Abstract:
A device for controlling an operating table is disclosed. The device has a controller that controls a traction drive device that moves the operating table. The device also has at least one control element disposed on the controller. The traction drive device moves the operating table from a stopped state to a first speed based on a first actuation of the at least one control element. The traction drive device increases the operating table speed from the first speed to a second speed based on the first actuation of the at least one control element being interrupted for a first time period that is shorter than a first interruption time period and based on a double actuation of the at least one control element.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage filing pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT/EP2014/057614, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, and claiming benefit of priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2013 103757.7 filed on Apr. 15, 2013, all the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a mobile operating table having a patient support surface, an operating table column and an operating table column base. The operating table further has rollers and a traction drive unit for moving the operating table. The traction drive unit is activated by the actuation of a control element assigned to the traction drive unit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Three different types of operating tables are typically used in hospitals, namely stationary operating tables, movable operating tables and mobile operating tables. Stationary operating tables have an operating table column permanently fixed to the floor of the operating room. Normally, stationary operating tables do not comprise an operating table column base. Movable operating tables have an operating table column base which is connected to the operating table column, has no rollers and no transport devices and stands on the floor of the operating room at least during a surgical operation. The movable operating tables are liftable and movable by means of transport carriages. Such a system which comprises a movable operating table and a transport carriage is also referred to as a mobile operating table system. 
     The operating table column bases of mobile operating tables have rollers for moving the operating table, Mobile operating tables are thus movable without further auxiliary means. In the case of mobile operating tables, the rollers are lockable so that the operating table is not movable during a surgical operation, and/or the column base can be lowered with respect to the rollers so that the operating table stands safely on the floor during a surgical operation. 
     Further, in the case of mobile operating tables, electric traction drives including soft start and safety brake function are known in order to move the mobile operating table by the electric traction drive. This traction drive unit is actuated via at least one control element, in particular via a non-wireless or a wireless remote control. In the case of traction drive units with at least two speed levels, a changing of the speed level is then possible. This is particularly useful when a mobile operating table has been moved out of the operating room and shall be moved further, for example, along a corridor of an operating wing over a longer distance. In the operating room itself, the maneuvering is problematic because of the usually quite narrow space and a significant number of obstacles so that a low drive speed of the traction drive is appropriate. However along long corridors, as are common in the operating wing of hospitals, a higher speed is desirable to facilitate a fast work flow. In known switching operations, the movement or the operating table is stopped for a short period of time to allow for changing the speed level and a complex setting of the desired higher speed level via a menu of the control device or the remote control is carried out. To reset the lower speed level afterwards, the procedure for setting the speed level is performed repeatedly in the menu of the control device. As a result, a changing of the speed is relatively complex in known mobile operating tables. An alternative possibility for changing the speed could be that one separate control element is provided for each speed level on the control device, in particular a remote control. However, this makes use of the control device undesirable. In particular, when the control device also serves to operate adjustable components of an operating table during a surgical operation, it is not useful (e.g., for reasons of clarity) to provide a plurality of control elements for functions that are not required during the surgical operation itself. 
     From document DE 19955116 A1, a control unit for controlling the drives of an operating table support surface is known, the support surface being removable from an operating table column and comprising components adjustable by an electric motor, the control unit comprising an energy supply, a control and a control device. The control device is integrated in a transport carriage for the transport of the operating table support surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Based on shortcomings in the prior art, a method and a device for operating a mobile operating table is provided, by which a simplified activation of a traction drive unit for moving the operating table at different drive speeds is possible. 
     By a method for operating a mobile operating table, a first drive speed is activated by a single actuation of the control element and a second drive speed is activated by a double actuation of the control element. 
     A double actuation may be a double click. A double click may be a double activation of the actuating element within a preset period of time between a first actuation of the control element and a second actuation of the control element, or an inverse double click, (for example, the single deactivation of the control element for a maximum preset interruption time and/or the double deactivation of the control element for a respective maximum preset interruption time within a preset period of time between the first deactivation of the control element and the second deactivation of the control element). 
     By a double actuation of the control element, an easy change of the drive speed from the first drive speed to the second drive speed of the traction drive unit that is activated with the first drive speed is possible without the traction drive unit having to be deactivated in the meantime. 
     Further, the change of the drive speed is possible with only one control element. As a result, the present method and apparatus may allow a suitable intuitive actuation of the control element for activating the first drive speed and for activating the second drive speed of the traction drive unit. The first drive speed is preferably slower than the second drive speed. As a result, the first drive speed can be used for moving the operating table slowly (e.g., for the exact positioning and/or for maneuvering the operating table), and the second drive speed can be used for moving longer distances at higher speed. 
     The drive speed of the traction drive unit may be changed from the first drive speed to the second drive speed by a double actuation. As a result, a suitable change of the drive speed is possible that minimally affects the work flow in the operating room and in the operating wing of a hospital. 
     In the case in which a double actuation is accomplished by an interruption of the actuation of the first control element, for double actuation the interruption may be shorter than a preset Interruption Period. The Interruption Period may be preset to a value in a range between 100 ms (milliseconds) and 800 ms, for example to a value in a range between 200 ms and 500 ms. Also for example, an Interruption Period can be preset to a value of 300 ms. As a result, an easy and convenient actuation of the control element for activating the second drive speed is possible. 
     A double actuation may be accepted when the interruption is longer than 30% of the preset Interruption Period or the interruptions are each longer than 30% of the preset Interruption Period. In the case of a preset Interruption Period (for example, of about 300 ms), the minimum Interruption Period for the double actuation may be 90 ms. As a result, operating errors, in particular from bouncing a switching element of the actuation element, are effectively prevented. 
     Further, the traction drive unit may be deactivated when the first control element has not been actuated for a preset Interruption Period. As a result, the traction drive unit may not remain activated when the actuation element is no longer actuated, so that an undesirable operation does not occur. 
     Further, the first drive speed of the traction drive unit may be again activated by a double actuation of the first control element in case the second drive speed of the traction drive unit is activated. In this way, a simplified change from the second drive speed to the first drive speed is possible without the traction drive unit having to be stopped. 
     Alternatively thereto, a third drive speed can be activated by a double actuation of the first control element in case the second drive speed is activated. The third drive speed may be faster than the second drive speed so that a faster drive speed can be selected. 
     A second control element may be provided, which, when actuated, releases the traction drive unit for driving the operating table. In the case of a single actuation of the first control element, the traction drive unit may be activated with the first drive speed. In the case of a double actuation of the first control element, the traction drive unit may be activated with the second drive speed. For example, the traction drive unit can only be activated when the second control element is actuated, with the traction drive unit being deactivated when the second control element is not actuated. As a result, the first control element may only be actuated by a single actuation for activating the first drive speed and by a double click for activating the second drive speed (e.g., a non-inverse double click or a “normal” double click can be used for actuation), which may make a relatively more intuitive operation possible, as compared to the case of an inverse double click. 
     Further, in the case of further double actuations of the first control element, the traction drive unit may be activated with a respective higher drive speed until the maximum drive speed of the traction drive unit is reached. Alternatively, in the case of a repeated double actuation of the first control element, the traction drive unit (e.g., in case the second drive speed is activated) can again be activated at the first drive speed. 
     As a result, an easy change and selection of different speed levels is easily possible. 
     A braking unit may be additionally activated upon, or after, deactivation of the traction drive unit. In this way, the movement of the operating table can be stopped to avoid unsuitable operation. In the case of a non-activated traction drive unit, a movement of the mobile operating table can effectively be stopped in a simplified manner using the braking unit. 
     A second aspect of the present concept relates to a device for operating a mobile operating table having a patient support surface, an operating table column and an operating table column base, wherein the operating table column base has rollers and a traction drive unit for moving the operating table. Further, the device may have a first control element, by the actuation of which a control unit of the device activates the traction drive unit. The control unit may activate the traction drive unit with a first drive speed by a single actuation of the control element. Further, the control unit may activate the traction drive unit with a second drive speed by a double actuation of the control element. In this way, an easy activation and/or change of the drive speed of the traction drive unit of the operating table is possible. 
     The disclosed method may be executed by the control unit controlling the control elements and the traction drive unit. 
     The first and/or second control element can be provided by a remote control (e.g., a non-wireless or a wireless remote control of the operating table) or by control elements directly arranged on the operating table. 
     The speed may change from a standstill to the first drive speed, from the first drive speed to the second drive speed, from the second drive speed to a higher third drive speed, from the third drive speed to the second drive speed, from the second drive speed to the first drive speed, and/or from the first drive speed to a standstill (which may, for example, take place via acceleration ramps, e.g., with a uniform positive or negative acceleration). As a result, jerky accelerations may be avoided and a “soft start” can be accomplished. 
     Further features and advantages of the present apparatus and method may result from the following description, which explains the present apparatus and method in more detail on the basis of embodiments in connection with the enclosed Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a mobile operating table with several components which may be adjustable by an electric motor with the aid of a wireless remote control as well as a traction drive unit for moving the operating table which can be activated via the wireless remote control with two speed levels, the operating table being illustrated in a first lowered position. 
         FIG. 2  shows the operating table according to  FIG. 1  in a second lifted position for moving the operating table. 
         FIG. 3  shows a status diagram of a polling cycle of the actuating element for activating the traction drive unit of the operating table with the first drive speed, and for changing the speed level of the traction drive unit from the first drive speed to the second drive speed. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary remote control for operating an operating table. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a system  10  that may include a remote control  12  having several control elements  14  to  28  (e.g.,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28 ), through which adjustable components  32  to  46  (e.g.,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 ) of a mobile operating table  30  can be adjusted (e.g., can be changed in position and/or with respect to other components  32  to  46 ). The individual components  32  to  46  or groups of these components  32  to  46  may be assigned to the control elements  14  to  24  of the remote control  12  so that when a control element  14  to  24  is actuated a corresponding adjusting action of the component  32  to  46  or a component group assigned to this control element  14  to  24  is performed. The mobile operating table  30  may have an operating table column base, a patient support surface  31  which may comprise the components  32  to  36  and  42  to  46 , and an operating table column  40  arranged between the operating table column base and the patient support surface  31 . Inside the operating table column  40 , a traction drive unit  48  may be arranged which comprises a control unit for controlling the traction drive of the mobile operating table  30 , an electric motor for the traction drive of the mobile operating table  30 , and an accumulator for the energy supply of the control unit and of the electric motor. In the lowered state of the mobile operating table  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the rollers  50  to  56  (e.g.,  50 ,  52 ,  54 , and  56 ) provided for moving the operating table  30  are arranged inside the operating table base and do not project downwardly beyond support elements on which the operating table column base is supported on a floor in the lowered state. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the system  10  according to  FIG. 1  is illustrated, wherein the rollers  50  to  56  of the mobile operating table  30  have been extracted downwardly so that the mobile operating table  30  can be moved with the aid of these rollers  50  to  56 . The rollers  50  to  56  can be brought from their retracted position shown in  FIG. 1  to their extracted position shown in  FIG. 2  by an electric motor and/or an electrically driven or manually actuated hydraulic unit. For extracting the rollers  50  to  56 , the control element  26  may be activated once. When the control element  26  is actuated again (e.g., once), the operating table  30  is again lowered from the lifted position shown in  FIG. 2  into the lowered position shown in  FIG. 1 . When the control element  28  is activated once, the electric motor of the traction drive unit  48  is activated with a first drive speed so that the mobile operating table  30  is driven at this first drive speed in the direction of the arrow P 1 . The drive can take place via one or more rollers  50  to  56 . It is also contemplated that a drive wheel or a drive drum may drive operating table  30 . 
     The traction drive unit  48  or the electric motor remains activated with the first drive speed as long as the control element  28  is actuated. If the actuation of the control element  28  is interrupted for longer than a preset Interruption Period, then the traction drive unit  48  is deactivated (e.g., the drive of the operating table  30  is stopped by the electric motor and a brake being activated). If, on the other hand, the actuation of the actuating element  28  is interrupted for a time period shorter than the Interruption Period and subsequently once again interrupted for the time period shorter than the Interruption Period (e.g., when there is a double actuation of the control element  28 ), a second drive speed of the traction drive unit  48  may be activated. The electric motor may be driven such that it has a correspondingly higher output speed than in the case of the activation of the first drive speed. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     In  FIG. 3 , a state diagram showing states for activating and deactivating the control element  28  is illustrated. After the system has been initialized in step S 10 , the control element  28  is in the state S 12  (e.g., “released”) so that the traction drive unit is deactivated. If it is then detected that the control element  28  has been pressed, a change of state to the state S 14  (e.g., “pressed”) takes place, with a result of the traction drive unit  48  being activated at the first drive speed. If it is determined afterwards that the control element  28  is no longer activated (e.g., it has been released), a change of state from the state S 14  to the state S 16  (e.g., “released for the 1st time”) takes place. 
     If it is determined that the control element  28  is released (deactivated or not actuated) for more than 300 ms, a change of state from the state S 16  into the state S 12  (e.g., “released”) may take place, in which the traction drive unit  48  is deactivated. 
     If, however, the control element  28  is once again activated within these 300 ms, then a change of state from the state S 16  to the state S 18  (e.g., “1st click”) takes place. If the control element  28  is not again released (deactivated or not actuated) within 300 ms, then after 300 ms a change of state from the state S 18  to the state S 14  (e.g., “pressed”) takes place. 
     If however, within these 300 ms, a repeated release of the control element  28  takes place, then a change of state from the state S 18  to the state S 20  (e.g., “released for the 2nd time”) takes place. If the control element  28  is not again activated within 300 ms, a change of state from the state S 20  to the state S 12  (e.g., “released”) takes place, in which the traction drive unit  48  is deactivated. If, however, starting out from the state S 20  another actuation of the control element  28  takes place within 300 ms, then a change of state from the state S 20  to the state S 22  (e.g., “2nd click”) takes place, with the result of the second drive speed of the traction drive unit  48  being activated. If subsequently the control element  28  is not actuated, a change of state from the state S 22  to the state S 12  (e.g., “released”) takes place so that the traction drive unit  48  is deactivated. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a remote control.  FIG. 4  illustrates a remote control  62 , which can be used alternatively to the remote control  12 . The remote control  62  may have a display  64  for the display of information. Further, the remote control  62  may have a plurality of control elements  66  to  112  (e.g.,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112 ) via which different operating inputs for changing the position of the components  32  to  46  of the mobile operating table  30  can be input conveniently. In addition, the remote control  62  may have a control element  26  for extracting the transport rollers  50  to  56  as well as a control element  28  for activating the traction drive unit  48  with the first drive speed by a single actuation and with the second drive speed by a double actuation. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed method and apparatus. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed method and apparatus. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims.