TRACTION TABLE INCLUDING TWO TABLE SECTIONS

Abstract: A traction table or auto-traction apparatus, which consists of two table sections (1, 2) of which at least one is constructed to move on guides (5), traction equipment to pull the table sections (1, 2) apart from one another, and harnesses to secure the patient's upper and lower body to the corresponding table sections (1, 2). It is the intention of the invention to achieve a new kind of traction table that is especially suitable for the effective and safe traction of the lumbar region. According to the invention the traction equipment includes a power linkage (6, 7) connected between the table sections (1, 2), the operating levers (6) of which are placed at the sides of the table sections (1, 2) to be used by the patient, and that at least one table section (1) can be turned to a limited degree transversely around an axle (15) in order to make it possible to adjust the traction angle.

Description: Traction table including two table sections The object of this invention is a traction table or auto-traction apparatus, which consists of a two-part table section, of which at least one part is constructed to be able to be moved on guides, a traction device to draw the table sections apart from one another, and harnesses to hold the patient's upper and lower body firmly to the corresponding table sections. Traction of the lumbar region, as of other regions of the back, is according to the state of the art carried out using a traction table. These are presented in U.S. patent publications 2,475,003, 2,690,175* and 4,356,816, as wellas as in PCT publication W083/00020. In these the patient is secured by harnesses to both sections, which are drawn in opposite directions. The traction apparatus in accordance with U.S. publication 4,346,816 draws the lumbar region over the entire distance between the harnesses. It is then difficult to concentrate the traction on only the desired area. In addition when neck harnesses are used the distribution of the tension is extremely imprecise. In this case the patient may usiel too much traction, because the apparatus does not include any kind of traction limit. It is the intention of this invention to achieve a new kind of trac¬ tion table that is especially applicable to the effective and safe traction of the lumbar region. The characteristic features of the inven¬ tion become apparent from the accompanying Patent Claim 1. According to the invention traction is directed precisely to the desired point and in the desiireddirection by securing the upper and lower body to the table sections and by setting the traction angle to the optimum value for the injury or pain in question. This adjustment can be further eased by the adjustable leg support in accordance with Patent Claim 5« The locking device in accordance with Patent Claim 2 is almost essen¬ tial from the point of view of operation as it allows the patient to relax during traction. The limiting devices in accordance with Claims 3 and 4 ensure the safety of the apparatus. In what follows the invention is described with the aid of the accom- panying drawings, which show one form of application of the invention. Figure 1 shows the traction table Figure 2 shows the securing system of the turnable table section in detail Figure 3 shows the connection of the hydraulic locking device The patient places himself on the traction table and his lower body is secured to the itr^^"»nab , _Je , ■ table section 1 and his upper body to the other table section. The turnable table section 1 and the leg support 9 are adjusted to the best position from the. " point of view of the patient. The table sections 1 and 2 are placed on slides 4 and 5, which are afcle to move along guides 3. The patient is secured by means of harnesses, which press the back onto the table sections on both sides of the point to be pulled. Because of this the point to be pulled is limited to only the region between the table sections. A power linkage is connected between table sections 1 and 2 in such a way that operating levers 6 are jointed on both sides to guide 5 of table section 2 and a gas-filled spring 7, which begins to compress at a force of about 300 N, is connected between both sections of the table. Because of this gas spring 7 the patient cannot g_ eτea greater traction than this on both sides, that is a combined traction of about 600 N. The right-hand side operating lever 6 is connected to cable switch 8, which is used for shut-off valve 14 belonging to the hydraulic circuit. The outline diagram of the power system is shown in Figure 3 and the power linkage 6 and 7 between the guides 4 and 5 of the table sections 1 and 2 'described ' , above is drawn on it. The body's counter-tension caused by the traction tries to pull the table sections 1 and 2 to one another immediately the. active traction had stopped. The traction is, however, made to lock with the aid of hydraulic cylinder 10, the hydraulic oil . conections of which are connected together through the one-way valve 12. This permits traction and the movement of table sections 1 and 2 because of it away from one another, but not a return movement, so that the traction tension remains in force when the patient releases his grip on traction handle 6. The tension is released by opening the shut-off valve 14 to free circulation, when the table sections 1 and 2 return to their initial position. In addition the apparatus includes two components that limit traction. During active traction gas spring 7 gives way and compresses after the traction has exceeded a set limit, typically 300 N. On the other hand during passive traction the greatest pressure in cylinder 10 is limited with the aid of safety valve 13 to about 10 bar, which ύsedli±nufcheudylln- de 'corresponds to a compressive force of about 300 N. From the point of view of the invention is is quite essential that the one table section 1 can be turned transversely around axle 15 for a few degrees, Fig. 2. In this way the entire traction can be directed on a very narrow area by lowering this end when the point to be pulled can be precisely limited to the area between the edges of the table sections. In the case of certain patients there again it is advantageous that the lumbar region can be placed at a suitable angle on each one before traction. This has a great significance especially if some intervertebral disc has slipped out of place. Table section 1 is adjusted to the desired angle with the aid of locking frame 16. In orderito make a wide range of uses possible thetraction table can also be■equipped with a cervical spine traction device. What is fundamental in the operation of a traction table in accor¬ dance with the invention when compared to existing traction tables is the fact that in practice the table makes three different forms of traction possible. Depending on whether the front, rear, or both table sections are released the traction feels different in practice to the patient. The patient selects from these the best form for himself.

Claims: Patent Claims 1. A traction table or auto-traction apparatus, which includes two table sections (l,2), at least one of which is constructed to move on guides (5), traction equipment to pull the table sections (1,2) apart from one another, and harnesses to secure the patient's upper and lower body to the corresponding table sections (1,2), characterized in that the traction equipment includes a power linkage (6,7) connected between the table sections (1,2) the operating levers (6) of which are placed next to the table sections (1,2) for the patient to use, and that at least one of the table sections (1) can.be turned to a limited degree transversely around an axle (15) in order to make the adjustment of the traction ■ angle possible. 2. A traction table in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that between the table sections (1,2) there is a hydraulic cylinder (10), the fluid connections of which are con¬ nected together through a one-way valve in such a way that the direction of the one-way valve (11) permits the movement of the t&ble sections (1,2) away from one another so that traction:; tension remains in the area in which the patient is treated. 3. A traction table in accordance with Patent Claim 2, characterized in that a safety valve (13), which limits the maximum pressure to a pre-set limit, is connected between the fluid connections of the hydraulic cylinder (20). 4« A traction table in accordance with any of Patent Claims 1-3, characterized in that the power linkage (6,7) includes an operating lever (6) jointed to the first table section (1) and a gas spring connected between this operating lever (6) and the second table section (2), the compression commencing pressure of which is predeter¬ mined, which limits the traction force to a predetermined value. 5. A traction table in accordance with any on Patent Claims 1 -4, c a r a c t e r i z ed i n t h at it includes a leg support (9) with adjustable height. 6. A traction table in accordance with any of Patent Claims 1-5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that both table sections are constructed to be movable along guides, and both table sections include a locking device to lock one or other of the table sections in place.

Inventors: MUSTONEN KARI JUHANI, MUSTONEN, KARI, JUHANI
Applicants: MUSTONEN KARI JUHANI, MUSTONEN, KARI, JUHANI
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A61H1
IPC codes: A61H1