Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/56—Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves 
  • A61B5/055—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves  involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/04—Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/44—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis
  • A61B6/4423—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis related to hygiene or sterilisation

Definitions

• the invention relates to an apparatus arranged to enable a patient handling, said apparatus comprising an electronic unit arranged to carry-out said handling, a translatable patient support table and control means arranged to control said apparatus, said apparatus further comprising a wiring to the control means.
• the invention still further relates to a patient support table.
• the apparatus as is set forth in the opening paragraph is known in tlie art of medical diagnostic equipment.
• An example of an embodiment of tlie known apparatus is an X-ray diagnostic unit arranged to enable an X-ray examination of a patient.
• the patient is put on a patient support table, which is translatable in a plurality of directions, most commonly in three orthogonal x-, y-, z- directions and is rotateable about an axis.
• the patient support table is rotateable about a vertical axis, however in more sophisticated apparatus also a rotation about a horizontal axis is foreseen.
• the X-ray examination unit further comprises a gantry on which an X-ray source and an X-ray detector are mounted.
• the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are mounted on a C- shaped gantry which can be rotated about a horizontal axis.
• the patient support table is positioned in an x-y-z- space so that the X-rays emanating from the X-ray source intercept a target area of tlie patient.
• the known X-ray apparatus further comprises a control means arranged to control the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the translation of the patient support table.
• the control means is replaceably arranged, so that its position on the patient support table can be changed for an operator's convenience as Hie operator frequently changes his place with respect to tlie patient support table for a procedure of tlie patient handling.
• a path of the wiring is divided into two sub -paths.
• a first sub-path covers for a distance between tlie remote location and tlie patient support table.
• the first sub-path is terminated at a first connection means, commonly called a table-base connection box.
• the second sub-path covers for a distance between tlie table-base connection box and tlie control means of the apparatus.
• the wiring of tlie second sub-path is of such a length that it does not obstruct a translation and rotation of tlie patient support table to its maximum range.
• the wiring of the second sub-path is most frequently arranged so that it partially lies on the floor or hangs nearby the table due to it having a superfluous length.
• tlie wiring comprising a plurality of individual cables
• tlie wiring is running free in the area of the patient handling, which causes tangling of tlie wiring and it's hooking about the patient support table.
• the cables are substantially bended, they get easily damaged limiting the durability of the apparatus as a whole.
• a wiring is at least partially housed in a substantially flexible guiding means arranged to substantially match a displacement of the patient support table. It has been long sought in the field of patient handling apparatus for a solution to arrange the wiring so that several criteria are met: i) the wiring allowing an unobstructed translation of the patient support table to its maximum range; ii) minimum superfluous cable length in the area of patient handling; iii) limited bending and torsion of the wiring during a translation of the table top.
• the individual cables are arranged as individual spirals, which are stretched during the translation of tlie table top.
• This approach causes even bigger problems when individual spirals are tangled and twisted around each other.
• a longitudinal translation of the patient support table may be obstructed. Bending and torsion of the individual cables is still possible.
• tlie elasticity of tlie twisted cables reduces with time, when they are often pulled on.
• it is tried to select a unique position of the control means with respect to tlie table top.
• the technical measure of the invention is based on the insight that it is advantageous to further sub-divide the second sub-path of the wiring.
• a substantially flexible guiding means for housing tlie cables said guidmg means matching the displacement of the patient support table, the cables do not change their position with respect to each other and do not experience torsion during a translation and rotation of the table top.
• the material and construction of the guiding means can be suitably selected so that sharp bending of the resulting assembly is avoided. Due to this technical measure the wiring is protected from damage thus increasing its durability. It is further advantageous to arrange tlie first connection means and the second connection means at the respective ends of the guiding means, in order to ease a reconnection of the wiring.
• control means can be arranged to be mountable on the side rails of the patient support table, it is found to be further advantageous to provide cable accommodation means on a side surface of the patient support table to accommodate a path of the cable between the control means and the second connection means.
• An example of a suitable cable accommodation means is a hook.
• the patient support table comprises a table-top with a front surface for supporting the patient and a rear surface, the guiding means being positioned in a direct vicinity of the rear surface of the table-top substantially parallel to a plane of the table-top.
• tlie plate of the table-top serves as a protective member to tlie guiding means. Therefore, no obstraction for the wiring of supplementary equipment is caused.
• tlie guiding means move as a whole together with it, and is not exposed to Hie environment, hi tlie field of interventional application this leads to a surprising advantageous effect that the cables stay free from contamination, for instance blood, during tlie patient handling.
• the guiding means comprises an assembly of interconnected segments, said assembly being movably arranged substantially directly beneatli a table top of tlie patient support table.
• tlie guiding means of a suitable length and by movably attaching the guiding means beneath the table top the longitudinal translation of the table top to its maximum range is enabled.
• Suitable flexible hollow chains built up of a plurality of segments are known per se.
• An e-chain carrier system, available on the market under a trade name Igus® is a suitable example of an embodiment of the hollow chain.
• the assembly When the assembly is attached to two non-movable fixation points, for example a foot of the table top and a table pedestal, the assembly demonstrates a sliding movement between a slide-in position and a slide-out position of the table top, while being substantially horizontally oriented in space.
• the assembly can be arranged to have a sole degree of freedom in a horizontal direction. In this case it does not sag under the action of the gravity force, which is advantageous as no extra fixating means to hold the assembly in a position is required.
• the patient support table is arranged with a border portion for steering a movement of Hie guiding means. It is found to be advantageous to arrange the patient support table with a border portion which limits space taken by the guiding means. This technical measure is particularly advantageous for guiding means allowing a curving in a horizontal plane beyond the width of the table top. It is found to be particularly advantageous to limit tlie bending radius to about 15 centimeters to reduce cabling damage due to sharp bending radii.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of conventional apparatus arranged for patient handling, as is known in the art.
• Figure 2a shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus providing with tlie guiding means according to the invention.
• Figure 2b shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a first fixation point of the guiding means.
• Figure 2c shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a second fixation point of tlie guiding means.
• Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a patient support table provided with the guiding means according to the invention.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of conventional apparatus arranged for patient handling, as is known in the art.
• the apparatus 1 is an X-ray diagnostic unit comprising an electronic unit 2 arranged to enable the X-ray examination.
• the electronic unit 2 comprises an X-ray source 2a and an X-ray detector 2b.
• the patient to be examined is positioned on a patient support table 4.
• the patient support table 4 comprises a table top 4a which can be translated with respect to the table base 4b.
• the table top 4a is limited by a table head 4e and a table foot 4e'.
• control means 12 a, 12b, 12c, 12d and 12e are provided in order to operate the apparatus 1 . All control means 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e are electrically connected to the table base connection box 6 by means of a wiring 8.
• the control means 12 comprises necessary user interfaces enabling the operator to carry out the patient handling. It must be noted that the control means 12 can comprise a plurality of independent units, positioned at different locations around the table-top 4a.
• the table base connection box 6 is connected with a remote location by means of a wiring, which most commonly runs under a floor.
• Hie table top 4a is being positioned in a x-y-z- space so that an X-ray beam emanating from an X-ray source 2a is intercepted by the target area of the patient.
• the table top can be rotated about a vertical axis (not shown), which is preferably located substantially midway of the table top.
• the position of tlie X-ray beam with respect to the patient is optimized by means of a suitable positioning of the table top 4a and a suitable rotation and angulation of the unit 2.
• the operator of the apparatus 1 uses the control means 12c.
• control means 12 are frequently placed at different positions at the table top 4a in order to minimize the X-ray exposure to the operator and improve the ease of operation.
• the control means 12 is provided with a wiring 8, which can tangle and hook at the table foot 4e', a replacement of the control means is not easy.
• tl e wiring 8 can be bended and can experience torsion, which leads to a damage of the wirmg 8.
• Figure 2a shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus providing with tlie guiding means according to tlie invention.
• the guiding means (not shown) is positioned in a direct vicinity of a rear surface of the table-top 4a, substantially parallel to a plane of the table-top.
• tlie guidmg means is protected by tlie table-top, thus yielding a compact structure winch does not require additional space to accommodate it.
• the guiding means moves with it as a whole, still being substantially housed by the table-top 4a. This feature is particularly advantageous for interventional applications, where the cables and the guiding means may not be contaminated, for example by blood. Additionally, for sterility purposes the table -top 4a together with the guiding means can be easily covered by a protective cloth.
• the apparatus 10 is provided with a table top connection box 4c, which is attachable to the table top preferably at the foot portion of the table top.
• the wiring (not shown) is directed from tlie table base connection box 6 via the table pedestal 4b, under the table top 4a to the table top connection box 4c, which is provided with second connection means 4d providing suitable connectors to the wiring (not shown) running to the control means 12 a to 12e.
• a profile 7 is preferably provided at a foot end flange of the table top whereto the control means can be mounted.
• the wiring running from the table pedestal exit point to the table top connection box is housed in tlie guiding means 16, an embodiment thereof being shown in detail in Figures 2b (in direction B to the table head) and Figure 2c (in direction A to the table foot).
• tlie guiding means 16 an embodiment thereof being shown in detail in Figures 2b (in direction B to the table head) and Figure 2c (in direction A to the table foot).
• all necessary wiring to the control means 12 is accommodated in a single guiding means, leaving freedom to displaceably arrange the control means 12, or any one of its modules at any location on the patient support table for operator convenience. This is enabled due to the fact, that there is the second connection means 7, the relatively short • path of the wiring emanating from tlie second connection means 7 runs free in space, enabling any desired displacement of the control means 12 or any one of its modules along the table top.
• the guiding means 16 can be a suitable hollow container which is arranged to keep the individual cables in place during the displacement of the table top 4a and is selected with a suitable length to match the maximum displacement of the table top.
• the guiding means are fixated to two static fixation points, for example a table pedestal 4b and a table top connection box 4c.
• the guiding means 16 slide under the surface of the table top 4a thus matching the movement of the table top.
• the constniction and material of the guiding means can be selected from per se known products.
• a suitable guiding means is a tube of a suitable diameter and a suitable rigidity to avoid sharp bending radii, hi this case tlie tube must be fixated to tlie rear surface of the table top to prevent its sagging.
• a chain built up of a plurality of segments can also be used as the guiding means.
• the chain has a sole degree of freedom in a horizontal plane, it does not sag under the influence of tlie Earth's gravitational field.
• a set of hooks 5 can be arranged on tlie rails (not shown) of the table top 4a.
• Figure 2b shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a first fixation point of tlie guiding means.
• a chain 16 comprising interconnected segments is selected as the guiding means.
• the dimensions of tlie chain 16 are selected so that the wiring 8 is accommodated in the volume of tlie chain, whereas during a shding movement of the chain no sharp bending of the wiring 8 occurs and no torsion to the wiring is induced.
• the chain 16 at it' s first end 16" is fixed to the pedestal 4b in a direct vicinity of the rear surface 4f of the table-top. In this way the wiring together with tlie guiding means do not obstruct the translation of the table and do not tangle with wiring of supplementary medical equipment (not shown).
• Figure 2c shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a second fixation point of the guiding means 16 in direction to the table foot.
• the guiding means 16 are fixated at its second fixation point 16' to the table top connection box 4c, the electrical connections to the control means being provided by a suitable electronics unit 18.
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a patient support table provided with the guiding means according to the invention.
• the table top is removed revealing the guiding means 16 over its complete length.
• the guiding means 16 comprise a plurality of interconnected segments 16a which are preferably arranged to allow a sole degree of freedom of the overall assembly in tlie horizontal direction, schematically shown by an arrow H.
• tlie guiding means 16 exhibit a O-like structure. Due to the fact, that the guiding means are fixed to tl e first fixation position 16' and to tlie second fixating position 16" the guiding means slides and extends as the table top is translated in a longitudinal direction along the arrow T.
• the table top connection box 4c is provided with a plurality of connectors 4d to enable an electrical connection of the wiring in tlie guiding means 16 to the wiring of the control means (not shown). It is advantageous to provide the patient support table with a border portion to limit the width of the O-like structure. In this embodiment a plurality of border portions 19 is shown, which are preferably distributed along a path of the guiding means 16.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)
• Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)

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Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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• 2004
  • 2004-05-06 US US10/555,938 patent/US20060225211A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-05-06 WO PCT/IB2004/050604 patent/WO2004098412A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2004-05-06 JP JP2006507554A patent/JP2006525839A/ja active Pending
  • 2004-05-06 EP EP04731447A patent/EP1624802A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-05-06 CN CNA2004800125285A patent/CN1784175A/zh active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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