Braking device for operating table base

The present invention provides a braking device for an operating table base, comprising at least two supporting legs, each supporting leg having a pivoting end and a supporting end distanced from the pivoting end. The operating table base supports an operation bed whose projected area covers the operating table base. The operating table base has a first pivoting portion corresponding to each supporting leg, and each supporting leg has a second pivoting portion at the pivoting end to correspond to the first pivoting portion of the operating table base. The first pivoting portion pivotally connects to the second pivoting portion, so that each supporting leg rotates with respect to the operating table base. The supporting ends of the supporting legs extend a supporting area of the operating table base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a braking device for an operating table base, and more particularly, to a braking device that prevents an operation bed from tipping over when a part of it is to be replaced by a carbon fiber bed board.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Nowadays, it is generally acknowledged that 3-dimensional visual perception with the aid of robot arm-positioning has become the mainstream in medical operation intended to minimize invasive surgery procedures. The structure of a conventional operation bed is made of metal materials, and thereby preventing 3-demenetional image capture of the table body through 360-degree X-ray. As a result, a general practice of surgery teams is to remove the rear part of a conventional operation bed, or the part where the face-up lying patient resting his/her butt and feet. The removed part of the operation bed is replaced by a carbon fiber bed board that allows 3-dementional images to be captured through 360-degree X-ray. This removal and replacement of a part of the operation bed is the common clinical practice at the moment.

Nevertheless, the aforementioned clinical solution increases a risk that the operation bed may tip over in the direction of the carbon fiber bed board. Therefore, a supporting leg to be fixed at the end of or beneath the carbon fiber bed board is required to reduce the risk of the operation bed tipping over during a surgery. However, such a solution causes usage inconvenience. For example, it is very troublesome to adjust the bed height or angle during a surgery, and a user should remove the sterile sheet covering the patient and the supporting leg before adjusting the supporting leg to the desired height and angle at the same time. Besides, this solution is prone to a new risk of product injury. For example, if a user fails to see the supporting leg that has been covered with a sterile sheet, and only adjusts the height or angle of the operation bed, without adjusting the height or angle of the supporting leg at the same time, the user will put the operation bed, carbon fiber bed board, or supporting leg in the risk of damage.

Therefore, there is truly a dire need in the medical sector to address the issue that the operation bed may tip over when a part of it is to be replaced by a carbon fiber bed board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To tackle problems with prior art operating tables, the present invention employs a metal-based braking device mounted on an operating table base. The braking device is rotatable to any direction outside the operating table base, as a way to extend the pivot point of the base loading, without expanding the length or width of the operating table base. The result is, when the carbon fiber bed board replaces part of the operation bed, there is no need to install a supporting stand at the end or underneath the carbon fiber bed board, and therefore the operation bed is free from the risk of tipping over during a surgery. Moreover, the braking device according to the present invention does not increase the length or width of the operating table base, and thus, it does not affect the space required by the surgery team during the surgery. Besides, the braking device of the invention is rotatable in variable directions, and the surgery team is free to utilize the space available in the surgery and to extend the pivot point of the operating table base, ensuring a smooth surgery process as well as stable loading of the operating table.

An objective of this invention is to provide a braking device that prevents an operation bed from tipping over when a part of it is to be replaced by a carbon fiber bed board.

To achieve the objective above, the invention provides a braking device for an operating table base, comprising at least two supporting legs, each supporting leg having a pivoting end and a supporting end distanced from the pivoting end. The operating table base supports an operation bed whose projected area covers the operating table base. The operating table base has a first pivoting portion corresponding to each supporting leg, and each supporting leg has a second pivoting portion at the pivoting end to correspond to the first pivoting portion of the operating table base. The first pivoting portion pivotally connects to the second pivoting portion, so that each supporting leg rotates with respect to the operating table base. The supporting ends of the supporting legs extend a supporting area of the operating table base.

Preferably, at least two of the supporting legs are provided separately at two corners of the operating table base.

Preferably, two of the supporting legs are provided separately at two corners at one end of the operating table base, and another supporting leg is provided at the other end of the operating table base.

To achieve the objective stated above, the invention further provides a braking device for an operating table base, comprising at least two ancillary portions and at least two supporting legs corresponding to the ancillary portions; each supporting leg has a pivoting end and a supporting end distanced from the pivoting end. The operating table base supports an operation bed whose projected area covers the operating table base. Each ancillary portion is fixed either beneath or at an outer side of a turning corner where two outside surfaces of the operating table base intersect. Each ancillary portion has a first pivoting portion, and each supporting leg has a second pivoting portion at the pivoting end to correspond to the first ancillary portion. The first pivoting portion pivotally connects to the second pivoting portion, so that each supporting leg rotates with respect to the operating table base. The supporting ends of the supporting legs extends a supporting area of the operating table base.

Preferably, two of the supporting legs, by means of the ancillary portion, are provided either beneath or at an outer side of two corners where outside surfaces of the operating table base intersect, the two corners being on the same side as a rear end of the operating table base, and another supporting leg is fixed at an edge of the operating table base, the edge being on the same side as a front end of the operating table.

Preferably, the supporting leg further comprises a base body and a base cushion, the second pivoting portion being provided on the base body, and wherein the base cushion is positioned in a manner that allows it to be completely disposed on the base body and correspond to an extension of the base body from the second pivoting portion to the other end, so as to prevent a pivot point between each supporting leg and the operating table base from moving inward when each supporting leg rotates to a position parallel to or beneath the operating table base.

Preferably, the first pivoting portion is a shaft and the second pivoting portion is a shaft sleeve, and wherein the base body is made of metal and the base cushion is made of a non-metal material with elasticity and electrostatic conductivity so as to increase friction during braking and simultaneously create a path for static electricity to be discharged to the ground of an operating room.

Preferably, the first pivoting portion is an internal threaded structure and the second pivoting portion an external threaded structure, wherein rosette gears that can be mutually coupled are provided on the respective contact surfaces where the first pivoting portion and the second pivoting portion contact each other.

In the invention, the braking device for an operating table base further comprises a lifting mechanism. Underneath the operating table base, a caster is provided at an edge of the operating table base adjacent to each first pivoting portion, and the lifting mechanism is employed to move the casters underneath the operating table base upward or downward.

Preferably, when the lifting mechanism is employed to move the casters upward, the supporting legs go downward to touch the ground, so that the braking device performs a braking action.

Preferably, when the lifting mechanism is employed to move the casters downward to touch the ground, the supporting legs go upward, so that the braking device performs a brake-releasing action.

In the invention, the braking device for an operating table base further comprises a lifting mechanism. Underneath the operating table base, a caster is provided at an edge of the operating table base adjacent to each first pivoting portion, and the lifting mechanism is employed to move the supporting legs upward or downward.

Preferably, when the lifting mechanism is employed to move the supporting legs upward, the casters go downward to touch the ground, so that the braking device performs a brake-releasing action.

Preferably, when the lifting mechanism is employed to move the supporting legs to move downward to touch the ground, the casters go upward, so that the braking device performs a braking action.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1shows a perspective view of an operating table that utilizes a braking device for the operating table base according to the invention. The operating table comprises an operation bed10, under which is a base20, and a braking device30is provided at the corners of the base20to strengthen stability of the operating table.

FIG.1shows the braking device30for the operating table base comprises at least two supporting legs31; each of the supporting legs31has one pivoting end and one supporting end distanced from the pivoting end. The operating table base20supports the operation bed10, a projected area of which covers the base20.FIG.2is a perspective view of a supporting leg of the braking device for the operating table base according to the invention. The operating table base20has a first pivoting portion21corresponding to the supporting leg31; the supporting leg31has a second pivoting portion32at the pivoting end to correspond to the first pivoting portion21of the operating table base20. The first pivoting portion21pivotally connects to the second pivoting portion32, thereby allowing the supporting leg31to rotate with respect to the operating table base20. The supporting ends of the supporting legs31extend the supporting area of the operating table base20.

FIG.3is a schematic view of the braking device for the operating table according to the first embodiment of the invention. InFIG.3, only the operating table base20and supporting legs31are shown to give a clearer explanation. In this embodiment, the braking device30comprises four supporting legs31; each of the supporting legs31has one pivoting end and one supporting end distanced from the pivoting end. The pivoting end of each supporting leg31is located at each of the four corners of the operating table base20. The first pivoting portion21of the operating table base and the second pivoting portion32of the supporting leg31together function as a pivot point, which allows 360-degree rotation of the supporting end of the supporting leg31with respect to the operating table base20. As a result, when operating the braking device30for the operating table base according to the invention, the user could, according to the actual needs, freely adjust the rotation angle of the supporting end of each supporting leg31on the braking device30, so that the supporting ends of the supporting legs31can extend the supporting area of the operating table base20, and henceforth strengthen stability of the operating table during a surgery.

FIG.4is a schematic view showing the braking device for the operating table base according to the second embodiment of the invention. The structure of the braking device30′ for the operating table base according to the second embodiment is roughly identical to the structure of the braking device30for the operating table base according to the first embodiment; the difference lies in the positions of the supporting legs31′. In this second embodiment, the braking device30′ comprises three supporting legs31′; two of those supporting legs31′ are arranged at two corners of the operating table base20, the two corners being on the same side as the rear end of the operating table, while the other supporting leg31′ is fixed at an edge of the operating table base, the edge being on the same side as the front end of the operating table. Likewise, the pivoting ends of the supporting legs31′ can make 360-degree rotation with respect to the operating table base20; when operating the braking device30′ for the operating table base according to the invention, the user could, according to the actual needs, freely adjust the rotation angle of the supporting end of each supporting leg31′ on the braking device30′, so that the supporting ends of the supporting legs31′ can extend the supporting area of the operating table base20, and henceforth strengthen stability of the operating table during a surgery. Moreover, in this embodiment, the supporting leg31′, which is fixed at the edge of the operating table base20on the same side as the front end of the operating table, is not limited to being rotatable in design; it can also be non-rotatable, fixed at the edge of the operating table base20.

FIG.5is a schematic view of the braking device for the operating table base according to the third embodiment of the invention. InFIG.5, only the operating table base and supporting legs are shown to give a clearer explanation. In this embodiment, the braking device40for the operating table base comprises four supporting legs41, and each of the supporting legs41has one pivoting end and one supporting end distanced from the pivoting end; the operating table base20supports the operation bed10, a projected area of which covers the base20(SeeFIG.1). For each supporting leg41there is one corresponding ancillary portion42; the ancillary portion42is fixed either beneath or at the outer side of the turning corner where two outside surfaces of the operating table base20intersect. The ancillary portion42has a first pivoting portion43, and the supporting leg41, at its pivoting end, has a second pivoting portion44corresponding to the first pivoting portion43of the ancillary portion42. The first pivoting portion43pivotally connects to the second pivoting portion44, thereby allowing the supporting leg41to rotate with respect to the ancillary portion42. The first pivoting portion43of the ancillary portion42and the second pivoting portion44of the supporting leg41together function as a pivoting point, which allows the supporting end of the supporting leg41to rotate 360 degrees with respect to the ancillary portion42. When operating the braking device40for the operating table base according to the invention, the user could, according to the actual needs, freely adjust the rotation angle of the supporting end of each supporting leg41on the braking device40, so that the supporting ends of the supporting legs41can extend the supporting area of the operating table base20, and henceforth strengthen stability of the operating table during a surgery.

Please seeFIGS.5and6.FIG.6is an exploded perspective view of the supporting leg of the braking device for the operating table base according to the invention. The supporting leg41further comprises a base body45and a base cushion46, which is disposed on the base cushion46; the base body45and the base cushion46are fastened together with a fastening member47. The second pivoting portion44is provided on the base body45, to be connected to the first pivoting portion43of the ancillary portion42, wherein the first pivoting portion43is a shaft, and the second pivoting portion44is a shaft sleeve, so that the shaft can be fitted and fastened into the shaft sleeve and the two elements are pivotally connected.

Please seeFIGS.7A and7Bwhile referencingFIG.6.FIGS.7A and7Bare perspective views showing the first pivoting portion of an ancillary portion and the second pivoting portion of a supporting leg of the braking device for the operating table base according to another embodiment of the invention;FIG.7Ashows the first and second pivoting portions separated andFIG.7Bshows the two pivoting portions assembled. As shown inFIG.7A, the first pivoting portion43′ is an internal threaded structure and the second pivoting portion44′ is an external threaded structure, so that the external threads engage with and are fastened to the internal threads when the two pivoting portions are assembled. Moreover, rosette gears that can be mutually coupled are provided on the respective contact surfaces where the first pivoting portion43′ and the second pivoting portion44′ contact each other, as shown inFIG.7B. When a section of the operation bed10needs to be replaced with a carbon fiber bed board50, the ancillary portions42and the supporting legs41must be under heavy pressure, which may result in sliding or shaking of them. Therefore, the rosette gears provided on the respective contact surfaces are basically designed to address this issue. By mutual engagement between the rosette gear48on the contact surface of the first pivoting portion43′ and the rosette gear48on the contact surface of the second pivoting portion44′, enhanced fastening can be achieved at the position where an ancillary portion42and a supporting leg41are coupled to each other. This can help prevent the operating table base20from sliding or shaking, thereby strengthening stability of the operating table.

Please continue to seeFIGS.6,7A and7B. The supporting leg41further comprises a positioning mechanism (not shown in the drawing; please refer toFIG.4for a schematic view of its operation). The positioning mechanism is used for adjusting the rotation angle of the supporting end of the supporting leg41with respect to the operating table base20as well as the ancillary portion42(please refer to the dotted lines shown inFIG.4), thereby allowing the supporting end of the supporting leg41to rotate in multiple stages, and henceforth strengthening stability of the operating table base during a surgery. Furthermore, the base cushion46is positioned in a manner that allows it to be completely disposed on the base body45and correspond to the extension of the base body45from the second pivoting portion44to the other end thereof. This prevents the pivot point between each supporting leg41and the operating table base20from moving inward when the supporting leg41rotates to a position parallel to the operating table base20or beneath it, eventually enhancing the stability of the operation bed10during a surgery. Moreover, the base body45is made of metal while the base cushion46is made of a non-metal material with elasticity and electrostatic conductivity, thereby increasing friction during the braking action and simultaneously creating a path for static electricity to be discharged to the ground.

Please seeFIG.8, which is a schematic view of the braking device for the operating table base according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. The structure of the braking device40′ for the operating table base according to this (fourth) embodiment is roughly identical to the structure of the braking device40for the operating table base according to the fifth embodiment; the difference lies in the positions of the supporting legs41′. In this embodiment, the braking device40′ comprises three supporting legs41′; two of the supporting legs41′, by means of the ancillary portions42′, are fixed either beneath or at the outer side of the turning corners where two outside surfaces of the operating table base20intersect, the two corners being on the same side as the rear end of the operating table. The two supporting legs41′ can make 360-degree rotation with respect to the operating table base20. When operating the braking device40′ for the operating table base according to the invention, the user could, according to the actual needs, freely adjust the rotation angles of the two supporting legs41′ of the braking device40′. By contrast, the other supporting leg41′ is fixed at an edge of the operating table base20, the edge being on the same side as the front end of the operating table, so as to strengthen stability of the operating table during a surgery.

Please seeFIG.9, which is a schematic perspective view showing the braking device for the operating table according to the invention in operation. When a patient needs an X-ray scanning during a surgery, medical staff may need to replace a section of the operation bed10(seeFIG.1) where the patient places his/her legs with a carbon fiber bed board50. Over the course of bed change, the medical staff can use the positioning mechanism of the braking device30, and by adjusting the first pivoting portion21and second pivoting portion32(seeFIG.2), to make the supporting ends of the supporting legs31, which are located at the two corners at the operating table base end near the carbon fiber bed board51, turn 180 degrees. Rotation of the supporting legs31allows them to be positioned parallel to the operating table bed10, thereby supporting the newly changed carbon fiber bed board50to prevent it from tipping over.

Please seeFIGS.10A to10C, which are schematic views of the braking device for the operating table base according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. In each of these drawings, only the operating table base and the supporting legs are shown to give a clearer explanation. In this embodiment, a first pivoting portion is provided at each of the four corners of the operating table base20, and underneath the operating table base20, a caster60is provided at its edge adjacent to each first pivoting portion21. The braking device70comprises four supporting legs71, and each of the supporting legs71has one pivoting end and one supporting end distanced from the pivoting end. The pivoting ends of the supporting legs71are located at the four corners of the operating table base20, and the supporting leg71, at its pivoting end, has a second pivoting portion32corresponding to the first pivoting portion21of the operating table base20(Please seeFIG.2). The first pivoting portion21pivotally connects to the second pivoting portion32. The first pivoting portion21of the operating table base20and the second pivoting portion32of the supporting leg71together function as a pivot point, which allows the supporting end of the supporting leg71to rotate with respect to the operating table base20. As a result, when operating the braking device70for the operating table base according to the invention, the user could, according to the actual needs, freely adjust the rotation angle of the supporting end of each supporting leg71on the braking device70, so that the supporting ends of the supporting legs71can extend the supporting area of the operating table base20, and henceforth strengthen stability of the operating table during a surgery.

Please continue to seeFIGS.10A to10C. In this (fifth) embodiment, the operating table base further comprises a lifting mechanism (not shown in the drawings) for moving the casters60underneath the operating table base20upward or downward, so that the braking device70for the operating table base according to the invention can achieve the braking or brake-releasing function. As shown inFIG.10B, when the casters60go upward with the aid of the lifting mechanism, the supporting legs71as a result go downward to touch the ground72, and the braking device70for the operating table base according to the invention can achieve the braking function. Likewise, as shown inFIG.10C, when the casters60go downward to touch the ground72with the aid of the lifting mechanism, the supporting legs71as a result go upward, and the braking device70for the operating table base according to the invention can achieve the brake-releasing. Moreover, the lifting mechanism in this embodiment is a technique that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend and understand, and therefore is not shown in a drawing or explained repeatedly herein.

Please seeFIGS.11A and11B, which are schematic views of the braking device for the operating table base according to the sixth embodiment of the invention. The structure of the braking device70′ for the operating table base according to the sixth embodiment is roughly identical to the structure of the braking device for the operating table base according to the fifth embodiment shown inFIGS.10A to10C. The difference lies in that the lifting mechanism of the operating table base20in this embodiment is employed to move the supporting legs71′ upward or downward, so that the braking device70′ for the operating table base according to the invention can achieve the braking or brake-releasing function. As shown inFIG.11B, with the aid of the lifting mechanism, when the supporting legs71′ go upward, the casters60′ as a result go downward to touch the ground72, so that the braking device70′ for the operating table base according to the invention can achieve the brake-releasing function. Likewise, as shown inFIG.11C, when the supporting legs71′ go downward to touch the ground72with the aid of the lifting mechanism, the casters60′ as a result go upward, so that the braking device70′ for the operating table base according to the invention can achieve the braking function.