US20030079285A1 - Method and apparatus for alignment and orientation of a monitor in a patient support system - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for alignment and orientation of a monitor in a patient support system Download PDFInfo
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- US20030079285A1 US20030079285A1 US09/682,859 US68285901A US2003079285A1 US 20030079285 A1 US20030079285 A1 US 20030079285A1 US 68285901 A US68285901 A US 68285901A US 2003079285 A1 US2003079285 A1 US 2003079285A1
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- Prior art keywords
- monitor
- patient
- patient table
- support member
- ball
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/02—Heads
- F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
- F16M11/10—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a horizontal axis
- F16M11/105—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a horizontal axis the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G13/00—Operating tables; Auxiliary appliances therefor
- A61G13/10—Parts, details or accessories
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
- F16M11/2014—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a vertical axis
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G13/00—Operating tables; Auxiliary appliances therefor
- A61G13/10—Parts, details or accessories
- A61G13/12—Rests specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of patient-supporting surfaces
- A61G13/128—Rests specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of patient-supporting surfaces with mechanical surface adaptations
- A61G13/1295—Rests specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of patient-supporting surfaces with mechanical surface adaptations having alignment devices for the patient's body
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/04—Balancing means
- F16M2200/044—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
- F16M2200/045—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage for panning movement
Definitions
- At least one embodiment of the present invention generally relates to an adjustable monitor for patient tables for supporting patients during medical procedures. More particularly, at least one embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable mechanism that allows a user to align and/or orient a monitor to the desired position.
- Medical patient support systems typically include a patient support surface that is attached to a support apparatus.
- the support apparatus may include a mechanism for adjusting the patient table in various directions, including up and down, side to side, and/or into a sitting position.
- monitors that are used in medical procedures are separate from the patient support system and are positioned on one side of the patient support system.
- monitors have been used with patient support systems, such monitors have not been easily adjusted to orient or align the monitor.
- a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, and a support member mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor, wherein said support member includes an adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and support member and providing movement of said monitor relative to said support member in at least three degrees of freedom.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball member connected to said monitor, and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slideably engaging said ball member to permit linear movement one direction corresponding to one degree of freedom.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball member with a slotted floating guide slideably connected inside said ball member and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slideably engaging said slotted floating guide to limit the linear motion of the monitor in at least one direction along one degree of freedom.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball member and a rotatable pin connected to said support member to provide rotation of the monitor about the plane of the monitor.
- the patient table is a urological table.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, a support member connected to said patient table and said monitor for supporting said monitor, and a ball shaped member interconnecting said monitor and said support member, wherein said ball shaped member is movably mounted to one of said monitor and said support member to permit movement of said monitor in at least two directions.
- the ball shaped member may include a rotatable pin which allows rotation of the monitor about the plane of the monitor.
- the ball shaped member may include directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged with said ball shaped member to permit linear motion along one axis.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table comprising a ball shaped member including a slotted floating guide within said ball shaped member, said slotted floating guide being movable relative to said ball shaped member in at least one direction to permit linear motion along a first axis, and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged with said slotted floating guide to permit linear motion along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a urology table comprising a patient support surface having opposed ends arranged along a longitudinal axis and having opposed sides arranged transverse to said longitudinal axis, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, a support member connected to said patient table and said monitor for supporting said monitor, and a linkage interconnecting said monitor and said support member, wherein the linkage includes a rotational link providing rotational movement of said monitor and a linear link providing linear movement of said monitor in at least one direction perpendicular to said rotational movement.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, a pivot arm having a first end connected to said base and a second end connected to said monitor, a pivot release member provided on one of said monitor and said pivot arm for releasably securing said monitor and said pivot arm at predetermined angular positions with respect to said base, and an adjustment linkage, said adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and said pivot arm and providing movement of said monitor relative to said pivot arm in at least three degrees of freedom.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a patient support system employing the monitor and adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a moving mechanism, adjustment mechanism and monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 illustrates an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a frontal view of a partial assembly of an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a frontal view of a partial assembly of an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a urology patient support system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a urology patient support system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a patient support system 100 with a patient support surface 11 0 , a base 120 , a monitor 130 , a moving mechanism 140 and an adjustment mechanism 150 .
- the base 120 includes a support structure 125 , which supports the patient support system 100 .
- the patient support surface 110 is attached to and supported by the base 120 .
- the monitor 130 is attached to the adjustment mechanism 150 , which is attached to the moving mechanism 140 .
- the moving mechanism 140 is attached to the base 120 and supports the monitor 130 .
- the monitor 130 is preferably a flat screen monitor.
- the moving mechanism 140 allows the monitor 130 to be moved and locked into different desired positions.
- the moving mechanism 140 rotates the monitor 130 about a pivot axis, which is perpendicular to the monitor 130 plane. As shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment mechanism 200 is connected to the end of the moving mechanism 140 . The adjustment mechanism 200 allows the monitor to be moved in three degrees of freedom relative to the moving mechanism 140 .
- FIG. 3 shows a side view of the adjustment mechanism 200 , including the monitor plate 350 , the second spherical member 330 , first spherical member 320 , support member 360 and handle 361 .
- the support member 360 is hollow and is attached to the moving mechanism 140 .
- the support member 360 has a first circular opening with a circular frame 305 .
- Directional pins 310 , 311 are securely mounted to the circular frame 305 .
- the first spherical member 320 fits into the circular opening in the support member 360 .
- Directional pins 310 , 311 pass through an opening in the center of the first spherical member 320 .
- the slotted floating guide 340 is generally rectangular, square or the like.
- the slotted floating guide 340 includes two parallel horizontal slots 341 , 342 .
- the directional pins 310 , 311 engage the slots 341 , 342 and slide horizontally within slots 341 , 342 allowing the monitor 130 to be moved in one degree of freedom.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a partial assembly of the adjustment mechanism 200 , including the slotted floating guide 340 , the first spherical member 320 and directional pins 310 , 311 .
- Directional pins 310 , 311 move over a range of motion defined by the ends of slots 341 , 342 , as shown by range 315 .
- the second spherical member 330 is spherical in shape and includes a rectangular, square or the like hole in the middle of it.
- the second spherical member generally fits within the first spherical member 320 and may move within the first spherical member 320 .
- the hole in the second spherical member 330 is the same width as the slotted floating guide 340 and taller than the slotted floating guide 340 .
- the slotted floating guide 340 fits into the hole in the second spherical member 330 and allows the monitor 130 to be moved in a second degree of freedom.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a partial assembly of the adjustment mechanism 200 , including the second spherical member 330 , the slotted floating guide 340 , and directional pins 310 , 311 .
- the slotted floating guide 340 moves over a range of motion defined by the height of the hole in the second spherical member 330 , as shown by range 316 .
- a first disc 370 acts as a washer and fits within the outer diameter of the second spherical member 330 .
- a screw 380 passes through the first disc, the slotted floating guide 340 within the second spherical member 330 , the first spherical member 320 and is secured to the circular frame 305 .
- the directional pins 310 , 311 , first spherical member 320 , second spherical member 330 , slotted floating guide 340 , first disc 370 and screw 380 permit the monitor 130 to be moved in two linear directions (the x and y axis shown in FIG. 4).
- the size of the hole in the second spherical member 330 and the height of the slotted floating guide 340 may be varied to provide a different range of motion along the y axis.
- the width of the slots 341 , 342 and the size of directional pins 310 , 311 may be varied to provide a different range of motion along the x axis.
- the adjustment mechanism 200 may also include a swivel assembly 390 , a connecting disc 400 and a washer 410 .
- the swivel assembly 390 includes a shoulder washer 394 , spring 393 , shoulder 392 and screw cap 391 .
- the spring 393 fits over the shoulder 392 and the shoulder washer 394 fits over the spring 393 .
- the shoulder washer 394 extends through the hole in the connecting disc 400 .
- the connecting disc 400 is a larger circular disc with a hole in the middle that securely fits over the shoulder washer 394 .
- the connecting disc 400 also includes holes 401 , 402 , 403 , 404 along the outside for fasteners 420 to pass through.
- a washer 410 rests between the connecting disc 400 and the monitor plate 350 .
- the screw cap 391 extends through the shoulder 392 , spring 393 , shoulder washer 394 , connecting disc 400 and washer 410 and connects to the monitor plate 350 .
- Fasteners 420 connect the connecting disc 400 to the second spherical member 330 , and hold the padded disc 410 and swivel member 390 in place.
- Hole 405 of the connecting disc 400 fits over peg 406 of the second spherical member 330 to hold the connecting disc 400 in place.
- the monitor 130 is connected to the monitor plate 350 .
- the swivel assembly 390 allows the monitor 130 to be moved in a third degree of freedom.
- Spring 393 is set such that shoulder washer 394 or washer 410 contact monitor plate 350 .
- Monitor plate 350 and swivel assembly 390 rotate around the monitor plate plane (in the z direction as shown in FIG. 4), while the connecting disc 400 and the other parts of the adjustment mechanism remain rigid.
- the swivel assembly 390 holds the monitor plate 350 in its selected orientation once the monitor 130 has been rotated.
- the monitor 130 is held in place by the adjustment mechanism 200 .
- the user moves the monitor 130 in a horizontal (along the x axis) and/or vertical (along the y axis) linear direction and/or rotates the monitor 130 (along the z arrow) about the plane of the monitor 130 .
- the monitor 130 is moved horizontally (along the x axis) the second spherical member 330 slides left to right within the first spherical member 320 and the slotted floating guide 340 slides along the directional pins 310 , 311 .
- the directional pins 310 , 311 restrict horizontal movement after a predetermined point.
- the second spherical member 330 slides up and down within the first spherical member 320 and the slotted floating guide 340 moves up and down within the hole in the second spherical member 330 .
- the swivel assembly 390 When the monitor 130 is rotated (along the z arrow) the swivel assembly 390 , washer 410 and monitor plate 350 rotate. The swivel assembly 390 holds the monitor 130 in place once it has been rotated to a selected position.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 show, by way of example only, urology patient support systems 100 with two typical patient and doctor positions.
- the patient 700 is laying down on the patient support surface 110 and the doctor 800 is seated or standing near the legs of the patient 700 .
- one desired monitor 130 location is over the patient's chest.
- the patient is sitting upright and the doctor is located at the patient's legs.
- one desired monitor 130 location is over the patient's head.
- a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows a doctor or another person to easily and safely align and/or orient the monitor 130 in multiple positions to provide the optimum placement of the monitor 130 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
- the present invention may also be used in connection with the invention disclosed in United States patent application number ______, and applicants hereby incorporate by reference application number ______ in its entirety.
Abstract
In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, and a support member mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor, wherein said support member includes an adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and support member and providing movement of said monitor of the monitor relative to said support member in at least three degrees of freedom.
Description
- At least one embodiment of the present invention generally relates to an adjustable monitor for patient tables for supporting patients during medical procedures. More particularly, at least one embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable mechanism that allows a user to align and/or orient a monitor to the desired position.
- Patient tables and monitors exist in a wide range of medical patient support systems for medical applications, each designed to be used for specific medical procedures. Medical patient support systems typically include a patient support surface that is attached to a support apparatus. The support apparatus may include a mechanism for adjusting the patient table in various directions, including up and down, side to side, and/or into a sitting position. Typically monitors that are used in medical procedures are separate from the patient support system and are positioned on one side of the patient support system.
- Conventional urology patient support systems support the patient in at least two positions, lying on their back and sitting up. A urologist often needs to view a monitor while treating a patient. In such conventional systems a monitor is on one side of the patient. Urology procedures often require the patient and/or the doctor to be in more than one position. The desired position of the monitor, however, depends on the procedure being performed and t. orientation of the doctor and patient relative to the equipment. The monitor therefore may be in an undesirable position or may be difficult to reposition during a procedure. There is a need therefore for a system that allows the monitor to be moved to different positions depending on the position of the patient and/or doctor. Additionally, there is a need for a monitor that can be adjustably aligned, oriented and/or rotated to provide a preferred placement of the monitor.
- Although monitors have been used with patient support systems, such monitors have not been easily adjusted to orient or align the monitor.
- A need, therefore, exists for an improved medical patient support system that provides a patient table and monitor that may be easily adjusted to provide a desired alignment, orientation and rotation.
- In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, and a support member mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor, wherein said support member includes an adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and support member and providing movement of said monitor relative to said support member in at least three degrees of freedom.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball member connected to said monitor, and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slideably engaging said ball member to permit linear movement one direction corresponding to one degree of freedom.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball member with a slotted floating guide slideably connected inside said ball member and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slideably engaging said slotted floating guide to limit the linear motion of the monitor in at least one direction along one degree of freedom.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table including an adjustment linkage comprising a ball member and a rotatable pin connected to said support member to provide rotation of the monitor about the plane of the monitor.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention the patient table is a urological table.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, a support member connected to said patient table and said monitor for supporting said monitor, and a ball shaped member interconnecting said monitor and said support member, wherein said ball shaped member is movably mounted to one of said monitor and said support member to permit movement of said monitor in at least two directions. Optionally, the ball shaped member may include a rotatable pin which allows rotation of the monitor about the plane of the monitor. Optionally the ball shaped member may include directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged with said ball shaped member to permit linear motion along one axis.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table comprising a ball shaped member including a slotted floating guide within said ball shaped member, said slotted floating guide being movable relative to said ball shaped member in at least one direction to permit linear motion along a first axis, and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged with said slotted floating guide to permit linear motion along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a urology table comprising a patient support surface having opposed ends arranged along a longitudinal axis and having opposed sides arranged transverse to said longitudinal axis, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, a support member connected to said patient table and said monitor for supporting said monitor, and a linkage interconnecting said monitor and said support member, wherein the linkage includes a rotational link providing rotational movement of said monitor and a linear link providing linear movement of said monitor in at least one direction perpendicular to said rotational movement.
- One aspect of another embodiment of the present invention is a patient table comprising a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, a base supporting said patient support surface, a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure, a pivot arm having a first end connected to said base and a second end connected to said monitor, a pivot release member provided on one of said monitor and said pivot arm for releasably securing said monitor and said pivot arm at predetermined angular positions with respect to said base, and an adjustment linkage, said adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and said pivot arm and providing movement of said monitor relative to said pivot arm in at least three degrees of freedom.
- The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a patient support system employing the monitor and adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a moving mechanism, adjustment mechanism and monitor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 illustrates an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a frontal view of a partial assembly of an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a frontal view of a partial assembly of an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a urology patient support system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a urology patient support system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a
patient support system 100 with a patient support surface 11 0, abase 120, amonitor 130, amoving mechanism 140 and an adjustment mechanism 150. Thebase 120 includes asupport structure 125, which supports thepatient support system 100. Thepatient support surface 110 is attached to and supported by thebase 120. Themonitor 130 is attached to the adjustment mechanism 150, which is attached to themoving mechanism 140. Themoving mechanism 140 is attached to thebase 120 and supports themonitor 130. Themonitor 130 is preferably a flat screen monitor. Themoving mechanism 140 allows themonitor 130 to be moved and locked into different desired positions. - The
moving mechanism 140 rotates themonitor 130 about a pivot axis, which is perpendicular to themonitor 130 plane. As shown in FIG. 2, theadjustment mechanism 200 is connected to the end of themoving mechanism 140. Theadjustment mechanism 200 allows the monitor to be moved in three degrees of freedom relative to themoving mechanism 140. - FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the
adjustment mechanism 200 formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a side view of theadjustment mechanism 200, including themonitor plate 350, the secondspherical member 330, firstspherical member 320,support member 360 and handle 361. Thesupport member 360 is hollow and is attached to themoving mechanism 140. Thesupport member 360 has a first circular opening with acircular frame 305.Directional pins circular frame 305. The firstspherical member 320 fits into the circular opening in thesupport member 360.Directional pins spherical member 320. - The slotted
floating guide 340 is generally rectangular, square or the like. The slottedfloating guide 340 includes two parallelhorizontal slots directional pins slots slots monitor 130 to be moved in one degree of freedom. FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a partial assembly of theadjustment mechanism 200, including the slottedfloating guide 340, the firstspherical member 320 anddirectional pins Directional pins slots range 315. - The second
spherical member 330 is spherical in shape and includes a rectangular, square or the like hole in the middle of it. The second spherical member generally fits within the firstspherical member 320 and may move within the firstspherical member 320. The hole in the secondspherical member 330 is the same width as the slotted floatingguide 340 and taller than the slotted floatingguide 340. The slotted floatingguide 340 fits into the hole in the secondspherical member 330 and allows themonitor 130 to be moved in a second degree of freedom. FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a partial assembly of theadjustment mechanism 200, including the secondspherical member 330, the slotted floatingguide 340, anddirectional pins guide 340 moves over a range of motion defined by the height of the hole in the secondspherical member 330, as shown byrange 316. - A
first disc 370 acts as a washer and fits within the outer diameter of the secondspherical member 330. Ascrew 380 passes through the first disc, the slotted floatingguide 340 within the secondspherical member 330, the firstspherical member 320 and is secured to thecircular frame 305. - The
directional pins spherical member 320, secondspherical member 330, slotted floatingguide 340,first disc 370 and screw 380 permit themonitor 130 to be moved in two linear directions (the x and y axis shown in FIG. 4). The size of the hole in the secondspherical member 330 and the height of the slotted floatingguide 340 may be varied to provide a different range of motion along the y axis. The width of theslots directional pins - The
adjustment mechanism 200 may also include a swivel assembly 390, a connecting disc 400 and awasher 410. The swivel assembly 390 includes ashoulder washer 394,spring 393, shoulder 392 andscrew cap 391. Thespring 393 fits over the shoulder 392 and theshoulder washer 394 fits over thespring 393. Theshoulder washer 394 extends through the hole in the connecting disc 400. - The connecting disc400 is a larger circular disc with a hole in the middle that securely fits over the
shoulder washer 394. The connecting disc 400 also includesholes fasteners 420 to pass through. Awasher 410 rests between the connecting disc 400 and themonitor plate 350. Thescrew cap 391 extends through the shoulder 392,spring 393,shoulder washer 394, connecting disc 400 andwasher 410 and connects to themonitor plate 350. -
Fasteners 420 connect the connecting disc 400 to the secondspherical member 330, and hold the paddeddisc 410 and swivel member 390 in place.Hole 405 of the connecting disc 400 fits overpeg 406 of the secondspherical member 330 to hold the connecting disc 400 in place. Themonitor 130 is connected to themonitor plate 350. The swivel assembly 390 allows themonitor 130 to be moved in a third degree of freedom.Spring 393 is set such thatshoulder washer 394 orwasher 410contact monitor plate 350.Monitor plate 350 and swivel assembly 390 rotate around the monitor plate plane (in the z direction as shown in FIG. 4), while the connecting disc 400 and the other parts of the adjustment mechanism remain rigid. The swivel assembly 390 holds themonitor plate 350 in its selected orientation once themonitor 130 has been rotated. - In operation, the
monitor 130 is held in place by theadjustment mechanism 200. The user moves themonitor 130 in a horizontal (along the x axis) and/or vertical (along the y axis) linear direction and/or rotates the monitor 130 (along the z arrow) about the plane of themonitor 130. When themonitor 130 is moved horizontally (along the x axis) the secondspherical member 330 slides left to right within the firstspherical member 320 and the slotted floatingguide 340 slides along thedirectional pins directional pins monitor 130 is moved vertically (along the y axis) the secondspherical member 330 slides up and down within the firstspherical member 320 and the slotted floatingguide 340 moves up and down within the hole in the secondspherical member 330. When themonitor 130 is rotated (along the z arrow) the swivel assembly 390,washer 410 and monitorplate 350 rotate. The swivel assembly 390 holds themonitor 130 in place once it has been rotated to a selected position. - FIGS. 7 and 8 show, by way of example only, urology
patient support systems 100 with two typical patient and doctor positions. In the first position, as shown in FIG. 7, thepatient 700 is laying down on thepatient support surface 110 and thedoctor 800 is seated or standing near the legs of thepatient 700. In this position, one desiredmonitor 130 location is over the patient's chest. In the second position, as shown in FIG. 8, the patient is sitting upright and the doctor is located at the patient's legs. In this position, one desiredmonitor 130 location is over the patient's head. A preferred embodiment of the present invention allows a doctor or another person to easily and safely align and/or orient themonitor 130 in multiple positions to provide the optimum placement of themonitor 130 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. - The present invention may also be used in connection with the invention disclosed in United States patent application number ______, and applicants hereby incorporate by reference application number ______ in its entirety.
- While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (17)
1. A patient table comprising:
a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure;
a base supporting said patient support surface;
a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure; and
a support member mounted to said patient table for supporting said monitor, wherein said support member includes an adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and support member and providing movement of said monitor of the monitor relative to said support member in at least three degrees of freedom.
2. The patient table of claim 1 , wherein said adjustment linkage comprises a ball member connected to said monitor, and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slideably engaging said ball member to permit linear movement in at least one direction corresponding to one degree of freedom.
3. The patient table of claim 1 , wherein said adjustment linkage comprises a ball member with a slotted floating guide slideably connected inside said ball member and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slideably engaging said slotted floating guide to limit the linear motion of the monitor in at least one direction along one degree of freedom.
4. The patient table of claim 1 , wherein said adjustment linkage comprises a ball member and a rotatable pin connected to said support member to provide rotation of the monitor about the plane of the monitor.
5. The patient table of claim 1 , wherein said patient table is a urological table.
6. A patient table comprising:
a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure;
a base supporting said patient support surface;
a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure;
a support member connected to said patient table and said monitor for supporting said monitor; and
a ball shaped member interconnecting said monitor and said support member, wherein said ball shaped member is movably mounted to one of said monitor and said support member to permit movement of said monitor in at least two directions.
7. The patient table of claim 6 , wherein said ball shaped member further comprises a rotatable pin which allows rotation of the monitor about the plane of the monitor.
8. The patient table of claim 6 , wherein said ball shaped member further comprises directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged with said ball shaped member to permit linear motion along one axis.
9. The patient table of claim 6 , wherein said ball shaped member further comprises a slotted floating guide within said ball shaped member, said slotted floating guide being movable relative to said ball shaped member in at least one direction to permit linear motion along a first axis, and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged with said slotted floating guide to permit linear motion along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.
10. The patient table of claim 6 , wherein said patient table is a urological table.
11. A urology table comprising:
a patient support surface having opposed ends arranged along a longitudinal axis and having opposed sides arranged transverse to said longitudinal axis;
a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure;
a support member connected to said patient table and said monitor for supporting said monitor; and
a linkage interconnecting said monitor and said support member, wherein the linkage includes a rotational link providing rotational movement of said monitor and a linear link providing linear movement of said monitor in at least one direction perpendicular to said rotational movement.
12. The patient table of claim 10 , further comprising directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged with said linkage to permit linear motion along one axis.
13. The patient table of claim 10 , further comprising a slotted floating guide to permit linear motion along a first axis, and directional pins securely mounted to said support member and slidably engaged with said slotted floating guide to permit linear motion along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.
14. The patient table of claim 10 , wherein said linkage comprises a ball shaped member.
15. A patient table comprising:
a patient support surface for supporting a patient during a medical procedure;
a base supporting said patient support surface;
a monitor displaying medical information relating to a medical procedure;
a pivot arm having a first end connected to said base and a second end connected to said monitor;
a pivot release member provided on one of said monitor and said pivot arm for releasably securing said monitor and said pivot arm at predetermined angular positions with respect to said base; and
an adjustment linkage, said adjustment linkage interconnecting said monitor and said pivot arm and providing movement of said monitor relative to said pivot arm in at least three degrees of freedom.
16. The patient table of claim 14 , wherein said adjustment linkage comprises a ball member with directional slots connected to directional pins and a rotatable pin.
17. The patient table of claim 14 , wherein said adjustment linkage comprises a ball member with a slotted floating guide floating inside said ball member and interconnected to directional pins to limit the range of motion of the monitor in at least one direction.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/682,859 US6553587B1 (en) | 2001-10-25 | 2001-10-25 | Method and apparatus for alignment and orientation of a monitor in a patient support system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/682,859 US6553587B1 (en) | 2001-10-25 | 2001-10-25 | Method and apparatus for alignment and orientation of a monitor in a patient support system |
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Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US6553587B1 US6553587B1 (en) | 2003-04-29 |
US20030079285A1 true US20030079285A1 (en) | 2003-05-01 |
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US09/682,859 Expired - Lifetime US6553587B1 (en) | 2001-10-25 | 2001-10-25 | Method and apparatus for alignment and orientation of a monitor in a patient support system |
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Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2004082554A2 (en) * | 2003-03-18 | 2004-09-30 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient care equipment management system |
US7065811B2 (en) | 2003-03-18 | 2006-06-27 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Radial arm system for patient care equipment |
US8051610B2 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2011-11-08 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Patient flatwall system |
US7748666B2 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2010-07-06 | Innovative Office Products, Inc. | Extension arm with moving clevis |
US7546994B2 (en) | 2006-09-15 | 2009-06-16 | Innovative Office Products, Inc. | Extension arm with moving clevis and cable management |
WO2009006414A1 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2009-01-08 | Draeger Medical Systems, Inc. | Tilt and swivel mounting for monitors and other devices |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5230112A (en) * | 1990-11-21 | 1993-07-27 | Diasonics, Inc. | Patient support table |
US5505424A (en) * | 1994-08-04 | 1996-04-09 | Health Care Information Corp. | Swivel support for an article |
US5553820A (en) * | 1994-10-17 | 1996-09-10 | Rubbermaid Office Products Inc. | Adjustable monitor arm |
US5876008A (en) * | 1995-01-17 | 1999-03-02 | Ergotron, Inc. | Suspension system for video monitor or other equipment |
US6059417A (en) * | 1997-08-01 | 2000-05-09 | Tatoian; James Z. | TV viewing system |
-
2001
- 2001-10-25 US US09/682,859 patent/US6553587B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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