Examination table

An examination table designed to provide a technician or practitioner easy access to various regions of a patient's body. Specifically, the examination table includes a lower support structure, an upper support structure, and an examination passageway. The upper support structure has a sliding access panel disposed on a side of the upper support structure such that the examination passageway is provided when the sliding access panel is repositioned at various measurements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an examination table and in particular to an examination table having a sliding access panel.

BACKGROUND

There are several known exam tables which include access panels, which facilitate access by a technician or practitioner to the thoracic region of a patient. However, these known access panels either drop down or pivot way from the body of the exam table. These panels provide a space or opening so that a technician or practitioner can more readily perform an exam or procedure on a patient. Typically cardiac exams are performed using these devices. These known access panels create relatively large spaces, and are generally not adjustable in any way. The opening or space is generally static with respect to size.

Generally, many known access panels either drop away quickly or pivot completely out of the way. As a result, their design often provides little or no support for the patient. Furthermore, since they are not completely removed, they can become obstructions for the technician or practitioner. The larger known access panels are cumbersome and generally influence where equipment is located next to the exam table due to interference. Both the patient and practitioner/technician may have uneasiness or anxiety during the exam or procedure as a result.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the invention was devised in light of the problems described above, the invention is an examination table designed to provide a technician or practitioner easy access to various regions of a patient's body. Specifically, the examination table includes a lower support structure, an upper support structure, and an examination passageway. The upper support structure has a sliding access panel disposed on a side of the upper support structure such that the examination passageway is provided when the sliding access panel is repositioned at various measurements. The sliding access panel also serves as an arm support when the opening is created, which is an improvement over drop away designs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

With reference toFIG. 1 through 4, an examination table1is shown having a lower support structure10and an upper support structure30.

The lower support structure10includes a frame12, which attaches to the upper support structure30, support legs14, and a lateral support frame16. The frame12includes a framework of metal, tubular supports in the embodiment shown. However, any framework or support construction that is capable of supporting the upper support structure30may be used. The frame12connects to two support legs14that extend from the frame12to the floor and connect with the lateral support frame16. The lateral support frame16includes wheels that lock in the embodiment shown. However, the examination table1could be stationary in other embodiments.

The examination table1, in the embodiment shown, is adjustable, wherein the upper support structure30is adapted to pivot. The upper support structure30includes a lower body portion32and an upper body portion34that meet a substantial middle of the upper support structure30with respect to a longitudinal length of the examination table. The lower body portion32and upper body portion34are constructed to include a support plate33,35positioned to meet with the frame12of the lower support structure10. Additionally, a cushion is provided and attaches to an upper surface of the support plate33. However, construction and design of the upper support structure30, notably aesthetic and upholstery may be a matter of design choice. The support plate33,35is rigid and should be strong enough to support a human body without deformation or fracture.

In the embodiment shown, the lower body portion32rigidly connect to the frame12, while the upper body portion34is rigidly, pivotally connected to the lower body portion32using a pivot mechanism31, such as a hinge. The upper body portion34does not rigidly connect to the frame12in the embodiment shown. However, if the examination table1is constructed such that the upper support structure30is not adjustable with respect to the lower support structure10, then the upper body portion34of the upper support structure rigidly attaches to the frame12of the lower support structure10.

As shown inFIG. 3, an adjustment mechanism20is provided and includes a motor22, actuator24and two articulating hinges26,28. One articulating hinge26is rigidly attached to the lower body portion32, while the other articulating hinge28is attached to the upper body portion34. Each articulating hinges26,28attaches the support plates33,35of the lower and upper body portions32,34, respectively. Since the upper body portion34is not rigidly attached to the frame12, the adjustment mechanism20can adjust an angle of the upper body portion34using the actuator24and the articulating hinges26,28. However, as discussed, the lower and upper body portions32,34can both be rigidly attached to frame12in other embodiments.

The upper body portion34includes a main body37, an articulating access panel38, and a sliding access panel40, which connects to the main body through a sliding mechanism50. The sliding access panel40is positioned on a side of the main body37, while the articulating access panel38is positioned on another side of the main body37across.

The support plate35of the upper body portion34is adapted to support the main body37, but includes a number of open areas such that the support plate34remains unobtrusive to any opening or spaces provided by function of the articulating access panel38and the sliding access panel40; notable where the articulating access panel38and the sliding access panel40are positioned. The support plate35does include a support brace35athat is positioned in an area where the sliding access panel40is placed when repositioned. As a result, the support brace35asupports the weight of the sliding access panel40and a patient's body, if the sliding access panel40is used as a support. In the embodiment shown, the support brace35ais just an extension of the of the support plate35. However, other structure could be added to the support brace35afor additional support, such as a buttress, column, etc.

The articulating access panel38is a section of the upper body portion34that can pivot away from the main body37, so that a practitioner or technician can access a patient from underneath the upper body portion34. The sliding access panel40is also a section of the upper support structure30that is a separate component, and only connects to the main body37through the sliding mechanism50. The sliding access panel40is an elongated section, adapted to slide away from the pivot mechanism31. The sliding access panel40is constructed in the same manner as the other portion of the lower and upper body portions32,34, having a support plate42and cushion positioned on top. However, the support plate42of the sliding access panel40further includes a bracket44which is then secured to the sliding mechanism50. The sliding mechanism50secures to the support plate35of the main body37, as well.

The sliding mechanism50includes a body slide member52that is secured to the main body37and a panel slide member54that secures to the bracket44of the sliding access panel40. The body and panel slide members52,54slide in a longitudinal direction parallel to one another. In the embodiment shown, the body slide member52is a housing member that receives a panel slide member54, which is a track. However, any known mechanism may be used, as long as the sliding mechanism50is robust enough to withstand the weight of the sliding access panel40and the weight of a patient's body.

Since the support plate35includes an opening in this area, when the sliding access panel40opens and slides away from the pivot mechanism31, a practitioner or technician has easy access to the patient through an examination passageway60. The sliding access panel40is adapted to slide away by incremental measurements, and as a result, the examination passageway60can be adjusted in order to minimize the area need to perform an examination or procedure. The support brace35aand the sliding mechanism50provide the support is a patient is required to lean on the sliding access panel regardless how much the sliding access panel40slides away from the pivot mechanism31. Both the sliding access panel40and the articulating access panel38can be removed from the upper body portion34. As a result, these components can be remove from the examination area completely, or used as described above.

In the embodiment shown, the sliding access panel40can slide manually by a technician or practitioner by pulling the sliding access panel40away from the lower body portion32. However, it is also possible to incorporate a motor and or actuator in order to mechanically sliding the sliding access panel40away from the lower body portion32. The incremental movement insures adequate support during the transition instead of the sudden loss of support found in the drop away system. It is possible in other embodiments to include more than one sliding access panel40disposed in different areas of the table.