GB2024616A - X-ray apparatus with adjustable table - Google Patents

Abstract

The X-ray table top 16 beneath a tube 30 may be raised from a normal or rest position to an elevated position, and may also be lowered to chair-level position, thus permitting patients to move from a sitting position, as from a chair, directly on to the table without the need to climb or be lifted on to the table. A table support frame 20, 22 telescopes over a pedestal 14, enclosing hydraulically actuated scissors jacks which can collapse compactly enough to achieve the chair-level position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION X-ray apparatus with adjustable table The use of flat top tables transparent to X-rays for supporting patients beneath an X-ray tube is well known. Such adjustable tables are commonly used when patients are to be subjected to routine radiographic procedures. Tables with adjustable tops have been used for more extensive procedures such as require introduction into the patient's body of a contrast medium to be visually monitored by fluoroscopic procedures.

One type of table for radiographic use comprises a frame supported by corner legs and having an X-ray transparent panel of wood, plastics or composition upon which the patient lies.

A Bucky tray is disposed beneath the panel for supporting X-ray sensitive film, and an X-ray tube is positioned above the table to project X-rays downwardly through the patient's body and the transparent panel to the film.

The X-ray tube is usually suspended or supported in a manner that will allow projection of the radiation over an area as large as about 70 x 15 inches (178 x 38 cm). In such an installation, the patient has had to climb or be lifted on to the table and, with the help of a technologist, lie down approximately in the centre of the table. To locate the selected area of the patient to be studied over the centre of the film in the Bucky tray, it has been necessary to push, pull or otherwise slide the patient over the table top.

A large proportion of such examinations often require two or more technologists to handle the patient. The use of foot stools, sheets and other equipment has not solved the problem of the need for additional technologists to assist the patients in all but the simplest examinations.

The next development was that of providing a table in which the top was longitudinally and transversely movable to reduce the need to slide the patient. Another improvement was achieved by developing a table, particularly for angiographic procedures, which comprises a top which moves four ways in a single plate on a pedestal instead of four legs. This table also elevates the top to make minor surgical procedures easier. However the table resembles an operating table more than an X-ray table, and does not have radiographic capabilities.

Further, this table has a normal lower or rest position of about thirty inches (76 cm) from which it can be elevated. Thus, the requirement for additional technologists to assist a patient has still existed.

A still later development provides a flat-top pedestal table which completely eliminates the need to manhandle the patient once he is on the table. This table has a top which has travel of twelve by forty-seven inches (30.5 x 119 cm) which allows easy positioning of the selected portion of the patient's body over the centre of the image receptor or film in the Bucky tray for all routine radiographictechni- ques. This table has virtually elminated the need for an assistant technician to move the patient once the patient is on the table. However, it is still necessary for the patient to climb onto the table top or to be assisted thereon.

It has been found that the majority of in-patients in a hospital or convalescent home, and residents of a retirement home, need assistance to get on to a conventional float top or stationary radiographic X-ray table. In a busy area an assistant is automatically assigned to help the technician in order to reduced overall examination time. In a room having the capabilities of the most modern known X-ray table, the time spent in getting a patient on and off the table has been found to be the major portion of the time for most examinations.

According to the present invention there is provided, X-ray apparatus comprising a table with a top adapted to be lowered to a level at least approximately chair height, the table having a base, a frame spaced above the base, means on the frame supporting the top thereon and adjustable support means for raising and lowering the frame and top, the support means being located on the base between the base and frame and having the frame mounted thereon, the support means being collapsible, when the frame and top are lowered, into a space having a restricted vertical dimension permitting the top to be located at substantially chair height.

The invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art because the patient can sit down on the table top or to slide easily transversely from a chair on to the table top instead of climbing up or being lifted on to it.

It has been found that an ambulatory patient, even one on crutches, needs no help getting on to the table embodying the present invention. A wheel chair patient can merely flip down the arm rest of his chair and slide smoothly sideways from the chair to the table top, often with no assistance whatsoever.

Such convenience encourages patients to help themselves, which is an aid to rehabilitation. Since the number of assistants may be reduced substantially, there is a consequent reduction in the cost as well as the examination time in most instances.

The table embodying the present invention is a pedestal type which may have a floating or stationary top and is completely adjustable from an upper level to a normal rest level of about thirty-two inches (80 cm) and additionally to a lower level of about nineteen inches (48cm).

In order to allow the table top to be lowered as desired, the mechanism to achieve the vertical adjustment is one which collapses, such as a scissors jack driven by a compact hydraulic system.

Thus, in the lowered position of the table top the parts of the structure are compactly enclosed without interfering with operation of the apparatus.

Lifting power is provided conveniently by a suitable hydraulic system attached to the central pivot area of the scissors jack, thus enabling efficient operation without interference.

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of an X-ray apparatus, including a table, embodying the invention and showing the table in an intermediate rest position; Figure 2 is an isometric view showing the table of Figure 1 in elevated position; Figure 3 is an isometric view showing the table of Figure 1 in lowered position; Figure 4 is an isometric view of an adjustable scissor supporting mechanism for the table top; Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the table supporting mechanism showing the table in elevated position; Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the table supporting mechanism showing the table in lowered position; Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the elevating mechanism taken along line 7-7 of Figure 5; and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control system for the apparatus.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown in Figure 1 an X-ray apparatus 10 which comprises an X-ray table 12 having a base or pedestal 14 and a top 16. The top 16 is suitably secured upon a frame or carriage 18 for planar movement in any direction, the means for accomplishing such movement not forming a part of this invention. The carriage 18 has a a depending front panel 20 and end panels 22 which overlie corresponding front and end panels 24 and 26 respectively of the base 14.

Although not a part of the present invention, the apparatus 10 is shown briefly as also including a tube stand 28 that supports a vertically adjustable X-ray tube 30 which is normally postioned above the table top 16. Details of the tube and associated mechanism are well known and, therefore, not described herein.

Beneath the table top 16 is located a removable Bucky tray 32 which includes a film carrier or cassette (not shown) which is adapted to receive x-radiation from the generator 30. The details of the film-supporting mechanism are also well known and, therefore, not described herein.

The table top 16 in the position shown in Figure 1 corresponds to the rest or lowered position of conventional X-ray tables, which is about thirty-two inches (80 cm) above the floor, and may be raised by means to be described to the elevated position shown in Figure 2, which is about fifty-four inches (137 cm) above the floor.

It has been found that when a conventional table top is dropped to the rest or lowered position shown in Figure 1, it is extremely difficult for an incapacitated patient to be assisted onto the thirty-two inch (80 cm) high table top. Therefore, the table top 16 may be lowered to a position as shown in Figure 3 which is about nineteen inches (48 cm) from the floor. This dimension is approximately at chair height, thus making it considerably easier for a wheel-chair patient, for example, to slide directly from the chair onto the table top without assistance.

After a patient is positioned on the table, the top may be elevated to any level up to about thirty-two or fifty-four inchest, (80 cm or 137 cm) as may be convenient.

The means for raising and lowering the table top 16 comprises a hydraulically operated scissors mechanism as shown in Figures 4-7. In Figure 4 the table top 16 is shown in phantom and the Bucky tray is omitted for convenience.

The table top 16 is adjustably positioned on the carriage 18 for lateral movement, as mentioned before. However, a frame comprises a pair of longitudinal channel members 34 and 36 which are disposed at the front and rear of the table and interconnect end panels 22 immediately below the carriage rails 38. On the underside of each channel 36 at one end of the table is located an anchor block 40 to each of which is pivotally attached the upper end of a scissors bar 42.

On a sheet metal platform 44 in the base 14there are provided, at the opposite end of the table structure, a pair of spaced bearing channels 46 within which are secured the lower ends of the respective scissors bar 42. In actuality, the lower ends of bars 42 carry rollers 43 which move longitudinally within the channels to allow the scissors to function, as will be described hereinafter.

A pair of spaced anchor blocks 48 are also mounted on the platform 44 below the upper anchor blocks 40. Anchor blocks 48 serve to pivotally secure the lower ends of respective second scissors bars of arms 50. The bars 50 are adjustably supported by rollers 50 (Figure 7) within respective channels 52 which are suitably mounted on the under sides of the channel members 36 in spaced vertical alignment with channels 46. The bars 42-50 in each pair thus cross one another and are pivotally connected together at their crossover points by pivots 54. From this it will be seen that the scissors can be used as a jack to raise and lower the table top 16, and that with such a scissors arrangement the table top can be lowered to a much lower level than can be achieved with vertical screws, rack and pinions or other mechanisms.

The means which is employed in the present invention for vertically adjusting the table top 16 comprises a hydraulic system such as the Hydraulic Power Pack No. 2022405 supplied by Dura Corp. of Paris, Kentucky, U.S.A. Such a hydraulic system includes a pump and an electric motor for operating the pump to control flow of hydraulic fluid into andout of a hydraulic cylinder. The pump-motor unit is indicated at 56 and one unit is provided for each pair of scissors bars 42 and 50. Each unit is preferably mounted on a rigidizing support plate 58 spanning respective opposed arms and is operatively connected to a respective hydraulic cylinder 60.

Each cylinder 60 is pivotally attached at its lower end to a respective bar 62 carried by the platform 44.

The cylinders each contain the usual plunger having a plunger rod 64 extending out from the upper end thereof, and the outer ends of the plunger rods 64 are pivotally connected to respective spaced lugs or ears 66 on a yoke plate 68 as shown best in Figure 7.

The yoke plate is provided with angled lugs or ears 70 in which the inner ends of the pivot pins 54 of the crossed scissor arms 42 and 50 are secured.

Thus, it is to be understood that when the hydraulic cylinders 60 are actuated to raise the table top 16,the plunger rods 64 will project upwardly out of the upper ends of the cylinders and, because of the pivotal connections with lugs 66, will move the plate 68 in an upward direction. Since the pivot members 54 are also connected to the plate 68 by the lugs 70, this will cause the pivot members 54 and the scissor arms 42 and 50 to be raised. The arms are pivoted at one end to blocks 40 and 48, as described.

However, the opposite ends of the arms will roll on their rollers 43 and 51 within the respective channel blocks 52 and 46, thus allowing the scissor jack mechanism to raise the table top 16 to the desired level.

The hydraulic cylinders 60 can be similarly operated in the reverse direction to lower the scissor jack mechanism and consequently lower the table top. It will be understood that the scissor jack mechanism described will collapse into a relatively small vertically dimensioned spaced, thus allowing the table top to be lowered to a level as low as about nineteen inches from the floor.

The electrical control circuit for the described apparatus is relatively simple, as shown in Figure 8.

Two double-pole single-throw switches 72 and 74 are provided and these are manually operated as by foot pedals 76 and 78 at the bottom front of the table.

When swtich 72 or 74 is closed, the motor 80 of the hydraulic system is driven in one direction to cause the pump 82 to force fluid into a cylinder 60 to raise the table top 16. The circuit is completed through the solenoid valve 84 of the hydraulic cylinder. Although only one hydraulic system is disclosed in Figure 8, it will be apparent that two systems could be operated by the same circuit.

Among possible modifications, we mention that a single scissor jack arrangement could be employed for elevating and lowering the table top instead of the double jack structure disclosed.

Claims (1)

1. X-ray apparatus comprising a table with a top adapted to be lowered to a level at least approximately chair height, the table having a base, a frame spaced above the base, means on the frame supporting the top thereon and adjustable support means for rasising and lowering the frame and top, the support means being located on the base between the base and frame and having the frame mounted thereon, the support means being collapsible, when the frame and top are lowered, into a space having a restricted vertical dimension permitting the top to be located at substantially chair height.

2. X-ray apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support means comprises a scissor jack structure having a pair of crossed arms pivotally attached at one end to the frame and at the other end to the base, said arms beings pivotally connected together at their crossover point, and drive means for operating the jack to raise and lower the frame and top thereon.

3. X-ray apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the jack structure is provided adjacent the front of the table and a second jack structure is provided at the rear of the table.

5. X-ray apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the crossed arms of each jack structure are pivotally connected together at axially aligned crossover points, and the drive means comprise a yoke disposed between the pairs of crossed arms and coaxially attached thereto at the pivotal connections, at least one hydraulic cylinder mounted at one end on the base and having a plunger rod attached to an upper portion of the yoke, and means for operating the cylinder to cause the rod to move the yoke and consequently the pivotal connections selectively upwardly or downwardly.

6. X-ray apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the arms are secured to the base and frame at one end of the table in a manner permitting longitudinal movement of the ends of the arms as the top is raised and lowered.

7. X-ray apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base has upstanding front and end panels of predetermined height and the frame has depending front and end panels slidably overlying the corresponding panels on the base, the support means being enclosed by the base and frame panels, and the panels being telescoped when the frame and top are lowered to locate the top at substantially chair height.

8. X-ray apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.