NL2013071B1 - Patient support system and guiding device for a patient supporting system. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a patient support system developed to position and support a patient lying on the support system, for example at X-Ray systems, especially Cardio/Vascular systems comprising a frame that, in use, is mounted to a floor, an upright column mounted to the frame and supporting a substantially rectangular table top extending in the plane of the rectangle and that is movable longitudinally with respect to the column to accommodate a patient, the patient support system comprising a guiding device developed to guide the column from a first position with respect to the floor to a second position with respect to the floor, wherein in use the guiding device is arranged to guide the column in a rectilinear path between the first and the second position. The invention further relates to a guiding device for use in a patient table and to the use of a guiding device and/or a patient table.

Description

Title: Patient support system and guiding device for a patient supporting system

Description

The current invention, according to a first aspect thereof, relates to a patient support system arranged to position and support a patient lying on the support system, for example an X-Ray system, especially Cardio/vascular systems, comprising a frame that, in use, is mounted to a floor, an upright column mounted to the frame and supporting a substantially rectangular table top defining a plane and which is movable longitudinally with respect to the column to accommodate a patient, the patient support system comprising a guiding device developed to guide the column from a first position with respect to the floor to a second position with respect to the floor. A known patient support system according to the introduction has a guide system comprising two wheels; both having a substantially vertical rotation axis; one of which wheels is fixed in position with respect to the floor, the other fixed in position with respect to a column base of the column, which wheels are rotatable in the same plane and around which a belt is wrapped. The column and the frame are supported and mutually connected through mutually articulating arms. When one of the wheels is driven in rotation, the belt will move together with said wheel and will thus rotate the other wheel. As a result, the patient support system will be guided from a first position to a second position, the second wheel describing a curved path around the first wheel. A disadvantage of the known device is that the guide with the two wheels requires relatively much space. To assure a safe working environment without elements visibly projecting from the floor, the column or a cover extending outside a footprint of the rest of the column should cover the wheel that is fixed to the floor, in all positions of the column. That requires quite some cross section surface for the column. Besides that, since the column describes a curved path, space is required to make such a curved path possible. The curved path and the cover also affect the cleanability of a room that houses the known patient support system.

An objective of the current invention is to provide a patient support system according to the introduction, which requires less space for the column and the path thereof. The smaller the column, the more ergonomic the working environment for the medical staff. The objective is achieved by the current invention in that in use the guiding device is arranged to guide the column in a rectilinear path between the first and the second position. As a result, no space is required within the column to allow the column to move sideward. This allows the column to be designed with a smaller width dimension. Also as a result, no space is required within the column to accommodate a wheel which is present in the known device and that is fixed to the floor in both positions, so at opposite sides of the second wheel fixed to the column. Further, a linear bearing can be developed more rigid than the known guide.

While the guiding device is defined to be developed to guide the column with respect to the floor, the guiding device could be incorporated at the top of the column to extend the table top with respect to the column, for example in combination with a conventional table top floating system. The effect is comparable, a larger extension of the table top. A drawback could be that the moment of the table top with respect to the attachment to the column increases, as a result of which the table top could bend to a larger extend. In this alternative case, the user could consider to accept the higher degree of flexing. But this alternative can be considered as an equivalent of the arrangement according to claim 1. It is even possible to integrate a guiding system according to the invention in the top and another one in the bottom of the column. As a result the column can be moved along the floor and the table top can be moved with respect to the column. EP 2 226 010 A1 discloses a patient table supported by wheels to allow the patient table to be driven over a floor, to position the patient table with respect to an X-ray device. The drivable patient table has a bottom frame that extends very close to the floor, and over a distance that corresponds to a projection of the table top. The bottom frame houses a column and a guiding to move the column with the table top in a longitudinal direction of the table top. The table top itself can be moved transversely, but explicitly not longitudinally, to prevent that the table top must be strengthened, which could negatively affect the quality of X-ray images of a person lying at the patient table.

In a preferred embodiment of the current invention the guiding device comprises at least one first, relatively long guiding element connected to the column and at least one second, relatively short guiding element mounted to the floor, the first and second guiding elements being in mutually guiding engagement, wherein the terms relatively long and relatively short are used to indicate that the relatively long guiding element is longer than the relatively short guiding element. Such an arrangement has the beneficial effect compared to arrangements wherein for example a rail is mounted to the floor, that as well in the first position as in the second position no guiding element extends outside the column, or at least a footprint of the column. Such protrusions would cause a serious risk for personnel working in the room wherein the patient support system is installed. People may stumble on such protrusions, when present.

In such an arrangement the patient support system preferably comprises at least two second, relatively short guiding elements that are spaced apart and aligned in the guiding direction and both being in guiding engagement with the at least one first guiding element. The relatively short guiding elements, which may be interconnected, provide a stable basis for a rigid guiding of the column when moving with respect to the floor. The length of the relatively long guiding element ensures that the relatively long guiding element can be in engagement with the second guiding element(s) over a relatively long distance. This also contributes to a rigid arrangement for the column when moving with respect to the floor.

The at least two second guide elements preferably are mutually connected by means of a mounting element. The mounting element can contribute to a better alignment of the two second guide elements with respect to each other, resulting in a more rigid and/or reliable arrangement. A very stable and rigid arrangement for moving and guiding the column with respect to the floor can be achieved if the guiding device comprises at least two guiding mechanisms arranged in parallel, i.e. both extending in the direction of movement of the column.

When the at least two guiding mechanisms are mutually connected by means of a mounting plate, a very rigid guiding arrangement can be provided.

In a preferred embodiment of an arrangement in which the at least one first, relatively long guiding element is connected to the column and at least one second, relatively short guiding element is mounted to the floor, the at least one first guiding element preferably is a guide rail that extends substantially over the full length at the bottom of the column. As such, the column can be moved to a relatively large extend over a distance corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of the column, especially the guide rail, minus the opposing end(s) of the second guiding element(s), still preventing that the second guiding element(s) extend to beyond the footprint of the column in any position of the column with respect to the floor.

In a preferred embodiment of the current invention the at least one second guiding element is a guiding shoe.

The at least one second guide element, or, when the patient support system comprises at least two second, relatively short guiding elements that are spaced apart and aligned in the guiding direction and both being in guiding engagement with the at least one guiding element, the mutually aligned second guiding elements engaging the same first guiding element, extend(s) over a total distance of no more than 2/3, preferably no more than 1/4 and more preferably no more than 1/3 of the length of the column in the guiding direction. The smaller the total distance over which the second guiding element(s) extend, the larger the stroke that the column can make, given the length of the first guiding element, still preventing the first guiding element to protrude to outside the footprint of the column.

In a preferred embodiment the column comprises at least one locking mechanism to lock the column in each of the first and second positions. The first and second positions are operational imaging positions in which the table top needs to be fixed as play-free as possible to be able to make an image of a patient lying on the patient supporting device. If the patient supporting device comprises more positions in which an image of a patient can be made, the at least one locking mechanism preferably is developed to lock the column in such position(s).

In a preferred embodiment of the patient supporting device according to the current invention, the patient supporting device comprises a position sensor that, in use, detects the position of the column with respect to the floor. The position sensor can provide a feedback relating to the position of the column to a control device of the patient supporting device.

When the at least one second guide element is mounted at least partially sunk in the floor, a mounting element to which the at least one second guiding element is attached can be arranged sunk in the floor. An advantage of such an arrangement is that the minimal horizontal position of the table top with relation to the floor is decreased, which can be beneficial in terms of ergonomic performance of the table for medical personnel and for patients when getting on and off the table top.

In a preferred embodiment of the current invention the patient supporting device comprises arrangements to move the table top transversely or vertically with respect to the column. Together with the longitudinal movability of the table top, the table top can be positioned in a three-dimensional space.

According to a second aspect the current invention relates to a guiding device developed to guide a column of a patient table from a first position with respect to a floor to which the patient table is attached to a second position with respect to the floor. Such a device is known and discussed in the first paragraphs of this document, together with the disadvantages of such a device. According to the second aspect, the current invention aims to provide a guiding device as discussed in the introduction of this paragraph, which requires less space for a column and a path thereof, of a patient table in which the guiding device is comprised. This object is achieved in that, in use, the guiding device is arranged to guide the column in a rectangular path between the first and the second position. Of course, the preferred embodiment of the guiding device of the patient table discussed herein and with respect to the first aspect of the invention can be applied to the guiding system of this second aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect, the current invention relates to the use of a guiding device according to the second aspect of the current invention, preferably in a patient support system according to the first aspect of the current invention. The advantages of the use of such a device and/or system are discussed here above.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures that show a preferred embodiment of a patient support table according to the invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a patient table according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a compact linear drive for a table top of the patient support table of fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of the compact linear drive of fig. 3 with the housing removed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the compact linear drive according to fig. 2 in the patient table and cooperating with a rack;

Fig. 5a is a schematic side view of a levelling device that is integrated in the patient support table of figure 1 in a neutral condition;

Fig. 5b is a schematic side view of the levelling device of fig. 5a supporting a patient;

Fig. 6a is a perspective view of the guiding system of the patient support table of fig 1, with the column at a first location;

Fig 6b is a perspective view of the guiding system of fig. 6a with the column in an opposite location;

Fig 7a is a perspective side view of a holding brake system of the patient support table of fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective side view, of part of the holding brake assembly of fig.7

In the different figures the same parts are referred to with the same reference numbers to overcome an unnecessary repetition of introduction of reference numbers. The orientation of components of the patent table must not always be taken absolutely. The orientation of some parts may differ from the unloaded condition in the loaded condition (compare figures 5a and 5b, for example). The term level, however, is to be interpreted as horizontal as possible under the given circumstances.

Now referring to fig. 1 a patient table 1 is shown in a perspective view as an embodiment of a patient support system according to the current invention. Patient table 1 is arranged to support a patient of which an X-Ray image must be generated, especially to manoeuvre and maintain the patient in a desired location with respect to an X-Ray imaging device (not shown). The patient table 1 is mounted to a floor 2 of a medical room to which in use is fixed, and wherein is preferably sunk, mounting plate 3 as part of a frame through which the patient table 1 is installed in the medical room. A guiding system 4, which will be discussed more in detail herein later, is present between the mounting plate 3 and a column 5 that carries a table top 6. The column 5 has a housing 7 enclosing many components, amongst which a control system to control movements of the patient table 1 to, in use, move the table top 6 and a patient lying thereon to, and maintain it in, a desired position. A ring guide system 8 is enclosed in the bottom of the housing 7 of the column 5. The control system comprises a levelling device (not shown in fig 1) that will be discussed later herein to maintain the table top 6 level, or in another defined angle of inclination, in the loaded condition of the table top 6. A compact linear drive 9 on a positioning table 45 on top of column 5 serves a longitudinal movement of the table top 6 with respect to the column 5.

The patient table 1 is able to make many movements to be able to move and maintain the table top 6 with a patient in a desired position with respect to an X-Ray imaging device. The column 5 is able to translate, supported by the guiding system 4, in a direction indicated by P1 with respect to a floor of a medical room to which the mounting plate 3 is attached. The column 5 is also able to rotate about a generally vertically extending rotation axis, driven and supported by a ring guide system 8 and in a direction indicated by arrow P2. The column 5 is also able to move generally vertically in a direction indicated by arrow P3, for which movement a cylinder (not shown in fig. 1) is present in a levelling device to be discussed. The table top 6 is able to move longitudinally with respect to the column 5 in a direction indicated by arrow P4, driven by the compact linear drive 9 that is discussed later herein. The table top 6 is also able to translate transversely with respect to the column 5 in a direction indicated by arrow P5, to rotate about its longitudinal axis in a direction indicated by arrow P6 and to tilt with respect to the horizontal in a direction indicated by arrow P7. The control of the movements in the directions P5-P7 happens in a way that is known from patient tables that are commercially available and will not be discussed in detail herein.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the compact linear drive 9 for the table top 6 of the patient support table 1. The compact linear drive 9 comprises a motor 21, a gear box 22, a safety brake 23 and an electromechanical brake 24 as a clutch.

Fig. 3 shows the compact linear drive 9 in more detail in a perspective view, partly in cross section and with the housing of the gear box 22 removed. The motor 21, a conventional electromotor, has an output shaft 25 embodied as a worm 25. The worm 25 is in engagement with a worm gearwheel 26 which, in an operational condition, is able to rotate with a pinion shaft 27. The worm gearwheel 26 has a hollow axis, through which the pinion shaft 27 extends. As a result, a relatively compact drive arrangement is achieved. A clutch 24 embodied as an electromechanical brake 24 is operationally arranged between the worm gearwheel 26 and the pinion shaft 27. In use, the motor 21 of the compact linear drive 9 rotates the worm 26, which in turn rotates the worm gearwheel 26. In the mutually coupled condition of the worm 25, the worm gearwheel 26 and the pinion shaft 27, the worm gearwheel 26, in turn, rotates the pinion shaft 27.

The clutch 24 is embodied as an electromechanical brake. An adapter flange 29 is in connection and rotates together with the worm gearwheel 26. The lower surface of the adapter flange 29 faces to an upper surface of a friction disk 28. A leaf spring 32 is provided between the lower surface of the adapter flange 29 and the upper surface of the friction disk 28 and is pulled downward in the non-powered condition of the electromechanical brake 24. Located below the friction disk 28 is a magnet arrangement 30 comprising a permanent magnet that attracts friction disk 28. The magnet arrangement 30 further comprises an electromagnet that, in a powered condition of the electromagnet, compensates for the attractive force of the permanent magnet and the force of the leaf spring 32.

Both the lower surface of the friction disk 28 and the upper surface 33 of the magnet arrangement 30 are provided with a friction surface. In the non-powered condition of the electromechanical brake 24, the friction disk 28 and the upper surface 33 of the magnet arrangement 30 are in mutual engagement. In this condition, the pinion shaft 27 will rotate if the worm gearwheel 26 is rotated. In the powered condition of the electro mechanical brake 24 as a clutch, a gap is present between the friction disk 28 and the upper surface 33 of the magnet arrangement 30 because the attractive force of the permanent magnet is compensated by the electromagnet. Now the friction disk 28 and the upper surface 33 of the magnet arrangement are disengaged. In this condition, the pinion shaft 27 is freely rotatable and will not rotate if the worm gearwheel 26 is rotated. An arrangement in which the powered and non powered conditions are interchanged, however, is also possible.

The magnet arrangement 30, like the worm gearwheel 26 has a hollow axis that is aligned with the hollow axis of the worm gearwheel 26. This enables the pinion shaft 27 to extend through the hollow axes of both the worm gearwheel 26 and the magnet arrangement 30. As can be seen in figure 3 this results in a very compact arrangement of the linear drive 9 and the clutch 24, with only a relatively small number of components.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the compact linear drive 9 according to fig. 2 in the patient table 1 and cooperating with a rack 31 to move the table top 6 of the patient table 1 in the longitudinal direction. The table top (not shown in fig. 4) is fixedly connected to and moves the rack 31. When the pinion shaft 27 is actuated (indirectly) by the motor 21, it rotates and its teeth will engage and move the rack 31.

Fig. 5a shows a schematic side view of a leveling device 11 integrated in the patient support table 1 of figure 1 in a neutral condition. The leveling device 11 cooperates with components of the patient table 1 to, at least in use, continuously keep the table top 6 level, usually horizontal. The column 5 has a base plate 41 that is rotatably supported by the ring guide system 8. The axis of rotation of the column 5 extends through the centre of the ring guide system 8. Connected to an outer edge 42 of the base plate 41, is an upright hollow post 43 in which a linear drive piston-cylinder device 44 is enclosed. The piston-cylinder device 44 is able to vertically move the table top 6 with respect to the floor 2. On top of the piston-cylinder device 44 the piston-cylinder device 44 supports an intermediate part 50 to which a positioning table 45 is pivotably connected and extends horizontally above the base plate 41. Interposed between the piston-cylinder device 44 top and the positioning table 45 is a force sensor 52 that in use measures the force exerted to the piston-cylinder device 44 by the positioning table 45. At the bottom part of the intermediate part 50 a tilt actuator 46 is pivotably connected to the intermediate part 50, and extends to and is pivotably connected to an edge 47 of the positioning table 45 that is opposed to an edge 48 of the positioning table 45 that is supported by the cylinder 44. Thus, the positioning table 45 is supported at two outer edges 47, 49. The tilt actuator 46 has a piston-cylinder device 48 that can be extended and compressed to pivot the positioning table 45 about a horizontal pivot axis 51. The positioning table 45 supports several actuators that in use manipulate the table top 6 to, and maintain it in, the desired position as is depicted by means of arrows P4, P5 and P6 in fig. 1,one of which is the compact linear drive 6 that has been discussed earlier herein in more detail. A longitudinal positioning sensor 53 disposed below the table top 6 and in a fixed position with respect to the positioning table 45 measures the longitudinal position of the table top 6 with respect to the positioning table 45.

Fig. 5b shows a schematic side view of the leveling device 11 of fig. 5a, with the table top 6 supporting a patient 12 and longitudinally extended to an extreme (left) position. Fig 5b clearly shows that the orientation of many components is changed compared to the same patient table 1 in the neutral position of fig. 5a. The weight of the patient 12 and the position of the table top 6 tend the table top 6 to become off level in the absence of any corrective movements in the patient table 1. Fig 5b. shows effects of the load of the table top 1 and corrections taken by the leveling device 11. One of the effects is that the arrangement of the table deflects under the weight of the patient 12. The extent to which the table deflects depends on several factors, amongst which the rotational stiffness of the table top 6 (which is a given constant for a specific patient table), the weight of the patient 12 and the (longitudinal) position of the centre of gravity of the load. Currently known systems correct the level of the table top independently of deflection of the table. For example by measuring the position of two reference points in the table top. This results in an inaccurate measurement and thus in an inaccurate corrective action which might result in the table top of the known patient table not being absolutely level (or exactly in a defined angle of inclination).

The leveling device 11 of the patient table 1 according to the current invention is able to make a more accurate correction. In use the controller of the levelling device 11 receives the actual force measured by the force sensor 52. This actual force is reduced with a result of a measurement of the force sensor 52 of an unloaded table top 6 and in the neutral position of the table top 6, which in fact is a constant value. The controller also receives the actual longitudinal position of the table top 6 measured by the longitudinal position sensor, i.e. the moment of the force working at the piston-cylinder device 44 top and is determined by force measurement at the position of the force sensor 52 times the longitudinal position. Those two values are multiplied and are then divided by the table support rotational stiffness (a constant) to result in a correction angle, and a corrective action is taken accordingly by the levelling device 11.

Fig. 6a is a perspective view of the guiding system 4 of the patient support table 1 of fig 1, with the column 5 at a first location. A lower front part of the housing 7 of the column 5 is taken away to make part of the guiding system 4 visible. A mounting plate 3 is fixedly mounted to the floor 2. Immovably attached to the mounting plate 3 are four guiding shoes 61a-61d, only two (61a, 61b) of which are visible in fig. 6a. The two other guiding shoes are located at the opposite side of the mounting plate 3 which in fig. 6a is hidden by the column 5. Mounted at the bottom of column 5 are two guide rails 62a, 62b, of which only guide rail 62a is visible in fig. 6a. The guide rails 62a, 62b each extend through a pair of guide shoes 61a, 61b and 61c, 61c respectively. The column 5 is movable to the position shown in fig 6b, guided by the guide rails 62 that are guided by the guide shoes 61. This movement, in use, is actuated manually by pushing against the (foot side of) the top of the table or by pulling the (foot side of) the table 1.

In the installed position of the patient table 1 the mounting plate 3 is covered by a cover (not shown in figs. 6a, 6b). The lower part of the housing 7 of column 5 extends around the whole column 5, covering the guide rails 62 and close to the floor 2 and the cover. It will be clear to the reader that in the installed condition, no components visibly project to outside the housing of the column 5 or from the floor 2 (or the cover). This contributes to a safe, ergonomic environment for medical personnel and minimizes the risk of damage to the components of the column 5. The total distance between the outermost parts of the two guide shoes 61a, 61b that cooperate with a guide rail 62a is about 1/3th of the length of the rail.

As a result a projection of the column 5 in the two extreme opposite positions “overlaps itself” over only this 1 /3th of its length. This means that the column 5 can be moved over a distance of 2/3th of its own length.

Fig 7a shows a perspective side view of the holding brake system 13 of the patient support table 1 of fig. 1. The holding brake system 13 is mounted to an annular ring guide system 8 that enables the column 5 to rotate about the substantially vertical central axis of a ring 71 of the ring guide system 8. The column 5 has a mounting plate 3 supporting a ring 71 that is fixedly mounted to the mounting plate 3. An annular mounting block 72 is attached to the immovable ring 71 and carries a number of static brake disks 73 that are stacked and clamped to the ring 71 by a clamping ring 74 and bolts 75. This will be elucidated in more detail in figure 8. A rectangular brake plate assembly 76 is mounted to the ring 71 and can move around the ring 71. The brake plate assembly 76 comprises a mounting block 77 that supports a number of stacked dynamic brake plates 78 that extend to outside the projection of the mounting block 77, all clamped together by a clamping strip 79 and inner hexagon socket screws 80. The rectangular brake plate assembly 76 is movably attached to the column 5 of the patient table 1. The brake plates 78 extend in the direction of the ring and between the brake disks 73. The brake disks 73 and brake plates 78 are in overlapping and alternating arrangement as can be seen in fig. 8, which shows an enlarged detailed drawing of part of the holding brake system 13 which will be discussed later. When the brake plate assembly 76 moves around the ring 71, the brake plates 78 are maintained between the static brake disks 73. In this embodiment the upper brake plate 78, of course, is maintained in between the upper brake disk 73 and the pressure assembly 81.

Mounted above the overlapping parts of the brake disks 73 and the brake plates 78 is a pressure assembly 81 that is attached to the horizontal plate that is screwed onto the pivot frame connected to the column 5. The pressure assembly 81 has a bottom plate 82 and a top plate 83 which are mutually connected by pins 84. Helical compression springs 85 are arranged around the pins 84 and drive the bottom plate 82 away from the top plate 83. Arranged in the centre of the pressure assembly 81 is an electromagnet 86 that is fixed to the bottom plate 82.

Figure 8 shows a part of the holding brake system 13 in more detail. The mounting block 77 supports the brake plates 78 that are spaced apart by spacers 87 positioned between adjacent brake plates 78. A clamping strip 79 on top of the stack of brake plates 78 clamps the brake plates 78 together and to the mounting block 77. The brake plates 78 (except the upper one) extend to in between brake disks 73 that are attached to the static ring 73 mounted to the mounting plate 3 in the lower part of the patient table 1, and which is not rotatable with respect to the floor. The bottom plate 82 of the pressure assembly 81 is located above the overlapping brake plates 78 and disks 73.

In use, in the non-powered condition of the electromagnet 86 as shown in fig. 7a, the bottom plate 82 of the pressure assembly 81, together with the electromagnet is driven away from the top plate 83 by the helical compression springs 85. A gap G1 is present between the electromagnet 86 and the top plate 83. The bottom plate 82 exerts a normal force to the alternatingly stacked brake disks 73 and brake plates 78. In this condition of the pressure assembly 81 the mutually facing surfaces of the brake disks 73 and plates 78 act as friction surfaces. The number of friction surfaces can be chosen as desired (or required) by adding/removing brake plates 78 or brake disks 73 and amounts nine in the arrangement of fig. 8. A relatively small normal force is required to generate a relatively large holding force of the holding brake system 13. Thus, if the electromagnet 86 is not powered, the brake plates 78 that are rotatable with respect to the ring 71 are trapped and kept immovably in position by the static brake disks 73.

If the electromagnet 86 is powered, as shown in fig. 7b, the electromagnet 86, together with the bottom plate 82, pulls itself to the top plate. No gap (G1) is present between the electromagnet 86 and the top plate 83. Instead, a gap G2 is present between the bottom plate 82 and the upper brake disk 73. No normal force is exerted to the mutually overlapping brake disks 73 and brake plates 76 and the brake plates 78 are able to move freely with respect to the brake discs 73 and the ring without (substantial) friction between the friction surfaces.

In the figures and in the description thereof only one preferred embodiment of a patient table according to the current invention is shown and described. It will be clear, however, that many modifications, that may or may not be obvious to for the skilled person, may be made to the patient table within the scope of the invention defined in the following claims. It is possible, for example, to use a closed spring solution instead of a normally closed permanent magnet in the brake as a clutch in the compact linear actuator. The compact linear actuator could be applied in other drive arrangements in the patient table. The pinion could also be in engagement with a toothed belt, which would enable to arrange the actuator at a different location. The worm gear could be replaced by an angular arrangement of a different type that a worm gear arrangement.

Claims (16)

A patient support system adapted to position and support a patient lying on the support system, for example in x-ray systems, in particular cardiovascular systems, and comprising a frame which, when used, is mounted on a floor, an upright column mounted on the frame and supporting a substantially rectangular tabletop defining a plane and movable longitudinally in said plane relative to the column to accommodate a patient, the patient support system comprising a guide device developed to guide the column from a first position relative to the column floor to a second position relative to the floor, characterized in that when used, the guide device is arranged to guide the column in a linear path between the first and the second position. A patient support system according to claim 1, wherein the guiding device comprises at least one first, relatively long guiding element connected to the column and at least one second, relatively short guiding element mounted on the floor, the first and the second guiding element being in mutually engaging guidance . A patient support system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least two second, relatively short guide elements that are spaced apart and are aligned in the guide direction and both are in conductive engagement with the at least one first guide element. A patient support device according to claim 3, wherein the at least two second guide elements are interconnected by means of a mounting element. Patient support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device comprises at least two guide mechanisms which are arranged parallel to each other. The patient support device of claim 5, wherein the at least two guide mechanisms are interconnected by means of a mounting plate. A patient support device according to one or more of claims 2 to 6, wherein the at least one first guide element is a guide rail that extends over the column substantially the entire length at the bottom of the column. A patient support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guide element is a guide shoe. A patient support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second guide element, or, depending on claim 3 or 4, the mutually aligned second guide elements, engages / engages the same first guide element, over a total distance of no more than two-thirds, preferably no more than half, and more preferably no more than one-third of the length of the column of the guiding device. The patient support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the column comprises at least one locking mechanism to lock the column in each of at least the first and the second position. A patient support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, the patient support device comprising a positioning sensor which, when used, detects the position of the column relative to the floor. A patient support device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 11, wherein the at least one second guide element is mounted at least partially recessed into the floor. Patient support device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the tabletop is also movable in the transverse direction or in the vertical direction. A patient support device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the column comprises at least one retaining mechanism to retain the column in any (non-discrete) position. A guidance device developed to guide a column of a patient table attached to a floor from a first position relative to the floor to which the patient table is attached to a second position relative to the floor, wherein, when used, the guidance device is arranged to guide the column in a linear path between the first and the second position. Use of a guiding device according to claim 15, preferably arranged in a patient support system according to one of claims 1 to 14.