WO2013162435A1

WO2013162435A1 - Head support device

Info

Publication number: WO2013162435A1
Application number: PCT/SE2013/000047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sven EGNELL; Lars Svensson; Peter Weiss
Original assignee: 3K Holding Ab
Priority date: 2012-04-27
Filing date: 2013-04-12
Publication date: 2013-10-31
Also published as: SE536367C2; SE1250425A1; EP2841042B1; EP2841042A4; EP2841042A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a head support device (19) attached to a treatment table (12). The treatment table comprises a back portion (13) pivotably joined to a seat portion (14). The head support device (19) is attached to the back portion (13) and has a head support bowl (18). The head support device (19) has a head support sled (32) arranged in a first bearing for linear forwards and backwards movement in a carrier unit (31) in the head support device (19). The head support device (19) is provided with a weight balancing unit (61). Through the weight balancing unit is achieved that the head support device is experienced by a user as being weightless or floating. The invention further relates to a back portion provided with such a head support device (19), and a treatment table (12) provided with such a head support device (19).

Description

Head support device

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to device with a stand, where this stand comprises a leg portion, a seat portion and a back portion, where the angles between these may be selected. The back portion is provided with a head support device, whose length, height and angle may be selected such that it fits the body constitution of different patients, is suited for different types of treatment and simultaneously suits the body constitution of different surgeons and various methods of performing surgery.

Background of the invention

Methods, devices and designs related to the technical field above and with a function and properties that fulfils selected demands, are known in the art in several embodiments.

As an example of prior art and the technical field the invention relates to, it may be mentioned that within the category of operating tables, examination tables and dentist's chairs, where surgery in the head area are made, a head support device is known. This head support device is arranged in conjunction with a back portion, and the head support device then exhibits a first longitudinal adjustment means, a second adjustment means in terms of the angle of the head support bowl, and a third adjustment means in terms of height.

The adjustment means; a first longitudinal adjustment means, a second adjustment means in terms of the angle of the head support bowl, and a third adjustment means in terms of height, are all or may in some parts be achieved by a mechanical joint of screw of frictional type, that when needed may be loosened and fixed once the right position has been reached. Alternatively, an electrical actuator may be provided that adjusts the head support bowl to the right position.

Attempts have been made to through this achieve provision for a person, being at rest on the operation table and being supported by it, to conveniently follow the head in the head support bowl while the angle between the seat portion and the back portion are adjusted. Despite these efforts it has been found that if the head support bowl is fixed longitudinally during the adjustments of the angles of the seat portion and the back portions, it is experienced as being uncomfortable and may risk causing injuries to the neck and the back. If the head support bowl on the other hand is disengaged during the adjustments of the seat portion and the back portion angles, this is experienced as uncomfortable as the full weight of the head support device, weighing as much as 10kg, is held by the persons head in the operation table. It is further desirable that the head support bowl is not displaced longitudinally by its own weight if the person in the operating table for some reason wishes to adjust his position himself and lifts the head.

The time it takes going from preparation positions, that often takes place in a sitting position, to the various operating positions and to post-operating positions varies, so it is desirable for a surgeon and assisting staff that the operating table quickly can be positioned and that the number of setting steps are minimized.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a head support device for the stand of an operating table, where the device is provided with longitudinal adjustment means. The device, having a significant own weight, is by a patient or surgeon experienced as being weightless or floating.

The object of the invention is also that the head support device, independent of the angle of the back portion, is by a patient or surgeon experienced as being weightless or floating.

The object of the invention is further that the friction in the head support device is so low that it, by a patient or surgeon, is experienced as being weightless or floating.

Yet one object of the invention is to make the head support device take up such a small space, that a surgeon experiences good accessibility for his legs under the back portion, independent of the angle of the back portion and independent of how far the head support bowl attached to the head support device has been extended.

Summary of the invention

The invention relates to a head support device 19 attached to a treatment table 12. The treatment table comprises a back portion 13 pivotably joined to a seat portion 14. The head support device 19 is attached to the back portion 13 and comprises a head support bowl 18. The head support device 19 comprises a head support sled 32 arranged in a first bearing for linear forwards and backwards movement in a carrier unit 31 in the head support device 19, where the head support device 19 is provided with a weight balancing unit 61. Through the weight balancing unit is advantageously achieved that the head support device is experienced by a user as being weightless or floating.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the weight balancing unit 61 comprises the head support sled 32 and a counterweight housing 62, where the counterweight housing 62 is journalled in a second bearing for linear forwards and backwards movement in the head support device 19, and where further the counterweight housing 62 and the head support sled 32 are connected to each other via a force transfer unit 52. The force transfer unit 52 may for example be constituted by a belt that runs over an upper bearing 53 and a lower bearing 54.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the head support bowl 18 is pivotably and fixably connected to an adjustment arm 63, which is fixedly attached to a rotational axle 44 that is journalled in the head support device 19. The rotational axle 44 is provided with a lever 43, pivotably connected to a slewing bracket 42, which is connected to an electrical actuator 41 for primarily axial actuation of the slewing bracket 42 thus causing an pivotal movement of the rotational axle 44. In this way, the head support bowl may be electrically controlled.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the head support bowl 18 is attached to the head support sled 32 via a head support joint, and the head support joint is provided with a locking unit 64 arranged to lock the head support joint in a selected rotational position.

The invention further relates to a back portion provided with such a head support device 19, and a treatment table 12 provided with such a head support device 19.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to attached drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an operating table stand in an upright position with a head support sled according to the present invention

Fig. 2 shows an operating table stand according to fig. 1 in a lowered position

Fig. 3 shows a back plate with a head support sled according to the present invention

Fig. 4 shows the head support sled according to the present invention as seen from the side

Fig. 5 shows the head support sled according to the present invention

Fig. 6 shows a weight balancing unit according to the present invention

Description of the invention

The objects above are achieved through the present invention, as defined by the independent claims, and the mentioned disadvantages have been eliminated. Suitable embodiments of the invention are specified by the independent claims.

The object of the invention is, amongst other, to provide an operating table that has a seat portion and a back portion, where the seat portion and the back portion may be adjusted such that they are adapted for a comfortable lying or seating position, while concurrently the persons head sits stably and comfortably in the head support device. The head support device may at the same time move height wise depending on the relative position of the seat and back portions.

For this purpose, the stand should be provided with the adjustable back portion and the head support device mounted on the adjustable back portion. The length of the head support device should be able to adapt to the position of the person's head in a self adjusting fashion, as the position is continuously changing depending on the present selected state for the relative angle between the seat portion and the back portion.

The invention is further based on that the head support device enables a rapid setting to the proper operating position, and that it is able to handle a sufficient load. It should also occupy a small height, such that the space under the back portion gets as spacious as possible. These two features improve the ergonomic properties for a surgeon and assisting staff using the operating table. The invention is further based on handling of different weights of the head support device. Its design may vary for different markets or look different for different treatments. The angles of the head support bowl may be set in an electrical or mechanical fashion.

Even though the present invention has emerged in relation to an operating table for eye surgery, having given requirements for creating a for a user weightless head support device, it is for the man skilled in the art obvious that the head support device very well may be of use in other fields of application where the head must remain fixed and a back portion may be folded. These applications may be operating tables, beds or chairs for surgical procedures in the head area, such as ear, nose and throat surgery, facial plastic surgery, dental surgery and similar. Applications other than purely surgical ones may be for wheelchairs and similar aids where a support for the head is needed that follows the movements of the head.

The invention comprises a head support device that is provided with a head support sled which is journaled with a low degree of friction and a counter weight journaled with a low degree of friction. The head support sled and the counter weight run in parallel on top of each other, and are connected to each other by a belt or similar for force transfer. The belt runs over an upper belt bearing and a lower belt bearing which is attached to the head support device.

The invention relates to a head support device, to which a head support bowl is attached via a pivotable and fixable joint. The head support device is attached to a back portion, that is pivotably joined to a seat portion of an treatment table, preferably an operating table. The head support device is continuously and autonomously displaceable length wise in relation to the back portion. The force applied by a person with his head placed in the head support bowl and resting on the treatment table as the back portion changes angle in relation to the seat portion is sufficient to cause such displacement. This autonomous displaceability is achieved by journaling the length wise moveable portions, which are amongst other the head support device with the head support bowl.

In one embodiment of the invention, the head support device is provided with a weight balancing unit. As the parts that are longitudinally displaceable may weigh up to 10kg, some form of weight balancing is necessary in order to avoid an unpleasant force being applied to the patient during an angular change, and in order to prevent the displaceable parts from being displaced longitudinally under their own weight if the patient wishes to adjust his position and raises the head. Such a weight balancing unit should thus compensate for the weights of the constituting parts.

In one embodiment of the invention, the weight balancing unit comprises a counter weight housing that is attached to the head support device in part via a force transfer unit and in part via a head support sled that is journalled for a linear forwards and backwards movement in a carrier unit for the head support device. The force transfer unit may for example be constituted by a belt, such as a synchronous drive belt, a rope, a wire or similar that can bend around one or several pulleys in order to generate movement in two opposite directions. The counter weight housing may easily be adapted in terms of weight by adding or removing weights in order to as precisely as possible adapt the counter weight housing to the mass that needs to be balanced, that is the components attached to the head support device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the force transfer unit is constituted by a belt that runs over an upper and a lower bearing. This embodiment presents a simple solution to the attachment of the head support sled and the counter weight housing to the force transfer unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, the head support bowl is pivotably and fixably attached to an adjustment arm that is fixedly attached to a rotational axle journalled in the head support device. This embodiment gives an additional adjustment means for the height of the head in relation to the back portion.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rotational axle is provided with a lever that is pivotably joined to a slewing bracket, which in turn is attached to an electrical actuator. It primarily has an axial actuation on the slewing bracket giving an angular movement of the rotational axle. This embodiment gives an electrically controllable angle of the head position prior to the treatment in question. An electrically actuated setting may be made with the aid of a foot pedal, leaving the hands of the person giving treatment, for example a physician, free.

The invention further refers to a back portion of a treatment table, preferably an operating table. The back portion is attached to a head support device, such that the head support device i fully or partially inserted into a recess in the rear side of the back portion. The head support device being inserted into the recess is embodied as described in this application. The advantages of such an inserted head support device is that the person giving treatment is to be given the largest possible space under the back portion, while the head support device should not be in the way during treatment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the back portion is pivotably and continuously fixably attached to a seat portion of the treatment table. The means that several treatment positions may be set for an optimal treatment position, depending on type of treatment. The pivotability of the back portion gives force acting on the patient's head, neck and shoulder region. This force is severely reduced when the back portion is combined with the previously disclosed head support device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the back portion is continuously fixable in any given position in relation to the seat portion.

The invention also relates to a treatment table, preferably an operating table, comprising a leg portion, a seat portion and a back portion. These portions are pivotably attached to each other, and the angles between these may be set. A head support device is attached to the back portion. This head support device is embodied as disclosed in this application.

Embodiments of the invention further comprise an actuator for the head support device, that electrically or pneumatically may set the angle between the head support bowl and the head support sled.

The invention also makes it possible for the head support device to consist of a complete, freestanding unit, which simply may be removed from and attached to the back portion for disinfection and/or changing between different types of head support bowls.

The invention further makes it possible for various types of head support bowls and accessories to be attached on the head support device, independent of their respective weights, and the device is still experienced by a patient or a surgeon as being weightless or floating.

Even though the present invention is intended for application with any type of stand, the following example on the application of the invention is directed towards an operating table stand only. It should initially be noted that in the following description of a suggested embodiment, terms and special terminology has been selected primarily in order to clarify the inventive concept. The description discloses a presently suggested embodiment, which exhibits significant

characteristics of the invention and is clarified further by the figures.

It should in this context be noticed that the selected terms should not be seen as limited to only the here used and selected term, but that every such selected term should be interpreted such that it in addition comprise every equivalent technical corresponding element that work in the same or essentially the same way, in order to achieve the same or essentially the same purpose and/or technical effect.

Description of a preferred embodiment

With reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is shown schematically and in detail. It is not only generally described, but the significant features related to the invention have been made concrete through the presently proposed and in greater detail described embodiment in the following text.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention designed for surgical purposes. It has a raisable and lowerable operation table stand 10 provided with lockable wheels 11 for transportation and stabilization of the stand. An operation table 12 has been mounted on the stand, where the operating table comprises a back portion 13, a seat portion 14 and a leg portion 15. The back portion 13 and the leg portion 15 may be pivoted with respect to the seat portion 14 and fixed in any selected position in relation to the seat portion 14. The figure illustrates the operating table 12 in an upright position with a patient sitting up. The patient's head is positioned is placed in a head support bowl 18, mounted on a head support device 19, that may be displaced

longitudinally in relation to the back portion 13. In the illustrated position, when the patient is sitting up, the head support bowl 18 is displaced comparatively far out from the back portion 13.

Fig. 2 shows the operating table 12 in a lowered position, where the head support device 19 and thereby the head support bowl 18 has been displaced inwards towards the back portion 13, by the patient being lowered and thereby affected the head support device to enter a new position.

Fig. 3 shows the back portion 13 with the head support device 19 and the head support bowl 18. The head support device 19 is attached to a carrier unit 31 via a mobile head support sled 32. It is provided with guides that are journalled for movement back and forth in the carrier unit 31. The carrier unit 31 is further mounted inset into a recess 33 arranged at the rear side of the back portion 13, in order to to some degree eliminate protruding parts of the carrier unit 31.

Fig. 4 shows the carrier unit 31 with the head support device 19 mounted on the head support sled 32. These parts are removed from the back portion illustrated in fig. 3. An electrical actuator 41 is mounted on the carrier unit 41, acting as a linear motor that is able to displace slewing bracket 42 back and forth. The slewing bracket 42 is pivotably attached to a lever 43, which is fixedly attached to the head support device 19 via a rotational axle 44. Thus, a displacement of the slewing bracket 42 causes an angular change in the head support device 19, and a change in the angle of the head support bowl.

Fig. 5 shows the moveable head support sled 32 that is arranged in conjunction with a counter weight 51, such that the head support bowl should be experienced as weightless no matter at which angle the back portion is set. The head support sled 32 and the counter weight 51 are attached to one side each 521, 522 of a force transfer unit 52, preferably embodied as a belt, such that the counter weight 51 moves in the opposite direction of the head support sled 32 and through this balances out its weight. The counter weight 51 as well as the head support sled 32 is journalled for forwards and backwards movement in the carrier unit 31. In one embodiment, the force transfer unit 52 is endless and loops around an upper bearing 53 in the carrier unit 31 and a lower bearing 54 in the carrier unit 31. The head support sled and the counter weight are, respectively, attached to opposite movement sides of the force transfer unit 52. As is illustrated in fig. 5, the counter weight 51 is subdivided into several weight portions 511-513, that may be removed or added, and these may also be provided in various weights in order to properly correct for different constellations of details attached to the head support sled 32. The carrier unit 31 is further provided with weight attenuators intended to give a soft stop to the movement of the counter weight 51 at the end positions. A handle 55 is provided at the lower end of the carrier unit 31. The handle 55 has a spring loaded quick acting lock, which makes it easy to disengage the whole head support device 19 from the back portion. The figure also illustrates the slewing bracket 42 attached to the lever 43, fastening holes 56 in the slewing bracket 42, and fastening holes in the head support sled 32 mounting of the actuator. The actuator has in the figure been removed, but is illustrated in fig. 4. Fig. 6 shows a weight balancing unit 61, comprising a counterweight housing 62 with the previously illustrated counterweight, the force transfer unit 52 and the head support sled 32. The force transfer unit 52 is thus attached between the counterweight housing 62 and the head support sled 32. The head support sled 32 and the counterweight housing 62 are journalled to perform a linear movement forwards and backwards in the carrier unit for the head support device 19.

Fig. 6 also shows that the head support bowl 18 is attached to the head support device 19 via an adjustment arm 63, which is fixedly attached to the head support device 19, but pivotable and fixable in relation to the head support bowl 18. Due to this adjustment arm, the head support bowl 18 height and angle relative to the head support sled 32 and thereby the back portion 13, can be selected and the angle of the head support bowl being fixed manually with the aid of the maneuvering handle 64.

The force transfer unit of the weight balancing unit may be modified within the scope of the invention and may for example be constituted by a wire running over pulleys.

Claims

1 A head support device (19) attached to a treatment table (12), where the treatment table comprises a back portion (13) pivotably joined to a seat portion (14), where further the head support device (19) is attached to the back portion (13) and comprises a head support bowl (18), characterised in that the head support device (19) comprises a head support sled (32) arranged in a first bearing for linear forwards and backwards movement in a carrier unit (31) in the head support device (19), where the head support device (19) is provided with a weight balancing unit (61).

2 A head support device (19) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the weight balancing unit (61) comprises the head support sled (32) and a counterweight housing (62), where the counterweight housing (62) is journalled in a second bearing for linear forwards and backwards movement in the head support device (19), and where further the counterweight housing (62) and the head support sled (32) are connected to each other via a force transfer unit (52).

3 A head support device (19) according to claim 2, characterised in that the force transfer unit (52) is constituted by a belt that runs over an upper bearing (53) and a lower bearing (54).

4 A head support device (19) according to one of the claims 1-3, characterised in that the head support bowl (18) is pivotably and fixably connected to an adjustment arm (63), that is fixedly attached to a rotational axle (44) that is journalled in the head support device (19).

5 A head support device (19) according to claim 5, characterised in that the rotational axle (44) is provided with a lever (43), pivotably connected to a slewing bracket (42), which is connected to an electrical actuator (41) for primarily axial actuation of the slewing bracket (42) thus causing an pivotal movement of the rotational axle (44).

6 A head support device (19) according to one of the claims 1-5, characterised in that the head support bowl (18) is attached to the head support sled (32) via a head support joint, and where the head support joint is provided with a locking unit (64) arranged to lock the head support joint in a selected rotational position. A back portion of a treatment table (12), where the back portion (13) is attached to a head support device (19) comprising a head support bowl (18), where the head support device (19) comprises a head support sled (32) arranged in a first bearing for linear forwards and backwards movement in a carrier unit (31) in the head support device (19), characterised in that the head support device (19) is provided with a weight balancing unit (61). A back portion of a treatment table (12) according to claim 7, characterised in that the head support device (19) is arranged at least partially inserted into a recess (33) on the rear side of the back portion (13). A back portion of a treatment table (12) according to one of claims 7-8, characterised in that the head support bowl (18) is attached to the head support sled (32) via a head support joint, and where the head support joint is provided with a locking unit (64) arranged to lock the head support joint in a selected rotational position. A treatment table (12) comprising a leg portion (15), a seat portion (14) and a back portion (13), where these portions a pi votably joined to each other and, where a head support device (19) is attached to the back portion (13), characterised in that the head support device (19) comprises a head support bowl (18) and a head support sled (32) arranged in a first bearing for linear forwards and backwards movement in a carrier unit (31) in the head support device (19), where the head support device (19) is provided with a weight balancing unit (61).