EP2020218A1 - Method for aligning coupling elements of a patient suspension system and patient suspension system for implementing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves connecting a wedge receiver (28) selectively with a coupling wedge (30) arranged on a supporting column (12) or another coupling wedge (64) arranged at a trolley (16), in a positive-fit manner. The wedge (30) is aligned in a direction of the receiver during transfer of a patient positioning top (14) from the trolley to the supporting column. A load applied on a load measuring system integrated in the column is detected by the measuring system during the transfer of the top. The alignment of the wedge (30) relative to the receiver is changed based on the load.

Description

The invention relates to a method for aligning coupling elements of a patient support system comprising a patient support plate, a support column and a trolley, wherein on the patient support plate first coupling elements are arranged, which can be positively connected with either arranged on the support column second coupling elements or arranged on the trolley third coupling elements are.

Moreover, the invention relates to a patient support system for performing the method.

For storage of a patient in surgical procedures or in treatments or examinations in medical therapy and diagnostic systems patient support systems are known with a patient support plate, which can be optionally placed on a support column or a trolley. Such patient support systems are also referred to as removable disc systems. In many cases, the support column is height adjustable, that is, it can be raised and lowered, and it has a column head, which can be pivoted about a horizontally oriented pivot axis. For transport, the patient support plate can be fixed on the trolley. Here, arranged on the trolley third coupling elements arranged on the patient support plate first coupling elements form a positive connection.

To transfer the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column, the trolley with the patient support plate located thereon is brought up to the support column in such a way that the first coupling elements arranged on the patient support plate also engage positively with the second coupling elements arranged on the patient support plate. After achieving positive engagement, the patient support plate is mechanically secured to the support column, and by further raising the support column, the previously existing positive connection between the first coupling elements and arranged on the trolley third coupling elements can be solved, so that the patient support plate can be removed from the trolley.

In order to ensure a flawless and low-friction transfer of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column, the coupling elements should be aligned during the transfer as possible aligned with each other so that they can slide virtually without compulsion in each other to achieve a positive connection. Difficulties in aligning the coupling elements relative to each other arise in particular when the patient support plate is not exactly aligned horizontally. An inclination may occur, for example, when the trolley is elastically deformed due to a high one-sided load of the patient support plate. Even a not exactly horizontal floor running can lead to an inclination, and already the manufacturing tolerances of the support column, the patient support plate and the trolley can result in the coupling elements are not exactly aligned in the transfer of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column to each other ,

In order to achieve an aligned arrangement of the first and second coupling elements to each other despite a possible inclination of the patient support plate, is in the EP 1 785 116 A2 proposed to arrange at least one sensor for sensing the position of a arranged on the patient support plate first coupling element on at least one of the second coupling elements, wherein the sensor is effective when the patient support plate is on the trolley and this one for the transfer of the patient support plate to the support column certain position relative to this occupies. The at least one scanning sensor is connected to a controller which controls an actuator of a column head of the support column. If the scanning sensor detects a deviation from the desired orientation of the coupling elements relative to one another, then the column head is adjusted until the coupling elements are aligned exactly in alignment with one another. The scanning sensor can, for example, scan the contour of the first or of the second coupling element. The provision of a scanning sensor has the advantage that occurring during the transfer of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column constraining forces can be minimized, but a scanning sensor makes it difficult to mount the coupling elements, since the sensor must be arranged immediately adjacent the coupling elements, so that very cramped Mounting conditions arise.

Object of the present invention is to develop a method for aligning coupling elements of a patient support system of the type mentioned above and a patient support system for performing the method such that during the transfer of the patient support plate Can be easily aligned with each other by the dolly on the support column cooperating coupling elements.

This object is achieved in a method of the generic type according to the invention by detecting the forces acting on the force measuring system during the transfer of the patient support plate by means of a force measuring system integrated into the support column and the orientation of the second coupling elements relative to the first coupling elements in dependence on the detected Changed forces.

In the invention, the idea flows in that when integrating a force measuring system into the support column, the forces acting on the transfer of the patient support plate can be used to optimize the alignment of the interacting coupling elements. Namely, the coupling elements are aligned exactly aligned with each other, so occur in the production of a positive connection between the coupling elements practically only then acting on the force measuring system forces when the coupling elements have reached their end position relative to each other, since then the weight of the patient support plate acts on the support column , However, if the coupling elements are aligned obliquely to one another during the transfer of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column, this already leads to forces occurring during the production of the positive locking, even before the weight of the patient support plate is completely absorbed by the support column. The forces thus detected in the production of the positive connection by the force measuring system can be used to align the interacting coupling elements. For example, a pivotable column head of the support column in the manufacture the form fit are pivoted so that it evades the forces occurring, so that the cooperating coupling elements can slide with little force into each other to achieve the positive connection.

Preferably, the orientation of the second coupling elements is changed such that the forces detected by the force measuring system are minimized during the production of the positive connection. Occurring forces is thus counteracted by a change in the orientation of the coupling elements until the coupling elements have reached their end position relative to each other. Only then the weight of the patient support plate is completely absorbed by the support column and the patient support plate can be solved by the trolley.

It can be provided that only the second coupling elements are moved relative to the column head of the support column at the transition of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column. It is advantageous if the force measuring system is integrated into the second coupling elements. During the transfer of the patient support plate occurring in the region of the second coupling elements forces can then be used to align the second coupling elements. As long as the second coupling elements are arranged at a distance from the first coupling elements, no forces in the region of the second coupling elements are detected. If the coupling elements then gradually engage in one another, unbalanced forces can occur when the coupling elements are not in alignment, which can be counteracted by an adjustment of the second coupling elements. so that the second coupling elements occupy an aligned alignment with the first coupling elements.

It can also be provided that the second coupling elements are adjusted together with the column head of the support column. Even with such an approach, the force measuring system can be integrated into the second coupling elements. However, it can also be provided that the force measuring system is arranged in the region of the column head at a distance from the second coupling elements. Even with such an embodiment, the force measuring system is acted upon in non-aligned alignment of the coupling elements, that is at an inclination of the patient support plate, the transition of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column with forces. These forces result from the tilting of the patient support plate, the top of the support column facing the patient support plate is subjected to asymmetrical forces relative to the vertical axis of the support column. These forces can be used to adjust the column head such that the column head is pivoted in a direction in which the forces are reduced. The column head thus deviates during the transfer of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column from the forces detected by the force measuring system until the first and second coupling elements completely interlock and the desired form fit is achieved.

As mentioned above, the invention also relates to a patient support system for carrying out the method mentioned above. The patient support system comprises a patient support plate, a support column and a trolley, the patient support plate optionally is placed on the support column or on the trolley and wherein on the patient support plate first coupling elements are arranged, which are selectively connected to the support side arranged second coupling elements or arranged on the trolley with third coupling elements form-fitting manner.

In such a patient support system, the aforementioned object is achieved in that in the support column, a force measuring system is integrated with a plurality of spaced sensors with which acting forces can be detected, and that in the transfer of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column, the orientation of the second coupling elements is variable relative to the first coupling elements in dependence on the detected forces. As already mentioned, the force measuring system makes it possible to detect forces which occur when the patient support plate is transferred from the transport carriage to the support column. By a change in the orientation of the second coupling elements relative to the first coupling elements in dependence on the detected forces can be achieved in a simple manner aligned alignment of the coupling elements to each other. For example, the orientation of the second coupling elements can be changed in such a way that the forces detected in the production of the positive connection between the first and second coupling elements are kept as low as possible until the coupling elements have reached their end position relative to one another, that is, until the desired form fit completely was achieved.

It can be provided in the patient support system according to the invention that the second coupling elements are adjustably held on the support column, wherein they can be adjusted in response to the forces detected by the force measuring system when transferring the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column. It is advantageous if the force measuring system is integrated into the second coupling elements, so that by means of the force measuring system directly the forces can be detected, which act on the second coupling elements in the production of the positive connection of the first coupling elements. The coupling elements may be formed, for example, in the form of wedges, each engaging in a wedge mount. In this case, the wedges or the wedge receptacles may be arranged on the support column. Sensors of the force measuring system can be positioned at a distance from one another in the area of the support-side wedges or the support-side wedge receivers. The wedges arranged on the support column or the wedge receivers arranged on the support column can be pivoted as a function of the forces detected by the sensors Production of positive engagement occurring forces can be minimized.

Alternatively it can be provided that the support column has a pivotable column head on which the second coupling elements are fixed, and that the column head is pivotable together with the second coupling elements in dependence on the detected forces.

It can be provided, for example, that the support column has a head plate, on which the patient support plate can be placed and which is held on a support plate via support elements, wherein the forces acting on at least two support elements by means of the force measuring system can be detected. If the patient support plate is aligned at the transition from the trolley to the support column obliquely to the horizontal, so is the transition the patient support plate is applied to the head plate of the support column of the patient support plate with a respect to the vertical axis of the support column asymmetric force, that is, the various support elements, via which the head plate is supported on a support plate of the support column, subject to different forces. These are detected by the sensors of the force measuring system, which then cause a pivoting movement of the column head via a control unit of the support column in order to minimize and compensate for the forces occurring. For example, it may be provided that a first support element is already subject to a force applied by the patient support plate when a second support element is not experiencing any application of force by the patient support plate. The column head can then be pivoted such that the application of force to the first support element is minimized. This has the consequence that the second coupling elements are aligned in alignment with the first coupling elements.

The sensors of the force measuring system are preferably integrated in the support elements.

Conveniently, the support elements are each designed as a universal joint and comprise two hinge pins which are pivotable about parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the patient support plate aligned pivot axes, wherein the force acting on at least one hinge pin forces by means of at least one sensor can be detected. By means of the cardan joints, the patient support plate can be pivoted both about a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support plate and about an aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support plate pivot axis. For this preferably three cardan joints are used. Preferably, the cardan joints are each held on a lifting device, so that they are adjustable in height relative to a support plate of the support column. The lifting device may for example be manually, electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically driven.

In order to increase the measuring accuracy of the force measuring system, it can be provided that several sensors are arranged in each universal joint.

The sensors can be designed as electrical components that change their resistance when subjected to a force. The electrical resistance change can be caused by a force acting on a coupled to the sensors component of the support column. By detecting the change in electrical resistance, thus the acting force can be determined. The sensors can provide an electrical signal that can be evaluated by an evaluation to which the sensors are connected.

The sensors can be configured for example in the form of strain gauges. These are preferably flat-shaped sensors, which are each fixed to a component of the support column, preferably they are glued to the component, and their electrical resistance changes in a deformation of the component. The deformation is caused by the mechanical load.

Alternatively or additionally, the force measuring system can also have magnetic field-sensitive sensors. By means of such sensors, a magnetic field change be detected, which is caused by the action of a mechanical load. The determination of the mechanical load thus takes place according to the principle of magnetostriction, that is, the measuring principle is based on the fact that a permanent magnet causes a change in the magnetic field caused by it in a mechanical deformation. This magnetic field change can be detected by means of the magnetic field-sensitive sensors, wherein the sensors output an electrical signal as a function of the magnetic field change caused by the mechanical load.

The magnetic field-sensitive sensors may be formed, for example, in the form of coils. The coils can form a high-resolution magnetic scanning unit that accurately detects changes in a magnetic field.

It is particularly advantageous if the magnetic-field-sensitive sensors are assigned a magnetically coded ferromagnetic material which can be mechanically loaded by the patient support plate. As a ferromagnetic material, for example, a made of a ferromagnetic steel shaft can be used, which is subject to mechanical stress due to the patient support plate. The load leads to a slight deformation of the shaft as a function of the position of the patient support plate. Since the shaft is magnetically coded, the magnetic field generated by it changes depending on the mechanical load applied to the shaft, and this magnetic field change can be detected by the associated magnetic field sensitive sensor. To provide a magnetic field, the ferromagnetic material is magnetically encoded by being locally magnetized. The material is thus imprinted with a magnetic structure, which is permanently stored by the material. The embossed Magnetic structure leads to the formation of a magnetic field, which changes depending on the applied mechanical load.

The ferromagnetic material may for example be designed in the form of a hollow shaft and the associated magnetic field-sensitive sensors may be arranged in the hollow shaft. As a result, the space required for the force measuring system can be greatly reduced.

The ferromagnetic material may be formed, for example, as a magnetically coded hinge pin of a universal joint. As already explained, the universal joint can be loaded with a position-dependent force during the transfer of the patient support plate. The mechanical load exerted by the patient support plate is received by the magnetically coded hinge pins of the cardan joints and an electrical signal can be output by means of sensors of the force measuring system arranged in the hinge pins depending on the applied mechanical load. On the basis of the signal, either the entire column head or else the second coupling elements, which are adjustably held on the column head, can be adjusted in order to achieve an alignment aligned with the first coupling elements.

For example, it can be provided that the second coupling elements during the transfer of the patient support plate from the trolley to the support column relative to the first coupling elements are adjustable so that the forces detected by the force sensors experienced as no change. In such an embodiment, the second coupling elements of a force acting on the force measuring force differ as long as possible, that is, the detected forces are kept as low as possible until the coupling elements have reached their end position relative to each other and the entire weight of the patient support plate is received by the support column.

Figur 1:

eine teilweise aufgetrennte Seitenansicht einer Patientenlagerungsplatte, die auf einer Stützsäule aufsitzt;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Detaildarstellung eines Säulenkopfes der Stützsäule aus Figur 1;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Kardangelenks des Säulenkopfes aus Figur 2;

Figur 4:

eine teilweise aufgetrennte vereinfachte Seitenansicht des Kardangelenks aus Figur 3;

Figur 5:

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung der Patientenlagerungsplatte aus Figur 1 beim Übergang von einem Transportwagen auf die Stützsäule;

Figur 6:

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung der Patientenlagerungsplatte beim Übergang auf die Stützsäule, wobei erste und zweite Kopplungselemente schräg zueinander ausgerichtet sind;

Figur 7:

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung der Patientenlagerungsplatte beim Übergang auf die Stützsäule, wobei durch Verschwenken des Säulenkopfes die ersten und zweiten Kopplungselemente fluchtend zueinander ausgerichtet sind;

Figur 8:

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung der Patientenlagerungsplatte beim Übergang auf die Stützsäule, wobei die Stützsäule nach erfolgtem Formschluss der Kopplungselemente in eine vertikale Stellung zurück verschwenkt wurde;

Figur 9:

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung der Patientenlagerungsplatte beim Übergang auf die Stützsäule, wobei die Patientenlagerungsplatte vom Transportwagen gelöst ist;

Figur 10:

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung der auf der Stützsäule aufsitzenden Patientenlagerungsplatte aus Figur 1 mit schräger Ausrichtung;

Figur 11:

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung der Patientenlagerungsplatte aus Figur 1 beim Übergang von der Stützsäule auf den Transportwagen, wobei erste und zweite Kopplungselemente im Abstand zueinander angeordnet und schräg zueinander ausgerichtet sind und

Figur 12:

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung der Patientenlagerungsplatte beim Übergang auf den Transportwagen, wobei durch Verschwenken des Säulenkopfes die ersten und zweiten Koppelelemente fluchtend zueinander ausgerichtet sind.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation. Show it:

FIG. 1:

a partially separated side view of a patient support plate, which rests on a support column;

FIG. 2:

a detailed perspective view of a column head of the support column FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3:

a perspective view of a universal joint of the column head FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4:

a partially separated simplified side view of the universal joint FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5:

a partial view of the patient support plate FIG. 1 at the transition from a trolley to the support column;

FIG. 6:

a partial view of the patient support plate at the transition to the support column, wherein the first and second coupling elements are aligned obliquely to each other;

FIG. 7:

a partial view of the patient support plate at the transition to the support column, wherein by pivoting the column head, the first and second coupling elements are aligned with each other;

FIG. 8:

a partial view of the patient support plate at the transition to the support column, wherein the support column has been pivoted back into a vertical position after completion of positive engagement of the coupling elements;

FIG. 9:

a partial view of the patient support plate at the transition to the support column, the patient support plate is detached from the trolley;

FIG. 10:

a partial view of the seated on the support column patient support plate FIG. 1 with oblique orientation;

FIG. 11:

a partial view of the patient support plate FIG. 1 the transition from the support column to the trolley, wherein first and second coupling elements are arranged at a distance from each other and aligned at an angle to each other and

FIG. 12:

a partial view of the patient support plate at the transition to the trolley, wherein by pivoting the column head, the first and second coupling elements are aligned with each other.

In FIG. 1 schematically an operating table 10 is shown with a height-adjustable support column 12 on which a patient support plate 14 is releasably held. The latter can either on the support column 12 or on one in the Figures 5 . 9 . 11 and 12 shown dolly 16 are placed. The support column 12, the patient support plate 14 and the trolley 16 form a patient support system, which is often referred to as a removable panel system.

The patient support plate 14 is formed in several parts in the illustrated embodiment, it comprises a mounted on the support column 12 base segment 18, on the one hand a leg segment 19 and on the other hand, a back segment 20 are pivotally supported about a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the patient support plate 14 aligned pivot axis. At the back segment 20, a head segment 21 is held pivotably. Of course, the patient support plate 14 could also have more or fewer segments, in particular the patient support plate 14 could also be designed in one piece.

The support column 12 comprises a base plate 24 on which a column shaft 25 is fixed, which carries a column top 26 on the upper side. The column head 26 is in FIG. 2 shown schematically. It is pivotable about a pivot axis aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the patient support plate 14. At the column head 26, the base segment 18 of the patient support plate 14 is releasably held.

To ensure a reliable fixing of the patient support plate 14 to the support column 12, 19 are at the bottom of the base segment. 19 and arranged on mutually remote outer sides of the column head 26 complementary to each other configured first and second coupling elements. The first coupling elements are arranged as wedge shots on the base segment 19, wherein in the drawing only a wedge holder 28 can be seen. Each wedge mount has two juxtaposed receiving pockets, which are each designed trapezoidal. A second wedge receptacle is arranged on the side of the base segment 18 facing away from the first wedge receptacle 28. Second coupling elements are arranged on opposite outer sides of the column head 26. These are designed as coupling wedges, wherein in the drawing only a first coupling wedge 30 can be seen. The coupling wedges 30 are designed to be complementary to first receiving pockets of the wedge receptacles 28 and form a positive connection with the latter.

How out FIG. 2 becomes clear, the column head 26 comprises a top plate 33, on the underside of three support elements in the form of three universal joints 35, 36, 37 are arranged. The universal joints 35, 36, 37 are each held at the free end of a spindle 39, 40 and 41, which is adjustable in height by means of a known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing drive element. The drive elements are integrated in the column shaft 25 and fixed to a support plate 43 of the support column 12. The universal joints 35, 36, 37 are located between the top plate 33 and the support plate 43. By lifting the spindles 39, 40, 41, the top plate 33 can be raised relative to the support plate 43. If the spindles 39, 40, 41 raised to the same extent, so the seated on the top plate 33 patient support plate 14 is adjusted with constant orientation only in height. If the spindles 39, 40, 41 raised unevenly, so the head plate 33 and held on it patient support plate 14 performs a pivoting movement from, wherein the patient support plate 14 can be selectively pivoted about a parallel to the plate longitudinal axis and about a perpendicular to the plate longitudinal axis aligned pivot axis.

In the FIG. 2 to obtain a better overview is not shown an additional rotation of the top plate 33 relative to the support plate 43. Such anti-rotation are known in the art and therefore require no further explanation in the present case.

The universal joints 35, 36, 37 are designed identically. They each have a first hinge pin 45 which is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plate in a U-shaped first bearing block 46. The first bearing block 46 is fixed at the free end of the respective spindle 39, 40 and 41, respectively. In addition, the universal joints 35, 36, 37 each have a second hinge pin 48, which is seated on the first hinge pin 45 and pivotally mounted in a second bearing block 49, which is also U-shaped, about a parallel to the plate longitudinal axis aligned pivot axis. The second bearing block 49 is fixed to the underside of the top plate 33.

As already mentioned, the cardan joints 35, 36, 37 each form a support element, via which the patient support plate 14 is held on the support column 12. In order to detect the mechanical load acting on the cardan joints 35, 36, 37, sensors are integrated into the cardan joints 35, 36, 37 in combination with a measuring electronics arranged in the column shaft 25, preferably between the top plate 33 and the support plate 43 form a force measuring system with which acting forces can be detected.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second hinge pins 45, 48 are formed as a hollow shaft, which carries in its interior a signal processing member 51, from which a connecting cable 52 leads to the outside. About the connecting cable 52, the signal processing element 51 is connected to the measuring electronics. The first hinge pins 45 are made of a ferromagnetic material, preferably an industrial steel is used, which contains between 1.5% and 8% nickel. The first hinge pins 45 have on both sides of the adjacent second hinge pin 48 has a magnetic coding, that is, on both sides of the second hinge pin 48, the ferromagnetic first hinge pin 45 was magnetically encoded by him a magnetic structure was impressed by applying a very strong outer magnetic field. This magnetic structure permanently maintains the first hinge pins 45. In the area of the magnetic coding, in each case four magnetic-field-sensitive sensors in the form of coils, which are each connected to the signal processing element 51, are arranged within the first hinge pin 45 on both sides of the respectively adjacent second hinge pin 48. In FIG. 4 For achieving a better overview on both sides of the second hinge pin 48 three coils 54, 55, 56 are shown. If a mechanical load acts on the magnetically coded first hinge pins 45, this leads to a change in the magnetic field detectable by the coils 54, 55, 56. The magnetic field change is transmitted in the form of an electrical signal via the connecting cable 52 to the central measuring electronics, which in turn interacts with an integrated control unit 70 in the column shaft 25. The latter is available the drive elements of the spindles 39, 40, 41 in electrical connection, so that by means of the drive elements of the column head 26 can be pivoted together with the coupling wedges 30 defined thereon in response to the detected forces when transferring the patient support plate 14 from the trolley 16 to the support column 12 and vice versa. This will be explained below with reference to the FIGS. 5 to 12 explained in more detail.

By means of the coils 54, 55, 56, the forces acting on the top plate 33 can be detected without contact with high measuring accuracy. In particular, the coils 54, 55, 56 integrated in each of the cardan joints 35, 36, 37 allow the force distribution to be detected and it can also be detected whether torque acts on the column head 26 such that at least at one universal joint 35 acts a vertically upward pulling force and at another universal joint a vertically downward pressure force.

As mentioned, the patient support plate 14 can optionally be fixed to the trolley 16 or to the support column 12. Like, for example FIG. 5 becomes clear, the trolley 16 includes a chassis 59 with wheels 60, so that the trolley 16 can be moved along a floor surface. For this purpose, it has a push bar 66 which carries a handle 67. The chassis 59 is U-shaped in plan view and has two parallel aligned legs, which are interconnected via a web. In the drawing, only one leg 61 can be seen, the second leg is designed according to the first leg 61. Of each leg protrudes a vertical support 63 vertically upwards, at its free end a third coupling element carries, which is configured according to the arranged on the column head 26 second coupling elements in the form of a coupling wedge 64. The coupling wedges 64 are designed to be complementary to second receiving pockets of the wedge receptacles 28 and can form a positive connection with the latter. Because of the juxtaposed first and second receiving pockets, each wedge receptacle 28 can thus simultaneously receive both a laterally arranged on the column head 26 coupling wedge 30 and a arranged at the free end of a support 63 of the trolley 16 coupling wedge 64.

With the help of the trolley 16, the patient support plate 14 can be transported. In this case, the carriage-side coupling wedges 64 each dive into the second receiving pocket of a wedge receptacle 28 of the base segment 18. This is for example in FIG. 5 shown, wherein the patient support plate 14 is only partially illustrated for clarity.

If the patient support plate 14 is to be positioned on the support column 12, it can first be lowered so far that the chassis 59 can receive the support column 12 between the legs 61 and the patient support plate 14 occupies a position above the support column 12, as shown in FIG FIG. 5 is shown.

If there is a one-sided load distribution, the patient support plate 14 held on the transport carriage 16 can assume an orientation oblique to the horizontal under elastic deformation of the transport carriage. The inclination of the patient support plate 14 is exaggerated in the drawing. In many cases, the inclination with the eye is only difficult to recognize. For example, the patient support plate 14 may be inclined at an angle of less than 1 ° to 2 ° to the horizontal.

If the patient support plate 14 to be taken over by the support column 12, the latter will be based on the in FIG. 5 raised position shown, so that in addition to the carriage-side coupling wedges 64, each immersed in a second receiving pocket of a wedge receptacle 28, the column-side coupling wedges 30 dip into a first receiving pocket of the plate-side wedge receptacles 28. For a better overview are in the FIGS. 6, 7 and 8th the trolley 16 and with this also the carriage-side coupling wedges 64 not shown.

Due to the inclination of the patient support plate 14, the column-side coupling wedges 30 are aligned obliquely to the associated wedge receptacles 28 at the transition of the patient support plate 14 from the trolley 16 to the support column 12. This has the consequence that the head plate 33 is first acted upon when approaching the base segment 18 only on one side with a force which is detected by the sensors 54, 55, 56. This one-sided application of force when transferring the patient support plate 14 causes the control unit 70 integrated in the column shaft 25 to pivot the column head 26 about a pivot axis aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the plate so that the column head 26 deflects the acting force, that is to say by the pivotal movement of the column head 26 the force acting on the head plate 33 by the patient support plate 14 is minimized. As a result, the column-side coupling wedges 30 align in alignment with the plate-side wedge receptacles 28, as shown in FIG FIG. 7 is shown. Upon further vertical movement of the support column 12 now the column-side coupling wedges 30 can completely immerse in a second receiving pocket of the associated wedge receptacles 28 to achieve a positive connection. The complete immersion of the column-side coupling wedges 30 in the plate-side wedge receptacles 28 is recognized by the control unit 70 that now all sensors 54, 55, 56 of all universal joints 35, 36, 37 are acted upon by a substantially equal force from the patient support plate 14.

After the column-side coupling wedges 30 are completely immersed in the associated receiving pockets of the wedge receptacles 28, the column head 26 is pivoted in the opposite direction of the first pivotal movement, so that the support column 12 assumes a vertical orientation, as shown in FIG FIG. 8 is shown. Subsequently, the support column 12 can be raised even further, so that the carriage-side coupling wedges 64 come out of the associated receiving pockets of the plate-side wedge receptacles 28 and occupy a distance to these wedge receptacles 28, as shown in FIG. 9 is shown. The patient support plate 14 is now fully supported by the support column 12 and the trolley 16 can be removed.

By detecting the forces acting on the top plate 33 and thus on the support column 12 when the patient support plate 14 is transferred from the trolley 16 to the support column 12, thus the column head 26 can be pivoted so that the mutually associated coupling elements, namely the column side Coupling wedges 30 and the plate-side wedge receptacles 28 are aligned with each other. This allows the production of a positive connection between the coupling elements, without high Forcing forces occur and without the risk that when transferring the patient support plate 14 only an incomplete fit is achieved.

The transfer of the patient support plate 14 from the support column 12 to the trolley 16 is simplified by the provision of the force measuring system, which is integrated into the column head 26. In FIG. 10 the seated on the support column 12 patient support plate 14 is shown in sections, wherein it is inclined at an angle to the horizontal direction due to a unilaterally acting load. This can be caused for example by a one-sided storage of a patient on the patient support plate 14. For a better overview of the patient is not shown in the drawing. The inclination of the patient support plate 14 can be difficult to see with the naked eye, in the FIGS. 10 and 11 it is exaggerated for clarity.

To transfer the patient support plate 14 from the support column 12 to the trolley 16, the support column 12 is first extended vertically upwards together with the patient support plate 14, that is, the support column 12 is raised so that then the trolley 16 with his legs 61 and the attached thereto car side coupling wedges 64 can assume a position below the patient support plate 14, as shown in FIG. 11 is illustrated. Due to the inclination of the patient support plate 14, the carriage-side coupling wedges 64 take a non-aligned position relative to the plate-side wedge receptacles 28 a. If, subsequently, the support column 12 is lowered together with the patient support plate 14, this leads to the car side being immersed Coupling wedges 64 in the plate-side wedge shots 28 first to a one-sided relief of the top plate 33. This one-sided discharge is detected by the built-in column head 26 force measuring system. This causes the control unit 70 to pivotally move the column head 26 such that it minimizes unilateral force loading of the head plate 33 by horizontally aligning the patient support plate 14. Thus, the carriage-side coupling wedges 64 are aligned in alignment with the plate-side wedge receptacles 28 and can completely immersed in the further lowering of the support column 12 without constraining forces in the plate-side wedge receptacles 28 to achieve a positive connection. This is in FIG. 12 shown.

For complete acquisition of the patient support plate 14 by the trolley 16 of the column head 26 can be slightly pivoted after preparation of the desired positive connection between the carriage-side coupling wedges 64 and the plate-side wedge receptacles 28 so that the eccentric forces exerted by the patient support plate 14, completely from Dolly 16 are added and consequently the column head 26 is completely relieved. By further lowering of the support column 12, the column-side coupling wedges 30 can then emerge from the carriage-side wedge receptacles 28, so that then the trolley 16 can be removed together with the patient support plate 14 of the support column 12.

Thus, by providing the force measuring system integrated in the column head 12 and controlling the pivotal movement of the column head 28 as a function of the forces detected by the force measuring system The transition of the patient support plate 14 from the support column 12 to the trolley 16 without the occurrence of considerable constraining forces, so that it is ensured that a complete positive connection between the carriage-side coupling wedges 64 and the plate-side wedge receptacles 28 can be achieved.

When transitioning the patient support plate 14 of the support column 12 on the trolley 16 can also be provided that the column head 26 is already pivoted before the car-side coupling wedges 64 dip into the plate-side wedge shots 28. The extent of the pivoting movement can take place in dependence on the off-center forces with which the top plate 33 is acted upon by the inclined patient support plate 14. The skew of the patient support plate 14 leads namely to an off-center loading of the top plate 33. This load is detected by the built-in column head 26 force measuring system. Assuming a certain elasticity of the column head 26, it can be concluded from the off-center loading of the top plate 33 on the inclined position of the patient support plate 14. This skew can then be compensated by a suitable pivoting movement of the column head 26. The subsequently horizontally aligned patient support plate 14 can then form a positive connection by lowering the support column 12 with the carriage-side coupling wedges 64, without considerable constraining forces occur. Then, the column head 26 can then be completely relieved by being pivoted and lowered again, as has already been explained above.

Claims (15)

A method for aligning coupling elements (28, 30, 64) of a patient support system comprising a patient support plate (14), a support column (12) and a trolley (16), wherein on the patient support plate (14) first coupling elements (28) are arranged, which optionally with on the support column (12) arranged second coupling elements (30) or with the trolley (16) arranged third coupling elements (64) are positively connected, wherein in the transfer of the patient support plate (14) from the trolley (16) on the support column (12) aligns the second coupling elements (30) in the direction of the first coupling elements (28), characterized in that by means of a force measuring system integrated in the support column (12) detects the forces acting on the force measuring system during the transfer of the patient support plate (14) and the orientation of the second coupling elements (30) relative to the first coupling elements (28) in dependence on n changed the detected forces. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the orientation of the second coupling elements (30) changed such that the forces detected by the force measuring system are minimized in the production of the positive connection. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one adjusts the second coupling elements (30) together with a column head (26) of the support column (12). Patient support system for performing the method according to one of the preceding claims, with a patient support plate (14), a support column (12) and a trolley (16), wherein the patient support plate (14) selectively on the support column (12) or the trolley (16) placed is and wherein on the patient support plate (14) first coupling elements (28) are arranged, which are selectively connected to the support column (12) second coupling elements (30) or with the trolley (16) arranged third coupling elements (64) are positively connected, characterized in that a force measuring system is integrated in the support column (12) with a plurality of sensors (54, 55, 56) spaced apart from one another, with which acting forces can be detected, and in the transfer of the patient support plate (14) from the transport carriage (16) to the Support column (12), the orientation of the second coupling elements (30) relative to the first coupling elements (28) in Ab is changeable from the detected forces. Patient support system according to claim 4, characterized in that the support column (12) has a column head (26) on which the second coupling elements (30) are adjustably held in dependence on the forces detected in the transfer. Patient support system according to claim 4, characterized in that the support column (12) has a pivotable column head (26) on which the second coupling elements (30) are fixed, and that the column head (26) together with the second coupling elements (30) in dependence is pivotable from the forces detected during the transfer. Patient support system according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the second coupling elements (30) during the transfer of the patient support plate (14) from the transport carriage (16) on the support column (12) relative to the first coupling elements (28) are adjustable in such a way that the forces detected by the force measuring system are minimized. Patient support system according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the support column (12) has a head plate (33) on which the patient support plate (14) can be placed and the plurality of support members (35, 36, 37) on a support plate (33). 43) is held, wherein the transfer of the patient support plate (14) on at least two support elements (35, 36, 37) acting forces by means of the force measuring system can be detected. Patient support system according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensors (54, 55, 56) of the force measuring system in the support elements (35, 36, 37) are integrated. Patient support system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the support elements are designed as universal joints (35, 36, 37). Patient support system according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the force measuring system has sensors for detecting an electrical resistance change. Patient support system according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the force measuring system has sensors (54, 55, 56) for detecting a change in magnetic field. Patient support system according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one magnetic field-sensitive sensor in the form of a coil (54, 55, 56) is configured. Patient support system according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one magnetic field-sensitive sensor is associated with a magnetically coded ferromagnetic material which is mechanically loadable by the patient support plate (14). Patient support system according to claim 14, characterized in that the ferromagnetic material forms a magnetically coded hinge pin (45) of a universal joint (35, 36, 37).

Images