US20080060127A1

US20080060127A1 - Patient table with an impact resistance mechanism

Info

Publication number: US20080060127A1
Application number: US11/530,656
Authority: US
Inventors: Ramanan Lakshminarayanan; Kiran Kumar
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 2006-09-11
Filing date: 2006-09-11
Publication date: 2008-03-13

Abstract

This invention generally relates to a method of reducing effects impacts on a patient table, more particularly to a method of reducing the effects of impact on a patient table by transferring the energy of impact The method of reducing effects of low energy impacts on a patient table comprises transferring the energy of the impact from a region of impact to a rigid region. The method of transferring energy comprises providing at least one filling structure between a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is a flexible surface and the second surface is a rigid surface. In an embodiment the wherein the first surface is a flexible surface and the second surface is a rigid surface of the patient table and the filling structure is configured to transfer the energy of impact from the flexible surface to the rigid surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to patient tables, more particularly a method of reducing effects of impacts on a patient table, by transferring the energy of impact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A well maintained patient table is very essential in appropriate working of medical diagnostic and imaging devices. However in a hospital environment the patient table may be subjected to various impacts. For example, there are instances of other medical equipments impinging on the sides of a patient table unintentionally. The patient table may be hit on its sides or corners by the other equipments; or may be hit at the bottom of the patient table by other medical equipments or devices entering beneath the patient table. These types of impacts or collisions result in transfer of energy of impact to the patient table and causes damages to the outer covers or side panels of the patient table, leading to safety issues and/or loss of aesthetics. The quantum of energy of impact due to the impact may be small and may not cause an injury due to shock either to the patient or hospital staff, however will result in damage to the panels or side covers of the patient table. The damage caused to the structure will result in exposure of sharp corners that would result in safety issues and/or edges or surfaces that have a ragged appearance.
In general, to prevent the impact forces from causing damage, one concept adopted previously is to develop components that act as shock absorbers. Either these shock absorbers absorb the energy of impact within the design loads or crash themselves when the impact forces are larger than the design loads. They prevent the impact-forces from getting transferred to the structure. For example, in cars during head on collisions components like bumpers either absorb or collapse by absorbing impact forces. There by the impact forces are not transferred to structure and thus saving the passenger in the car. Similarly passenger trains are provided with components like bumpers and anti-collision tubes, which prevent impact forces being transferred to passenger compartment. These kinds of solutions are acceptable for high impacts or blows. For compact devices it is not feasible to provide shock absorbers, which are bulky in size and relatively heavy.
Thus there exists a need to provide a solution to reduce the effect of impacts on patient tables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.
The present invention provides a method of reducing effects of impacts on a patient table. The method comprises: transferring the energy of the impact from a region of impact to a rigid region of the patient table. The step of transferring the energy of impact may comprise providing a filling structure between the region of impact and the rigid region of the patient table. In an embodiment the region of impact is a flexible outer panel of the patient table and the rigid region is an internal structural member of the patient table, and the filling structure is disposed between the outer panel and the internal structural member so as to transfer the energy of the impact from the outer panel to the internal structural member.
In another embodiment, a method of transferring energy of an impact on a patient table is provided. The method comprises: providing at least one filling structure between a first surface and a second surface of the patient table, wherein the first surface is a flexible surface and the second surface is a rigid surface of the patient table. In an embodiment the filling structure is configured to transfer the energy of impact from the flexible surface to the rigid surface. For example the filling structure in a patient table includes ribs or stiffeners.
In yet another embodiment, a patient table with an improved impact resistance mechanism is provided. The patient table comprises: a flexible surface provided as an outer cover of the patient table; a rigid surface provided inside the patient table, at a distance from the flexible surface; a filling material provided between the flexible surface and the rigid surface, wherein the filling material is configured to transfer an energy of impact from the flexible surface to the rigid surface.
In an embodiment the patient table is configured to be a Magnetic Resonance (MR) patient table. The flexible surface is configured to be the outer cover or side panels of the patient table and the rigid surface is configured to be an internal structural member of the patient table, located near to the outer cover.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is high level flowchart depicting a method of reducing effects of impacts as described in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a patient table with an impact resistant mechanism as described in an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of filling structure as described in different embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of filling structure as described in an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the effect of low energy impact on a patient table due to side impact and corner impact respectively as in the prior art; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the effect of low energy impact on a patient table due to side impact and corner impact using an impact resistant mechanism as described in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
In an embodiment, a method of reducing effects of low energy impacts on a patient table is described. The embodiment is explained in the context of a hospital or other healthcare environment. However the invention may be applied to various patient tables in medical devices, household devices such as Microwave ovens, Washing machines, etc to mention a few, but not limited to this. The patient table may be adapted for use with human patients, or with animal patients in a veterinary care environment.
In various embodiments of the invention a method of transferring energy of impact on a patient table is disclosed. However, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to this or any particular application or environment. Rather, the technique may be employed in a range of applications, any electrical or mechanical devices, which may be subjected to only low energy impacts, such as hospital environment, domestic environment, etc to mention a few.
In another embodiment the invention describes a patient table with an impact resistance mechanism. The mechanism includes a filling structure provided between a flexible outer surface and a rigid inner surface of the patient table.
FIG. 1 is high level flowchart depicting exemplary steps of a method of reducing effects of impacts on a patient table as described in an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment a method 100 of reducing effects of low energy impacts on a patient table is disclosed. At block 110, a patient table, which is subjected to low energy impacts, is provided with a filling structure. The region of impact is subjected to impacts or collisions. This may be at least one of the flexible surfaces, which is provided as an outer cover or side panels of the patient table. The filling structure is capable of transferring the energy of impact to a rigid region of the patient table. The rigid region should be capable of handling the transferred energy of impacts. This may be any internal structural member of the patient table, which is rigid in nature, located near to the flexible surface. At block 120, the energy of impacts is transferred to the rigid region through the filling structure. This transfer of energy will avoid the direct impact of the energy on the flexible surface, thereby protecting the flexible surface from buckling and/or tearing.
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a patient table with an impact resistant mechanism as described in an embodiment of the invention.
The patient table comprises a flexible surface and a rigid surface. The flexible surface is as an outer cover or side panels of the patient table and is not capable of taking mechanical loads. The flexible surface is generally subjected to impacts. The patient table comprises at least one internal structural mechanical component or an internal structural member, which is rigid in nature. The rigid surface should be capable of handling the energy of impact. Normally the energy of impact is transferred to the rigid surface located near to the cover. At least one filling structure is provided between the flexible surface and the rigid surface. The filling structure should be capable of transferring the energy of impact from the flexible surface to the rigid surface of the patient table.
In an embodiment handling the impact forces due to medical devices or equipments on a patient table in a hospital environment is described. In an embodiment, a patient table 200 comprises a flexible outer cover 210 and a rigid internal structural member 220. Since the outer cover is not a part of the internal structural member 220, there is a gap or space or channel 230 between these two. This gap 230 is filled with a filling structure 240, the filling structure being capable of transferring the energy of impact from the outer cover to the internal support member. Different examples of filling structures are illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
In a patient table the impact can occur in three ways, namely, impact on the sides or side impact, impact from the bottom or bottom impact and impact at the corners or corner impact. Impact on the sides may occur by hitting the patient table with medical equipments such as anesthesia machines, injectors or breathing machines. The impact from the bottom occurs when the patient table is lowered without noticing the medical devices below the patient table or from the medical devices entering at the bottom of the patient table and causing damage. The impact at the corners mostly occurs for mobile medical imaging devices or equipments. While moving the patient table, the patient table corners may hit on doorframes or walls and for a non-mobile medical equipments the patient table may be hit by any other medical equipments. Hence, the patient table in hospital environment is undergoing the un-intentional impact due to medical devices and may undergo large deformations leading to cracks or breakages resulting in sharp edges or corners. The impact to the patient table may also occur in other ways, and may occur in ways that are unpredictable and unexpected. The impact resistance mechanisms described herein are intended to prevent damage from any of these types of impact.
In an embodiment the energy levels of the impact are relatively low, and are low enough to be handled by the rigid surface. The energy of impacts would be expensed in creating a permanent deformations or destruction of the side covers due to large deformation. This would result in side panels exposing sharp edges. However it will not affect the functionality of the product. In general it is observed that, the patient table of the medical equipment in scanning rooms undergo different types of impacts. These impacts would not be intentional, but detrimental to the product and safety, though not to the patient and hospital staff at the time of impact. The forces due to impact on sides and corners are normally in the range of 1N-750N. In this case there is no sudden impact as in the case of a side impact or corner impact. The patient table is either lowered very slowly over any other medical equipment or other medical equipments enter from the bottom of the patient table very slowly. Hence, the forces that would act on the patient table at the area of the medical device in contact with the patient table is equivalent to weight of the patient table along with patient weight.
However in different examples the force may be calculated based on the impact handling capacity of the rigid surface of the patient table like its cross section, its rigidity etc. This will also depend on the type of possible impacts, like its energy, area of impact etc. It will also depend on the cross section of the flexible surface and the weight of the patient table as well as the patient. Thus the range of force mentioned above should not be taken as limiting as the design can be easily varied based on the needs. The energy of the impact should be limited to the extent which the internal structural components or members to which the impact energy are transferred can withstand the energy of impact.
In an embodiment, the patient table is provided with an outer cover or side panels, which is flexible in nature. In general, the outer cover is made of sheet metal. The side panels or outer covers are provided in the patient table for aesthetic appearance and also to prevent exposure of structural mechanical components or structural members in the patient table. These outer covers or side panels are not intended for taking any mechanical loads and are not part of any structural member of the patient table. Hence there are gaps between internal structural members and the outer covers or side panels. In other embodiments, the flexible outer cover is made of plastic or similar material.
In an embodiment the gaps or space or channel between the outer cover and the rigid structural members is filled by a filling structure. The structural members; include support members or mechanical components of the patient table. The filling structure is capable of transferring the energy of impact to the structural members from the side panel or the outer cover. The filling structure acts as an impact or shock transferor.
The filling structure includes any structure in any shape, which is capable of transferring the energy of impact from the region of impact to the structural member. The filling structure includes structures of any shape or corrugated sections made of metal or non-metal or sandwich of metal and non-metal like metal plate embedded inside rubber or polymer. In different embodiments the filling structures include ribs or stiffeners.
The different patient tables may include patient tables of different medical imaging device such as X-ray imaging device, CT, MR, PET etc, but not limited to these.
In an embodiment the patient table is a mobile patient table.
In an embodiment a method of transferring energy of impact on a patient table is disclosed. The method comprises: providing at least one filling structure between a first surface and a second surface of the patient table, wherein the first surface is a flexible surface and the second surface is a rigid surface of the patient table. The filling structure is configured to transfer the energy of impact from the flexible surface to the rigid surface. The flexible surface is subjected to impacts and the rigid surface is a surface nearest to the flexible surface capable of handling the energy of impact. In an example, low energy impact is of energy in the range of 1N-750N. However, other levels of energy of impact may be transferred in other embodiments of the invention.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of filling structure as described in different embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3A illustrates a three-dimensional view of an example of a filling structure. The example is illustrated with reference to a patient table 200. A set of stiffening sections 340 is provided on a gap 330 between a flexible surface 310 and a structural member 320 of the patient table. The sections may be of any shape or corrugated and may be made of using any metal or non-metal or sandwich of metal and non-metal like metal plate embedded inside rubber or polymer. First end 342 of the stiffening sections 340 are welded or otherwise attached to the flexible surface 310 or outer cover of the patient table. The second end 344 of the stiffening sections 340 are provided close to the structural member 320. The second end 344 is not welded or fixed to the structural member 320 to take care the expansion of the filling structure 340, if any, during the impact. FIG. 3B illustrates a two-dimensional view of the filling structure. It is clear that the filling structure need not be of any particular shape, and a person of skill in the art will appreciate that different filling structures may be used to transfer the energy of impact from the flexible surface 310 to the structural member 320.
However in an embodiment the sections may not be fixed to the flexible surface. The gap between the flexible surface and the structural member may be filled using any filling structure incorporated tightly in the gap. The shape, type, construction, position, etc. of the filling structure may vary depending on the design requirement.
FIG. 4 illustrates another example of filling structure as described in an embodiment of the invention. The filling structure 440 is provided with ribs 446 and stiffeners 448. The energy of impact will be transferred to the structure member through the ribs and stiffeners. In an embodiment this filling structure 440 will contribute to reduce the impact effects on the corners of the patient table.
FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the effect of low energy impact on a patient table due to side impact and corner impact respectively as in the prior art. FIG. 5A illustrates the effect of side impact on the patient table. The side impact will mainly result in buckling or tearing of side panels or outer covers of the patient table. FIG. 5B illustrates the effect of corner impact on the patient table. The sheets of the covers at the corners deform independently upon an impact. This will result in tearing at the edges, cracking of the edges and protrusion of sharp corners or edges.
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the effect of low energy impact on a patient table due to side impact and corner impact using an impact resistant mechanism as described in an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A illustrates the effect of side impact on a patient table using the impact resistance mechanism. The stiffness of the side panels are increased by using the impact resistance mechanism and hence the side impact effects are reduced. FIG. 6B illustrates the effect of corner impact on a patient table using the impact resistance mechanism. By providing structural continuum the generation of sharp corners and edges are avoided. It has been observed that “Shock Transferor” will prevent any type of buckling or destruction of side panel or outer cover of the patient table thus avoiding generation of sharp edges or corners. It has also been observed that “shock Transferor” will not make any permanent deformation to the patient table structural member.
Thus the invention describes different embodiments of a method of reducing effects of low energy impact on a patient table and a patient table using this method. The method provides product safety and/or aesthetic enhancement by containing sharp corners or edges and improves the rigidity of the structure. Also the invention provides reliability improvement of the product for unintentional impacts. The invention is easily adaptable to existing mobile as well as stationary patient tables. Adapting the invention does not require any changes in the existing design and configuration of the patient tables. Since the impact resistant mechanism is of relatively low weight, incorporating the same will not increase the weight of the patient table significantly.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of reducing effects of impact on a patient table comprising the step of: transferring energy of the impact from a region of impact to a rigid region of the patient table.

2. A method of reducing effects of impact as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of transferring energy of the impact comprises providing a filling structure between the region of impact and the rigid region.

3. A method of reducing effects of impact as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filling structure is configured to transfer the energy of the impact on the region of impact to the rigid region.

4. A method of reducing effects of impact as claimed in claim 3, wherein the filling structure includes at least one rib.

5. A method of reducing effects of impact as claimed in claim 3, wherein the filling structure includes at least one stiffener.

6. A method of reducing effects of impact as claimed in claim 3, wherein the region of impact is a flexible outer cover of the patient table and wherein the rigid region is an internal structural member of the patient table, and wherein the filling structure is disposed between the outer cover and the internal

structural member so as to transfer the energy of the impact from the outer cover to the internal structural member.

7. A method of reducing effects of impact as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patient table is a magnetic resonance (MR) patient table.

8. A method of transferring energy of impact on a patient table, comprising the step of: providing at least one filling structure between a first surface and a second surface of the patient table, wherein the first surface is a flexible surface and the second surface is a rigid surface.

9. The method of transferring energy as in claim 8, wherein the filling structure is configured to transfer the energy of impact from the flexible surface to the rigid surface.

10. The method of transferring energy as in claim 9, wherein the filling structure includes at least one rib.

11. The method of transferring energy as in claim 9, wherein the filling structure includes at least one stiffener.

12. The method of transferring energy as in claim 8,wherein the flexible surface is an outer panel of the patient table.

13. The method of transferring energy as in claim 8, wherein the rigid surface is an internal structural member of the patient table.

14. The method of transferring energy as in claim 9, wherein the filling structure is configured to transfer energy of impact in the range of 1N-750N.

15. The method as in claim 8, wherein the patient table is an MR patient table.

16. A patient table with an impact resistance mechanism comprising:

a flexible surface provided as an outer cover of the patient table;

a rigid surface provided inside the patient table, at a distance from the flexible surface;

a filling material provided between the flexible surface and the rigid surface, wherein the filling material is configured to transfer an energy of impact from the flexible surface to the rigid surface.

17. The patient table with an impact resistance mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the filling material is configured to transfer energy of impact in the range of 1 N-750 N.

18. The patient table with an impact resistance mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the patient table is an MR table.

19. The patient table with an impact resistance mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the rigid surface is an internal structural member of the patient table.

20. The patient table with an impact resistance mechanism as claimed in claim 16, wherein the filling material includes ribs or stiffeners.