OPERATING TABLE AND FLOOR PLATFORM FOR AN OPERATING TABLE

Abstract

An operating table floor platform is disclosed. The operating table floor platform has an omnidirectional drive assembly, which is configured so that the operating table floor platform is movable and rotatable by the omnidirectional drive assembly in any direction within a predetermined plane. The operating table floor platform also has a controller configured to control the omnidirectional drive assembly. The controller includes a manual actuation member. The controller includes a regulator that, based on the actuation of the manual actuation member, determines and sends control signals to the omnidirectional drive assembly.

Claims

1. An operating table floor platform, comprising: an omnidirectional drive assembly, which is configured so that the operating table floor platform is movable and rotatable by the omnidirectional drive assembly in any direction within a predetermined plane; and a controller configured to control the omnidirectional drive assembly; wherein the controller includes a manual actuation member; wherein the controller includes a regulator that, based on the actuation of the manual actuation member, determines and sends control signals to the omnidirectional drive assembly; and wherein the omnidirectional drive assembly moves the operating table floor platform based on the control signals.

2. The operating table floor platform of claim 1, wherein: the omnidirectional drive assembly includes a plurality of independently actuable, driven wheels; and the regulator regulates the direction of movement of the operating table floor platform by individually triggering the driven wheels.

3. The operating table floor platform of claim 2, wherein in addition to the driven wheels, the omnidirectional drive assembly includes at least one non-electrically-driven support wheel.

4. The operating table floor platform of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axes of the driven wheels, about which the wheels rotate, are arranged non-rotatably relative to the operating table floor platform.

5. The operating table floor platform of claim 2, wherein the omnidirectional drive assembly includes a plurality of electric motors, each driven wheel being assigned an electric motor, and each electric motor being used exclusively for driving the wheel to which it is assigned.

6. The operating table floor platform of claim 1, wherein the omnidirectional drive assembly includes four electrically driven Mecanum wheels, each of the Mecanum wheels being mounted on an independent suspension.

7. The operating table floor platform of claim 6, wherein the omnidirectional drive assembly includes four hub drives, each of the four hub drives being arranged coaxially with the Mecanum wheel that is driven by the respective hub drive.

8. The operating table floor platform of claim 6, wherein: a first pair of the Mecanum wheels is mounted on a swing axle that is pivotable relative to a base member of the operating table floor platform; and a second pair of the Mecanum wheels is mounted on a rigid axle that is non-rotatably attached to the base member.

9. The operating table floor platform of claim 1, further comprising: at least one lifting assembly configured to move a plurality of wheels of the omnidirectional drive assembly relative to an underside of the operating table floor platform; wherein in a movement position, the plurality of wheels are disposed such that they protrude outward from the underside; and wherein in a stationary position, the plurality of wheels are disposed such that they do not protrude outward from the underside.

10. The operating table floor platform of claim 1, wherein: each of a plurality of wheels of the omnidirectional drive assembly is disposed in a wheel guard; and each wheel guard has a cleaning aperture.

11. The operating table floor platform of claim 1, wherein: the controller includes a direction sensor that determines the actuation direction of the manual actuation member; and the regulator triggers the omnidirectional drive assembly based on the determined actuation direction so that the omnidirectional drive assembly moves the operating table floor platform in a direction of actuation.

12. The operating table floor platform of claim 1, wherein: the controller includes a force/moment sensor that detects a force or a moment with which the manual actuation member is actuated in an actuation direction; the regulator determines the speed at which the omnidirectional drive assembly will move the operating table floor platform in proportion to the detected force or the detected moment and triggers the omnidirectional drive assembly accordingly; and when a moment is exerted on the manual actuation member, the regulator triggers the omnidirectional drive assembly in such a way that the omnidirectional drive assembly rotates the operating table floor platform about a rotational axis either that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the manual actuation member or that is a vertical center axis of the operating table floor platform.

13. An operating table floor platform, comprising: a drive assembly, which is configured so that the operating table floor platform is movable and rotatable by the drive assembly in any direction within a predetermined plane; and a controller configured to control the drive assembly; wherein the controller includes a manual actuation member; wherein the controller includes a regulator that, based on the actuation of the manual actuation member, determines and sends control signals to the drive assembly; wherein the drive assembly moves the operating table floor platform based on the control signals; wherein the drive assembly includes a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels; wherein the first pair of wheels is mounted on a swing axle that is pivotable relative to a base member of the operating table floor platform; and wherein the second pair of wheels is mounted on a rigid axle that is non-rotatably attached to the base member.

14. The operating table floor platform of claim 13, wherein the controller is a separate assembly that can be secured to the operating table floor platform or to a patient support unit that is removably attachable to the operating table floor platform.

15. The operating table floor platform of claim 13, further comprising a position sensor unit configured to determine a position of the controller and a position of the operating table floor platform relative to one another.

16. The operating table floor platform of claim 13, wherein the manual actuation member is fixed to a housing of the controller.

17. The operating table floor platform of claim 13, wherein: a plurality of directions of movement of the operating table floor platform are indicated on the controller; and when the manual actuation member is actuated in a desired direction of the plurality of directions of movement, the regulator triggers the drive assembly so that the drive assembly moves the operating table floor platform in the desired direction.

18. An operating table, comprising: an operating table floor platform, including an omnidirectional drive assembly, which is configured so that the operating table floor platform is movable and rotatable by the omnidirectional drive assembly in any direction within a predetermined plane; a controller configured to control the omnidirectional drive assembly; wherein the controller includes a manual actuation member; wherein the controller includes a regulator that, based on the actuation of the manual actuation member, determines and sends control signals to the omnidirectional drive assembly; and wherein the omnidirectional drive assembly moves the operating table floor platform based on the control signals; and a patient support unit; wherein the patient support unit is connected to the operating table floor platform via a height-adjustable column; and wherein the controller is attached to a rail of the patient support unit.

19. The operating table floor platform of claim 18, wherein: the controller includes a release member; and when the manual actuation member is actuated, the regulator triggers the omnidirectional drive assembly when the release member is actuated.

20. The operating table floor platform of claim 19, wherein: the manual actuation member is a joystick, a finger switch, a touch panel, or a pedal; and the release member is either a switch disposed on the manual actuation member or a capacitive sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which explains the invention with reference to exemplary embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of an exemplary mobile operating table.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a view from the bottom of the exemplary operating table of FIG. 1.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the operating table of FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 3.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 3.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a schematic, perspective view of an exemplary wheel and a hub drive of the exemplary operating table of FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a control unit of the exemplary operating table of FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0056] FIG. 8 shows a view from the bottom of an exemplary operating table according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of an operating table 100 that may comprise a floor platform 10 and a patient support unit 110, which may be connected to one another via a column 112. Operating table 100 may be modular in design, for example, and may be composed of patient support unit 110, column 112 and floor platform 10. Column 112 may be configured, for example, such that the height of patient support unit 110 may be adjustable relative to floor platform 10. Patient support unit 110 may comprise a plurality of pads 114 to 122, which may each be adjustable and removable.

[0058] Floor platform 10 may be designed as an omnidirectionally movable floor platform 10 that can be moved and rotated, in substantially any desired direction within a predetermined plane (e.g., the plane defined by the floor) by an omnidirectional drive assembly, such as for example an omnidirectional electrical drive unit (for example without a mechanical steering mechanism being provided for this purpose), and may not involve forces being otherwise applied to floor platform 10 and/or to the other parts of operating table 100 for the purpose of steering the table. For example, floor platform 10 may be movable and rotatable by the omnidirectional drive assembly in any direction within a predetermined plane.

[0059] In FIG. 1, a portion of a housing 12 of floor platform 10 may be cut away so that the internal parts of the front left-hand corner are visible.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a view from the bottom of operating table 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of operating table 100, FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 3.

[0061] The omnidirectional drive unit of floor platform 10 may comprise any suitable wheels such as four (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 to 26, to each of which a hub drive 30 to 36 is assigned, with each hub drive individually driving only the Mecanum wheel 20 to 26 to which it is assigned.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a schematic, perspective view of one of these (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20, for example with its assigned, coaxially arranged hub drive 30. wheel 20 may have a main wheel 40 that is rotatable about the longitudinal axis 42 of wheel 20, and on the lateral surface of which a plurality of rollers are obliquely and rotatably mounted. One of these rollers may be denoted by way of example by reference sign 44. Main wheel 40 may be actively driven by hub drive 30, whereas the rollers 44 may be driven passively by contact with the floor.

[0063] The omnidirectional drive unit may further comprise a regulator that triggers the individual hub drives 30 to 36 independently of one another, and may thus determine the speed at which the individual (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 to 26 are driven. Mecanum wheels 20 to 26 may be driven (e.g., controlled) at different speeds in the direction in which the floor platform 10 is moving. For example, floor platform 10 can rotate by also suitably (e.g., appropriately) driving wheels 20 to 26 in place about any vertical axis lying between wheels 20 to 26.

[0064] As is shown in FIG. 5, (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 and 22, together with the associated hub actuation elements 30, 32, may be mounted on a swing axle 50, which may in turn be rotatably mounted on a pin 52 so that the swing axle, and thus the (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20, 22 mounted thereon, are able to pivot relative to housing 12 of floor platform 10 about the longitudinal axis of pin 52.

[0065] In contrast for example, as is shown in FIG. 4, the other two (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 24, 26 may be mounted on a rigid axle 54, which may not be rotatable relative to housing 12 of floor platform 10.

[0066] The result of the combined mounting on a swing axle 50 and on a rigid axle 54 may be that all of wheels 20 to 26 may have approximately the same traction, even on uneven surfaces, thus enabling the intended targeted control. In at least some exemplary embodiments, each of (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 to 26 may be mounted on an independent suspension.

[0067] Both axles 50, 54 are mounted so as to be vertically adjustable relative to the underside 60 of floor platform 10 by lifting assemblies such as lifting units 56, 58. These lifting units 56, 58 can be used to move wheels 20 to 26 between a stationary position and a movement position; in the stationary position, (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 to 26 are raised such that they no longer are in contact with the floor and the floor platform may rest with its feet 62, 64 on the floor.

[0068] In the movement position (for example in contrast), Mecanum wheels 20, 26 may be arranged such that they protrude beyond the feet 62, 64 in the direction of underside 60, and may thus be in contact with the floor, allowing floor platform 10 and thus the mobile operating table 100 to be moved by the electrical drive unit.

[0069] Housing 12 may be configured such that (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 to 26 may be held inside wheel guards, so that they are protected, and any contact with wheels 20 to 26 may be substantially prevented. For example, in housing 12, a cleaning aperture such as a rinsing port 18 may be provided for each wheel guard, through which the wheel guards and thus the (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 to 26 arranged within them can be cleaned.

[0070] Operating table 100 may further comprise a controller (e.g., control unit 70), a schematic, perspective view of which is shown in FIG. 7.

[0071] Control unit 70 may have a manual actuation member such as manually actuable actuation element 72, which may be designed as a type of stick. This actuation element 72 may be fixed (e.g., secured or substantially permanently secured) to a housing 74 of control unit 70 and may not be pivoted or rotated relative thereto.

[0072] Actuation element 72 may be designed such that it is mirror-symmetrical to a center plane, allowing it to be actuated ergonomically by both left-handed and right-handed operators.

[0073] Control unit 70 may have a force/moment sensor, which may be used to determine both the actuation direction in which the actuation element 72 is actuated and the force and the moment with which the actuation element 72 is actuated in the actuation direction.

[0074] The regulator may then control (e.g., regulate) the electrical drive unit such that when actuation element 72 is actuated, floor platform 10 moves in the actuation direction, e.g. such that the vector of the force being exerted on the actuation element 72 coincides with the vector of the movement of the floor platform 10. This, for example, may provide for intuitive control.

[0075] The speed at which floor platform 10 may be moved in the actuation direction may be proportional, for example, to the force or moment that is exerted on actuation element 72. The additional, (e.g., substantially immovable coupling) coupling of actuation element 72 to housing 74 may further give the operator the feeling of moving floor platform 10 manually, even though he/she may not apply any force to effect this movement, and instead this force may be applied (e.g., solely applied) by the omnidirectional drive unit.

[0076] Also provided on the actuation element 72 may be a release member such as a release switch 76, which may be actuated by an operator. For example, if the operator actuates actuation element 72 but does not actuate release switch 76, floor platform 10 will not move.

[0077] In at least some exemplary embodiments, such release switches 76 may be arranged at both ends of handle 78 of actuation element 72, so that an operator can actuate release switch 76 with his/her thumb, regardless of which hand is being used to grip handle 78, or from which side.

[0078] A plurality of rails 130 to 144 may be provided laterally along patient support unit 110, allowing control unit 70 to be secured at any location on said rails. For this purpose, control unit 70 may be equipped with a recess 80 on housing 74, via which control unit 70 can be slid onto the individual rails 130 to 144. This may allow control unit 70 to be mounted at different locations, depending on which position is suitable for the operator.

[0079] In particular, a position sensor unit may be provided, which can be used to determine the position of control unit 70 relative to operating table 100, and for example relative to floor platform 10. The regulator may use (e.g., factor in) the determined relative position suitably (e.g., appropriately) in triggering (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 to 26, so that floor platform 10 may always be moved in the same direction in which actuation element 72 is actuated.

[0080] In at least some exemplary embodiments, a single specific interface for securing the control unit 70 to patient support unit 110 may be provided. In that case, for example, no position sensor unit may be involved.

[0081] Alternatively, it is possible for other types of actuation elements 72 to also be used. In particular, actuation elements that are themselves moved for actuation, such as a joystick, may be used.

[0082] Furthermore, in at least some exemplary embodiments, a control unit 70 on which the various movement options for floor platform 100 are indicated may be used. In that case, the movement that is selected via the actuation element may be executed in each case by floor platform 10.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows a view from the bottom of a floor platform 90, according to a second exemplary embodiment. Elements that have the substantially same function or the same structure may be denoted by the same reference signs.

[0084] This floor platform 90 may for example differ from the floor platform 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment in that four additional (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 92 to 98 may be provided, which may not be actively driven by the electrical drive unit (for example, may not be driven by hub drives 30 to 36) and may instead be driven passively via contact with the floor. These additional wheels 92 to 98 may serve, for example, to distribute the force to a plurality of wheels, so that a weaker force may be applied to the individual (e.g., Mecanum) wheels 20 to 26, and 92 to 98.

[0085] In at least some exemplary embodiments, omnidirectional wheels may be used alongside or in place of Mecanum wheels. In that case, it may be suitable, for example, to use three driven omnidirectional wheels.

[0086] Also for example, any other form of omnidirectional drive unit that may allow an operator to move floor platform 10, 90 in any direction, without for example a mechanical steering mechanism and/or without the influence of force, may be used.

[0087] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed method and apparatus. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed method and apparatus. It is intended that the specification and the disclosed examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims.