Abstract:
A foot-and-calf support and treatment table for extension, flexion, traction, distraction and lateral movement of the spine and lower body of a patient includes a base adapted to rest upon a floor, and a system support assembly having an upper end and a lower end integrally secured to the base, the support assembly including a pivot axis proximal to upper end. The treatment table also includes a selectable reciprocal extension element having an upper end and a lower end, one end pivotally attached to the system support assembly, the selectable extension elements providing reciprocal movement of the one end relative to an opposite end. The table further includes a rigid support platform having an upper end and a lower end, the platform pivotally secured to the pivot axis of the support assembly and, further, pivotally secured to the one end of the selectable extension element to provide a resultant rotational motion of the support platform. The treatment table yet further includes a body support assembly adjustably positionable relative to the rigid support platform, the assembly having an upper end and a lower end; and an assembly for enabling the patient to remain on the body support assembly during rotational movement.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/661,078, filed Sep. 13, 2000, entitled Multi Function Treatment Table. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The within invention is an improvement of the inventions of my U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,915,101 (1990), 5,922,011 (1999), and that reflected in my application Ser. No. 09/661,078, filed Sep. 13, 2000.  
           [0003]    Numerous devices, including chiropractic, osteopathic, obstetrical, delivery, x-ray and operating tables, which suspend or position a patient in a unique way for some special purpose, are known in the art.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,669 (1971) to Stiles discloses a posture board wherein the patient is rotated 180 degrees from an initial upright position on his back to one of complete inversion hanging by the ankles. With the body hanging freely, normal gravitational pull is reversed thus causing a therapeutic effect on bone structure, spinal column, muscles, internal organs and body fluids.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,681 (1978) to Shanley similarly discloses a tilting traction apparatus where the patient, again lying on his back, is rotated about a pivot point to treat back injury or postural misalignment.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,926 (1981) to Krause presents an apparatus for effecting postural treatment of humans in which the patient, while resting face down on a pivoting platform, can vary the position of his arms, adjust his center of gravity while in suspension and, thereby, affect his posture upon the table.  
           [0007]    It is to be appreciated that the success of any device designated to treat lower back dysfunction is in large part dependent on proper positioning of the patient prior to, during, and after treatment. For example, in standard traction therapy, the patient wears a pelvic harness and is positioned supinely (face up) in bed, with the spine slightly flexed and knees bent. Straps or roping which is attached to the harness are then inserted into a pulley mechanism and weights attached at an opposite end, causing a desired pulling/traction effect. Such pulling traction force produces an elongation of the spinal column (distraction) and a reduction in internal intervertebral disc pressure. This creates a vacuum phenomenon inside the disc, which retracts protruded gelatinous material back into its fibrous casing and off of the spinal nerve roots. With the pain gone and the anatomy restored to its natural state, the traction phase of therapy is complete.  
           [0008]    An alternate theory for accomplishing the same result is based on extension, rather than flexion of the spine, to achieve reduced intradiscal pressure, while simultaneously anatomically moving nerve roots away from the herniated disc.  
           [0009]    While the general principles of flexion and axial traction of the spine are known in the art and have been effected in various strap and/or harness arrangements, either alone or in combination with rotating-pivot type tables as are described above, the inventor has found that both flexion and extension, as well as lateral positioning with traction, can all be beneficial depending upon the patient&#39;s particular ailment or condition.  
           [0010]    As such, there exists a need for a system which combines varying degrees of both traction or distraction with concomitant patient position flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and or axial spinal positioning. The present invention being both beneficial to the patient and convenient to the doctor, fulfills this need in a variety of ways in that the inventive treatment table not only enables rotation of a patient about a pivot point but, additionally, permits the relative, selectable positioning of the patient&#39;s arms, upper torso, legs, lower back, head and shoulders through manual adjustment or an automatic keypad control. The present invention also allows a complete choice as to prone, supine or lateral positioning of the patient prior to treatment. It further enables the doctor to vary the position of the patient prior to and during treatment, and to vary the degree of tractive force applied to the patient by selectably variably rotating the patient platform to increase or decrease the tractional gravitational pull applied through such rotation. There is further provided a “dynamic rotation” into a variable vertical traction position, i.e., the patient stands upright against the table, supported by an adjustable shoulder, arm and hand support and is lifted off the ground, thereby achieving tractional dynamics related to those described above, namely a rapid lengthening of the muscles and longitudinal ligaments of the spine increasing the separation of the intervertebral disc and articular joint spaces. This results in both mobilization of the spine and rapid development through the “disc unloading” of a negative internal disc pressure responsible for causing the vacuum phenomenon for retracting protruding disc material back within the borders of a healthy disc while keeping the patient suspended in mid-air, or while the patient remains standing on a weighted patient platform, utilizing the weight of the lower extremity, the force of gravity, and selected patient anatomical positioning.  
           [0011]    My instant invention therefore defines functionally over the structure of my earlier inventions in the following material respects:  
           [0012]    1. Ability to concurrently or sequentially lift and rotate the patient, thus providing various treatment options to the physician, including more effective traction of vertebral segments prior to and during table and patient rotation, thereby reducing stress on articulate vertebral surfaces of the patient and obtaining a generally more ergonomic patient interface.  
           [0013]    2. Ability to change radius of lower back support assembly, to effectuate varying degrees of lumbar extension and lumbar support, as well as a general mobilization of the lumbar spine (lower back).  
           [0014]    3. Ability to tilt, at a variety of angles, the top or bottom half of the lower back support assembly, allowing a greater range of positions of the patient&#39;s lumbar spine, and to increase or decrease the lumbar lordosis.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    A foot and calf support and treatment table for extension, flexion, traction, distraction and lateral movement of the spine and lower body of a patient is provided. The table more particularly includes a base adapted to rest upon a floor, and system support means having an upper end and a lower end integrally secured to said base, said support means including a pivot axis proximal to said upper end thereof. The treatment table also includes means for selectable reciprocal extension having an upper end and a lower end, one end pivotally attached to said system support means, said selectable extension means providing reciprocal movement of said one end relative to an opposite end thereof. The table further includes a rigid support platform having an upper end and a lower end, said platform pivotally secured to said pivot axis of said support means and, further, pivotally secured to said one end of said selectable extension means, thereby providing a resultant rotational motion of the support platform. The treatment table yet further includes a body support assembly adjustably positionable relative to said rigid support platform, said assembly having an upper end and a lower end; and means for enabling said patient to remain on said body support assembly during rotational movement thereof.  
           [0016]    A principal object of the invention is to provide a multi-purpose table to effectuate flexion, extension, traction, lateral movement and distraction of the spine, as may be required in the treatment of spinal disorders and/or maintenance of proper human posture, in such a manner that the relative positions of the patient&#39;s arms, legs, lower back, head and shoulders can be varied.  
           [0017]    Another object is to provide a multipurpose rotatable traction/treatment table permitting patient rotation and dynamic lifting of a patient while standing, concurrently with selective patient body positionings as may be required in the treatment of disc herniations and other disorders and/or maintenance of proper human posture.  
           [0018]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a treatment table having a range of motion from zero to at least ninety degrees and, within that range, which can pivot from zero to at least ninety degrees, thereby providing the ability to achieve spinal positioning including spinal flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and axial spinal positioning and traction in the absence of a lower leg support assembly enabled by inherent torso support and placement of the human body at or near its center of gravity at the lower back support assembly.  
           [0019]    A still further object is to provide a table which having a variety of pneumatic and other adjustments to permit that patients of widely disparate age, height and weight to be accommodated, without requirement of extended physician set up time.  
           [0020]    Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-purpose table that is simple to operate, weighted and designed for safety so as not to tip, and constructed of quality materials.  
           [0021]    A yet further object is to provide a system in which the position of the upper torso support assembly may be varied relative to the lower back support assembly.  
           [0022]    It is another object to provide a system than can concurrently or sequentially lift and/or rotate the patient, this providing various treatment options to the physician, including more effective and safer traction of vertebral segments.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the inventive multifunction chiropractic treatment table.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is rear diagonal perspective view thereof.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a general side perspective view of the lumbar back support and calf and foot support assemblies.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vertical positioning of the calf/foot support assembly.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 4, however showing the foot support portion elevated relative to the lumbar assembly.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a general view of calf and foot support assembly in which the mid section covers are removed, and showing the side-swing motion mechanism of the system.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the calf and foot support assembly showing the foot-lock housing thereof attached to the foot side brackets.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a side exploded view of the elements of calf-foot support assembly including foot tubing and foot side bracket groups of elements.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 is an exposed view of the interior elements of the calf and foot support assembly.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 is an assembly view of the major components of the calf and foot support assembly.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11 are assembly views of the two major subgroups of the foot and calf support assembly.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 12 is an assembly view, further to FIG. 6, of the elements associated with side-swing motion of the calf/foot support assembly.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]    With reference to the views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the present chiropractic treatment table for effecting extension, flexion, traction and distraction of the spine of a patient, to which the invention relates, may be seen to include a base  10  adapted to rest upon a floor  12  in a typical treatment room of a chiropractor, physical therapist, or other health professionals involved in physical medicine. The chiropractic table may be seen to optionally include a pair of elevation means  14  and  16  to enable positioning of patients of various heights on the table. Elevation means  14  and  16  preferably comprise extensible hydraulic pistons, each including upper ends which support a transverse axle  22 .  
         [0036]    As may be appreciated in the view of FIG. 3, axle  22  is journalled within channel  23  of block support  25  of rigid upper body support frame  26 .  
         [0037]    The instant multi-purpose treatment table thereby includes said upper support frame  26  having an upper part  28  and a lower part  30 . Said lower part  30  of rigid support frame  26  is secured to said pivot block  25  (see FIG. 3) which is rotatable upon said pivot axle  22  at the approximate mid-point of lower part  30  of frame  26 . As may be further noted, said upper part  28  defines a plane which is directed at an angle of about thirty degrees relative to a plane defined by said lower part  30  of the upper support platform  26 . Such an angle is necessary in that it allows the patient&#39;s upper body to be ergonomically supported by a body support assembly  32  (See FIG. 1), permitting the back to extend convexly and backward relative to base  10 . Support assembly  32  is mounted upon said upper part  28  of said rigid support platform  26 . Said body support assembly may or may not be divided into, and may or may not include, moveable sections with hydraulic or pneumatic pistons or other means for elevation and de-elevation of the body support assembly  32 . Said assembly may contain an integral air bladder for additional immobilization.  
         [0038]    With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system may also be seen to optionally include a pair of positionally adjustable arm support means  42  and  44  which are located proximally to the sides of a body support assembly  32 . As is set forth below, said arm support means include a selectably adjustable rear portion  46  which is secured to said upper part  28  of the rigid support platform  26 . Said arm support means  42  and  44  include (i) substantially horizontal arm rests  50 ; (ii) a chest and shoulder support  51  situated posteriorly and angled inwardly in a patient direction from said arm rest; and (iii) a tilted hand grip  52  depending integrally upwardly and inwardly, proximally to said chest and shoulder supports  51 .  
         [0039]    The present treatment table may be seen to further include a lumbar and buttock support assembly  40 , which is displaced from said body support assembly  32 . Lumbar assembly  40  is connected to telescoping piston rods  53  and  55  (see FIG. 3) or other means which provide for elevation and de-elevation thereof. Said assembly may include an internal air cushion in the form of an inflatable air bladder, for added support and tissue mobilization. The same is true of the upper torso support assembly. Foot-and-calf assembly control bar  209  and foot rest  20 A may also be seen in FIG. 1.  
         [0040]    In FIG. 3 is shown a general view of lumbar back assembly  160  and of calf/foot support assembly  200 . Therein, said figure depicts a general position of the lumbar back support assembly in relation to the calf/foot support assembly and rigid support framed  26 , including upper and lower portions of  28  and  30  respectively, associated with the frame  26 . Also, shown in FIG. 3 is lumbar cushion  40  and lumbar cushion hydraulic/pneumatic extension rods  53 / 55  which, in combination with hydraulic pistons  138 / 139 , determine the angle of the lumbar cushion relative to lower portion  30  of the rigid support frame  26 . Said cylinders  138 / 139  rest upon a rigid support frame plate  150  which itself is supported by a rigid support frame space bar  152  and a block support  125  which includes a main horizontal axial channel  23  through which main axial  22  (see FIGS. 1 and 2).  
         [0041]    Further shown in FIG. 3 is calf/foot support link casting  212 , foot tubing  214 , foot rest  202  and ankle cushion  204 , all of calf/foot support assembly  200 . Also shown therein is side-swing mechanism  290  of assembly  200 .  
         [0042]    In FIG. 4 is a more detailed illustration of the calf/foot support assembly and its relationship to rigid frame  26 . More particularly, therein are shown calf/foot support assembly vertical positioning hydraulics  208  and their relationship to said calf/foot support link casting  212  and lumbar support casting  112 . Also shown is link casting axial  213  of the calf/foot support link casting, said side-swing assembly  290  and its transverse bar  215 , foot tubing  214 , side foot bracket  274 , foot lock housing  264 , foot rest  202 , ankle cushion  204 , and calf/foot support assembly control bar  209 . Also shown therein are arrows U, D, R, and L which illustrate the up-down and left-right degrees of freedom of the calf/foot support assembly  200 .  
         [0043]    The foot support assembly is shown in a raised position in FIG. 5. Therein the vertical-positioning hydraulic rods  208  are shown fully retracted, the same corresponding the upper limit of the vertical position of the assembly.  
         [0044]    In FIG. 6 is shown a general view of the foot and calf assembly in which the mid-section covers thereof have been removed. It is noted that the subassemblies of the calf foot support assembly rest upon foot tubing  214  (see also FIG. 5) that is pivotally attached for the calf/foot support link casting  212 , which itself is pivotally attached to the rigid support frame (see axial  213 ) for vertically positioning, thereby permitting the foot/calf support assembly to be lifted up to 30° above the horizontal plane of lower support frame  30  and as much as 15° therebelow.  
         [0045]    Further shown in FIG. 6 are side handles  66  of the system and, with respect to sided-swing assembly  290 , there is shown transverse bar  215 , vertical pivot axle  294  which attaches foot support assembly  200  to foot tubing  214 , solenoid  298 , and solenoid journal plate  299 . Accordingly, upon actuation of the side-swing solenoid  298  by control  303  of the foot support assembly control bar  209 , journal housing plate  299  is rotated to the left upon side swing control bar  292  and, therewith, the calf/foot support assembly  200 .  
         [0046]    In FIG. 7 is shown the bottom view of the assembly  200  inclusive of foot side brackets  274 . In said figure a foot mechanical lock  266  is fixed to foot lock housing  264  by two mechanical lock brackets  268  and  269 . A mechanical lock rod  220  is rigidly screwed onto a thrust plate  226  of the assembly  200 . When mechanical lock solenoid  276  is activated, said mechanical lock  266  is released from mechanical lock rod  220 , permitting foot-lock housing  264  to slide along the mechanical lock rod, thereby adjusting the overall length of the foot/calf support assembly  200 . To accommodate different patient heights before the assembly is locked into position. During powered foot traction operation of the system, hydraulic rod  220 , spring assembly  224 , thrust plate  226  and the entire foot side bracket group  260  (in FIG. 11), move in unison.  
         [0047]    In the exploded view of FIG. 8 may be seen the front half of foot side brackets  274  and middle slides  228 . Therein hydraulic cylinder  218 , is mounted inside of foot tubing  214 , from which hydraulic rod  220  is powered. The other end of the hydraulic rod is rigidly fixed into spring assembly  224  which in turn is mounted upon thrust plate  226 . Said plate is itself mounted on middle slides  228  for hydraulic/pneumatic linear traction. Middle slides  228  slide upon outer slides  216 .  
         [0048]    Also attached to thrust plate  226  is said mechanical lock rod  220  which extends in parallel with the rest of foot tubing group  210 . Inner slides  270  of foot side bracket group  260  are inserted into said middle slides  228  to enable linear movement. Mechanical lock  266 , which is fixed to foot side bracket group  260  through the housing thereof, slides along mechanical lock rod  220  as the foot side bracket group  260  moves linearly relative to the foot tubing group  210 . The sliding movement of foot side bracket group  260  is used for patient height adjustment.  
         [0049]    After mechanical lock  216  is locked upon mechanical lock rod  220 , said foot side bracket group is locked relative to hydraulic rod  221  which can then be used to provide linear traction power to the foot side bracket group  260 . Such power traction is linearly guided by said middle slides  228  moving into outer slides  216 , as well as by the action of hydraulic cylinder  218  itself, which is a foot traction cylinder.  
         [0050]    In FIG. 9 is shown an exposed view of foot and calf support assembly  200  including, particularly, the foot tubing group  210  thereof. Foot tubing  214  may be seen, revealing hydraulic cylinder  218  which is located therein. Further shown is one of foot side brackets  274 . It may be further seen that hydraulic rod  221  is connected to shock absorbing spring assembly  224  that is attached to thrust plate  226  which, in turn, is mounted upon middle slides  228  upon each side thereof. Inner slides  270  are fixed to the inside of foot side brackets  274 . Outer slides  216  are externally attached to the sides of foot tubing  214 . Middle slides  228  and inner slides  270  are indirectly locked by a mechanical lock in the foot lock housing  264  to insure transfer of hydraulic power to the foot side brackets. Also shown in FIG. 9 is load cell  219  which monitors over-pressure conditions at a proximal output of hydraulic cylinder  218 , and vertical axial  294  upon which foot tubing  214  rotates.  
         [0051]    In FIG. 10 is shown major components of foot and calf support assembly  200  including foot/calf support link casting  212 , vertical axial  294 , foot tubing  214 , transverse side-swing bar  215 , ball-bearing slide assembly  232 , foot lock housing  230 , foot side bracket  274 , and thrust plate  226 . Therein, foot tubing  214  houses a foot traction hydraulic assembly (not shown) and pivots horizontally upon axial  294  of foot support link casting  218 . Ankle cushion, foot support assembly control bar (both not shown), and ankle harnesses mount on the foot side brackets and are slidably mounted upon foot tubing  214  by ball bearing slide assembly  232 . As noted in FIG. 7, a mechanical locking assembly is located inside of foot lock housing  230  and operates to unlock the main components of the foot assembly when patient height adjustment is required.  
         [0052]    In FIG. 11 is shown foot tubing group  210  and foot side bracket group  260 . Therein, the foot bracket group is pivotally attached to the foot support link casting  212  by vertical axial  294 , and houses the foot traction hydraulic assembly inclusive of hydraulic cylinder  218 , hydraulic rod  220 , and spring assembly  224 .  
         [0053]    Foot side bracket group  260  is slidably attached to the foot tubing group  210  by means of said inner slides  270 , middle slides  228 , and outer slides  216 . Individual adjustments to accommodate patients heights are made by allowing mechanical lock  266  to slide upon mechanical lock rod  222 , thus locking foot mechanical lock to the mechanical lock rod after an adjustment of relative position of foot side bracket group  260  to the hydraulic rod  220  of the foot tubing group  210 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 12, which is related to FIG. 6, is an illustration of the side-swing motion and side-swing motion assembly  290  of the foot/calf support assembly  200 . Therein foot support assembly is pivotally attached to foot/calf support link casting  212  at pivot axial  294  to effect sideway (left and right) movements of the calf and leg. The side-swing mechanical lock assembly (described more fully above in FIG. 6) links to foot tubing  216  through linear rod of  294  which connects journal plate  299  of the side-swing assembly  290  to transverse bar  215  which rests upon ball bearing slide assembly  232 . (See also FIG. 10). Thereby, actuation of side-swing solenoid  298  by side motion control switch  303  will govern of the left to right motion of the foot support assembly. Once locked by side-swing mechanical lock  301 , the relative side-ays angle of the foot support assembly  200  relative to rigid frame  30  is maintained.  
         [0055]    As also shown in FIG. 12 are the controls associated with calf/foot support assembly control bar  209 , namely, power traction Y axis control switches  300  and  302  as well as patient height, Y axis adjustment switch  304 . Also shown in FIG. 12 is LCD reader  207 , a foot rest  202 , ankle cushion  204 , and ankle strap brackets  203 .  
         [0056]    It is to be understood that FIGS. 1 and 2 further illustrates a system control  74  for use by the doctor which includes the following functions buttons:  
                                               1.   TBL LFT   =   Table Lift.       2.   TBL LWR   =   Table Lower.       3.   ROT BACK   =   Rotate Table Back.       4.   ROT FWD   =   Rotate Table Forward.       5.   ARM UP   =   Translational Arm Height Up.       6.   ARM DWN   =   Translational Arm Height Down.       7.   OPEN       8.   OPEN       9.   ARM R. UP   =   Arm Rotate Up.       10.   ARM R. DOWN   =   Arm Rotate Down.       11.   LUM IN   =   Lumbar In       12.   LUM OUT   =   Lumbar Out       13.   OPEN       14.   OPEN       15.   RBK TL   =   Rotate Table Back with Table Lift.       16.   RFW TLW   =   Rotate Table Forward with Table                   and Lower Table.       17.   SAFETY ON AND OFF   =   A safety on and off button is                   included which stops pneumatic/                   hydraulic piston and ceases all                   table movement.                  
 
         [0057]    As a safety measure, controls may also be incorporated into overhead gripping means  54  or into handgrips  42  (see FIGS. 1 and 2), with optional patient control of other functions.  
         [0058]    While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention.