weight. Since the measuring devices are provided below the base in this embodiment, not only the patient's weight can be determined but also detect a possible tilting or eliminate wobbling of the operating table by the drive is actuated.

In a method according to the invention for positioning an operating table which is provided with corresponding measuring devices, the rollers of the base are pivoted at a desired location of the operating table from its driving position to an end position in which the base is lowered completely to the ground. Subsequently, if necessary, the drive is actuated until all four measuring devices output a substantially identical measured value, since the operating table then rests with the same force on all four support points and wobbling is precluded.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht von oben auf eine Basis;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische und vergrößerte Ansicht eines Teils der Basis;

Fig. 3A - 3C

eine Seitenansicht der Basis in verschiedenen Stellun-gen während des Positionierens; und

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht von zwei Laufrollen, die über ein Gestänge und einen Antrieb miteinander schwenkbar verbunden sind.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to an advantageous embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view from above of a base;

Fig. 2

a perspective and enlarged view of a portion of the base;

Figs. 3A - 3C

a side view of the base in different Stellun gene during positioning; and

Fig. 4

a perspective view of two rollers, which are pivotally connected to each other via a linkage and a drive.

Fig. 1 1 shows a mobile base 10 of an operating table, which in known manner comprises a patient support (not shown), which is connected via a column 15 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) is attached to the base 10. The base 10 comprises in the illustrated embodiment, a central receptacle 12 to which two foot supports 14 and 16 are pivotally mounted about vertical axes A. The two Fußausleger 14 and 16 are formed as hollow spars, wherein at the two ends of each Fußauslegers 14 and 16 each designed as a steering roller roller 18, 20 is arranged. In the figures, the rollers of the Fußauslegers 16 are not visible.

As the figures illustrate, each caster 18, 20 is secured to the end of the leg extensions 14 and 16 via a hinge plate 22, 24, 26 and 28 which forms a pivoting lever, each about a horizontal axis B (FIG. Fig. 2 ) is pivotable relative to the base 10. Each roller can thereby via its hinge plate from a driving position ( Fig. 3A ), in which a procedure of the operating table is possible, in a standing position ( Fig. 3B ), in which the rollers no longer lift the operating table from the ground. The pivoting of the rollers 18 and 20 relative to the base 10 by means of a common drive 30 and a linkage 32, which connect the two hinge plates 22 and 24 together.

As Fig. 4 illustrates, on one hinge plate 22, the linkage 32 is articulated and at its other end, the linkage 32 is connected to the drive 30, which in turn is hingedly connected at its opposite end to the hinge plate 24. The drive 30 comprises a single electric motor 34 coupled to a spindle drive 36 which includes a self-locking transmission. The drive 30 causes a linear movement in the direction of the connection between the two articulation points to the hinge plates 22 and 24, wherein these articulation points have pivot axes which are parallel to the horizontal pivot axes B. Because of the in Fig. 4 As shown arrangement, only the two hinge plates 22 and 24 are pivotally connected to the base 10 in the region of its pivot axes B, both the drive and the linkage of the base 10 can be moved decoupled and both drive 30 as well as linkage 32 are relative to the base 10 freely movable in the direction of movement of the drive.

The base 10 furthermore has a total of four defined supports, two supports each being arranged on each end of a foot extension. Fig. 3 shows two pads 40 and 42 which are attached to the underside of the Fußauslegers 14 and plate-shaped. In this case, each support via an associated load cell 44 (see. Fig. 2 ) With the base 10 and connected to the Fußausleger, so that the prevailing at the respective support bearing force can be measured, for which a not shown evaluation is provided.

• Zunächst wird der Operationstisch an einen gewünschten Standort gerollt, wobei sich alle Laufrollen 18 und 20 in der in Fig. 3A gezeigten Fahrposition befinden, in welcher die Laufrollen ganz nach unten verschwenkt sind, so dass die Basis den Boden B nicht berührt. Anschließend kann der Antrieb 30 betätigt werden, wodurch die beiden Scharnierplatten 22 und 24 um ihre horizontalen Schwenkachsen B gegensinnig verschwenkt werden, so dass sich die Basis 10 und damit auch der Operationstisch so weit absenkt, bis die Basis 10 mit ihren Auflagen 40, 42 vollständig auf dem Boden B aufliegt. Der Antrieb 30 kann dabei so lange betätigt werden, bis die Rollen 18 und 20 von dem Boden B abheben.

With the device described above, an operating table can be positioned on a floor as follows:

• First, the operating table is rolled to a desired location, with all rollers 18 and 20 in the in Fig. 3A be shown driving position, in which the rollers are pivoted all the way down, so that the base does not touch the bottom B. Subsequently, the drive 30 can be actuated, whereby the two hinge plates 22 and 24 in opposite directions about their horizontal pivot axes B. be pivoted so that the base 10 and thus also the operating table so far lowers until the base 10 rests with their supports 40, 42 completely on the floor B. The drive 30 can be actuated until the rollers 18 and 20 lift off the ground B.

In order not to allow a completely flat surface B a wobble-free erection of the operating table, then the drive 30 of a pair of rollers (or both drives the two pairs of rollers) are operated until the operating table on all four supports 40, 42 with the same force rests. For this purpose, the measured values of the load cells 44 in the electronic control can be compared with one another and the drive 30 can then be stopped if all four load cells output a substantially identical measured value.

Since both the drive 30 and the linkage 32 between the pivot axes B of the two hinge plates 22 and 24 are decoupled from the base 10, a free and independent movement of those steering roller is possible, which has no or no sufficient ground contact.

How the particular Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 make clear, each hinge plate 22, 24 with a stop 23, 25 is provided, which in fully pivoted hinge plate (see. Fig. 3A ) abuts against a component of the base 10, so that the same driving position can be adjusted for all castors. If the current consumption of the electric motor 34 of the drive 30 is detected, a simple end stop can be realized, which is triggered when the motor current has reached a predetermined threshold.

Claims (10)

1. An operating table having a mobile base (10) which is provided with four casters (18, 20) which are each pivotable via a pivot lever (22-28) fastened to the base (10) from a moving position into a stationary position,
   characterised in that
   the pivot levers of at least one caster pair (18, 20) are connected to one another by a common drive (30) and by a linkage (32); and in that the drive and the linkage are movable between the pivot axes (B) of the two pivot levers decoupled from the base (10).
2. An operating table in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the drive (30) has an electric motor (34), in particular a single electric motor, and/or a self-locking transmission (36).
3. An operating table in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the drive (30) causes a linear movement; and in that the drive (30) and the linkage (32) are freely movable relative to the base (10) in the direction of movement of the drive.
4. An operating table in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the pivot lever includes a pivot plate (22, 24) which is pivotally connected to the base and to which a caster (18, 20) is fastened.
5. An operating table in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the casters of the other caster pair are also connected to one another via a common drive and a linkage, with the drive and the linkage being movable between the pivot axes of the two pivot levers decoupled from the base (10).
6. An operating table in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   all the casters (18, 20) are swivel casters.
7. An operating table in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a measuring device (44) is provided for determining the contact pressure between the casters (18, 20) of the caster pair and the floor (B).
8. An operating table in accordance with claim 2 and claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the measuring device detects the current consumption of the electric motor (34).
9. An operating table in accordance with at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the base (10) has four defined supports (40, 42); and in that a measuring device (44) for determining the support force is provided at all supports.
10. A method for positioning an operating table in accordance with claim 9 on a floor,
    characterised in that
    the casters of the base are pivoted at a desired location of the operating table from their moving position into an end position in which the base is completely lowered onto the floor, with subsequently the drive being actuated for so long until all four measuring devices output a substantially coinciding measured value.

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