EP0179764A1

EP0179764A1 - Reclining chair with adjustable inclination for the extension of the body

Info

Publication number: EP0179764A1
Application number: EP84902513A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jens Therkorn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Therkorn Jens
Priority date: 1983-06-28
Filing date: 1984-06-22
Publication date: 1986-05-07
Also published as: US4638793A; DE3475266D1; EP0129885A1; DE3323310A1; WO1985000104A1; ATE38772T1; EP0129885B1

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP84/00186 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 26, 1985 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 26, 1985 PCT Filed Jun. 22, 1984 PCT Pub. No. WO85/00104 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 17, 1985.In a couch 10 of adjustable inclination for body extension in a head-down position with a couch carrier 12 and a support table 14 securable on the carrier 12 in different inclinations and provided with a foot and/or calf retaining device 96; 102, it is proposed that the body support length a+b+c between the retaining device 96 and the head rest 128 is adjustable continuously or in fine stages according to the increasing body extension, with the inclined table 14 occupied in a head-down position. Thus it is possible to achieve a protective traction treatment.

Description

Tilt-adjustable bed for stretching the body

The invention relates to an incline-adjustable couch, in particular for body stretching in a head-down position, with a couch support and one that can be fixed on the support in different inclinations, with a foot or. Lower leg holding device and a support table provided with a head bearing.

The stretching of body joints, especially the spine, is an important therapeutic measure in connection with the therapy of rheumatic diseases, muscle tension, postural damage or the like. In healthy people, stretching the body can contribute to an increase in well-being, in particular to promoting relaxation. Horizontal stretching tables are known in which the body is stretched by slightly pulling a foot strap and a head strap apart using a corresponding mechanism. The disadvantage of this is that the body between the clamping points is under the applied tensile force over its entire length, so that, for example, the cervical vertebrae are under the same tensile stress as both knee joints together. However, it is often desirable to put less or no strain on part of the joints, at least at the beginning of therapy. This applies in particular to muscle tension and spinal torsion. Excessive stretching of the joints associated with the muscle tension, in particular the corresponding vertebrae, would lead to a refelex-like reinforcement of the muscle tension. ^^ - ¹ In the case of the reclining couches of the type mentioned at the outset, the tensile force in the head underlay naturally decreases from the feet to the head, since the residual body length to be carried by the respective joint decreases towards the head. In order, at least initially, to relieve the vertebrae in the neck area, in particular in the case of neck tension, a head bearing is provided, on which the head is supported. In the known reclining loungers, the head bearing is admitted for adjusting different body sizes in different

- ** ⁰ different positions can be defined on the support table; However, it is not possible to change the head position or the holding device position during the stretching treatment, that is to say when the bed is in the head-down position. The desired during the stretching treatment

¹⁵ ma _ß en occurring joint and muscle strains, however, have an increase in body size up to 1 - 2 cm resulted. If the length of the body contact between the holding device and the head bearing remains unchanged, this leads to a "compression" of the body in the neck and neck area, that is to say to a complete breakdown

2 ^{0 of} the desired tensile stresses present here and for building up compressive stresses with corresponding evasion of the spine by slight S-shaped curvature.

The object of the invention is to provide a bare ²⁵ neigungsverstell- deck body to stretch that allows the setting and maintaining a desired state of strain during stretching treatment, regardless of the Körperlängung.

30 This object is achieved in that the length of the body support between the holding device and the head bearing when the table is occupied, inclined in the head-down position is continuously or finely adjustable in accordance with the increasing body stretch. With increasing body elongation

35 accordingly adjusted the body support length, so that there are constant tension conditions.

O PI In the known horizontal stretching table and the known reclining couch, the couch support surface is essentially flat, apart from upholstery. In the event of muscle tension, spinal torsion, rheumatic diseases or the like, the body adopts a so-called gentle posture in which pain is felt least. Often, the protective posture consists in an angling of the knee joints and the thigh-pelvic joints. Such flexion also corresponds to a relaxation position of healthy people (posture of the unborn child in the womb). If one assumes such a gentle or relaxation position of the body during the stretching treatment, the risk of additional tension or even of injuries (joint injuries, micro muscle tears or the like) is practically eliminated. A support on the knee side according to a further development of the invention now makes it possible to take such a protective or relaxation posture, possibly supplemented by a back support and an articulated joint in the Achilles tendon area and in the neck area. The desired continuous or finely adjustable adjustability of the body support length between the holding device and the head bearing can be achieved in a simple manner by the corresponding adjustability of the support on the squat side, provided that there is no simultaneous dementia when the squat angle is increased ¬ speaking, the distance between the holding device and the head bearing increases, which is the case with the so-called heart parts of hospital beds. In these patient beds, the support on the knee bend consists of a thigh support and a lower leg support; the thigh support is articulated with its end near the buttocks to the bed frame and articulated with its knee end to the lower leg support. The foot end of the lower leg

O PI 1 support is slidably guided on the bed frame in its longitudinal direction. In one embodiment of the invention, the lower leg support together with the holding device is articulated on the support table,

5 so that with a reduction in the inclination of the lower leg support (joint point on the support table below the lower leg support plate) there is even a reduction in the distance between the holding device and the head support. To take increasing body elongation into account

10 during a stretching treatment, it is thus only necessary to accordingly raise the knee bending angle between the lower leg and thigh by appropriately An¬ * ^ ^he reduce lower leg support. The particularly simple structure of the arrangement is to be emphasized since

15 only a single, possibly rigid part, namely the

Lower leg support - to be attached to the support table using a simple. The lack of support for the thighs in this case can be due to the head position (any angle of inclination of the support table level to

20 horizontal, for example between 20 ° and 90 °, with additional belt securing, in particular lap belt securing of the body) are accepted, since a corresponding contact pressure of the thigh decreases with the angle of inclination.

^'25

However, since the contact pressure of the lower leg against the lower leg support increases with increasing angle of inclination, it is advantageous if the contact length of the lower leg support against the length of the lower leg is to be treated.

30 the person is customizable.

In order to be able to change the distance of the holding device from the head bearing to compensate for the body elongation regardless of the angle of the knee, it is provided that the distance ^{35 of} the holding device from the head bearing, if necessary, remains unchanged Adjustment of the support on the squat, continuously or finely adjustable. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the articulation point of the lower leg support on the support table can be continuously or finely displaced relative to the support table in the longitudinal direction of the table.

In order to be able to adapt the support surface of the table even better to the desired gentle posture or relaxation posture, in particular for setting a certain pelvic angle, regardless of the angle of the knee, a back support is provided in a development of the invention.

With increasing inclination, the contact pressure of the

Back against the back support. It is therefore advantageous if the contact length of the back support can be changed with simple means.

For precise adaptation of the support surface to the person to be treated, according to a preferred embodiment, the back support can be moved as such on the support table. In order to take into account the body elongation during the stretching treatment, the back support can also be designed to be displaceable when the table is occupied and inclined.

The adaptation of the couch shape to the respective body shape is further improved by joints. Articulated joints in the Achilles tendon area and in the neck area enable the person to be treated to perform corresponding articulation movements if necessary - these movements are often helpful especially in the relaxation position (corresponding movements are carried out by the unborn child in the womb). The pivoting of the buttock support plate enables the correction of certain postural defects (e.g. scoliosis). The ability of the buttock support plate to bend allows extensive adaptation to the respective body shape. In order to be able to lower the support table to a lower height for climbing, it is proposed that the horizontal inclination axis of the support table be made vertically displaceable.

The adjustment functions can also be obtained when the table is occupied, inclined, using technically simple, robust, reliable means, if, according to a further development of the invention, actuators, preferably hydraulic actuators or stepper motor actuators, are used for the implementation at least part of the adjustment functions of the bed are used.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one sensor is provided for measuring tensile or compressive stresses exerted by the body on the support table essentially in the longitudinal direction of the body. The values measured by these sensors are indicative of the actual body tension or Pressure loads in the area of the respective sensor. Thus, the tensile or compressive load in the critical head and neck area can be checked with a pressure-tension sensor in the area of the head bearing. A corresponding tensile stress sensor in the area of the foot or lower leg holding device allows the tensile loads in the area of the lower extremities to be checked. By comparing the tensile stress in the foot area with the compressive tension in the head area, the general tensile stress can also be determined of the body. The higher the tensile stress in the foot area and the lower the compressive tension in the head area, the greater the tensile stress on the body.

The sensors can be connected to an optical and / or acoustic display which allows manual adjustment of the bed by appropriate manual control of the actuators. However, one with the 1 sensor coupled, preferably program-controlled, control and regulating circuit can be provided, with the aid of which a predetermined body tension state can be set and also maintained during a stretching treatment. The control and regulating circuit can be designed to enter a treatment program so that corresponding treatment programs can be carried out automatically. The train or Pressure on the body, especially in the sensitive head and neck area, can be achieved in this way

_10th be set to a constant value independently of the body elongation, or be changed in a predetermined manner in accordance with the progress of the treatment. The tensile stress measured by the sensor in the foot region allows immediate conclusions to be drawn about the tensile load on the ankle

15 and indirectly the adjoining joints (knee joint and pelvic area). Applications are also conceivable in which the bed is inclined in the opposite direction, that is to say with the head lying above the feet, in which case compressive stresses can also occur in the foot area, which can also be used for regulation. However, the head-down position is preferred in most cases, since the tensile stress then occurring due to the gravity decreases in the direction of the head and is therefore complementary to the load on the upright body. If the tension in the foot area is too high, countermeasures are taken. H. the table is adjusted in the sense of a reduction in the tensile stress, which can be achieved by correspondingly pivoting back slightly in the direction of the horizontal and / or by adjusting the inclination or shifting the backrest and footrest.

The support table is provided with a heating pad, which allows the body to heat up and thus counteracts the risk of injury. The preferably heatable pillow allows a body support without local stress peaks, which is particularly important in the treatment of injured people. The invention will in the following with preferred execution _b eispielen the drawing explained on hand. It shows:

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned side view of a reclining couch for body stretching (section line I-I in Fig. 2).

FIG. 2 shows a partially sectioned view of the couch according to FIG. 1 from the foot side (section line II-I in FIG. 1);

3 shows an enlarged side view in section of the lower leg support of the bed according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

4 shows an enlarged side view in section of the back support of the bed according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a simplified side view of another _β . _ The embodiment of the reclining couch for body stretching according to the invention;

6 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the reclining couch according to the invention;

Fig. 7 is a partial section of the arrangement in Fig. Β along line VII-VII and

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of a carriage with a bendable seat support plate.

The tilt-adjustable couch is generally designated 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 ~~. It consists of one

Lounger support 12 and a support table 14, which is attached to the lounger via an approximately Z-shaped bracket 16 -

PI carrier _. Is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis 18 ^• 12th The bed support consists of two inclined columns 20, which lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis 18 and, proceeding from a common support head 22, move away from one another in the direction of the floor 24. The lower ends of the inclined columns 20 are welded to a foot 26 with a U-profile that runs parallel to the axis 18 and rests on the floor 24. Stiffening plates 28 between the feet 26 and inclined columns 20 and in the area of the head 22 at the angle formed between the inclined columns 20 ensure the required mechanical stability. The couch support 12 can also have a different shape, provided that only a sufficiently high level of stability is ensured, even when the support table 14 is inclined.

The upper, horizontal leg 16a of the bracket 16 in FIGS. 1 and 2 serves as a rotating shaft, for which purpose it is rotatably mounted in a corresponding pivot bearing sleeve 22a of the support head 22. A hydraulic rotary motor 22b permits a pivoting movement of the bracket 16 and a fixing of the bracket 16 in the respectively set pivoting position. In the. Fig. 1 and 2 is shown with a solid outline, the lowest position of the bracket 16, in which the 3 bracket 16 lies in a vertical plane. In this position, the support table 14 is in a horizontal plane. A dash-dotted outline in FIG. 1 indicates a swivel position 16 ′ of the bracket 16, which corresponds to a swivel angle CC of approximately 45 relative to the vertical plane. De supporting the table 14 is inclined at 45 to the horizontal plane. The end of the table at the foot is raised relative to the end of the table at the head.

On the support table 14, both a lower leg support 30 to be explained with reference to FIG. 3 and a back support 32 separately shown in FIG. 4 can be moved ^• --ll O-

1 is mounted, namely, in such a way that both supports gegen¬ ü he _b the table 14 about an axis 18 to * parallel joint axis can be pivoted, and in addition also, counter by appropriate displacement of the respective joint

5 above the table 14, can be moved in the table level. For this purpose, both supports 30 and 32 are each articulated with a slide 34 and 36, which slide in turn can be moved back and forth within a frame 38 of the table 14 in the longitudinal direction of the table. •, Λ The frame 38 is formed by two C-profile longitudinal members 33a with mutually facing C-profile openings and two cross members 38b at both table ends. The two longitudinal beams 38a lie in the center of length on the lower horizontal leg 16b of the bracket 16, with which they are welded. Approximately triangular stiffening plates 40 in the angular range between the

Oblique columns 20 closer to longitudinal beam 38a and the central leg 16c of the

Brackets 16 provide the necessary rigidity.

20th

The two slides 34 and 36 each engage with two spaced-apart guide rollers 42 in the C-profile opening of one and the other longitudinal frame member 38a. This ensures the desired displaceability in the longitudinal direction of the table 14 (double arrows A and B in FIG. 1).

Between the two slides ^" 34 and 36 there is another slide 44 with the corresponding guide

_ Roll 46, which serves as a support surface for the buttocks area 30. The possibility of movement of the slide 44

{in the longitudinal direction of the table 14) is indicated by a double arrow C in FIG. 1. For example, one is used to fix the carriage 44 in a selected position

Pin lock with the help of a pin 35, not shown, parallel to the axis 18, which is to be inserted into one of the two longitudinal members 38a from the side

OMPI l for engaging in one of a plurality of pin holes 48 of the carriage 44, indicated in FIG. 1.

In order to move the lower leg support 30 supporting carriage 34 5 continuously and under load, a hydraulic actuator 50 is provided, whose cylinder 52 is fastened over a standing from the carriage 34 downwardly away ^¬ web 54 rigidly to the carriage 34 and whose piston rod 56 attacks on the table 14, in

IQ shown example on the horizontal leg 16b of the bracket 16. By appropriate pressure medium acting on the cylinder 52, the carriage 34 can be moved in the desired manner. By blocking the flow of pressure medium, the respective

• - _E set carriage position reached.

Another hydraulic actuator 53 serves to pivot the lower leg support 30. The cylinder 60 is articulated on the web 54 opposite the cylinder 50. The piston rod 62 engages a link 64 rigidly connected to the lower leg support 30. 2 is formed by an elongated side leg 66a of a U-shaped support bracket 66. The middle leg 66b. the. U shape is rigidly attached to the underside of a 5 lower leg support board 68. Both side legs 66a and 66c are articulated on the slide 34 to form a pivot axis 70 parallel to the axis 18. The hinge point of the longer side leg 66a lies approximately in the middle between the board 68 and the piston rod joint 74. By appropriate actuation of the hydraulic actuator 58 can therefore pivot the lower leg support in the direction of the double arrow D in Fig.1 ..

5 In the same way, the back support 32 on the slide 36 can also be pivoted back and forth about a pivot axis 76 parallel to the axis 18 with the aid of a hydraulic actuator 78 in the direction of the double arrow E shown. Hydraulic actuator drive in turn consists of a cylinder 83 articulated on a web 80 of the slide 36 projecting vertically downwards and a piston rod 84 engaging a link 82 of the back support 32.

Finally, to move the slide 36 of the backrest 32 in the direction of the double arrow B, a further hydraulic actuator 86 is used, the cylinder 88 of which is rigidly attached to the web 80 and the piston rod 90 of which projects downward at a table end at the head end

Web 92 of the frame 38 attacks.

In order to prevent a person 94 lying on the support table 14, indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1, from sliding down from the support table 14 with increasing table inclination, a foot holding device is provided on the lower leg support in the form of a T-shaped bracket 96, the base of which leg 96a corresponding to the T-shape is inserted with its free end through a through opening 98 of lower leg support 30. The passage opening 98 is located in a corner formed by the board 68 and a sole support board 100, between the two placed feet. The two legs 96b starting from the leg 96a and forming the bar of the T-shape are provided with a padding 102 which rests on the feet in the instep area. A nut 104 is screwed onto the end of the leg 96a which is pushed through the opening 98 to fix the bracket 96. Other types of fixing the feet are also conceivable, such as e.g. Attachment loops or the like.

The board 100 and the board 68 are provided with upholstery 106, 108 and, if appropriate, recesses 110 for anatomically adapting the contact surface to the body lying thereon. In order to adapt the support length of the lower leg support 30 to persons with differently long lower legs, the support length a of the lower leg support 30 can be changed by dividing the board 68 into individual plate elements 112 in the form of narrow strips parallel to the axis 18 at the end of the knee end is connected by adjacent strips by piano-band-like hinges 114 on the side facing away from the support surface 116. The desired length a will now be _. more or less many elements 112 (in FIG. 3 3 elements) are supported on the back, namely by two bars 118 running parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the lower leg support 30. Each bar 118 is by means of two tabs 119 on the underside of the 3rettes 68 slidably supported.

4, the back support 32 is shown in more detail, specifically in the section along line IV-IV in FIG. 2 (coinciding with section line III-III in FIG. 2 for the sectional view in FIG. 3). The back support 32 consists of a board 120 which is provided with padding 122 and formations 124 for adaptation to the body shape. A pad 126 provided with head board 128 is mounted ^• projecting at right angles at the more distant from the axis 76 end of the board 32 thereof. The support length b of the back support 32 can in turn be changed similarly to the lower leg support 30 according to FIG. 3. Here too, rod-like support elements 130 are provided, this time at the end of the support closer to the pivot axis 76, which are in turn connected to one another on their inside with hinges 132 similar to piano tapes. The board 120 and the elements 130 are guided laterally in two C-shaped longitudinal beams 134 of a backrest frame 136. The two longitudinal beams 134 are rigidly connected to one another by cross beams 138 indicated in FIG. 4. To change the support length b, for example to shorten it, the plate 120 is until one or more elements 130 disengage from the C-profile opening of the two longitudinal beams 134 and then fold down. Once the desired support length b has been reached, the plate 120 is fixed to the frame 136 in a manner not shown, for example by pinning.

To carry out a stretching treatment, the person 94 moves onto the support table 14, which has already been roughly adjusted to the body dimensions, by actuating the hydraulic actuators 58, 50, 78 and 86. For people with rheumatic symptoms, muscle tension or the like ., a greater angle of the body will be preferable, that is, a greater inclination of the lower leg support 30 and the back support 32 with a correspondingly reduced distance between the two slides 34 and 36 from each other. The intermediate slide 44, which can be equipped with a seat trough, is brought into a corresponding intermediate position. With the help of the bracket 96, the feet are fixed on the lower leg support 30.

The support lengths a and b may be adapted to the body dimensions of the person lying on the table 14. The support length of the table 14 as the sum of the two support lengths a and b plus a support length c indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1 (length of the curve indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1 following the underside of the body between the knee-side * end of the lower leg support 30 and the The butt end of the back support 32) now corresponds exactly to the support length of the body of the person 94 on the table 14. The person 94 therefore touches the footplate 100 with the soles of his feet and the headboard 128 with his head of the hydraulic rotary motor 22b in the clockwise direction of FIG. 1, that is to say with the feet ahead, pivots, for example by an angle <X of 45 °.

The force of gravity acting on all body parts subtracts the basis of appropriate resolution of forces obliquely downwards in the direction of the now inclined plane of the table 140. f ¹ Since the person's head is supported by the head 128, the body cannot stretch at the moment. In order to achieve this in a metered manner, one slightly changes the body support length, more precisely, the portion c of the 5 support length, either by increasing the angle of inclination of the lower leg support 30 relative to the table plane 40 and / or by the carriage 34 carrying the lower leg support 30 the next table end moved slightly. Especially with tension in the neck area

I _Q , the support length is determined in such a way that there is no tensile or compressive stress on the vertebrae located in the neck area. In the course of the stretching treatment, however, it is also possible to increase or decrease the body support length accordingly

Allow 15 large tensile stresses to act on the cervical and neck vertebrae. The increase in body size of the person being treated (up to about 2 cm) during stretching treatment is compensated for by a corresponding increase in the body support length (a + b + c). o The relatively strong bending of the person corresponding to the careful posture can be weakened in the course of the stretching treatments, so that in some cases one works with a stretched body at the end of the treatment. The angle of inclination C can be 180 or even more, 5 where the pelvis can then be adjusted, if necessary

Straps on table 14 sets. In particular in the treatment of spinal torsion, it is conceivable to pivot the support table in the opposite direction (i.e. counterclockwise in FIG. 1), e.g. down to 0 the sitting position. In addition, the couch can also be used for orthopedic gymnastics or as an operating table.

5 The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 is characterized by particular simplicity. Components of this couch designated 210, which components

OMPI WIPO in accordance with the bed 10 of FIG. 1 -4, are iffern with the same ^¬ _B ezugs _Z, each provided, increased by the numeral 200.

The carrier 212 for the support table 214 now consists of two vertically running rails 252 with a U-profile attached to a vertical wall 250. The U-shaped openings of the spaced apart rails 252 face each other and respectively receive ^'an seit¬ Liche guide roller 254 at one longitudinal end of the table Pad 214. At the other end of the table there are two floor rollers 256. If one raises the left longitudinal end of table 214 in FIG. 5, for example by corresponding actuation of a block and tackle (not shown) attached to the ceiling and attacking this end of the table, the movement moves the left end of the table, led by the guide rollers 254 running in the rails 252, goes up in the vertical direction. Accordingly, any inclination angle CL of the table can be used

Set 214 between 0 and 180 relative to the horizontal.

The table 214 is provided with a lower leg support 230 and a back support 232. The lower leg support 230 in turn consists of a lower leg support board 268 and a sole plate 3.00. A bracket 296 with foam padding 302 is used to fix the feet to the lower leg support 230. The lower leg support 230 is articulated on the table 214 (articulated axis 270). The desired angle of inclination can be achieved with the help of a circular-shaped web 260 at the knee-side end of the lower leg support 230, which either via a pin connection (pin 262; pin recesses 264 in the web 260) or in another way (snap-in connection; frictional connection) on *

Table 214 can be fixed. There is also the option of adapting to different body sizes, the articulation point (axis 270) and, accordingly, that

GtöPI To shift pin connection (pin recesses 266 in table 214) in the longitudinal direction of the table.

In the same way, the back support 232 is also articulated on the table 214 (swivel axis 276) using an arcuate web 270 to determine the respective swivel angle. Here, too, there is the possibility of moving the articulation point.

According to the bed 10 according to FIGS. 1-4, the bed 214 in the horizontal position of the table 214 is also adapted to the body size of the person to be treated, so that the sole of the foot board 300 and the head board 328 lie against the corresponding part of the body . The feet are fixed to the lower leg support 230 with the aid of the bracket 296. Now, by actuating the pulley block or another drive, such as a vertical spindle drive, the end of the table on the wall is raised until the desired angle of inclination CC is reached. To account for the expansion body, the inclination angle of the lower leg support 230 relative to the table plane _^ is now a ^'second person enlarged gering¬ fügig. In the first stretching treatment, a relatively large initial value for the angle (0) is selected, particularly in the case of severely tense patients

Angle is gradually reduced in later stretching treatments.

The inclination adjustment of the lower leg support 30; 230 and the back support 32; 232 and possibly also the displacement of the respective joint axis 70; 270; 76; 276 in the longitudinal direction of the table can be continuous (bed 210) or finely graduated (bed 10) in order to be able to follow the lengthening of the body as much as possible during the stretching treatment. The size of an adjustment step preferably corresponds to a change in the body support length, ie the size c of less than 1 cm, better less than 0.5 cm, best of about 1 mm or less. It should be added to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 that, in those cases in which a relatively large climbing height of the couch can be accepted, it is of course also possible instead of the Z-shaped curved bracket 16 use a straight, horizontal bracket.

For. 1 is added that in order to further improve the adaptability of the table 14 to the respective body shape, both an articulated joint 68a of the lower leg support board 68 and an angled joint 32a of the back support 32 can be provided. each with an articulation axis parallel to the axis 18. The former joint 68a is located on the Achilles tendon area and the other joint 32a in the neck area. Both articulation joints are designed in a manner not shown for the optional adjustment and locking of the respective articulation, for which purpose hydraulic actuators can again be used if necessary. A pressure sensor 600 can be fitted in the area of the head cushion 126, which measures the pressure force of the head of the person to be treated, especially the longitudinal component which is approximately parallel to the spine. This longitudinal component is a direct measure of the tensile or compressive stress on the body in the head and neck area. The pressure sensor 600 thus indicates whether the cervical and neck vertebrae are under tensile or compressive stress, indicating the magnitude of the stress. The pressure sensor is connected via a line 602 to a corresponding optical or acoustic display 604, so that the couch can be set as desired by a corresponding operator, for example in such a way that neither pressure on the cervical and neck vertebrae tensile stress is still exerted. The pressure sensor is coupled via the display 604 and a line 605 to a control and regulating circuit 606 which enables the setting and, if necessary,

"BJ l

OMPI tion of a predetermined body voltage state by appropriate control of the actuators. For this purpose, the control and regulating circuit 606 is connected to the hydraulic actuating drives via a control line 608, shown broken off. The control and regulating circuit 606 ^' can optionally be designed to be programmable in order to be able to automatically carry out standard programs or individual individual programs for the person to be treated. In such a program, time-dependent target voltages are specified, if necessary, and the body voltage values determined by the sensor 600 are approximated to the target voltages by appropriate actuation of the actuators. To measure the state of tension of the body and corresponding control of the actuators, in addition to the pressure sensor 600 in the head area, further tension or compression tension sensors can be provided on the bed, in particular a tension tension sensor 610 in the foot area (for example on the bracket 96 of the foot holding device) ). This is connected via a line 612 to the display 604 and via line 605 to the control and regulating circuit 606. The sensor 610 allows the tension in the body to be checked in the region of the lower extremities. By comparing the compressive stress in the head area with the tensile stress in the foot area, one obtains, for the control of the actuators, an indication of the general tensile stress on the body.

In order to promote muscle relaxation, the support table can be provided with a heating pad, not shown. In order to avoid any pressure stress, especially in the case of injured persons, the

A heatable cushion can be placed on the support table as a support for the person to be treated.

At the beginning of therapy, the patient is placed on the table swiveled horizontally and the table in this way adjusted that the pressure force measured from the head onto the head cushion 26 and from the sensor 600 disappears in the longitudinal direction of the body. Apart from the compression of the foam bead 102, the tensile stress in the foot region should also be just zero or assume a predetermined starting value. If the table is now inclined, there is an increase in the pressure in the head area and in the tension in the foot area, depending on the respective setting of the couch, in particular depending on the winch support of the back and lower legs, as well as depending ¬ ability of the connective tissue properties, in particular the elasticity of the connective tissue of the individual body segments of the patient. The measured tension in the foot area allows direct conclusions to be drawn about the tensile load on the ankle and indirectly on the adjoining joints (knee joint and pelvic area). The patient can now be subjected to a stretching treatment, whereby the body tension states measured indirectly via the sensors are checked and used to regulate the lying position. The bed described thus permits stretching treatments which take into account the different body stretching properties. The duration of therapy can be reduced to the shortest possible value without the risk of excessive tensile or compressive loads on the body.

6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the bed, generally designated 310, components which correspond to components of the bed 10 according to FIGS. 1-4 being provided with the same reference numbers, each increased by the number 300 are.

Embodiment 310 is characterized in that the horizontal axis of inclination 318 is not stationary, as in FIG. 1, but is vertically displaceable. For this purpose, a vertical rail 452 with a C-profile, for example attached to a vertical wall 450, is provided, which receives a slide 454. The outline

^ T∑E OMPΓ of the slider 454 is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 6. A height adjustment drive (not shown) acts on the slide 454, which can be formed by a cable winch, a rack and pinion drive with a vertical rack or by a telescopic hydraulic cylinder. The slider 454 is formed with an extension protruding from the inside of the profile with a flange plate 456, to which flange plate a hydraulic rotary motor 422b is flanged (corresponding to the motor 22b in FIGS. 1 and 2). A square tube 416 corresponding to the bracket 16 is welded to the rotary shaft 458 of the motor and carries the support table 314 *. The rail 452 is screwed to the vertical wall 450 at both ends of the rail by means of lateral fastening tabs 460 (screws 462).

The person to be treated can comfortably climb the low support table 314 (solid line in FIG. 6). The table 314 is then moved vertically upwards, along the rail 452 (direction arrow A) to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 6. In this position, the table 314 can be pivoted about the axis 318 by any angle.

In. FIG. 8 schematically shows an inclinable buttock support plate 5.02, as part of the modified slide 544 corresponding to the slide 44 in FIG. 4. Corresponding rollers 546 on both slide ends are indicated in FIG. 8. The inclination adjustment of the seat support plate 502 can ^, for example, again take place via a hydraulic actuator 504, with a hydraulic cylinder 506 which is pivotably attached to a slide-fixed tab 508 and with a piston rod 510, the free end of which acts articulatedly on a link 512 . The handlebar 512 goes from the plate 502

- ÜΕEX

OMPI vertically downward and is pivotally mounted in the region of its longitudinal center on a pivot pin 514 on the slide 544 about a horizontal axis. An additional plate 516 can be attached to the plate 502 so as to be adjustable in inclination, with a horizontal pivot axis 518 indicated in FIG. 8. The axes 518 and 514 are parallel to the axis 18 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. The swivel angle] between the plate 502 and the additional plate 516 can be changed according to the respective body shape by hand or by motor using a hydraulic actuator (not shown).

Claims

- 21 "claims

1. Tilt-adjustable bed, in particular for body stretching in the head-down position, with a bed support (12; 212) and one that can be fixed on the support in different inclinations, with a foot or Lower leg holding device (96; 196) and a head bearing (128;

328) provided support table (14; 214), characterized ge ¬ indicates that the body support length (a + b + c) between the holding device (96; 296) and the head bearing (128; 328) with occupied, inclined table (14 ; 214) in the head-down position is continuously or finely adjustable in accordance with the increasing body stretch.

2. Lounger according to claim 1 or the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that on the support table (14; 214) a knee flexor support, preferably a lower leg support (30; 230), is supported for supporting the legs with bent knees which, preferably with an inclined couch (14; 214),

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is continuously or finely adjustable to change the knee flexion angle between the lower leg and thigh, and that the holding device (96; 296) is preferably held on the support table (14; 214) such that the distance between the holding device (96; 296) and the head bearing (128; 328) with an enlargement of the knee flexion angle, or only slightly enlarged.

10 3. Lounger according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding device (96; 296) on the lower leg support (30; 230) is articulated on the support table (14; 214).

15 4. Lounger according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the support length (a) of the lower leg support (30; 230) is variable, preferably by means of removable or bendable or foldable supports provided on the knee-side support end

20 elements (112).

5. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance of the holding device (96; 296) from the head bearing (128; 328), if appropriate

25 with unchanged adjustment of the support (30; 230) on the squat, is continuously or finely adjustable.

6. Lounger according to claim 3 and. 5, thereby g e k e n n ¬

30 shows _r that the articulation point (axis 70; 270) of the lower leg support (30; 230) on the support table (14; 214) can be continuously or finely displaced relative to the support table in the longitudinal direction of the table,

35 - Zr- 7. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, ge ¬ characterized by an adjustable on the support table (14; 214) tilt-adjustable, with the head bearing (128; 328) provided back support (32; 232).

8. Lounger, according to claim 7, characterized in that the support length (b) of the back support (32) is variable, preferably in that a back plate (120) carrying the head bearing (128) in the longitudinal direction within a back support frame (136) is displaceably mounted, the length of which can be changed, preferably by means of removable or foldable back plate elements (132) on the joint-side back plate end.

9. Lounger according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the articulation point (axis 76; 276) of the back support (32; 232) on the support table (14; 214) relative to the support table in the ^' longitudinal direction of the table is continuously or finely adjustable , preferably also with an occupied, inclined table.

10. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, g e ¬ k e n n z e i c h n e t by an articulated joint (68a) of the lower leg support (30) in the Achilles tendon area.

11. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, g e - k e n n z e i σ h n e t by an ankle joint (32a) of the back support (32) in the neck area.

12. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, g e ¬ k e n n z e i c h n e t by an inclinable buttock support plate (502, 516).

13. Lounger according to claim 12, characterized - net,. that the seat support plate (502, 516) is designed to be bendable. (Axis 518).

14. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the horizontal inclination axis (318) of the support table (314) can be displaced vertically, preferably by means of a vertical guide rail (452) in which the inclination shaft (416, 458 ) holding slider (454) displaceable

10 bar is mounted, and that a height adjustment drive acts on the slide (454).

15. Couch according to one of the preceding claims, ge ¬ indicates actuators, preferably ^{15 as} hydraulic actuators (22b; 58; 50; 78; 86; 422b; 504) or stepper motor actuators for performing at least part of the adjustment functions the couch (10; 310).

2 ^Q 16. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one sensor (600; 610) for measuring from the body on the support table essentially in the longitudinal direction of the body. - trained tensile or compressive stresses. 25th

17. Lounger according to claim 16, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t by a sensor (600) in the region of the head bearing (126, 128).

30 18. A couch according to claim 16 or 17, provided by a sensor (610) in the area of the foot or lower leg holding device (96).

19. Couch according to one of claims 16 to 18, g e k e n n ^ 5 z e i c h n e t by an optical and / or acoustic display 6604 connected to the at least one sensor (600; 610).

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20. Lie down. one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by a control and regulating circuit (606), which controls the actuating drives and is coupled to the at least one sensor (600; 610), for setting and possibly maintaining a predetermined body voltage state , if necessary, according to a given treatment program.

21 .. Lying according to claim 19, characterized in that the control of the actuators determines the difference between the sensor (610) in the area of the foot or. Lower leg holding device (96) measured tensile stress as well as the compressive stress measured by sensor (600) in the area of the head bearing (126, 128).

22. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support table is provided with a heating pad.

23. Lounger according to one of the preceding claims, g e ¬ k e n n z e i c h n e t by a preferably heatable cushion on the support table.

24. Tilt-adjustable couch for area-wise train or

Pressure load on the body in the head-down position, with a bed support, a support table that can be fixed on the support in different inclinations, a foot or lower leg holding device and a head bearing, the body support length between the holding device and the head bearing is continuously or finely adjustable, characterized in that at least one sensor (600; 610) for measuring from the body to the support table in the

-f ^y TB X OMPI "~ ^ Θ - essentially tensile or compressive stresses exerted in the longitudinal direction of the body are provided, that manually actuatable actuators are provided for adjusting the length of the body support, and that the at least one sensor (600, 610) with an acoustic and / or optical display is connected.

25. Tilt-adjustable couch for partial tensile or compressive stress on the body in the head-down position, with a couch support, a support table that can be fixed on the support in different inclinations, a foot or lower leg holding device and a head support, the body support length between the holding device and the head bearing being continuously or finely adjustable, characterized in that at least one sensor (600; 610) for measuring tensile or compressive stresses exerted by the body on the support table essentially in the longitudinal direction of the body It is provided that a control and regulating circuit (606) connected to the at least one sensor is provided, and that actuators for adjusting the body support length are provided, which are operated automatically with the control and regulating circuit (606) actuator control depending on the Ξensor signal.

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