PATIENT POSITIONING TABLE

Abstract

Each scissor frame of the patient positioning table has a first and a second scissor arm connected in an X-shaped arrangement to pivot about a common pivot axis via a lifting facility for vertically moving the positioning table. The lifting facility includes a roller arrangement configured to be moved by a traction device. The roller arrangement is arranged between, and guides, arm segments of the scissor frames. The arm segments open in a V-shape, wherein the traction device is fixed in position by at least one end and is led via a roller unit having deflecting rollers, one located upstream of the roller arrangement and one located downstream of the roller arrangement. The position of the roller arrangement between the arm segments is variable with the aid of a drive facility, which interacts with the traction device.

Claims

1. A patient positioning table, comprising: two scissor frames, each having a first scissor arm and a second scissor arm, which are connected to each other in an X-shaped arrangement so as to be configured to pivot about a common pivot axis, and to be configured to pivot relative to each other with the aid of a lifting facility for vertically moving the patient positioning table, wherein the lifting facility includes a roller arrangement coupled to, and configured to move via, at least one traction device, wherein said roller arrangement is arranged between, and configured to guide, two arm segments of the two scissor frames, the two arm segments opening in a V-shape, wherein the at least one traction device is fixed in position at at least one end and is led via at least one roller unit, which includes deflecting rollers, wherein a first of the deflecting rollers is located upstream of the roller arrangement and a second of the deflecting rollers is located downstream of the roller arrangement, in an omega shape, and wherein the position of the roller arrangement between the two arm segments is variable with the aid of a drive facility configured to interact with the at least one traction device.

2. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive facility comprises: a winding shaft; and a drive motor configured to drive the winding shaft, wherein the at least one traction device is fixed to the winding shaft at another end, and the position of the roller arrangement is variable by winding the at least one traction device onto and off of the winding shaft.

3. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one traction device includes at least two traction devices, the at least one roller unit includes at least two roller units, and a first roller unit, among the at least two roller units, and a first traction device, among the at least two traction devices, is allocated to a scissor arm of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames.

4. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 3, wherein the deflecting rollers are arranged on a scissor arm of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames, or the deflecting rollers are arranged on connecting shafts that connect the two scissor frames, which are adjacently arranged.

5. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one roller unit is fixed in position, or the at least one roller unit is configured to be guided in a movable manner along a guide track.

6. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the at least one roller unit has a support arranged in a positionally fixed or movable manner on a scissor arm of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames, and the deflecting rollers are mounted on the or each support, or connecting shafts are arranged at, and connect, the or each support.

7. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one traction device is looped via at least one rotatably mounted idler roller of the roller arrangement.

8. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 2, wherein the winding shaft is configured to run in a common pivot axis, about which two positionally fixed lower ends of the two scissors frames are configured to pivot.

9. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one traction device is a belt, a cord or a chain.

10. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one traction device is fixed in position at another end, the drive facility includes at least one wheel and a drive motor configured to drive the at least one wheel to run the at least one traction device, the at least one wheel sits on a same axis as the roller arrangement or forms part of the roller arrangement, and the at least one wheel is configured to move together with the roller arrangement and the drive motor.

11. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one traction device includes at least two traction devices, the at least one wheel includes at least two wheels driven via the drive motor, the at least one roller unit includes at least two roller units, and a first roller unit, among the at least two roller units, and a first traction device, among the at least two traction devices, is allocated to a scissor arm of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames.

12. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one roller unit is configured to be guided in a movable manner along a guide track.

13. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 12, wherein the deflecting rollers are arranged on a scissor arm of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames, or the deflecting rollers are arranged on connecting shafts that connect the two scissor frames, which are adjacently arranged.

14. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of the at least one roller unit has a support arranged in a movable manner on a scissor arm of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames, and the deflecting rollers are mounted on the or each support, or connecting shafts are arranged at, and connect, the or each support.

15. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one traction device is a toothed belt or a chain, and the at least one wheel is a toothed wheel.

16. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 1, wherein an arched guide rail is arranged on each arm segment of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames, and the roller arrangement rests against the arched guide rails.

17. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 16, wherein the roller arrangement has multiple separate, rotatably mounted guide rollers, wherein a guide roller, among the guide rollers, rests against the arched guide rail arranged on a respective arm segment.

18. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the at least one roller unit has a support arranged in a positionally fixed or movable manner on a scissor arm of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames, and the deflecting rollers are mounted on the or each support, or the connecting shafts are arranged at, and connect, the or each support.

19. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of the at least one roller unit has a support arranged in a movable manner on a scissor arm of a scissor frame, among the two scissor frames, and the deflecting rollers are mounted on the or each support, or connecting shafts are arranged at, and connect, the or each support.

20. The patient positioning table as claimed in claim 3, wherein the winding shaft is configured to run in a common pivot axis, about which two positionally fixed lower ends of the two scissors frames are configured to pivot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further advantages and details of the present invention arise from the exemplary embodiments described below and also on the basis of the drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an inventive patient positioning table in a first embodiment variant in the raised setting,

[0032] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged partial view of the area of the roller arrangement,

[0033] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged partial view of the area of the roller unit,

[0034] FIG. 4 shows the patient positioning table in FIG. 1 in a lowered position,

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an inventive patient positioning table in a second embodiment variant in a raised position,

[0036] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged partial view of the area of the roller arrangement,

[0037] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged partial view of the area of the roller unit, and

[0038] FIG. 8 shows the patient positioning table in FIG. 5 in a lowered position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an inventive patient positioning table 1 in a side view. The patient positioning table 1 has a frame support 2 on which two scissor frames 3 are arranged parallel to each other, while only one scissor frame 3 can be seen in the side view in FIG. 1. The two scissor frames are arranged spaced apart from each other laterally. Each scissor frame 3 has two scissor arms 4, 5, which are connected to each other in an X-shaped arrangement about a central pivot axis 6 so as to be capable of pivoting. The lower end of each scissor arm 4 is fixed to the frame support 2 via a locating bearing 7, wherein the locating bearing 7 also forms a pivot bearing at the same time, so that the respective scissor arm 4 being mounted essentially in the locating bearing 7 is also capable of pivoting via a pivot axis 8.

[0040] The lower end of each second scissor arm 5 is mounted via a floating bearing 9 on a linear track 10 on the plate-shaped or box-shaped frame support 2 so as to be capable of linear movement, as indicated by the double arrow P1. This lower end is also mounted in the floating bearing 9 so as to be cable of pivoting about a pivot axis 11. This pivot mounting by way of the pivot axes 8 and 11 is required since each scissor frame 3 is closed together and moved apart during the lifting movement, so that a corresponding pivoting of the arm is required.

[0041] Furthermore the two scissor frames 3 are connected by their upper ends to a table support 12, on which a positioning table 13 is arranged, preferably in a detachable manner, which positioning table supports the patient 14 who is only represented symbolically here. In this regard the upper end of the second scissor arm 5 is connected to the table support 12 via a locating bearing 15, wherein the pivot arm 5 in the locating bearing 15 is again mounted so as to be capable of pivoting about a pivot axis 16. The upper ends of the first scissor arms 4 are again each arranged so as to be capable of linear displacement on a linear track 18 via a floating bearing 17, wherein also here again the respective scissor arm 4 is accommodated in the floating bearing 17 so as to be capable of pivoting about a pivot axis 19. This locating/floating mounting also allows a corresponding adjustment movement with respect to the table support 12 to be realized.

[0042] Furthermore a lifting facility 20 is provided, which is implemented as a traction drive. It comprises a winding shaft 21 which runs in the common pivot axis 8 of the locating bearing 7, that is to say the winding shaft 21 rotates about precisely this pivot axis 8. It reaches through the corresponding pivot bearing arrangements for example, which are realized via corresponding rolling bearings for example, by which the individual scissor arms 4 are pivot-mounted, and can be led to the outside on one side for example, where it is coupled to a drive motor 22, which is likewise only represented schematically here. The winding shaft 21 can be rotated via the drive motor 22, for example a torque motor, therefore, and in fact either in the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

[0043] Furthermore the lifting facility 20 comprises a traction device (or traction mechanism or traction means) 23, here in the form of a belt 24, which is fixed to the winding shaft 21 by one end and can be wound onto and off of same. The course of the belt 24 is shown schematically in this side view since the belt 24 actually runs between the two scissor frames 3, or more precisely runs on the inner side of the one scissor arm 4 of the one scissor frame 3 and consequently would not be visible in a side view.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the end of the belt 24 is fixed in a holding device 25, which is arranged in the example shown on the side of the scissor arm 4 in the direction of its upper end, that is to say in a fixed position.

[0045] Furthermore a roller arrangement 26 is provided and also a roller unit 27, around which the belt 24 is led in an omega-shape. The belt 24 runs from the positionally fixed end in the holding device 25 to a first deflecting roller 28 of the roller unit 27 and loops around the deflecting roller 28; from there it runs to the roller arrangement 26 and loops around same, after which it runs to a second deflecting roller 29 of the roller unit 27 and loops around same, from where it then runs to the winding shaft 21, again along the scissor arm 4. In this regard the arrangement of the two deflecting rollers 28, 29 and also of the roller arrangement 26 is such that a triangular shape is produced that enables the omega pathway.

[0046] The roller arrangement 26 runs via respective guide rollers 30, which are mounted so as to rotate via suitable rolling bearings on a central axis 31 of the roller arrangement 26, on corresponding guide rails 32, 33, which are arranged on the corresponding arm segments of the pivot arms 4, 5, and which are used for guiding the rollers. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rails 32, 33 are implemented in curved form, and therefore have a curved running or guiding surface on which the deflecting rollers 30 run.

[0047] FIG. 2 also shows the belt 24, which is looped around an idler roller 34 mounted on the central shaft 31 via a rolling bearing.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a side view representing the arrangement of the guide rollers 28, 29. They are rotatably mounted on suitable bearing journals 35, 36 on the scissor arm 4 via suitable rolling bearings. Also shown here is the belt 24, which is guided on the deflecting rollers 28, 29. As can be seen the belt 24 runs parallel to the pivot arm 4 given that it is fixed there by its upper end in the holding device 25. As shown by broken lines the bearing journals 35, 36 can also be implemented in longer form as connecting shafts and connect the two scissor frames 3, wherein the deflecting rollers 28, 29 are then mounted on these connecting shafts.

[0049] This operates such that the winding shaft 21 is driven via the drive motor 22 and depending on the direction of rotation the belt 24 is either wound on or wound off. If the belt is wound on, then the length of the belt between the upper end of the belt 24 fixed in the holding device 25 and its winding position on the winding shaft 21 is shortened. The roller arrangement 26 is movable relative to the positionally fixed deflecting rollers 28, 29 and so can travel between the guide rails. If the belt 24 is wound on, then the free belt length is shortened, which results in the roller arrangement 26 being pulled in the direction of the roller unit 27 by the shortening belt 24, that is to say being pulled between the guide rails 32, 33. In the course of this the two guide rollers 30 run along the guide rails 32, 33 and spread them and therefore the scissor arms 4, 5 apart so that the scissor frames 4, 5 are raised up. In the raised position shown in FIG. 1 the roller arrangement 26 is positioned closely adjacent to the deflecting rollers 28, 29.

[0050] If the positioning table 13 is to be lowered, then the winding shaft 21 rotates in the opposite direction and the belt 24 is wound off. The free belt length is increased again; and the load on the roller arrangement 26 is consequently released and same can again be pushed oppositely under its own weight from its arrangement adjacent to the roller unit 27 to the outside, wherein the guide rollers 30 again run on the guide rails 32, 33. The roller arrangement 26 therefore moves away from the deflecting rollers 28, 29 again. In the course of this the positioning table 13 is necessarily lowered as a result of its own weight in conjunction with the table support 12 and also the patient 14 potentially resting on same.

[0051] The relative movement of the roller arrangement 26 with respect to the positionally fixed roller unit 27 is represented by the double arrow P2 in FIGS. 1 and 4, while the general lifting and lowering movement is represented by the double arrow P3.

[0052] It may be sufficient to provide only one traction device 23 and one roller unit 27 on one scissor arm 4. That is to say the flow of force or more precisely the force coupling of the lifting facility 20 to the scissor frame arrangement is effected on only one scissor frame 3. It is also conceivable however to provide two traction devices 23 and two roller units 27, which are each provided on one scissor arm 4 of each scissor frame 3. The upper belt ends are fastened in the holding devices 25 on the scissor arm 4 in each case, while the two lower belt ends are fixed to the common winding shaft 21, so that the two belts 24 can be wound on and off synchronously. In this case the two scissor frames 3 are consequently put under load synchronously and actively raised up or folded together. The doubled-up belt arrangement also has a redundancy benefit, since in the event of a ripped belt the remaining belt can of course continue the lifting operation.

[0053] FIGS. 5-8 show a further inventive variant of a patient positioning table 1, wherein the same reference symbols are used for identical components as far as possible. Here also, two parallel scissor frames 3 are again provided, each comprising a first scissor arm 4 and a second scissor arm 5, which can be pivoted about a common pivot axis 6. Once again a first locating bearing 7 and also a first floating bearing 9 are provided, by which the lower-area mounting is effected on the frame support 2, wherein here once again the scissor arms 4, 5 are mounted in a pivoting manner in corresponding pivot axes 8, 11. The upper-area ends are once again mounted in a pivoting manner in corresponding pivot axes 16, 19 in corresponding locating bearings 15 and floating bearings 17. The essential construction corresponds to that in the preceding figures, and reference is made to the relevant implementations.

[0054] Here too guide rails 32, 33 with an arched running surface are arranged in each case on the pivot arms 4, 5, preferably on both scissor frames 3, on which guide rails the roller arrangement 26 runs with corresponding guide rollers 30 (see also FIG. 6 in this regard). A roller unit 27 with two deflecting rollers 28, 29 is likewise provided, and also a traction device 23, here in the form of a chain 37. In this configuration the belt 24 is fixed by both ends in corresponding holding devices 25 on the scissor arm 4.

[0055] In this variant the belt 24 is likewise guided in an omega shape around the deflecting rollers 28, 29 and also the roller arrangement 26, but each configuration of the roller unit 27 is different from the above embodiment, as is the fundamental drive.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the roller unit 27. This comprises the deflecting rollers 28, 29, which in this example are rotatably mounted on corresponding bearing journals 35, 36, which are arranged on a plate-like support 38 in this case. The support 38 itself is guided in a movable manner in a corresponding linear track 39, either straight or along a curved track, on the scissor arm 4, wherein in this case the linear track 39 is more or less integrated in the scissor arm 4, but can also be provided on the side of same. That is to say here the roller unit 27 is more or less a self-contained constructional element, which can also be separately manufactured and mounted on the linear track 39. Since here also two chains 37 are preferably provided, each adjacent to the respective scissor arm 4, the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 is naturally also provided on the other side.

[0057] The roller unit 26 is shown in a more detailed schematic representation in FIG. 6. As explained it again comprises the four guide rollers 30, with which it is guided on the respective guide rails 32, 33. Also provided here, since two chains 37 are provided in the exemplary embodiment, are two toothed wheels 40 that are rotatably mounted on the central axis 31, which are connected via respective drive shafts 41 to the drive motor 22, which sits here on the central shaft 31. That is to say the toothed wheels 40 can be rotated actively, synchronously, and in the same direction of rotation via the drive motor 22. The toothed wheels 40 engage in the chains 37, that is to say a form-fitting toothed connection exists there.

[0058] Operation is such that in order to lift or lower the drive motor 22 rotates the drive shafts 41, and via same, the toothed wheels 40. Since the chain 37 is positionally fixed or clamped by both ends, the length of the chain 37 cannot be changed. The rotation of the toothed wheels 40 then has the effect that the roller arrangement 26 more or less travels or “crawls” along the chains 37, and in so doing necessarily changes its position between the guide rails 32, 33. At the same time the roller unit 27 also moves along the linear guideway 39 in its guide track, that is to say the entire unit consisting of roller unit 27 and roller arrangement 26 including the drive motor 22 travels or is moved. Depending on the direction of rotation of the drive shafts 41 there is a movement in the direction of the pivot axis 6 or away from the pivot axis 6, while the roller units 27 are moved correspondingly at the same time. In this regard the roller units 27 are moved along the linear track 39 such that ultimately the geometric arrangement of the roller arrangement 26 or more precisely the rotational axis of the toothed wheels 40 and the arrangement of the deflecting rollers 28, 29 or more precisely their rotational axes does not change during the movement. The arched shape of the guide rails 32, 33 can also be adapted correspondingly in this respect. FIG. 5 shows the patient positioning table in the raised-up form, FIG. 8 in the lowered-down form.

[0059] Overall this produces an omega drive, which travels along the chains 37. The corresponding movement of the roller facility 26 is represented by the double arrow P4, while the movement of the roller unit 27 is represented by the double arrow P5. Although in the example shown the arrows P4, P5 stand at an angle to each other, which is just intended to indicate that precisely the roller arrangement is moved inward and outward between the guide rails 32, 33 while at the same time the roller units 27 are also moved, the corresponding directions of movement ultimately run almost parallel, since as explained the geometric arrangement of the roller arrangement 26 and roller unit 27 does not change during the movement; instead the entire assembly ultimately travels along the chains 37.

[0060] The drawings are to be regarded as being schematic representations and elements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, the various elements are represented such that their function and general purpose become apparent to a person skilled in the art. Any connection or coupling between functional blocks, devices, components, or other physical or functional units shown in the drawings or described herein may also be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling. A coupling between components may also be established over a wireless connection. Functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0061] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The phrase “at least one of” has the same meaning as “and/or”.

[0062] Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below,” “beneath,” or “under,” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. In addition, when an element is referred to as being “between” two elements, the element may be the only element between the two elements, or one or more other intervening elements may be present.

[0063] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules) are described using various terms, including “on,” “connected,” “engaged,” “interfaced,” and “coupled.” Unless explicitly described as being “direct,” when a relationship between first and second elements is described in the disclosure, that relationship encompasses a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, and also an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly” connected, engaged, interfaced, or coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,” “adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

[0064] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. Also, the term “example” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

[0065] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

[0066] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0067] It is noted that some embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations (e.g., in the form of flow charts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.) that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/or devices discussed above. Although discussed in a particularly manner, a function or operation specified in a specific block may be performed differently from the flow specified in a flowchart, flow diagram, etc. For example, functions or operations illustrated as being performed serially in two consecutive blocks may actually be performed simultaneously, or in some cases be performed in reverse order. Although the flowcharts describe the operations as sequential processes, many of the operations may be performed in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order of operations may be re-arranged. The processes may be terminated when their operations are completed, but may also have additional steps not included in the figure. The processes may correspond to methods, functions, procedures, subroutines, subprograms, etc.

[0068] Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing embodiments. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

[0069] Although the present invention has been closely illustrated and described in detail by the preferred exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limited by the examples disclosed and other variations can be derived from same by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.