OPERATING-TABLE COLUMN

Abstract

An operating table column is disclosed. The operating table column includes a column part and a head part configured to connect a patient support surface of an operating table to the column part. The operating table column also includes a power supply unit disposed on the column part for supplying power to the operating table. The head part includes a first head element mounted rotatably about a first rotation axis and a second head element mounted rotatably about a second rotation axis. The column part includes an actuator configured to lift the patient support surface. At least one tube is configured to connect the power supply to the operating table and is protected from exposure to external elements. The actuator includes a cover configured to guide a portion of the at least one tube at least partially through the first head element in an area adjacent to the first rotation axis.

Claims

1. An operating table column, comprising: a column part; a head part configured to connect a patient support surface of an operating table to the column part, the head part including a first head element mounted rotatably about a first rotation axis and a second head element mounted rotatably about a second rotation axis; wherein the column part includes an actuator configured to lift the patient support surface and a power supply unit for supplying power to the operating table, wherein the actuator includes a cover configured to guide at least one tube that is connected to the power supply unit at least partially through the first head element in an area adjacent to the first rotation axis.

2. The operating table column of claim 1, wherein a radial extension of the area adjacent to the first rotation axis is less than about one-half of a radial distance between a first frame section of the first head element and the first rotation axis.

3. The operating table column of claim 1, wherein the cover includes at least one recess for guiding the at least one tube in the area adjacent to the first rotation axis.

4. The operating table column of claim 3, wherein the cover includes two recesses, each recess configured to guide a tube in the area adjacent to the first rotation axis, wherein the two recesses are positioned to face opposing sides of the column part.

5. The operating table column of claim 4, wherein each recess has a rectangular profile.

6. The operating table column of claim 1, wherein a radial extension of the area adjacent to the first rotation axis is between about 15 mm and about 35 mm.

7. The operating table column of claim 1, wherein the first head element is configured to guide the at least one tube through the first head element in the area adjacent to the first rotation axis and in an area adjacent to the second rotation axis.

8. The operating table column of claim 7, wherein a radial extension of the area adjacent to the second rotation axis is less than about one-half a radial distance between a second frame section of the first head element and the second rotation axis.

9. The operating table column of claim 7, wherein the first head element has at least one recess with a round profile for guiding the at least one tube in the area adjacent to the second rotation axis.

10. An operating table column, comprising: a column part; a head part configured to connect a patient support surface of an operating table to the column part, the head part including a first head element mounted rotatably about a first rotation axis and a second head element mounted rotatably about a second rotation axis; and a power supply unit disposed on the column part, the power supply unit including at least one tube for supplying power to the operating table, wherein a first portion of the at least one tube extends within the column part to an area adjacent to the first rotation axis and an area adjacent to the second rotation axis such that the first and second head elements shield the first portion of the tube during movement of the head part.

11. The operating table column of claim 10, wherein the first head element and the second head element are each configured to prevent the first portion of the at least one tube from being crushed by a tilting movement of the second head element around the second rotation axis in the area adjacent the second rotation axis.

12. The operating table column of claim 11, wherein the tilting movement of the second head element relative to the first head element occurs within an angular range of about 0° to about 25°.

13. The operating table column of claim 10, wherein the first head element and the second head element form a Cardan joint, wherein the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis lie in two parallel planes arranged one above the other, and wherein the maximum distance between the two parallel planes arranged one above the other is about 60 mm.

14. The operating table column of claim 10, wherein the column part and the power supply unit are covered by paneling, and wherein a second portion of the at least one tube extends from the power supply unit along the column part and entirely within the paneling.

15. The operating table column of claim 10, wherein the first and second head elements form a protective space within which the first portion of the at least one tube is positioned.

16. The operating table column of claim 10, further comprising paneling on an exterior of the column part, wherein an entire length of the at least one tube is protected from exposure to external elements by at least one of the paneling and the head part.

17. The operating table column of claim 10, wherein the column part further includes a lifting guide and a telescoping assembly, which is integrated into the lifting guide and which has at least two column elements that can be moved relative to one another, and wherein the lifting guide has a window positioned above the two column elements, wherein the first portion of the at least one tube enters the column part through the window.

18. An operating table system, comprising: an operating table including a patient support surface; an operating table column including a head part and a column part, the head part being configured to connect the patient support surface of the operating table to the column part and to tilt and incline the patient support surface with respect to the column part, and the column part including an actuator configured to lift the patient support surface of the operating table; and a power supply unit disposed on the column part of the operating table column, the power supply unit including at least one tube extending from the power supply unit to the operating table for supplying power to the operating table, wherein a first portion of the at least one tube is protected from exposure to external elements by the column part and the head part and a remainder of the at least one tube is protected from exposure to external elements by a covering that encloses the power supply unit and column part.

19. The operating table system of claim 18, wherein the head part of the operating table column includes a first head element mounted rotatably about a first rotation axis and a second head element mounted rotatably about a second rotation axis, and wherein the first head element is configured to guide the first portion of the at least one tube through the first head element in an area adjacent to the first rotation axis and in an area adjacent to the second rotation axis.

20. The operating table system of claim 18, wherein the head part of the operating table column includes a first head element mounted rotatably about a first rotation axis, and wherein the actuator includes a cover having at least one recess configured to guide the first portion of the at least one tube at least partially through the first head element in an area adjacent to the first rotation axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description, which further details the present disclosure with reference to exemplary embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The drawings show:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operating table column according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the column part of the operating table column shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an operating table having the operating table column shown in FIG. 1;

[0027] FIGS. 4 and 5 show side views of a conventional operating table column according to the prior art; and

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a conventional operating table column of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an operating table column 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the operating table column 100 comprises a column part 102, a power supply unit 106 disposed on the column part 102, and a head part 104. Head part 104 comprises a first head element 110a, which is mounted rotatably about a first rotation axis 108a, and a second head element 110b, which is mounted rotatably about a second rotation axis 108b. The first head element 110a is mounted on column part 102 to rotate about the first rotation axis 108a. Further, the second head element 110b is mounted on the first head element 110a to rotate about the second rotation axis 108b.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first head element 110a and the second head element 110b form a Cardan joint for a gimbal mounting of the second head element 110b on the column part 102. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first rotation axis 108a and the second rotation axis 108b lie in two parallel planes arranged one above the other. These planes are parallel to an upper surface of head part 104 in its home position. The two parallel planes arranged one above the other are spaced by a maximum of about 60 mm. This relatively small height difference, therefore, enables a very secure gimbal mounting of the second head element 110b on the column part 102.

[0031] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the first head element 110a comprises a rectangular frame having a first frame section 122a and a second frame section 122b. The first frame section 122a extends parallel to the first rotation axis 108a, whereas the second frame section 122b extends parallel to the second rotation axis 108b. As FIG. 1 further shows, the first rotation axis 108a and the second rotation axis 108b are perpendicular to one another when projected onto a common plane. In this manner, the first rotation axis 108a corresponds to an inclination axis during an inclining movement of the first head element 110a. And, the second rotation axis 108b corresponds to a tilt axis during a tilting movement of the second head element 110b. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second head element 110b also comprises a rectangular frame. This frame (e.g., of second head element 110b) surrounds the frame sections 122a, 122b of the first head element 110a.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the second head element 110b comprises a through hole 134a in a frame section disposed opposite the first frame section 122a of the first head element 110a. Although not visible in the orientation of FIG. 1, the first head element 110a also comprises a through hole 134b in the first frame section 122a. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second rotation axis 108b extends centrally through the through-holes 134a, 134b. Through holes 134a, 134b are configured to receive a rotary element, which is mounted rotatably in the through holes 134a, 134b and is fixedly connected to the second head element 110b. This enables the tilting movement of the second head element 110b relative to first head element 110a.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the column part 102 comprises a lifting guide 128 and two column elements 130a, 130b that are movable relative to one another. These two column elements 130a, 130b are movable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the column part 102, e.g., vertically. The two column elements 130a, 130b (which are movable relative to one another) form a telescoping assembly, which is integrated into the lifting guide 128. The telescoping assembly serves to adjust the height of the operating table column 100.

[0034] The power supply unit 106 comprises at least one tube 118 (one tube 118 being shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1), which is connected to the power supply unit 106, for supplying power to an operating table. The tube 118 has a first tube section 118a and a second tube section 118b. As shown in FIG. 1, the first tube section 118a extends substantially through the head part 104, whereas the second tube section 118b extends along the column part 102. The power supply unit 106 may include, for example, a hydraulic unit. The tube 118, and hence tube sections 118a, 118b, may comprise a plurality of electric and/or hydraulic lines. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second tube section 118b can be guided, for example, through a window 132 located above the two column elements 130a, 130b that are movable relative to one another. Window 132 is provided in lifting guide 128 of column part 102.

[0035] As above, the operating table column 100 of FIG. 1 is configured such that the first tube section 118a (e.g., after the second tube section 118b is guided through the window 132) can be guided through the head part 104 in a first area 120a adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a and in a second area 120b adjacent to the second rotation axis 108b. The second area 120b adjacent to the second rotation axis 108b is visible in FIG. 1. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, this second area 120b is formed by a recess 126 in the first frame section 122a of first head element 110a. Recess 126 further comprises a round profile, for example, the height of which decreases monotonically as the radial distance from the second rotation axis 108b increases. In this manner, the recess 126 may guide the first tube section 118a through the head part 104 to prevent this section of the tube 118 (e.g., the first tube section 118a) from being crushed during a tilting movement of the second head element 110b about the second rotation axis 108b. In accordance with various embodiments, for example, the tilting movement of the second head element 110b relative to the first head element 110a is carried out within an angular range of about 0° to about 25°. As used herein, an angle of 0° corresponds to a home position of the head part 104, as shown in FIG. 1, in which first head element 110a and second head element 110b are each aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of column part 102.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the column part 102 of the operating table column 100 of FIG. 1. The first area 120a is visible adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the column part 102 includes an actuator 112 with a cover 114. The cover 114 extends along the first rotation axis 108a between opposing sides 116a, 116b of the column part 102. The first rotation axis 108a extends centrally through a pivot pin 136 held in an upper region of the column part 102. The pivot pin 136 extends through opposing holes in each of the two opposing sides 116a, 116b of the column part 102 and through the cover 114 of the actuator 112. The pivot pin 136 is also mounted rotatably on the column part 102 and is fixedly connected to the first head element 110a. This allows an inclining movement of the first head element 110a relative to the column part 102. The actuator 112, as shown in FIG. 2, may be used, for example, for height adjustment or for carrying out a lifting movement of the operating table column 100.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 114 of the actuator 112 comprises two recesses 124a, 124b each having a rectangular profile. The two recesses 124a, 124b face the two opposing sides 116a, 116b of the column part 102. The two recesses 124a, 124b may, for example, serve to guide respective tubes 118 that are connected to the power supply unit 106 in the first area 120a located adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a. Various embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, contemplate guiding multiple tubes 118 that are connected to the power supply unit 106 in the area adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a.

[0038] As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2, for example, a first tube section 118a of a first tube 118 is guided by a first recess 124a and extends in the first area 120a adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a. Although not shown in FIG. 2, in the same manner a first tube section 118a of a second tube 118 may be guided by a second recess 124b to also extend in an area adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a. Additionally or alternatively, it is contemplated that a second window 132 may be provided on an opposite side of column part 102 to guide the second tube. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first tube section 118a can be guided all the way through the first head element 110a, both in the first area 120a adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a and in the second area 120b adjacent to the second rotation axis 108b, by using the recess 124a of the cover 114 and the recess 126 of the first head element 110a. Furthermore, first tube section 118a can also be guided through the second head element 110b and thus through the entire head part 104. In this manner, the first tube section 118a extends within the column part 102 to an area adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a and an area adjacent to the second rotation axis 108b such that the first and second head elements 110a, 110b shield the first tube section 118a during movement of the head part. Thus, the first head element 110a and the second head element 110b are each configured to prevent the first tube section 118a from being crushed by a tilting movement of the second head element 110b around the second rotation axis 108b in the area adjacent the second rotation axis 120b as the first and second head elements 110a, 110b form a protective space within which the first tube section 118a is positioned.

[0039] In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, with the rectangular profile of recesses 124a, 124b, a radial extension of the first area 120a may correspond, for example, to a radial distance between a lateral edge of the cover 114 and the first rotation axis 108a. Furthermore, the recesses 124a, 124b of the cover 114 and the recess 126 of the first head element 110a can be dimensioned such that the first area 120a and the second area 120b form relatively small areas, having a small radial extension around the first rotation axis 108a and the second rotation axis 108b, respectively. In other words, the radial extension of the first area 120a may be relatively small as compared with the radial distance between the first frame section 122a of first head element 110a and the first rotation axis 108a. Further, the radial extension of the second area 120b may be relatively small as compared with the radial distance between the second frame section 122b of the first head element 110a and the second rotation axis 108b.

[0040] The second tube section 118b, which has been guided through window 132, is also clearly visible in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the tube section 118b is guided from the outside of the column part 102 to the inside of the column part 102. The two column elements 130a, 130b that are movable relative to one another in the telescoping assembly, which is integrated into lifting guide 128, cannot be moved to a position level with or above window 132. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, column elements 130a, 130b can only be moved downward relative to the window 132, which is arranged there above. Such an arrangement prevents the second tube section 118b (which is guided through the window 132) from being sheared off by movement of the elements 130a and 130b relative to each other.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an operating table 200 incorporating the operating table column 100 of FIG. 1. In the orientation shown, only the second head element 110b of the operating table column 100 is partially visible. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the column part 102 and the power supply unit 106 of operating table column 100, which is disposed on the column part 102, are covered by side paneling 204. The components of the operating table column 100 that are covered by the side paneling 204 are supported by a base 206 of the operating table 200. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the head part 104 of the operating table column 100 serves to connect a patient support surface 202 of the operating table 200 to the column part 102. The second rotation axis 108b, which extends within the head part 104, is shown in FIG. 3. During a tilting movement of the second head element 110b about the second rotation axis 108b, the patient support surface 202 is moved about this axis. The lifting movement of the patient support surface 202 is effected by the actuator 112 of operating table column 100.

[0042] In the orientation of FIGS. 1 and 3, the tube 118, comprising tube sections 118a and 118b, extends upward from the power supply unit 106 in the direction of the patient support surface 202, and is covered completely by a housing formed by the second head element 110b and by the side paneling 204. That is, a first tube portion 118a of tube 118 is protected from exposure to external elements by an interior of the column part and the head part (see FIG. 2) and the remainder of the tube 118 (tube section 118b) is protected from exposure to external elements by a covering (e.g., side paneling 204) that encloses the power supply unit and column part (see FIG. 3). This configuration allows the operating table 200 to be used in a robust manner, without the use of additional protective tubing. Furthermore, since the tube 118 is completely covered and is not opening exposed to soiling during a surgical procedure, it does not require elaborate cleaning upon completion of the procedure.

[0043] The present disclosure further provides a unique arrangement of the tube section 118a adjacent to the first rotation axis 108a, also referred to as the inclination axis, and adjacent to the second rotation axis 108b, also referred to as the tilt axis. This arrangement enables a relatively short routing of the tube section 118a. Furthermore, the arrangement of the Cardan joint, with a maximum height difference of about 60 mm between the tilt axis 108b and the inclination axis 108a may result in a very reliable operating table column.

[0044] In summary, operating table columns in accordance with the present disclosure, such as, for example, the operating table column 100 may provide various advantages. Firstly, at least one recess 126 may be provided in the first head element 110a, so that during an adjusting movement of the second head element 110b about the tilt axis 108b, the tube section 118a is prevented from being crushed. In other words, the specially shaped frame section 122a of the first head element 110a allows for unhindered movement of the second head element 110b at an angle (e.g., about the horizontal position of the tilt axis 108b) of about 0° to about 25°. Additionally, the arrangement of the at least one tube 118 makes it possible to route each tube section of tube 118 within the side paneling. In contrast, this is not possible with known operating tables. In conventional operating table columns, lines must typically be sheathed inside a bellows or protective tubing if high adjustment capabilities are to be achieved. In accordance with the present disclosure, however, the covering function is performed, for example, by the housing formed by the second head element 110b, which also bears the load of the patient support surface 202. Furthermore, the window 132 is positioned at a height such that the side paneling 204 completely covers the window 132. In this manner, the tube sections 118a, 118b can be routed beneath the side paneling 204 from the power supply unit 106, through the window 132 within the outer lifting guide 128, through the recesses 124a, 124b on both sides to be adjacent the first rotation axis 108a. The position of the window 132 at the height according to the present disclosure servers to protect the tube sections from being sheared off by the movable column elements 130a, 130b of the telescoping assembly that is integrated into the lifting guide 128. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one recess 124a is positioned in the cover 114 of the actuator 112, which is provided for the lifting drive. In this manner, no design height is sacrificed in order to achieve this advantageous arrangement. With known operating tables, in contrast, at least 40 mm of vertical installation space is sacrificed for the flexible routing of the tube between the patient support surface and the housing of the head part.

[0045] Thus, the present disclosure provides for a tube that is not exposed and does not require an extra cleaning process, which results in a more cost-effective power supply to the operating table (e.g., since electric cables and pressure hoses can be used without costly precautionary measures such as protective tubing). While the present teachings have been disclosed in terms of exemplary embodiments in order to facilitate a better understanding, it should be appreciated that the present teachings can be embodied in various ways without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, the present disclosure should be understood to include all possible embodiments which can be embodied without departing from the scope of the disclosure set out in the appended claims.

[0046] For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0047] It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

[0048] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the operating table columns of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the teachings disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and embodiments described herein be considered as exemplary only.