Abstract:
An MRI transfer table is provided for transporting a patient and transferring a patient to an MRI table associated with an MRI apparatus. The MRI transfer table includes a mobile frame, a patient support and a series of connectors for detachably connecting the patient support to the mobile frame. In use, the MRI transfer table is aligned with the MRI apparatus and the MRI table is projected underneath the patient support of the MRI transfer table. The patient support is disconnected from the mobile frame and allowed to rest on the MRI table. Thereafter the mobile frame is moved from the MRI apparatus and the MRI table with the patient support thereon retracted into the MRI apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from the following U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 61/222,319 filed on Jul. 1, 2009. That application is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to safety transfer devices for transferring patients from one structure to another, and more particularly to a transfer table for transferring a patient onto the table of an MRI apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The many problems dealing with the safe transfer of patients from one structure to another are well documented. Not only is there a danger in harming the patient but recent studies have shown a substantial increase in injuries incurred by nurses, attendants and other healthcare providers in connection with transferring patients from, for example, beds, tables and wheelchairs to another support device. This is especially true in handling obese patients. 
     This problem exists in many areas but one area that has not received a great deal of attention is the problem of transferring non-mobile patients from a stretcher to an MRI table. There are transfer boards used to transfer patients from a stretcher to an MRI table. But still, nurses and other attendants and healthcare professionals have to pull or lift the patient from the stretcher onto the MRI table. In some cases transfer devices have been employed that comprise sheet material of a relatively low friction that is used to slide the patient from the stretcher to the MRI table. But again the patient has to be pulled and physically moved from the stretcher to the MRI table. There are other patient transfer devices but they are not compatible with MRI tables. For a more comprehensive review of the prior art in patient transfer and handling systems, see Exhibit 1 attached, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention entails an MRI transfer table comprising a mobile frame, a patient support, and a series of connectors for detachably connecting the patient support to the mobile frame. In use, the MRI transfer table is aligned with the MRI table such that the patient support is elevated slightly higher than the top surface of the MRI table. The MRI transfer table includes a generally open front frame structure that enables the MRI table to be projected underneath the patient support. The MRI table is raised such that the top surface lies just below the bottom surface of the patient support. Through a series of connectors, the patient support is disconnected from the mobile frame, leaving the patient support supported on the top surface of the MRI table. Now the mobile frame, without the patient support, can be retracted, leaving the patient supported on the MRI table. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the MRI transfer table. 
         FIG. 1   a  is a fragmentary perspective view of the MRI transfer table showing the patient support disconnected from the mobile frame structure of the transfer table. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the MRI transfer table with the patient support removed from the mobile frame structure. 
         FIGS. 3-8  are a sequence of views showing how the MRI transfer table is used in conjunction with an MRI apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the MRI transfer table being aligned with the MRI table. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the MRI transfer table being rolled over the MRI table. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the MRI transfer table being moved further towards the MRI apparatus and the MRI table being further projected underneath the patient support of the MRI transfer table. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing how the patient support is disconnected from the mobile frame structure of the MRI transfer table. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the mobile support structure being removed from the MRI table. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the patient support of the MRI transfer table being disposed on the MRI table. 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary sectional view showing an alternate embodiment for the patient support. 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing another alternate design for the patient support. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     With further reference to the drawings, particularly  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the MRI transfer table is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral  10 . As used herein, the term “MRI” means a medical imaging device, system or apparatus. Therefore, the MRI transfer table includes a transfer table designed to transfer a patient to a CT scanning device for example, or to any medical imaging device. MRI transfer table  10  includes a mobile frame structure indicated generally by the number  12 , a patient support indicated generally by the numeral  14 , and a series of connectors, each indicated generally by the numeral  16  where the connectors function to detachably connect the patient support  14  to the mobile frame  12 . 
     Turning to the mobile frame structure  12 , the frame structure includes a lower base frame, which in one embodiment illustrated, includes side members  20  and  22 , and end members  24  and  26 . An intermediate member  28  extends transversely across and between the side members  20  and  22 . Various types of materials can be utilized for the mobile frame structure  12 , but in the embodiment illustrated herein, the structural members comprising the frame structure are metal. Further, the particular elements or members constituting the mobile frame structure  12  can be secured together by conventional means including weldment, bolts and other types of fasteners. Secured to the lower base frame is a series of wheels  30 . In the embodiment illustrated herein there is provided a wheel on each corner of the lower frame and a wheel adjacent opposite ends of the intermediate member  28 . 
     Extending upwardly from the lower base frame is a series of upright posts  32 . Note that there are two upright posts  32  extending upwardly from one end portion of the lower base frame and another pair of upright posts  32  extending upwardly intermediately the base frame adjacent the intermediate member  28 . 
     Also forming a part of the mobile frame structure  12  is an upper frame. The upper frame is supported by the uprights  32 . Note in  FIG. 1  where the left most end of the upper frame is open about one end. More particularly, the upper frame includes a pair of parallel side members  36  and  38 . About one end of the upper frame there is provided an end member  40  that extends across and between side members  36  and  38 . See  FIG. 2 . Opposite end member  40  is an open end indicated by the numeral  42 . See  FIG. 2 . 
     Supported on the mobile frame structure  12  is a patient support indicated generally by the numeral  14 . In the embodiment illustrated herein the patient support  14  is elongated and is constructed of non-metallic material. In various embodiments the patient support  14  is constructed of wood or plastic, or a combination of wood and plastic, and may include an outer upholstered surface. 
     The MRI transfer table  10  includes a plurality of connectors  16  for detachably connecting the patient support  14  to the mobile frame structure  12 . As will be appreciated from subsequent portion of this disclosure, the connectors  16  include a series of pins that are supported on the mobile frame structure  12  and which project into apertures or receivers in the side edges of the patient support  14 . In an attached position, the pins project into the apertures or receivers of the patient support  14 . In a detached position, the pins are retracted from the apertures and the patient support  14  can be moved independently of the mobile frame structure  12 . 
     Continuing to refer to the drawings, the MRI transfer table  10  includes a pair of side railings, each side railing being indicated generally by the numeral  150 . Each side railing  150  includes a lower member  150 A and an upper member  1508 . The upper member  150 B is rotatable with respect to the lower member  150 A by conventional means. That is, the upper member  150 B is rotatable from its operative position shown in  FIG. 1  to a downward inoperative position. When the side railings  150  assumes the downward inoperative position, this enables a patient to be easily placed on the patient support  14  or removed therefrom. 
     A part of the connecting structure is integrated into the side railings  150 . In particular, there is provided a series of connecting pins  54  that project inwardly from each side railing  150 . This is particularly illustrated in  FIG. 1   a . Connecting pins  54  are designed to be inserted into apertures or receivers  14 A that are provided in the side edges of the patient support  14 . See  FIG. 1   a.    
     Also forming a part of the connecting structure is a series of sleeves  50  that are mounted to upper supports  36  and  38  by mounts  52 . Sleeves  50  are particularly spaced to align with the connecting pins  54  extending from the side railings  150 . Each sleeve  50  includes both a horizontal bore and a vertical bore. The connecting pins  54  slide into the horizontal bores of the sleeves  50 . Each connecting pin  54  has at least one transverse opening formed therein for receiving a locking pin. In addition to the horizontal bore, each sleeve  50  includes a vertical bore for receiving a locking pin  58 . When the side railings assume their innermost position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the respective connecting pins  54  connect through the respective sleeves  50  into the apertures  14 A formed in the side edges of the patient support  14 . To lock the locking pins  54  in place, the locking pins  58  are inserted downwardly through the vertical bores of the sleeves  50  such that the locking pins extend through the transverse opening formed in the respective connecting pins  54 . This securely anchors the connecting pins  54  in place and effectively connects the patient support  14  to the mobile frame structure  12 . 
     It is appreciated that other forms of connectors could be utilized to secure the patient support  14  to the mobile frame structure. For example, the patient support  14  could be provided with receivers specifically designed to receive the locking pins  54  where the receivers could be disposed along the bottom edge surface of the patient support  14 . 
     To detach the patient support  14  from the mobile frame structure  12 , the locking pins  58  are removed from the sleeves  50 . This enables the connecting pins  54  to be withdrawn from the apertures  14 A in the patient support  14 . When the connecting pins  54  are withdrawn from the patient support  14 , then it follows that the patient support  14  and a patient laying thereon, can be removed from the mobile frame structure  12 . 
     Note in  FIG. 1  where the patient support  14  is essentially cantilevered off the mobile frame structure  12 . That is, the upper frame members  36  and  38  that support the patient support  14  directly or indirectly when attached to the mobile main frame structure  12  are only supported at one end and intermediately between the ends. Thus, the left hand side of the patient support  14  as viewed in  FIG. 1  is not directly supported by underlying structure. Further, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the left end portion of the MRI transfer table  10  is open except for the bottom frame member  24 . Note the opening  42  shown in  FIG. 2 . This enables an MRI table  102  to be easily inserted underneath the patient support  14  and also enables the MRI table to engage the underside of the patient support  14  without any interference from the structural makeup of the MRI transfer table. 
       FIG. 9  shows an alternate embodiment for the patient support  14 . In this alternate embodiment, the patient support  14  includes a series of slats  62 . Slats  62  seat into recesses formed in the upper members  36  and  38 . Supported on the slats  62  is a non-metallic patient support surface  64 . 
       FIG. 10  shows another alternative embodiment for the patient support  14 . In the  FIG. 10  embodiment, the patient support  14  is supported on the mobile frame structure  12  by a tongue-and-groove arrangement. More particularly, the upper frame members  36  and  38  along the inside edges include elongated grooves that extend substantially the length of the MRI transfer table  10 . Patient support  14  includes a tongue  70  that projects into these grooves. More particularly, as viewed in  FIG. 10 , the tongue  70  on each side of the patient support  14  includes a flange that extends outwardly from the edge of the patient support and disposed on the terminal end of the flange is a circular portion that is configured to be received in the grooves of the upper members  36  and  38 . Accordingly, it is appreciated that the patient support  14  can slide longitudinally within the mobile frame structure  12 . To remove the patient support  14 , the patient support is moved towards the left end of the MRI transfer table as viewed in  FIG. 1  until the tongue  70  exits the two grooves in the upper frame members  36  and  38 . There would be provided means to lock or secure the patient support  14  in the mobile frame structure  12 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3-8 , there is shown therein an MRI apparatus indicated generally by the numeral  100 . MRI apparatus  100  includes an extendable MRI table  102  that is moveable outwardly with respect to the inlet opening of the MRI apparatus. 
     In use, the MRI transfer table  10  with a patient supported on the patient support  14  is moved to a position adjacent the inlet end of the MRI apparatus  100  ( FIG. 3 ). It is noted that the open frame area  42  of the MRI transfer table show in  FIG. 2  faces the inlet of the MRI apparatus. Once the MRI transfer table  10  is properly positioned, the MRI table  102  is projected underneath the patient support  14  ( FIGS. 4-6 ). Note that the open end  42  of the MRI transfer table enables the MRI table  102  to be projected into the frame structure of the MRI transfer table  10  without any interference. The MRI table  102  is projected a sufficient distance underneath the patient support  14  such that a substantial area of the patient support  14  overlies the MRI table  102  ( FIG. 5 ). Next the MRI table is elevated to where the top surface thereof lies closely adjacent to the bottom surface of the patient support  14 . Now the patient support  14  is separated from the mobile frame structure  12 . This is accomplished with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  by simply retracting the connecting pins  54  from the openings  14 A of the patient support. Once the connecting pins  54  are retracted, the patient support  14  is totally supported by the MRI table  102  ( FIG. 6 ). Now the mobile frame  12  can be retracted or moved from the MRI apparatus, and removed from the examination area surrounding the MRI apparatus ( FIG. 7 ). 
     When it is time to retrieve the patient, the process just described is reversed. That is, the mobile frame structure  12  without the patient support  12  can be positioned about an extended MRI table  102  such that the patient support  14  can be attached to the mobile frame structure  12 . Now the patient, aboard the patient support  14 , can be moved by the MRI transfer table  10  from the MRI examination area by simply moving the mobile frame structure  12 . 
     The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.