Support for medical equipment

A support (1) for bearing at least one piece of equipment (2,3,4), in particular video display units and other medical equipment. The support includes a support arm (5), to which the equipment (2,3,4) can be at least indirectly fixed and a fixing device (6), which engages in a connecting section (7) of the support arm (5) for suspending the support (1). The point of engagement (12) can be changed, to displace the center of gravity (16) of the support arm (5) and its load for a predetermined angle of the support arm (5), so that it lies at least approximately below the suspension point, at which the support (1) is suspended by the fixing device (6).

The invention concerns a support for medical equipment, particularly visual display units (VDUs), in the context of medical applications.

To support medical equipment, in hospitals, medical practices and similar facilities, supports which are suspended from the ceiling of the treatment room or operating theatre via a sprung arm are used. This ensures that the floor of the treatment room or operating theatre is always freely accessible and in particular easy to clean and disinfect, so that the hygienic requirements can be fulfilled. The known support consists of a C-shaped support arm and a transverse support which is fixed to it. The known support is designed for a particular equipment structure. The support, which is designed for a structure consisting of three VDUs, is described in more detail below. The VDUs have a defined size and weight distribution. The geometrical ratios and weight distributions of the support are defined on this basis, so that the support, which is suspended on a fixed suspension point on the sprung arm, supports the VDUs, which are fixed to the support, without the support arm being significantly inclined or significant torque forces acting on the suspension point.

The known support has several disadvantages. Since the support is designed on the basis of the weight distribution and the size of the specified VDUs, use of the support for other VDUs or even other medical equipment is impossible. Additionally, if the construction of the VDUs on which it is based is changed significantly, e.g. because of a product improvement or product change, this raises the problem that it is necessary to adapt the design of the support, which is expensive, reduces the production numbers of a given support type and has considerable practical disadvantages. Additionally, the known support is completely unsuitable if the medical equipment to be supported is not specified in advance, and in particular if several different pieces of medical equipment are fixed to the support alternately, depending on what is used.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a support which is suitable for different equipment and a different number of pieces of equipment, and which is such that a piece of equipment can be replaced and, in particular, the inclination and/or the torque which acts on the support can be adjusted.

The object is achieved by an article with the features of claim1.

The support according to the invention has the advantage that the engagement point at which the fixing device to suspend the support engages with a connecting section of the support arm can be changed. In this way, the centre of gravity of the loaded support arm can, for an inclination which is given, for instance, by a horizontal orientation of the piece of equipment, be moved at least approximately below the suspension point, by changing the engagement point. In this way, a torque acting on the support can be prevented, and the inclination of the support arm can be adjusted if required.

Advantageous extensions of the article which is given by the features of claim1are possible by the measures which are listed in the subclaims.

It is advantageous that the support arm is bow-shaped, particularly C-bow-shaped. In this way the support arm can be taken round the equipment, so that the space which is provided for the equipment can be optimally used. Additionally, in this way the connecting section of the support arm is simply given by the upper, at least partially horizontally running bow of the C bow of the support arm.

It is advantageous that the fixing device has a joint, particularly a ball-and-socket joint, for suspension of the support with no torque in relation to at least one axis. For the case that the support is unevenly loaded in relation to the suspension which is determined by the choice of engagement point, because of the mobility resulting from the joint an inclination of the support arm differing from the specified inclination is set. By changing the engagement point at which the fixing device engages with the connecting section of the support arm, the inclination of the support arm can be adjusted to the specified inclination. In this way the desired inclination can be set, torque-free suspension of the support being always given.

Advantageously, at least the connecting section of the support arm has a hollow profile, so that at least in the area of the connecting section an inner space is formed. The connecting section has at least two recesses which are opposite each other, and through which the fixing device engages with the inner space of the connecting section of the support arm. In this way, a significant part of the fixing device, which is provided to change the engagement point at which the fixing device engages with the connecting section of the support arm, can be arranged in the inner space of the connecting section of the support arm, resulting in a compact construction.

Advantageously, a locking device for the fixing device, to lock the fixing device in relation to the support arm, is arranged in the inner space of the connecting section of the support arm. In this way, after a successful adjustment of the fixing device in relation to the support arm of the support, the fixing device can be locked in relation to the support arm, the locking device being housed in the support arm of the support in an inconspicuous and space-saving manner.

It is advantageous that the locking device has at least one locking plate, to which a locking force can be applied to lock the side of the inner space of the connecting section against one wall of the connecting section. It is particularly advantageous that another locking plate, which is at least substantially opposite to the locking plate in relation to the wall of the connecting section, is assigned to the locking plate, it being possible to apply the locking force to both locking plates against each other, to lock the fixing device in relation to the support arm. In this way the locking force acts on the participating components over a large area, so that because of the low contact pressure, i.e. because of the large area over which the force is distributed, the locking can be easily undone even after locking over a relatively long period. Additionally, the locking plates can be used as an integral part of the locking device, i.e. as connecting elements between components of the locking device.

Advantageously, the locking device has a locking bolt, which engages with a thread of the locking plate and is supported at least indirectly on the further locking plate when it is tightened. In this way, the same force is applied in each case to the wall (which is in contact with the locking plates on both sides) of the connecting section of the support arm, so that deformation of the wall of the connecting section, in particular in the area of the opposing recesses, is prevented.

It is advantageous that the engagement point at which the fixing device engages with the connecting section of the support arm is continuously changeable. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous that the engagement point is changed by means of a spindle, which is carried in the support arm and can be moved along the fixing device. In this way, continuously variable, precise adjustment of the engagement point can be achieved, to move the centre of gravity of the loaded support arm, for a given inclination of the support arm, at least approximately below the suspension point. The spindle ensures advantageous force transmission, which also makes specially simple positioning of the engagement point possible.

It is also advantageous that supplementary weights can be attached to the support arm, to move the centre of gravity of the loaded support arm, for a given inclination of the support arm, with fine adjustment below the suspension point. In this way, small adjustments can easily be made. For instance, if it is a requirement that one of the pieces of equipment should be replaced relatively frequently, giving a different weight distribution, this can be compensated for using the supplementary weights, without a change of the engagement point at which the fixing device engages with the connecting section of the support arm being required.

FIG. 1shows a preferred embodiment of the support1according to the invention, to support at least one piece of equipment2. The support1is used in particular to support VDUs and other medical equipment. The preferred area of use of the support1is the medical area. This means that the support1is preferably used in clinic rooms, medical practices and similar. However, the support1according to the invention is also suitable for other application cases.

The support1has a support arm5and a fixing device6. The support arm5is C-bow-shaped, a connecting section7, with which the fixing device6engages, being provided in the upper area of the support arm5. The engagement takes place through two opposing recesses8,9, of which the recess8is shown in FIG.1. The fixing device6can be moved along the recesses8,9in the directions10,11in relation to the connecting section7of the support arm5, so that the engagement point12at which the fixing device6engages with the connecting section7of the support arm5through the recesses8,9can be changed in relation to the recesses8,9.

The fixing device6has a ball-and-socket joint13, in relation to which a first section14of the fixing device6can be rotated in relation to the second section15of the fixing device6. The second section15can, for instance, be fixed to a sprung arm which is fixed to the ceiling of a room. An inclination of the sprung arm in relation to the horizontal is compensated for by the ball-and-socket joint13. Instead of the ball-and-socket joint13, a simple joint, which can only be rotated in relation to one axis, can be used. Other joints and a combination of several joints can also be used instead of the ball-and-socket joint13.

Because of the ball-and-socket joint13, the support arm5, which is loaded with the equipment2,3,4, is suspended without torque, so that the centre of gravity16of the components which are suspended on the fixing device6, and which include components2to5, comes to lie on the vertical axis which is defined by the mid-point of the ball-and-socket joint13. As axes of rotation, for instance the axes18,19, the intersection of which is at the suspension point26, can be given.

The support arm5is connected to a transverse support20, which includes the two braces21,22, each of which has a rectangular profile. The equipment2,3,4is fixed to the transverse support20of the support1using a conventional fixing. They can be fixed, for instance, by screwing the equipment2,3,4to the support arm5.

InFIG. 1, additionally, a bearing pin53, which is arranged on the connecting section7of the support arm5, is shown. This bearing pin is part of a spindle bearing for a spindle mechanism, which is described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 2shows the support1according to the preferred embodiment to support the equipment2,3,4, in a front view. Previously described components are given corresponding reference symbols in all figures, so that a repeated description is unnecessary.

InFIG. 2, the supplementary weights24,25, by which, with the given inclination of the support arm, the centre of gravity16can be moved with fine adjustment below the suspension point26at the intersection point of the axes18,19, are fixed to the support1. In particular, the supplementary weights24,25make it possible to change the inclination of the support arm5, which is loaded with the equipment2,3,4, in relation to the axis19. This may be required, for instance, if the pieces of equipment2,4are arranged at different distances from the centre of the transverse support20, where the transverse support20is joined to the support arm5, and/or if the pieces of equipment2,4have different weights, or if the piece of equipment3(in relation to its centre of gravity) is not fixed centrally on the transverse support20.

The supplementary weights24,25are outstandingly easy to attach and remove, so that in particular it is possible to compensate at short notice for changes of centre of gravity which occur at short notice, e.g. because another small piece of equipment is placed on the piece of equipment2.

FIG. 3shows, in cross-section, that section of the support1according to the preferred embodiment which is marked III in FIG.1.

The fixing device6of the support1has a connecting part30to fix the ball-and-socket joint13or similar. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting part30has the thread32,33, which is interrupted by the recess31.

The fixing device6, which engages with the inner space34of the connecting section7of the support arm5through the recesses8,9, has a locking device35which is arranged in the inner space34, to lock the fixing device6in relation to the support arm5. For this purpose, the support arm5, in particular the connecting section7of the support arm5, is in the form of a hollow body, which has a hollow profile, thus forming the inner space34, particularly in the area of the connecting section7. In the preferred embodiment, the locking device35is arranged in the area where the engagement point12, at which the fixing device6engages with the connecting section7of the support arm5, is situated. The support arm5has, on the connecting section7on the side of the inner space34, a running surface36, on which running wheels37,38roll when the locking device35of the fixing device6is moved in relation to the support arm5. The weight of the support arm5, which is loaded with the equipment2,3,4, is transmitted to the fixing device6via the running wheels37,38.

The running wheel37has an inner bearing shell39and an outer bearing shell40, between which bearing balls41are arranged, thus forming a ball bearing. The inner bearing shell39of the running wheel37is connected to a pin46, and on the outer bearing shell40a running wheel surface42, on which the running wheel37rolls on the running surface36of the connecting section7, is formed.

The running wheel38is constructed correspondingly to the running wheel37. The running wheel38has an inner bearing shell43, an outer bearing shell44, and bearing balls45arranged between them, thus forming a ball bearing. The inner bearing shell43is connected to the pin47, and on the outer bearing shell44a running wheel surface48, which rolls on the running surface36of the connecting section7when the fixing device6moves in relation to the connecting section7of the support arm5, is formed.

The locking device35is moved in relation to the support arm5via a spindle50, which has a spindle thread51and a bearing section52. On the bearing section52, the spindle50is carried by a bearing pin53in the connecting section7of the support arm5. For this purpose, the bearing pin53has a transverse hole54, through which the threadless bearing section52of the spindle50is fed. The spindle50is secured in a parallel direction to the spindle axis57by a blocking ring56which is fitted in a radially surrounding groove55. The spindle50also has, on its bearing section52, an external hexagon58, to which a suitable tool or adjustment device can be applied to activate the spindle50. When the spindle50is activated, it is rotated around its spindle axis57, so that the spindle thread51is rotated depending on the direction of activation. The tool or activation device can act on the spindle50otherwise than via the external hexagon58. For instance, an internal hexagon on the spindle50in the area of the bearing section52, or another force or positive connection, can be provided.

The support1of the preferred embodiment is described in more detail below, with additional reference to FIG.4.FIG. 4shows a cross-section along the cross-section line along points A to K, marked IV in FIG.3. Also,FIG. 3is a cross-section along the cross-section line marked III in FIG.4.

The fixing device6has pins60,61, by which the first section14(which is outside the inner space34) of the fixing device6is connected to the locking device35. Also, locking plates62,63, which are guided onto the pins60,61in a parallel direction to the pin axis64of the pin61, are provided. The locking plates62,63can therefore be moved in a parallel direction to the pin axis64of the pin61. The pin47, on which the running wheel38is arranged, is carried in the locking plates62,63. Additionally, the pin46, on which the running wheel37is arranged, is carried in the locking plates62,63. The pins46,47are guided in the locking plates62,63so that they can be moved in a parallel direction to the pin axis64of the pin61. The locking plates62,63are arranged in the inner space34of the connecting section7. The fixing device6also has the locking plates65,66, locking plate65being opposite to locking plate62in relation to the wall67and locking plate66being opposite to locking plate63in relation to the wall67. The locking plates65,66are carried on the pins60,61so that they can be moved in a parallel direction to the pin axis64of the pin61. To prevent release or movement of the pins60,61in relation to the first section14of the fixing device6, which is outside the inner space34of the connecting section7, securing bolts68to71, which for self-securing are screwed into threaded holes74,75of the first section14of the fixing device6with spring elements72,73, are provided.

The locking device35has a locking bolt81which is screwed into a thread80of the locking plate62, is partly arranged in the recess9of the connecting section7, and is fed through a recess82, which is preferably in the form of a hole. When the locking bolt81is tightened, it is supported on the locking plate65, so that the two locking plates62,65are moved onto each other. For locking, a locking force is transmitted onto the locking plates62,65by the locking bolt81, so that they are pressed from both sides against the wall67of the connecting section7. The resulting static friction forces result in a connection, which can be released, between the fixing device6and the connecting section7of the support arm5.

Correspondingly, a locking bolt83engages with a thread89of the locking plate63, the locking bolt83being supported on the locking plate66when it is tightened, and being fed through a recess84in the locking plate66. The locking bolt83is partly arranged in the recess8of the connecting section7of the support arm5. When the locking bolt83is tightened with a locking force, a locking force is applied to the locking plates63,66, so that a connection, which can be released, and which is based on the static friction forces which occur between the locking plates63,66and the wall67of the connecting section7, between the locking device35of the fixing device6and the connecting section7of the support arm5is created.

When a locking force is applied to the two locking bolts81,83, the locking device35is locked in relation to the connecting section7of the support arm5. By releasing the locking bolts81,84, the locked locking device35is released, so that the locking device35of the fixing device6can be moved in relation to the connecting section7of the support arm5.

To move the locking device35, the spindle50, which is fed through a spindle guide85of the locking device35, is used. The spindle guide85is fixed on a holding pin86which is oriented transversely to the spindle axis57, the locking plates62,63being guided on the holding pin86so that they can be moved in a parallel direction to the pin axis64of the pin61. When the spindle50is activated, it rotates around the spindle axis57, so that, depending on the direction of rotation, the locking device35and thus the whole fixing device6is moved relative to the connecting section7in the direction10or11. In this way the engagement point12, at which the fixing device6engages with the connecting section7of the support arm5, can be continuously changed by means of the spindle50.

In the recess87, which is formed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bearing pin53, a bearing element88, in which the transverse hole54is formed, is provided. The spindle50is guided at one end in the transverse hole54of the bearing pin53and in the spindle guide85. More guidance, corresponding to the guidance by the bearing element88and spindle guide85, can optionally be provided at the other end of the spindle50.

In the above description, the locking of the locking device35by means of the locking bolts81,83is described in detail. To achieve even application of the locking plates62,63,65,66, as well as the previously described locking bolts81,83, two further locking bolts are provided. InFIG. 3, the locking bolt83′ is arranged next to the locking bolt83. The remaining locking bolt is arranged symmetrically to the locking bolt83′ in relation to the intersection line marked III in FIG.4.

In the preferred embodiment, friction bodies90to93are provided on the locking plate63, and when the locking device35is locked by the locking force, they are pressed against the wall67of the connecting section7of the support arm5, to apply the required static friction force. Correspondingly, four friction bodies, of which friction bodies94,95are shown inFIG. 4, are also provided on the locking plate62. To achieve specially good friction between the friction bodies90to95and the wall67of the connecting section7, it is advantageous that the materials of the friction bodies90to95are suited to the material of the wall67of the connecting section7. For instance, if the wall67of the connecting section7is made of a metallic material, the friction bodies90to95can consist, for example, of a rubber mixture which is suited to it. Corresponding friction bodies can also be provided on the locking plates65,66at the side of the wall67of the connecting section7. A further advantage of the friction bodies90to95is that unevennesses in the surface of the locking plates62,63,65,66and the inner and outer sides of the wall67of the connecting section7are compensated for, since the contact is not over the whole surface. In this respect, it is a further advantage if the friction bodies90to95are made of an elastic material.

An unevenness in the surface of the wall67of the connecting section7can be given, in particular, by a weld seam by which the support arm5is welded.

If the fixing unit6is moved in the directions10,11, and the C-bow-shaped support arm5is positioned horizontally, both running surfaces42,48of the running wheels37,38lie simultaneously on the running surface36of the connecting section7. In particular, it is thus possible to establish whether the centre of gravity16of the loaded support arm5, for a given inclination of the support arm5, is at least approximately below the suspension point26, on which the support is suspended by means of the fixing device6. Outside the horizontal position, a torque occurs around a bearing axis of the running wheel37or38, until one of the pins60or61is in the recesses8,9.

The invention is not restricted to the described embodiment. In particular, the support arm5can be in a different form, e.g. T-shaped, or consist of several parts.