Operating support for surgeons

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an operating support that supports a surgeon in a sitting position straddling a patient. By straddling the patient, the surgeon is ideally positioned to perform certain types of laparoscopic surgery, such as pelvic surgery, which requires the use of relatively long surgical instruments. The operating support supports the surgeon in a more ergonomically correct position that reduces the stress and strain on the surgeon's body as compared to the conventional technique of performing laparoscopic surgery in a standing position at one side of the operating table.

FIELD

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an operating support for a surgeon performing a medical procedure (e.g., surgery) on a patient.

BACKGROUND

During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon typically stands to one side of the operating table while manipulating relatively long instruments and while viewing the procedure on a video monitor. Unfortunately, the surgeon has little opportunity to move the body and change posture, which often leads to fatigue and pain. Thus, there is a strong need for an apparatus to support the surgeon during such procedures in a manner that reduces the stress and strain on the surgeon's body.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an operating support that supports a surgeon in a sitting position straddling a patient. By straddling the patient, the surgeon is ideally positioned to perform certain types of laparoscopic surgery, such as pelvic surgery, which requires the use of relatively long surgical instruments. The operating support places the surgeon in a more ergonomically correct position that reduces the stress and strain on the surgeon's body as compared to the conventional technique of performing laparoscopic surgery in a standing position at one side of the operating table. The position of the surgeon relative to the patient also provides other doctors or nurses access to the patient during the procedure, for example if the anesthesiologist must attend to the patient.

The operating support in disclosed embodiments includes a frame structure that supports a seat such that an end portion of an operating table can be positioned directly underneath the seat to allow the surgeon to straddle a patient positioned on (e.g., lying down) the operating table. The seat can be vertically adjustable relative to the frame structure to allow the seat to be positioned at a desired height relative to the patient. The operating support also can include foot supports for supporting the surgeon's feet, a chest support for supporting the surgeon's chest, and arm supports for supporting the surgeon's arms. The foot supports, the chest support, and the arm supports also can be vertically adjustable to suit the individual needs of the surgeon.

The frame structure desirably has light-weight construction so that the operating support can be easily positioned for use and transported between operating theaters. In certain embodiments, the frame structure can be constructed from tubular frame members and desirably is made from a light-weight material such as steel, aluminum or any of various other suitable metals, alloys, polymers, or composite materials. This provides a light-weight construction allowing for easy positioning and transporting of the operating support. If it becomes necessary during surgery to provide additional access to the patient, for example if the anesthesiologist requires additional access to the patient, the surgeon can quickly dismount the operating support. The operating support then can be easily moved away from the patient to provide other doctors or nurses additional access the patient.

In one representative embodiment, an operating support for a surgeon performing a medical procedure on a patient positioned on an operating table comprises a seat adapted to support the buttocks of the surgeon and a frame structure supporting the seat. The frame structure is configured to be positioned relative to the operating table such that the seat is positioned over the operating table and the surgeon, while sitting in the seat, can straddle the patient.

In another representative embodiment, an operating support for a surgeon performing a medical procedure on a patient positioned on an operating table comprises a frame structure comprising first and second laterally spaced, vertically extending support members, and a seat supported between the first and second support members. The support members are spaced from each other such that an end portion of the operating table can be positioned between the support members and beneath the seat to allow the surgeon to straddle the patient at a position above and over the patient.

In another representative embodiment, a surgical system comprises an operating table for supporting a patient, and a support apparatus for a surgeon performing a medical procedure on the patient. The support apparatus comprises a seat adapted to support the buttocks of the surgeon, and means for supporting the seat at a position over and above an end portion of the operating table such that the surgeon, while sitting in the seat, can straddle the patient.

In another representative embodiment, a method of performing a medical procedure on a patient positioned on an operating table is provided. The method comprises sitting on an operating support at a position above and over the patient while straddling the patient, and performing a surgical procedure on the patient.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to one or more than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “includes” means “comprises.” For example, a device that includes or comprises A and B contains A and B but may optionally contain C or other components other than A and B. A device that includes or comprises A or B may contain A or B or A and B, and optionally one or more other components such as C.

Referring first toFIGS. 1-4, there is shown one embodiment of an operating support, or saddle, indicated generally at10, that supports a surgeon in an ergonomically correct position for performing certain types of medical procedures, and in particular surgical procedures. The operating support10can be used while performing surgery on a patient positioned on (e.g., lying down) an operating table (e.g., the operating table12shown inFIGS. 13 and 14) or on a patient chair that can recline (e.g., a dentist chair) to position the patient in a lying-down or near lying-down position. The operating support10can be used to support the surgeon in a seated position straddling the patient to reduce stress and strain on the surgeon's body while performing certain types of surgery, especially laparoscopic surgery (e.g., pelvic surgery). The support can used for performing various other types of procedures, including, without limitation, interventional radiology procedures, maxillo-facial surgery, abdominal surgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, dental procedures, neurosurgical procedures, and orthopedics, to name a few.

The operating support10in the illustrated embodiment includes a seat14adapted to support the buttocks of the surgeon and a frame structure16that supports the seat14. The frame structure16is configured to be positioned relative to the operating table12such that the seat14can be positioned above and over an end portion of the table12as illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14.

As best shown inFIGS. 1-4, the frame structure16in particular embodiments includes first and second main support members18a,18b, respectively, positioned on opposite sides of the seat14. The support members18a,18bcan be connected to each other by a cross member20at the top of the frame structure and can extend downwardly and forwardly from the cross member20. As best shown inFIG. 4, the support members18a,18balso can extend laterally outwardly away from the seat moving in a direction toward the floor to provide a larger footprint at the base of the frame structure for better stability. The support members18a,18bare laterally spaced from each other on opposite sides of the seat a distance sufficient to allow an end portion of the operating table12to be positioned between the support members and underneath the seat14. This allows the surgeon to be supported in a seated position straddling the patient, as depicted inFIGS. 13 and 14.

As shown inFIG. 3, the frame structure16additionally can include rear support members22a,22bhaving upper ends connected to the support members18a,18band lower ends supported on the floor. The lower ends of the rear support members22a,22bcan be connected to each other by a lower cross member50. One or more cross members24can extend between the main support member18aand the rear support member22aand between the main support member18band the rear support member22b.

The lower ends of the support members18a,18bcan have support pads52a,52b, respectively, contacting the floor (FIG. 2). The support pads52a,52bcan be made of a low-friction material, for example a low-friction polymer such as high density polyethylene or Delron®, so that the support10can be easily moved in the operating theater. In alternative embodiments, the lower ends of the support members18a,18band/or the lower ends of the rear support members22a,22bcan include wheels to facilitate positioning and transporting the support10. Such wheels can be provided with locks to prevent the wheels from the moving during surgery.

As best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the frame structure16in particular embodiments can also include a support frame assembly26(also referred to herein as a seat support member), which can have an upper end connected to the cross member20and a lower end connected to a cross member28extending between and connected to the rear support members22a,22b.The support frame assembly26in the illustrated embodiment includes elongated vertical posts30extending vertically between cross members20and28and a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally disposed rungs, or bars,32extending between and connected to the vertical posts30.

The seat14can include a seat cushion34and a seat frame36supporting the seat cushion. The seat frame36desirably is vertically adjustable to adjust the height of the seat along the support frame assembly26. For example, the seat frame36can include a rear portion38(FIG. 1) that is configured to be removably mounted to the rungs32. The seat can be easily adjusted to a desired height by removing the seat frame36from support frame assembly26and placing the seat frame36on rungs32at a desired height.

FIG. 5is an enlarged view of the rear end portion38of the seat frame36, according to one embodiment. The rear end portion38can be formed from two laterally spaced side plates104, each of which is positioned adjacent a respective post30of the support frame assembly26. As shown, each side plate104can be formed with an upwardly curved protrusion, or hook portion,106that extends between two adjacent rungs32. Each side plate104can also be formed with another protrusion108that extends between two adjacent rungs32below protrusion106. By virtue of the engagement of the protrusions106,108with the rungs32, the seat14is retained in a horizontal position against the weight of the user.

As shown inFIG. 6, the seat14can be removed from the support frame assembly26by lifting the front end of the seat upwardly until the lower protrusion108clears the corresponding rungs32, and then sliding the seat downwardly to remove the upper protrusion106from the corresponding rungs32. Other techniques or mechanisms can be used to permit the seat14to be vertically adjustable. For example, the seat can be mounted on a vertical screw mechanism that is operable to adjust the height of the seat.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the operating support10can include a chest support54adapted to support the chest of the surgeon during use. The chest support desirably is adjustable in the forward and rearward directions (as indicated by double-headed arrow56inFIG. 1) as well as upwardly and downwardly (as indicated by double-headed arrow58inFIG. 1) to satisfy the individual needs and preferences of the surgeon. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the chest support54includes a chest support pad60that is supported on and adjustable relative to a chest-support frame62. The frame62in the illustrated form includes a horizontal lower portion64extending from and connected to the seat frame36and a vertical upper portion66extending upwardly from the forward end of the lower portion64. The lower portion64and the upper portion66can be formed from two parallel, elongate frame members68, as best shown inFIG. 2. The chest pad60can be adjustably mounted to the frame62by an adjustment knob70that has a threaded shaft that extends through the frame members68and into a threaded opening in the chest pad. The chest pad60can be adjusted to a desired height along the frame members68by loosening the knob70, sliding the chest pad60to the desired height, and then tightening the knob70to secure the chest pad in place against the frame members68.

The chest support54can be similarly adjusted in the fore-aft direction (toward and away from the front of the seat). For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the chest-support frame62can be secured to the lower surface of the seat frame36by an adjustment knob74having a threaded shaft76that extends through frame members68and into a threaded opening in the lower surface of the seat frame36. The knob74can be loosened to permit fore-aft adjustment of the chest-support frame62relative to the seat frame. Tightening the knob74secures the chest-support frame62to the seat frame at the desired fore-aft position.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the angle of the chest support54relative to a vertical plane can be adjusted to allow the user to lean closer to or farther away from the patient. For example, the upwardly extending frame portion that supports the chest support (e.g., upper portion66) can be pivotably mounted at its lower end portion to permit pivoting of the frame portion and the chest support54relative to a vertical plane. Any suitable techniques or mechanisms can be used to permit pivoting of the frame portion to a desired angle relative to the vertical plane and to lock the frame portion at the desired position. In one implementation, a push button, lever, or similar control mechanism can be used such that activation of the control mechanism is effective to allow pivoting of the chest support to a desired position and release of the control mechanism retains the chest support at the desired position, similar to the controls used to adjust the position of a seat in an automobile.

The operating support10can include first and second foot supports76a,76badapted to the support the right and left feet, respectively, of the surgeon. The foot supports76a,76bdesirably are vertically adjustable to satisfy the particular needs of the user. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the foot supports76a,76bare mountable to and adjustable along the length of the support members18a,18b.As best shown inFIG. 1, each foot support76a,76bcan include a horizontally disposed foot pad78, a bracket80and an extension arm82extending between and connecting the foot pad to the bracket. To permit vertical adjustment of the foot supports, each bracket80can be formed with a plurality of pins or prongs (not shown) that can be inserted into apertures86formed along the length of the respective support member18a,18b.Other techniques or mechanisms also can be used to mount foot supports76a,76bto the support members18a,18b.For example, the brackets80can be secured to support members18a,18bwith bolts, screws, or other types of fasteners.

The operating support can further include an arm support assembly42coupled to and supported by the frame structure16. The arm support assembly42can include first and second arm supports88a,88bfor supporting the arms of the surgeon. Each arm support88a,88bcan include an arm rest90mounted on the forward end of a support arm92. As best shown inFIG. 2, the support arm92of each support88a,88bextends downwardly from the respective arm rest90and rearwardly toward the seat support member26. The lower end portion of each support arm92can be connected to a respective pivot mechanism94. The pivot mechanisms94are connected to opposite ends of a shaft96(FIG. 7), which in turn can be removably mounted to the support frame assembly26.

Each pivot mechanism94can be configured to permit pivoting movement of the respective arm support88a,88babout two separate pivot axes. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each pivot mechanism94allows for pivoting movement of the respective arm support about a vertical pivot axis and a horizontal pivot axis. This allows each arm support to be pivoted upwardly and downwardly about a horizontal pivot axis between a lowered position (shown in solid lines inFIG. 1) adjacent the surgeon and a raised position away from surgeon (shown in dashed lines inFIG. 1), in the directions indicated by double-headed arrow98inFIG. 1. Each arm support also can be pivoted about a respective vertical axis between a forward position (shown in solid lines inFIG. 4) adjacent the surgeon and a rearward position (shown in dashed lines inFIG. 4) away from surgeon, independent of pivoting movement about its horizontal axis, as indicated by double-headed arrow100.

As best shown inFIG. 7, each pivot mechanism94in the illustrated embodiment comprises a bearing housing110that receives the lower end portion of a respective support arm92. The pivot mechanism94can include an upper bearing112and a lower bearing114retained between the housing110and the lower portion of the support arm92. The housing110and the bearings112,114can be retained on the lower end portion of the support arm92by a tapered lock nut assembly.

The lock nut assembly in the illustrated embodiment comprises a cap portion116having an enlarged head portion118and an extension portion120that extends into the lower portion of the support arm92. A screw122extends through a threaded opening in the cap portion116and a corresponding threaded opening in a tapered nut124. The nut124has an angled lower surface that bears against an angled upper surface of the extension portion120. When the screw122is tightened, the nut124rotates relative to the cap portion116. By virtue of the angled surfaces of the nut124and the extension portion120, the nut124is urged against the inner surface of the support arm92, securing the lock nut assembly at the lower end of the support arm92. The lock nut assembly retains the bearings and the bearing housing in place between the head portion118and a flange member126of the support arm92while allowing pivoting movement of the support arm92relative to the bearing housing about a vertical pivot axis V (FIG. 8).

As best shown inFIG. 11, the lower end portion of the support arm92can be formed with an elongated opening128that receives the adjacent end portion130of the shaft96. The arc length of the opening130defines the angle through which the support arm92can pivot about its vertical axis V. The shaft end portion130serves as a stop that limits pivoting movement of the support arm92about its vertical pivot axis. Thus, as the support arm is pivoted about its vertical axis, the shaft end portion130can contact the opposing sides of the opening130to limit pivoting of the support arm92between the forward and rear positions shown inFIG. 1.

Referring again toFIG. 7, the bearing housing110in the illustrated configuration can include a horizontally extending, shaft-receiving portion132that houses an adjacent portion of the shaft96. As best shown inFIG. 9, the shaft96can be fixedly secured to the bearing housing110by a screw134that extends through the shaft-receiving portion132and is tightened into a threaded opening in the shaft96. In this manner, both support arms92pivot together about the horizontal axis defined by the shaft96. In alternative embodiments, the support arms92can be configured to pivot independently of each other about the horizontal pivot axis.

As best shown inFIGS. 7 and 10, a bracket assembly136can be mounted on the shaft96between the pivot mechanisms94. The bracket assembly136in the illustrated configuration is configured to allow the arm support assembly42to be removed from and placed on any of the rungs32(FIG. 3) to adjust the vertical position of the assembly42.

The bracket assembly136in certain embodiments includes first and second spaced-apart brackets138secured to the ends of an elongated tubular cross member140that houses a central portion of the shaft96. A bearing142can be disposed on the shaft96adjacent each bracket138. As best shown inFIG. 12, each bracket138can be formed with curved hook portions144and146configured to be placed around horizontal rungs32for supporting the arm support assembly42on the frame structure16. To remove or adjust the height of the arm support assembly42, the assembly42is lifted up until the hook portions clear the rungs, and then moved rearwardly away from the rungs. The arm support assembly42can be supported on any two rungs to suit the needs of the user.

Upward and downward pivoting movement of the support arms92can be limited by a stop member148extending from each housing portion132into a curved opening or slot150formed in the adjacent bracket138(FIGS. 8 and 9). In use, the support arms92and the bearing housings110can be pivoted upwardly and downwardly about the horizontal pivot axis, with such motion being limited by the arc length of the slot150. In alternative embodiments, only one stop member148and corresponding slot150can be provided since the support arms92in the illustrated embodiment are interconnected by shaft96to pivot together about the horizontal pivot axis.

In alternative embodiments, the arm supports88a,88bcan be mounted for pivotal movement about respective vertical axes V but are prevented from pivoting upwardly and downwardly about a horizontal axis. In still other embodiments, the arm supports88a,88bcan pivot about a horizontal axis but are prevented from pivoting about respective vertical axes.

The frame structure desirably has light-weight construction so that the operating support can be easily positioned for use and transported between operating theaters. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the frame structure16can be constructed from tubular frame members desirably made from a light-weight material such as steel, aluminum or any of various suitable alloys. This provides a light-weight construction allowing for easy positioning and transporting of the operating support. In alternative embodiments, the frame structure can have a different construction that does not utilize tubular frame members.

FIGS. 13 and 14illustrate the use of the operating support10for performing laparoscopic surgery, and in particular laparoscopic pelvic surgery, on a patient positioned on an operating table12. As shown, the operating support10is positioned such that the front end portion of the operating table12extends beneath the seat14. This allows the surgeon to sit at a position straddling the upper body of the patient. In this position, the surgeon can more easily manipulate the relatively long instruments used in laparoscopic surgery with less stress and strain on the surgeon's body. The position of the surgeon relative to the patient also provides other doctors or nurses access to the patient during the procedure, for example if the anesthesiologist must attend to the patient. If it becomes necessary during surgery to provide additional access to the upper body of the patient, for example if the anesthesiologist requires additional access to the patient, the surgeon can quickly move one of the arm supports88a,88bto its rearward and/or raised position to permit the surgeon to dismount the operating support. The operating support then can be easily moved away from the patient to provide other doctors or nurses additional access the patient.

In use, portions of the operating support10and/or the surgeon can be covered with a disposable, sterile drape to reduce the risk of contamination. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, separate drapes160can be provided to cover the arm supports88a,88bor portions thereof and a drape162can be provided to cover the chest support54or portions thereof. As shown inFIG. 13, another drape164can be provided to cover the patient and the legs of the surgeon. The drape164in the illustrated example has an opening and two side portions that extend around the waist of the surgeon and are tied off or otherwise connected to each other at the back of the surgeon, as indicated at166. The size and shape of the drape164can be altered to suit the particular procedure being performed. Although not shown inFIG. 13, in a specific implementation, the drapes160,162are used together with the drape164. Following the medical procedure, the used drapes can be disposed of and replaced with new drapes.

The drapes can be made from any of various materials that are used for making commercially available surgical drapes, such as fabrics, polymeric materials, paper, or combinations thereof.