Patent ID: 6832400
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A patient handling system for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, said patient handling system comprising:a pallet for supporting a patient; a pallet support assembly for supporting said pallet and for selectively positioning said pallet, and a patient supported thereon, relative to a medical imaging/therapy device; a pallet mounting apparatus for releasably mounting said pallet on said pallet support assembly, said pallet mounting apparatus including a first interlocking member mounted on said pallet support assembly, and a second interlocking member mounted on said pallet for releasably interlocking with said first interlocking member, said second interlocking member of said pallet mounting apparatus being provided with first and second downwardly extending detention arms for releasably interlocking with said first interlocking member, said first interlocking member of said pallet mounting apparatus defining first and second detention arm receptors for releasably receiving said first and second downwardly extending detention arms, respectively, whereby said first interlocking member is releasably interlocked with said second interlocking member to releasably secure said pallet on said pallet support assembly, said first and second detention arms of said second interlocking member being selectively spaced so as to define a channel therebetween, said first interlocking member defining a narrowed portion for being closely received in said channel when said first and second interlocking members are interlocked, whereby the close reception of said narrowed portion of said first interlocking member in said channel of said second interlocking member restricts lateral movement of said second interlocking member relative to said first interlocking member, wherein relative movement between said first interlocking member and said second interlocking member in a horizontal plane is substantially prohibited when said first and second interlocking members are interlocked, and wherein selective vertical pivoting of said second interlocking member relative to said first interlocking member permits selective disengagement of said second interlocking member from said first interlocking member to facilitate release of said pallet from said pallet support assembly.