EP2060248A2 - Remote control for a patient support - Google Patents

Abstract

A remote control unit issues commands for the power-adjustment of e.g. a hospital operating table position an attendant. The remote control unit incorporates a single sensor that is activated by the user and acts as a master switch for the remaining controls.

Description

The invention relates to a remote control for a device for supporting a patient, which has a motor-adjustable bearing surface, wherein the remote control comprises an input device for input of control commands, which are transferable for adjusting the bearing surface to the device.

Devices for storing a patient are known, for example, in the form of operating tables or in the form of treatment couches for therapeutic and surgical procedures and also for carrying out diagnostic procedures, in particular for examinations by means of a computer tomograph or with the aid of magnetic resonance tomography. A patient can be stably stored on the storage area. The bearing surface can be adjusted, for example, the entire bearing surface can be offset in the horizontal or vertical direction, or individual bearing surface portions, such as a back part or a leg part, can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis.

The input of control commands for adjusting the storage area can be done by means of a remote control, which is wirelessly or wired coupled to the device. For example, an infrared or radio connection can be used for the coupling of the remote control with the device. The remote control has an input device by means of which the user can enter control commands for adjusting the storage area.

These control commands are then transmitted wirelessly or by wire from the remote control to the device.

Of course, an adjustment of the storage area should not be unintentional. It must therefore be ensured that control commands can not be entered unintentionally, for example by placing an object on the input device of the remote control. Therefore, remote controls are known in which a key must first be pressed for activation before entering a control command. Often it is necessary to press several keys simultaneously to activate the remote control so that a control command for the device can be provided with their help.

Object of the present invention is to develop a remote control of the type mentioned in such a way that it can be activated in a simple manner.

This object is achieved in a remote control of the generic type according to the invention that the remote control has at least one grasping the remote control by a user detecting sensor and the provision of control commands for the device in response to a sensor signal of the at least one sensor can be activated.

The remote control according to the invention has at least one sensor, which detects the gripping of the remote control by a user, that is, the sensor detects when the remote control is taken by a user in the hand. If this is the case, then the at least one sensor provides a sensor signal ready and the remote control is activated, so that now with their help control signals of the device can be provided. To activate the remote control, it is therefore necessary that this is taken by the user in the hand. The input of a special key sequence in the form of an identification number and / or the simultaneous pressing of several keys of the remote control can thus be omitted. The remote control according to the invention can thus be activated in a very simple way by the user and at the same time it is ensured that control commands of the device for supporting a patient can be provided only after successful activation.

It is advantageous if the remote control has a plurality of sensors grasping the remote control by a user and the provision of control signals for the device can only be activated if at least two sensors detect the gripping of the remote control by a user. It can be provided, for example, that distributed over the circumference of the remote control several each grasping the remote control by a user detecting sensors are arranged. Only when at least two sensors provide a sensor signal corresponding to the gripping of the remote control, the remote control is activated. This can avoid that a single faulty signal from a sensor leads to unintentional activation of the remote control.

In a preferred embodiment of the remote control according to the invention, control commands can only be effectively entered after at least one sensor has detected the gripping of the remote control by a user. An input made before the remote control is accessed thus results not for transmitting a control command from the remote control to the device for storing a patient. Instead, control commands can only be effectively entered by a user after he has grasped the remote control with his hand.

In order to facilitate the handling of the remote control, this preferably has a display device, for example a display, in particular a liquid crystal display. In this way, entered control commands can be visually displayed to the user. Of particular advantage is a display device, when bidirectional signals can be transmitted between the remote control and the device for supporting a patient, that is, when not only control signals can be transmitted to the device by means of the remote control, but also signals from the device to the remote control are transferable. This makes it possible to display properties of the device on the display device, for example the current orientation of the bearing surface.

In order to avoid an unintentional energy consumption of the remote control by the display device, it is favorable if the display device can be activated in dependence on a sensor signal of the at least one sensor which detects the gripping of the remote control by a user. The remote control usually has a rechargeable battery. To display information, the display device requires energy. In order to avoid unintentional energy consumption, the display device is activated only after a user has grasped the remote control.

In order to facilitate the input of a control command, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the remote control has at least one lighting device for illuminating at least one input element of the input device. In order to avoid unintentional energy consumption by the lighting device, it is advantageous if the lighting device can be activated in response to a sensor signal of the at least one sensor, which detects the gripping of the remote control by a user. It can be provided, for example, that the input device has a keyboard and the individual keys of the keyboard can be illuminated by means of light emitting diodes. The LEDs are activated only after a user has taken the remote control. An unintentional energy consumption by the LEDs can be avoided.

For the design of the at least one sensor, which detects the gripping of the device by a user, so far no further details have been made. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one sensor grasping the remote control by the user is configured as a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor detects the approach of the user's hand to the remote control. Preferably, the proximity sensor is designed as a non-contact sensor, so that a direct contact of the sensor can be omitted by the user. The proximity sensor can be designed for example as an optical sensor, as an ultrasonic sensor or as an electromagnetic sensor. Like the ultrasonic sensor, the optical sensor can evaluate the reflection of an optical signal or an ultrasonic signal. The electromagnetic sensor may comprise a resonant circuit whose oscillation frequency changes when the user approaches.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, at least one proximity sensor is designed as a capacitive sensor. Such capacitive proximity sensors are known per se to the person skilled in the art. With their help, the approach of the user's hand to the remote control can be detected without contact in a structurally simple manner.

Preferably, the remote control comprises at least two spaced-apart proximity sensors. Thereby, the approach of the user's hand to different areas of the remote control can be detected, in particular, this gives the possibility to be able to detect the full encompassing of the remote control by the user without contact in order to then activate the remote control as explained above.

Conveniently, the remote control comprises a housing with side regions facing away from each other, on each of which a proximity sensor is arranged. For example, a proximity sensor can be positioned on an upper side and on a lower side of the housing, wherein the remote control can only be activated if both proximity sensors provide a sensor signal. Alternatively or additionally, provision can be made for a respective proximity sensor to be arranged on opposite longitudinal or transverse sides of the housing.

As low it has been proven when the remote control has a trough-like housing base, which has a footprint for storing the remote control formed on a base, wherein at least one proximity sensor is arranged at a distance from the base. This can be ensured in a structurally simple way that the remote control can not be activated by being stored on a base. At least one proximity sensor is located at a distance from the base, so that it can not detect the surface when the remote control is placed on the surface, since the proximity sensor occupies a distance from the surface.

In order to reliably detect the gripping of the remote control by the user, it is advantageous when using proximity sensors if the remote control has a housing with at least one region of reduced wall thickness and if the at least one proximity sensor is arranged in the region of reduced wall thickness of the housing.

It can be provided, for example, that the housing has pocket-like depressions on its inside, in each of which a proximity sensor is arranged.

As an alternative or in addition to the use of at least one proximity sensor, the remote control can also have a sensor device for detecting a movement of the remote control. If the remote control takes a rest position, it is deactivated; activation takes place when the sensor device detects a movement of the remote control.

It is advantageous if, by means of the sensor device, a movement pattern of the remote control is detectable and comparable with a predetermined movement pattern. Under a movement pattern here is a certain Acceleration course understood. Such an embodiment is based on the recognition that the gripping of the remote control by a user is typically associated with a particular movement pattern. Only after the sensor device has detected a movement pattern during a movement of the remote control, as is typically the case when the remote control is gripped by a user, the remote control is activated so that control commands of the device for storing a patient can then be provided. By comparison with a predetermined movement pattern, which may be stored in a memory member, it is reliably avoided that the remote control is already activated by an unintentional movement, as may occur, for example, when the remote control falls to the ground.

For detecting a movement of the remote control, the sensor device can have at least one acceleration sensor. Such acceleration sensors are known per se to the person skilled in the art. It is advantageous if the time profile of the acceleration of the remote control is detectable, because this allows, as explained above, the comparison with a predetermined acceleration profile of the remote control, as is typically present when taking the remote control by a user.

Preferably, the sensor device has a plurality of acceleration sensors and the provision of control commands for the device can only be activated if all the acceleration sensors detect the same acceleration pattern.

It is particularly advantageous if the remote control has a sensor device for detecting a direction in which a movement of the remote control takes place relative to the device, and an evaluation unit that is coupled to the sensor device and the device a control signal for adjusting the bearing surface according to provides detected movement direction. Acceleration sensors can be used to detect the movement direction, with the remote control initially being given a specific orientation relative to the device, and then the acceleration being determined with reference to the predetermined orientation. For this purpose, the device and the remote control can have a gyro system, which are first synchronized. It can then be adjusted in a simple manner in the horizontal direction, for example, the bearing surface as soon as the sensor device detects a corresponding horizontal acceleration of the remote control. To adjust the bearing surface in the horizontal direction thus the user only has to move the remote control in the horizontal direction accelerated. Accordingly, an accelerated movement in the vertical direction, that is, raising or lowering the remote control, lead to a height adjustment of the bearing surface, and pivoting the remote control about a horizontal pivot axis can generate a control signal for pivoting a previously defined for example by pressing a specific key bearing surface portion around a horizontal or vertical pivot axis.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Lagerung eines Patienten, die mittels einer Fernbedienung steuerbar ist;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Fernbedienung;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht der Fernbedienung aus Figur 2 und

Figur 4:

eine Unteransicht der Fernbedienung aus Figur 2 mit abgenommenem Gehäuseunterteil.

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

FIG. 1:

a schematic side view of a device for supporting a patient, which is controllable by means of a remote control;

FIG. 2:

a perspective view of the remote control;

FIG. 3:

a perspective sectional view of the remote control FIG. 2 and

FIG. 4:

a bottom view of the remote control FIG. 2 with removed housing lower part.

In FIG. 1 schematically a device for storing a patient in the form of a surgical table 10 is shown. This comprises a height-adjustable support column 11, on which a table top 12 is placed. The table top 12 forms a storage area for a patient and is adjustable in the horizontal direction relative to the support column 11. This is indicated by the double arrow 14 in FIG. 1 illustrated. The horizontal adjustment can be made parallel to the longitudinal direction of the table top 12, as in FIG. 1 is shown, however, it can also be provided in addition to a horizontal adjustment transversely to the longitudinal direction of the table top 12.

Together with the support column 11, the table top 12 is also adjustable in the vertical direction, this is in FIG. 1 illustrated by the double arrow 15.

The table top 12 comprises a base segment 17, which is connected to the support column 11 and on the one hand pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 18, a back segment 19 and on the other hand to a likewise horizontal aligned pivot axis 21 a pool segment 22 are pivotally mounted. On the side facing away from the base segment 17, a leg segment 25 is pivotably mounted on the pelvic segment 22 about a turn horizontally oriented pivot axis 24. The back segment 19 supports on its side remote from the base segment 17 a head segment 27, which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 28. For pivoting the individual segments 17, 19, 22, 25 and 27 of the table top 12, integrated electric motors are used in the table top 12, which are not shown in the drawing to achieve a better overview. By means of further electric motors, which are integrated in the support column 11 and in the base segment 17, the table top 12 can be adjusted in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. To control the electric motors is a known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing to achieve a better overview central control unit of the operating table 10 is used.

The operating table 10 is associated with a remote control 35, which is connected in the illustrated embodiment wirelessly via a bidirectional radio and / or infrared connection 36 to the central control unit of the operating table 10. The remote control 35 has a housing 38 with an upper housing part 39 which covers a trough-like housing lower part 40 and has a keyboard 42 with a plurality of keys 43. In addition, the housing upper part 39 has a display device in the form of a display 44.

Within the housing 12, a printed circuit board 46 is arranged, which carries 48 electrical components both on its upper side 47 and on its underside. On the upper side of the circuit board 46 in particular a known per se and therefore not shown in the drawing transmitting and receiving device arranged for emitting and receiving signals.

By means of the keyboard 42, a user can input control commands, which are transmitted from the remote control 35 via the radio and / or infrared connection 36 to the operating table 10 for adjusting the table top 12 and its segments 17, 19, 22, 25 and 27. Thus, the Remote control 35 can provide control commands to the operating table 10, the remote control 35 must first be activated. For this purpose, it has an electronic activation unit 50, which is arranged on the bottom side of the printed circuit board 46 and are associated with a plurality of sensors which detect the gripping of the remote control 35 by a user. As sensors four capacitive sensors 51, 52, 53 and 54 are used, each forming a non-contact proximity sensor, and on the other hand comes a sensor device 56 with two acceleration sensors 57, 58 and with an evaluation unit 59 is used.

The capacitive sensors 51, 52, 53 and 54 immerse each in a pocket-shaped recess 61 of the housing base 40 and are thus each arranged at a region of reduced wall thickness of the housing base 40. If the housing 38 is gripped on the underside by the hand of a user, the capacitive sensors 51, 52, 53 and 54 of the activation unit 50 each provide a sensor signal. The capacitive sensors 51, 52, 53 and 54 are connected to the activation unit 50 via corresponding sensor lines 63, 64, 65, 66 for this purpose.

The acceleration sensors 57 and 58 detect an acceleration of the remote control 35 and thus a movement of the remote control 35 relative to their environment. Via sensor lines 68 and 69, the acceleration sensors 57 and 58 are connected to the evaluation unit 59. This is connected via a signal line 71 to the activation unit 50 in electrical connection.

When the remote control 35 is grasped by the user, it experiences a typical sequence of accelerations. These are detected by the acceleration sensors 57, 58 and passed to the evaluation unit 59. The latter has a memory element 73, in which a typical acceleration profile, as it is present in gripping the remote control 35 by the user, is stored. A current acceleration profile can thus be compared by means of the evaluation unit 59 with the stored acceleration profile. If there is sufficient agreement, the evaluation unit 59 provides the activation unit 50 with an enable signal via the signal line 71. If this release signal is present and at the same time the concern of the user's hand on the outside of the housing base 40 is detected by the capacitive sensors 51, 52, 53 and 54, the remote control 35 is activated by the activation unit 50 such that now from the remote control 35th Control commands to the operating table 10 can be provided. As long as the remote control 35 is stored with an underside stand surface 41 only on a base, for example on the table top 12, no control commands can be transmitted from the remote control 35 to the operating table. An erroneous transmission of control commands, resulting for example from the fact that an object has been placed on the keyboard 42, thus reliably avoided become. Control commands can be provided only after a user has seized the remote control 35. Then the remote control 35 is activated and allows easy adjustment of the table top 12. To adjust the table top 12, it is then only necessary that the user by pressing a corresponding button 43 either the table top 12 in its entirety or a segment 17, 19th , 22, 25 or 27, and thereafter moves the remote control 35 in the desired direction in which the table top 12 or the selected segment 17, 19, 22, 25 or 27 is to be moved. The evaluation unit 59 detects, by means of the acceleration sensors 57 and 58, the direction in which the remote control 35 is moved relative to the table top 12 and provides a control signal which is transmitted to the operating table 10 so that the operating table top 12 or the desired segment adjusted according to the direction of movement of the remote control 35. In order to coordinate the orientation of the remote control 35 with the orientation of the table top 12 so that subsequently the movement of the remote control 35 relative to this orientation can be detected, the remote control 35 is given a certain spatial direction in a first step. This can be done by synchronizing gyro systems of the operating table 10 and the remote control in advance. After synchronization and activation of the remote control 35 thus the adjustment of the table top 12 and the adjustment of their segments is very simple. The activation also has the consequence that the display 44 is supplied with energy and that the keys 43 are each illuminated by a light-emitting diode 45 arranged below the keys.

Claims (16)

Remote control for a device for supporting a patient, which has a motor-adjustable bearing surface, wherein the remote control comprises an input device for inputting control commands, which are transferable for adjusting the bearing surface to the device, characterized in that the remote control (35) at least one Gripping the remote control (35) by a user-sensing sensor (51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58) and the provision of control commands for the device (10) in response to a sensor signal of the at least one sensor (51, 52, 53 , 54, 57, 58) can be activated. A remote control as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the remote control (35) comprises a plurality of sensors (51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58) sensing the remote control (35) by a user and providing control commands to the device (10) is only activated when at least two sensors (51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58) detect the capture of the remote control (35) by a user. Remote control according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that control commands can only be entered effectively after at least one sensor (51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58) has detected the gripping of the remote control (35) by a user. Remote control according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the remote control (35) has a display device (44) which can be activated in response to a sensor signal of the at least one sensor (51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58). Remote control according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the remote control (35) at least one lighting device (45) for illuminating at least one input element (43) of the input device (42), wherein the lighting device (45) in response to a sensor signal of the at least one Sensors (51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58) is activated. Remote control according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the gripping of the remote control (35) by a user detecting sensor as a proximity sensor (51, 52, 53, 54) is configured. Remote control according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one proximity sensor as a capacitive sensor (51, 52, 53, 54) is configured. Remote control according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the remote control (35) has at least two spaced-apart proximity sensors (51, 52, 53, 54). Remote control according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the remote control (35) has a housing (38) with side regions facing away from each other, on each of which a proximity sensor (51, 52, 53, 54) is arranged. Remote control according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the remote control (35) has a trough-like housing lower part (40), which forms a standing surface (41) for depositing the remote control (35) on a base, wherein at least one proximity sensor (51 , 52, 53, 54) is arranged at a distance from the standing surface (41). Remote control according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the remote control (35) has a housing (38) and the at least one proximity sensor (51, 52, 53, 54) is arranged at a region of reduced wall thickness of the housing (38) , Remote control according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the remote control (35) has a sensor device (56) for detecting a movement of the remote control (35). Remote control according to claim 12, characterized in that by means of the sensor device (56), a movement pattern of the remote control (35) is detectable and comparable with a predetermined movement pattern. Remote control according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the sensor device (56) has at least one acceleration sensor (57, 58). Remote control according to claim 14, characterized in that the sensor device (56) has a plurality of acceleration sensors (57, 58) and the provision of control commands for the device (10) can only be activated if all the acceleration sensors (57, 58) detect the same acceleration pattern. Remote control with the features of the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the remote control (35) comprises a sensor device (56) for detecting the direction in which movement of the remote control (35) relative to the device (10 ) and an evaluation unit (59) which provides the device (10) with a control signal for adjusting at least a portion of the bearing surface (12) in accordance with the detected direction of movement.

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