Abstract:
A modular support structure for a device consists of module components of different module component types. The number of different module component types may be restricted in order to enable a particularly simple construction of the support structure. The module component types comprise a plate-like sheet and a u-shaped bent sheet having link plates arranged on both sides.

Description:
[0001]     This patent document claims the benefit of DE 10 2006 012 643.2 filed Mar. 20, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present embodiments relate to a modular support structure for a medical device.  
         [0003]     Medical devices and systems composed of several components are placed on support structures or accommodated therein. The support structures correspond to certain standards with respect to stability, functionality, space requirements, and optical characteristics. Support structures often include numerous components exhibiting different shapes and sizes and are connected to one another in different manners. Generally, the assembly of multipart support structures is difficult and a conversion is generally not possible. The possible applications of the multipart support structures is restricted.  
         [0004]     A single housing is described in DE 34 21 551 A1. The single housing includes two u-shaped housing parts of the same or of different widths. The single housing is assembled by joining the housing parts by way of their legs.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the drawbacks or limitations inherent in the related art. For example, in one embodiment, a modular support structure is easy to manufacture and assemble.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, a modular support structure for a medical device includes different module component types. The number of different module component types is restricted. For example, one module component type may be a plate-like sheet and another module component type may be a u-shaped bent sheet having link plates arranged on both sides.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the support structure is easy to assemble and/or convert as a result of the restricted number of different module component types and at the same time offers very high functionality. The module component types, for example, the u-shaped bent sheet and the plate-like sheet, can be connected to one another in various manners and in numerous different designs. Sheets may be used. The strength of the sheets may be adjusted to the respective requirements and loads, so that a satisfactory stability is ensured.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment, only the plate sheet and the u-shaped bent sheet are used as module component types. These two module component types are easy to manufacture and are characterized by their almost unrestricted applications. The plate sheet and the u-shaped bent sheet may be connected to one another in numerous combinations, which form a support structure that can be easily added to or converted to other connections or arrangements.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the u-shaped bent sheets and the plate sheets include a side with the same length. The u-shaped bent sheets and the plate sheets may be connected to one another on their sides of the same length without the need for any adjustments.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, the module components are permanently connected to one another, for example, welded or screwed to one another. The sheets may include boreholes. New boreholes may be applied if necessary.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, two different module component types are connected to one another. Plate-sheets are attached to the link plates, which forms a side wall of the support structure. The plate-sheets are exclusively attached to the link plates. A link and plate/sheet connection is provided.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, a cladding is applied to the support structure. The module components include boreholes that accommodate cladding holders. The cladding holders are disposed in a predetermined grid. The cladding holders may be, for example, screwed or snapped into the boreholes.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment, the u-shaped bent sheets are arranged in pairs and are arranged at a distance from one another. The link plates of each pair are oriented opposite from each other. The link plates of each pair are connected on both sides by a plate-sheet. A number of small storage areas are partially surrounded by the u-shaped bent sheets and are suitable for accommodating smaller components of a medical system or fitting.  
         [0014]     In one embodiment, the u-shaped bent sheets are arranged in pairs at a distance from one another and are arranged with link sheets oriented toward one another. The link sheets of each pair are connected on both sides by a plate sheet. Storage areas are formed, which are restricted laterally by four walls and may be used to monitor medical devices or fittings. The size of these storage areas may be varied by adjusting the distance between the u-shaped bent sheets.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, the u-shaped bent sheets are arranged in pairs at a distance from one another. The link sheets are oriented toward one another. The link sheets of each pair are only connected to one side by a plate-sheet. In this embodiment, storage areas are open on one side, which provides easier access to the storage areas.  
         [0016]     The support structures may include a plate base sheet and/or a plate cover sheet. The frames formed from the u-shaped bent sheets and the plate-sheets are permanently connected to the base and/or cover sheet. The rigidity of the support construction is increased because of the permanent connection. A cover sheet may be used as a support. A medical device, parts of the medical system, or fittings for medical systems may be placed on the cover sheet. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of t a support structure that includes module component types,  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a support structure,  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a support structure, and  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a support structure.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     Identical reference characters are given the same meaning in the figures.  
         [0022]     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the modular support structure  14  is formed with module component types. The module component types include a u-shaped bent sheet  2  and a plate sheet  4 . The plate sheet  4  may be a connecting plate that connects two or more u-shaped bent sheets.  
         [0023]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , two plate sheets  6 ,  8  are used as a cover sheet  6  and a base sheet  8 . The two plate sheets  6 ,  8  include a larger thickness than the sheet  4 . The u-shaped bent sheet  2  includes a front wall  10 . The front wall  10  may be restricted on two opposing sides by two link plates  12 . The two link plates  12  deflect perpendicular to the front wall  10 . The link plates  12  may extend along the whole side of the front wall  10 . In an alternative embodiment, the link plates  12  may be shorter than the side of the front wall  1 . Two rows of link plates  12  may be distanced from one another on both sides of the front wall  10 .  
         [0024]     The sides of the front wall  10  on which the link plates are arranged include a length L of a side of the plate-like sheet  4 . The plate sheet  4  overlaps the link plates  12 . The plate sheet  4  is affixed to the link plates  12  in a form-fitted or force-fitted manner. The plate sheets  4  form a side wall of the support structure  14 .  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, the module components  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8  include boreholes that accommodate cladding holders. The cladding holders may form a grid. The boreholes can also be used to connect the module components  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8  with one another, for example, by screwing or punch welding.  
         [0026]     The variety of different constructions, which can be set up with the aid of the module component types according to  FIG. 2 , is shown in  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4  by way of three exemplary embodiment variants of a support structure  14 .  
         [0027]     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the support structure  14  includes two u-shaped bent sheets  2 . The two u-shaped bent sheets  2  are arranged at a distance from one another. The link plates  12  are oriented opposite (away) from each other. The link plates  12  may be arranged on both sides of the sheets  2 . The link plates  12  are connected by a plate sheet  4 . The plate sheets  4  are connected to the link plates  12 , for example, by screwing or welding. The frame is arranged perpendicular to a base plate  8 . The frame may be welded to the base plate  8 . Two storage areas  16  are partially enclosed by the u-shaped bent sheets  2 . The storage areas  16  are enclosed from below by the base plate  8 . The cover sheet  6  can likewise be placed on the frame that includes the u-shaped bent sheets  2  and plate sheets  4 . The cover sheet  6  then encloses the storage area  16  from above. The storage areas  16  are open on at least on one side and may be used to mount (store) the components of a medical apparatus. Further parts of the medical apparatus may be positioned on the cover plate  6 .  
         [0028]     In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the support structure  14  includes u-shaped bent sheets  2  that are arranged at a further distance from one another than in  FIG. 2 . The link plates  12  are oriented toward one another. The two bent sheets  2  are connected on both sides by a plate sheet  4 . A square storage area is thus produced, which is restricted from below by means of the base plate  8 . The individual module components  2 ,  4 ,  8  of the support structure  14  are also permanently connected to one another in this exemplary embodiment, e.g. by welding or screwing. A medical device or fitting, which is positioned from above, can be reliably stored in the storage area  16 .  
         [0029]     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the support structure  14  includes two u-shaped bent sheets  2  that are only connected to one another on one side by a connecting plate  4 . The construction of the support structure  14  shown in  FIG. 4  is otherwise similar to the support structure  14  shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the storage area  16  is open on one side, so that lateral access to a medical system, which is accommodated in the storage area  16 , is maintained. The storage area  16  may be enclosed from above by the cover sheet  6 . Further medical devices may be arranged on the cover sheet  6 , with access to the system stored in the storage area also being possible.  
         [0030]     Suitable cladding parts allow the storage areas  16  to be sealed, for example, by doors. A medical device or fitting may be placed in and/or onto a cabinet or floor unit formed by the support structure  14  and cladding parts.  
         [0031]     In one embodiment, cladding may not be needed because of the processing quality when connecting the bent sheets  2  or the plate sheets  4 .  
         [0032]     In one embodiment, the plate sheets  4  and/or the unshaped bent sheets  2  include material cut-outs. Material cut-outs permit access to the storage areas  16  when the support structure  14  is in an assembled state.  
         [0033]     While the invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.