Abstract:
A patient table, which is movable in at least one of a vertical direction and a tiltable direction. The patient table comprises: a base; a patient support surface; a support mechanism connected to the base and the support mechanism moving the patient support surface in at least one of a vertical direction and a tiltable direction; and a telescopic cover enclosing the support mechanism, the telescopic cover expanding and constructing with movement of the support mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an adjustable patient table for supporting patients during medical procedures. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to a telescoping cover that encloses the moving parts of the table while affording a full range of motion to the medical patient support system. 
     Adjustable patient tables exist in a wide range of medical patient support systems for medical applications, each designed to be used for specific medical procedures. The medical patient support system typically includes two or three essential components, namely a patient support surface that is attached to a support apparatus and an adjustable mechanism that moves the patient table in various directions, including up and down and/or side to side. The adjustable mechanism may be manually operated or may be power assisted. The ability to position patients quickly and accurately during medical procedures is important to clinicians, because stopping a procedure to reposition a patient can be time consuming and sometimes even dangerous. 
     Conventional medical patient support systems typically provide two degrees of freedom corresponding to lateral roll and tilt. The adjustable mechanism usually includes moving parts that may be dangerous if exposed. There is a need therefore for a system that covers the adjustable mechanism. Additionally, a need has existed for a cover system that does not restrict the patient support system&#39;s operation. A need has also existed for a cover system that is safe, is easy to clean, and is aesthetically acceptable. 
     Although cover systems have been provided for covering the adjustable mechanism of medical support systems, such cover systems do so at the expense of safety, cleanability and aesthetics. For example, one cover system has been proposed that uses bellows to cover the entire adjustable mechanism. A bellows design, however, is very difficult to clean because it does not provide hard, flat surfaces. A bellows design is also aesthetically unacceptable. Another system has been proposed that uses sheet metal covers that move with the adjustable mechanism. A sheet metal design, however, is unsafe because the metal covers could potentially pinch the patient or care taker&#39;s skin in between the metal covers when the system is moving. A sheet metal system is also aesthetically unacceptable. 
     A need, therefore, exists for an improved medical patient support system that provides a patient table permitting a full range of motion of the patient table while enclosing the adjustable mechanism in a safe, easy to clean and aesthetically acceptable way. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a medical patient support system is provided comprising a patient support surface, a support mechanism, a base and a cover system for enclosing the support mechanism. The cover system includes telescoping cover panels. The cover system encloses the support mechanism as the support mechanism moves the patient table up and down and tiltably left or right. 
     One aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use of spring loaded telescoping rods to achieve the desired movement of the cover panels. Another aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes stop limits on the telescoping rods. 
     One aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is the use of cover panels having flat rectangular surfaces. Another aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a smooth material on the inside of the cover panel. 
     These and other features of the preferred embodiment are discussed or will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a patient support system employing the cover system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a cover system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional side view of a cover system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional side view of a cover system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention when the system is fully collapsed. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate sectional views of a spring loaded telescoping rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of a telescoping rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention when the system is fully extended. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a patient support system with a patient table, adjustable mechanism and base according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a bracket and arms for supporting cover panels according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of a spring loaded telescoping rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG.  1  and FIG. 8 illustrate a patient support system  100  with a telescoping cover  140  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The patient support system  100  includes a patient support surface  110  provided on a support apparatus  115 , an adjustable mechanism  120 , a base  130 , and a cover system  140  enclosing the adjustable mechanism  120 . The base  130  includes a support structure  150 , which supports the patient support system, and may include wheels  160  to allow the support patient support system to be moved. The adjustable mechanism  120  is attached to and supported by the base  130 . The adjustable mechanism  120  can move the patient support surface  110  up and down and tilt the patient support surface left or right. The adjustable mechanism  120  includes lift columns  302 , as shown in FIG. 8, that can raise or lower the patient support surface  110 . The adjustable mechanism  120  includes lift actuators  310  as shown in FIG. 8, that can tilt and/or roll the patient support surface  110 . The patient support surface  110  is attached to and supported by the adjustable mechanism  120 . The cover system  140  encloses the adjustable mechanism  120 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a top isometric view of an exemplary cover system  140  that is formed in a telescoping configuration. The cover system  140  includes four cover panels, namely a top cover panel  200 , an upper intermediate cover panel  210 , a lower intermediate cover panel  220  and a base cover panel  230 . The cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220  and  230  are formed as rectangular shells with flat sides, each shell has an inner dimension that is greater than an outer peripheral dimension of the next lower shell. Optionally, the cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220  and  230  may be a different shape such as circular, triangular, oval, octagonal and the like depending in part on the shape of the underlying structure to be covered. Hence, the outer peripheral dimension of cover panel  230  is smaller than, and slidably receivable within, the interior dimension of cover panel  220 . Similarly, the outer peripheral dimension of cover panel  220  is smaller than, and slidably receivable within, the interior dimension of cover panel  210 . The outer peripheral dimension of cover panel  210  is smaller than, and slidably receivable within, the interior dimension of cover panel  200 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, cover panels  210 ,  220  and  230  are slidably connected by lower and upper telescoping rods  240 ,  250  which are mounted at interior corners of cover panels  210 ,  220  and  230 . Optionally, the telescoping rods  240 ,  250  may be located at less than all four corners, such as at three corners, or two opposed corners, and the like. Each corner panel  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230  includes a shelf  205 ,  215 ,  225  and  235 , respectively, around the upper rim to prevent the cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230  from collapsing onto one another beyond a maximum desired amount. 
     Lower ends of the lower telescoping rods  240  are slidably received in blocks  260  at the interior corners of the base cover panel  230  and upper ends of the lower telescoping rods  240  are mounted to brackets  265  secured to the interior corners of the lower intermediate cover panel  220 . The lower telescoping rods  240  are attached to the bracket  265  at position  270 . The upper end of the upper telescopic rods  250  are mounted to brackets  275  secured to the interior corners of the upper cover panel  230 . The upper telescoping rods  250  are attached to the brackets  275  at position  280  and the lower end of the upper telescoping rods  250  are slidably received through the lower telescoping rods  240 . In another preferred embodiment the telescoping rods  240 ,  250  are attached to the cover panels  210 ,  220  by snapping into grooves in shelves  215 ,  225 . 
     The telescoping rods  240 ,  250  have stop limits  295  that determine the distance cover panels  210 ,  220  and  230  can be raised. The stop limits  295  may be a flared rib or a flange around the exterior of the bottom end of the telescoping rods  240 ,  250 . The stop limit  295  engages a bushing or guide portion  504  formed on an upper end in the interior of the channel through the lower telescoping rod  240 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the springs  500  may act as the stop limits. In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 10, the spring  500  is held on the lower end of the upper telescoping rod  250  by a flange  502 . The upper end of the spring  500  engages a bushing  504  located on the interior of the upper end of the lower telescoping rod  240 . As the upper and lower telescoping rods  250  and  240  are fully extended the springs  500  compresses gradually, thereby providing a gradual stop to the telescoping motion. FIGS. 3 and 7 illustrate the upper and lower telescoping rods  250  and  240  fully extended. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the upper telescoping rod  250  and lower telescoping rod  240  fully collapsed. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the adjustable mechanism  120  in more detail. The adjustable mechanism  120  includes lift columns  302  securely mounted on the support structure  150  and extending upward therefrom. A platform  304  is mounted to the lift columns  302 . Multiple lifting actuators  310  are attached to the platform  304 . The primary lifting columns  302  move the patient support surface  110  upward and downward as the primary lifting columns  302  expand and contract. Lifting actuators  310  are mounted to the platform  304 . The lifting actuators  310  may be configured in a pair arranged side beside relative to the support apparatus  115 . When the lifting actuators  310  are moved together in the same direction, the patient support surface  110  is tilted upward and downward along the direction of arrow A (FIG.  8 ). When the lifting actuators  310  are moved in different directions (or one of the lifting actuators  310  is maintained stationary while expanding or contracting the other of the lifting actuators  310 ), the patient support surface  110  is rolled from side to side along the direction of arrow B (FIG.  1 ). 
     Side brackets  312  are provided on either side of the adjustable mechanism  120  and mounted to the platform  304 . The side brackets extend upward along either side of the primary lifting columns  302 . Upper ends of the side brackets  312  include support flanges  314  flared outward and extending along a length of the side brackets  312 . The support flanges  314  are configured to rest under and be secured to opposite sides of the shelf  205 . 
     The platform  304  further includes front arms  316  located at the front opposed corners of the platform  304 . The front arms  316  extend upward and include pads  318  on the upper ends thereof. The pads  318  are received under the shelf  215  on the upper intermediate cover panel  210 . Projections  320  are located near the rear end of the side brackets  312  and extend outward from the side brackets  312 . The projections  320  include pads  322  extending upward therefrom. The pads  322  also are aligned to be received under and engage the shelf  215  on the upper intermediate cover panel  210 . Optionally, pins may be used instead of pads  318 ,  322  and shelf  215  may include holes that align with the pins. When the lifting columns  302  are extended, the platform  304  and thus the arms  316  and the projections  320  are lifted. As the arms  316  and projections  320  raise, the pads  318  and  322  engage the shelf  215  and begin to lift the upper intermediate cover panel  210 . 
     In operation, movement of the adjustable mechanism  120  causes the top cover panel  200  to move. Movement of the adjustable mechanism  120  also will move the upper intermediate cover panel  210  by the arms  316  and projections  320  attached to the adjustable mechanism  120 . The arms  316  and projections  320  are positioned to engage and begin raising the upper intermediate cover panel  210  when the bottom of the top cover panel  200  meets the top of the upper intermediate cover panel  210 . As the upper intermediate cover panel  210  moves vertically, the upper telescoping rods  250  also move vertically. The upper telescoping rods  250  include stop limits  295  that stop the rods  250  from extending past a certain height. When the upper telescoping rods  250  reach the fully extended position, the upper telescoping rods  250  pull the lower intermediate cover panel  220  vertically as the lower telescopic rods  240  begin to be raised. The lower telescoping rods  240  also include stop limits  295  that prevent extension past a certain height. The stop limits  295  prevent cover panels  210  and  220  from being overly lifted and therefore exposing the adjustable mechanism  120 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, bellows  400  are connected between the bottom of the patient support surface  110  and the top of the top cover panel  200 . The bellows  400  are flexed as the support apparatus  15  is tilted or rolled front to back or side to side. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the telescoping rods  240 ,  250  are spring  500  loaded. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate spring  500  loaded telescoping rods  240 ,  250 . As the adjustable mechanism  120  moves down vertically, the spring  500  loaded telescoping rods  240 ,  250  move the cover panels  210 ,  220  down. The springs  500  impart a negative force on the cover panels. 
     The height of the cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230  is determined by the range of motion and distance required by the adjustable mechanism  120 . The required range of motion may also determine the number of cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 . 
     In the one embodiment, a smooth material is placed on the inside walls of the cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220  to prevent scraping and rubbing. This material may be a polyethylene tape which is commercially available. 
     Alternatively, the embodiments are not limited to four cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 . Instead, fewer or more cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230  may be employed. For example, three cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  230  may be employed. In such a system, the top cover panel  200  may be attached to the adjustable mechanism  120  by brackets  312 . The intermediate cover panel  210  may be supported by front arms  316  and rear projections  320  attached to the adjustable mechanism  120 . In such a system there may be none or only one set of telescopic rods  250 . 
     Alternatively, the preferred embodiments are not limited to attaching the top cover panel  200  to brackets  312  and the upper intermediate cover  210  to front arms  316  and rear projections  320 . Instead, the front arms  316  and rear projections  320  could be removed and additional telescopic rods  240 ,  250  added to the top cover panel  200 . In such a system, the adjustable mechanism  120  would raise the top cover panel  200 . The upper intermediate cover panel  210  and the lower intermediate cover panel  220  would then be raised by the telescoping rods as described herein. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, in operation, a patient may be positioned on the patient support surface  110 . Then, the adjustable mechanism  120  may raise the patient support surface  110  to position the patient at the proper height. As the adjustable mechanism  120  raises the patient support surface  110  the top cover panel  200  is raised. As the adjustable mechanism  120  raises the patient support surface  110  to where the top cover panel  200  meets the top of the upper intermediate cover panel  210  the arms  316  and rear projections  320  begin to raise the upper intermediate cover panel  210 . As the adjustable mechanism  120  raises the patient support surface  110  past the upper intermediate telescopic rods&#39;  250  stop limit, the lower intermediate cover  220  is raised by the upper intermediate telescopic rods  250 . The adjustable mechanism  120  may continue to raise the patient support surface until the lower intermediate telescopic rods  240  reach their stop limit. 
     To retract or lower the patient, the adjustable mechanism  120  lowers the patient support surface  110 . As the adjustable mechanism  120  lowers the patient support surface  110 , the cover panels  200  and  210  are retracted by the spring loaded telescopic rods  240 ,  250 . The adjustable mechanism  120  may lower the patient support surface  110  until the top cover panel  200  is fully collapsed over the other cover panels  210 , 220 ,  230 . FIG. 4 illustrates the cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230  in a fully collapsed position. The covering system of the preferred embodiment retracts to a low height because the cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 , 230  overlap one another. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an adjustable patient support system with an enclosed adjustable mechanism  120  that is safer, easier to clean and aesthetically superior to the prior art. The covering system  140  is safer than the prior art because the telescopic cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230  do not have any pinch points that could injure patients or care takers. The covering system  140  also prevents gaps between cover panels  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230  by including telescopic rods  240 ,  250  with stop limits and that are spring  500  loaded. The cover system  140  provides hard, flat surfaces that can all be exposed and therefore can be easily cleaned by conventional methods. The covering system  140  is also aesthetically acceptable because it can be painted to match the patient support system. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.