Abstract:
Patient examination methods, by an examiner using an examination instrument having a base unit and a probe soupled with the base unit by a flexible tether are disclosrd. An examination table will support a patient lying thereon, with the probe adapted to be held by the examiner&#39;s right or left hand. The method may be used to produce an echocardiogram. A preferred patient examination table (10) includes a selectively engageable, pivot mechanism (14) allowing the table (10) to be pivoted about an upright pivot axis (98) in order to position the table (10) as needed for ready access to examination equipment (88) by performing a procedure with either a left or right hand. In another embodiment, the base unit (90) is shiftable as needed to accommodate left-handed or right-handed holding of a probe (92) for performing a medical examination.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 09/064,214, filed Apr. 22, 1998. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of patient examination tables. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a method of using patient examination table and selectively shiftable piece of examination equipment in order to position the equipment as needed for ready usage by the examiner holding a probe in either the left or right hand. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Patient examination tables such as those for echocardiography are usually oriented with relation to examination equipment having a tethered probe in a manner that is more convenient for either left-handed or right-handed usage of the probe. When an examiner needs to examine a patient using the hand opposite of that for which the equipment was arranged, the arrangement presents an awkward and thereby inefficient situation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the prior art problems mentioned above and provides a distinct advance in the state of the art. In particular, the method hereof enables efficient and easy rearrangement for left-handed or right-handed usage of a probe for performing medical examinations. 
     The preferred table apparatus of the present invention includes a table assembly having a deck and a support assembly shiftably supporting the deck on a support surface such as a floor. The deck includes three access sites defined therein and the apparatus further includes a pivot mechanism for engaging the support surface at only one contact site in a manner to define an upright pivot axis for enabling rotation of the assembly about the axis. 
     In preferred forms, the pivot mechanism is selectively shiftable between an engaged and disengaged position. When engaged, the table can be rotated about the pivot axis as needed to accommodate left-handed or right-handed holding of a probe for performing a medical examination, for example. Other preferred aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein. 
     In a another embodiment, a preferred table apparatus of the present invention includes a table assembly having a deck, and an examination instrument having a base. The deck includes three access sites defined therein. The base of the examination instrument can be shifted to accommodate left-handed or right-handed holding of a probe for performing a medical examination. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side, top, end pictorial view of the preferred examination table in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the table of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in use by an examiner using the right hand to hold the probe of an examination instrument to examine a patient lying on the apparatus; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the table rotated for use by an examiner using the left hand to hold the probe; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention with the examination table positioned adjacent a wall of an examining room; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the base of the examination instrument shifted to a allow an examiner to use the left hand to hold the probe; and 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the base of the examination instrument shifted to a allow an examiner to use the right hand to hold the probe. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates preferred examination table 10 in accordance with the present invention. Table 10 broadly includes table assembly 12 and pivot mechanism 14. Table assembly 12 includes deck 16 and support assembly 18. 
     Deck 16 presents end 20, opposed end 22, side 24 and opposed side 26. Deck 16 further includes table frame 28 supporting cushion 30 presenting upper face 32 and first, second and third filler sections 34, 36 and 38 shiftable between closed and open positions in respective first, second and third access sites 40, 42 and 44. Deck 16 is preferably configured for supporting a patient on upper face 32 of cushion 30 in the prone position as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     Each access site 40-44 opens outwardly along a respective side of deck 16 and is preferably adjacent an inboard hinge wall 46. Each filler section 34-38 is hingedly coupled with hinge wall 46 and configured as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,363 hereby incorporated by reference as part of the disclosure hereof. Each section 34-38 is shiftable between an open position such as that illustrated for section 38 in FIG. 1 allowing access therethrough, and a closed position such as illustrated for sections 34, 36 in which the filler section presents a contiguous support surface with upper face 32. Additionally, each filler section 34-38 includes a conventional latch mechanism (not shown) and a release, such as latch release 48 for section 36, and remote latch release 50 for releasing section 34. 
     As best viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5-6, first access site 40 is located adjacent side 26, and second and third access sites 42, 44 are located adjacent side 24 of deck 16. More particularly, first access site 40 is located adjacent side 26 of deck 16 so that a patient&#39;s heart region is positioned above site 40 when the patient is positioned as shown in FIG. 5 with the patient&#39;s head adjacent end 22. Second access site 42 is located for receiving a body portion such as the legs of a sitting examiner or torso of a standing examiner conducting a medical examination as illustrated in FIG. 5. Third access site 44 is located so that a patient&#39;s body region, such as the heart region, is positioned above site 44, allowing access therethrough for the probe of an echocardiogram instrument as illustrated in FIG. 6 with the patient&#39;s head adjacent end 20. 
     Conventional support assembly 18 includes pedestal 52, cross members 54 and 56, wheel arms 58 and 60 and braking casters 62, 64, 66 and 68. The upper end of upright pedestal 52 is connected to table frame 28. Spaced, parallel, cross members 54, 56 each present an upwardly site, C-shaped configuration and are connected to the lower end of pedestal 52 on opposed sides thereof and extend substantially along the length of deck 16. Wheel arms 58, 60 respectively interconnect the ends of cross members 54, 56 as best viewed in FIG. 1. 
     Braking casters 62-68 are conventional of the type commonly used with hospital gurneys and are coupled respectively with the ends of wheel arms 58, 60. Each braking caster 62-68 includes wheel 70, caster mount 72 and foot actuated brake arm 74. Casters 62-68 enable assembly 18 to provide shiftable, that is, rolling support of deck 16 thereby allowing linear movement in any direction, but also rotational movement about an upright axis as discussed further herein. 
     Pivot mechanism 14 (preferably Colson Part No. 9-6002-3 floor lock brake) includes mounting bracket 76, pivot support leg 78, pivot rod 80, pivot body 82, engagement pedal 84 and release lever 86. Pivot body 82 is preferably composed of a resilient, non-marking friction material and extends from rod 80. Pivot rod 80 and pivot body 82 are coupled with leg 78 and shiftable between a disengaged position, illustrated by the dashed lines in FIG. 4, and an engaged position, illustrated by the solid lines in FIG. 4. Pressing on, then releasing, pedal 84 causes pivot body 82 to shift to the engaged position. Pushing on release lever 86 causes body 82 to retract to the disengaged position. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate one preferred environment of use for examination table 10 in order to perform a medical examination such as an echocardiogram using an examination instrument 88 having base unit 90 and probe 92 coupled with base unit 90 by a flexible tether. As shown in FIG. 5, table 10 is oriented for use by an examiner 96 holding probe 92 in the right hand for examining a patient 94. Also, the patient is in a first position over site 40 next to side 26 and with the patient&#39;s head adjacent end 22. The examiner could be a technician, physician or any other person qualified to use instrument 88. 
     In the orientation of FIG. 5, third filler section 38 is in the closed position relative to third access site 44. Second filler section 36 is in the open position with the legs (or torso) of the examiner 96 received in second access site 42. This allows examiner 96 to sit on deck 16 (or stand in site 42) in order to reach over and around patient 94 to position probe 92 through first access site 40 (with first filler section 34 in the open position) and into contact with the patient&#39;s heart region. As illustrated in FIG. 5, table 10 is also oriented and the examiner 96 positioned so that base unit 90 is in the range of view and within reach of the examiner&#39;s left arm for operation by examiner 96. 
     FIG. 6 shows table 10 in an orientation for use by the examiner 96 holding probe 92 in the left hand. As shown, table 10 has been rotated about pivot axis 98 compared to FIG. 5. To achieve this orientation, the user, such as examiner 96, presses on engagement pedal 84 which causes pivot body 82 to engage the support surface such as floor 100. Next, examiner 96 releases the brake arm 74 of each braking caster 62-68 as needed and rotates table 10 about pivot axis 98. 
     When pivot body 82 engages floor 100, the frictional contact therewith substantially prevents linear movement of table 10. However, such contact presents very little resistance to rotation, end for end, of table 10 about pivot axis 98. Thus, the user is able easily to rotate table 10 between the orientations of FIGS. 5 and 6 as needed. Upon achieving the desired orientation of table 10, the user then re-engages the brake arms of each breaking caster 62 and can press on release lever 86 to shift pivot body 82 to the disengaged position. It will be appreciated, however, that pivot body 82 may be left in the engaged position if desired. In this way, body 82 is already engaged for subsequent rotations of table 10. 
     In the orientation of FIG. 6, the patient 96 is in a second position lying adjacent side 28 over site 44 with the patient&#39;s head adjacent end 20. Also, first and second filler sections 34, 36 are closed and filler section 38 is open allowing access through site 44. The patient is positioned so that the patient&#39;s heart region is located above site 44. As shown, the examiner 96 is still positioned between table 10 and base unit 90. Moreover, base unit 90 is in the field of view and within reach of the right arm of the examiner 96. This allows examiner 96 to position probe 92, held in the examiner&#39;s left hand, through site 44 into contact with the heart region of the patient 94 without reaching over the patient 94. 
     As will now be appreciated, table 10 can be easily and quickly repositioned by rotation about pivot axis 98. Such is desirable where different examiners may be using base unit 90 and medical instrument 88, or where an examiner may be changing from scanning on a patient&#39;s left side to scanning on patient&#39;s right side from time to time to avoid fatigue or repetitive motion injury. 
     The method as described above can also be implemented without the use of pivot mechanism 14 defining axis 98. That is, casters 62-68 rollably support deck 12 and enable table 10 to be shifted as needed to the positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The brakes can then be set on casters 62-68 to hold table 10 in the selected position. 
     FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate an environment of use for examination table 10 as another embodiment of the present invention. Examination table 10 is similar to examination table 10 and common components bear the same numerical designation. Examination table 10 broadly includes deck 16 and support assembly 18. 
     Deck 16 presents end 20, opposed end 22, side 24 and opposed side 26. Deck 16 further includes table frame 28 supporting cushion 30 presenting upper face 32 and first, second and third filler sections 34, 36 and 38 shiftable between closed and open positions in respective first, second and third access sites 40, 42 and 44. Deck 16 is preferably configured for supporting a patient on upper face 32 of cushion 30 in the left lateral decubitus position as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. 
     Examination table 10 can be used to perform a medical examination such as an echocardiogram using an examination instrument 88 having a base unit 90 and probe 92 coupled with base unit 90 by a flexible tether. Examination table 10 is positioned in a very small room or adjacent a wall of an examining room with first site 40 adjacent the wall and second site 42 and third site 44 on opposite side 24. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the patient is positioned in a left side position on table 10. First site 40 is configured and positioned to receive probe 92 therethrough into contact with a body region of the patient. Second site 42 is configured and positioned to receive a body portion of the examiner 96. 
     Base unit 90 is positioned for use by an examiner 96 holding probe 92 in the right hand for examining a patient 94. The examiner 96 is positioned in second site 42 generally facing first end 22 with the base unit 90 within the field of view and within reach of the left arm of the examiner 96. The examiner 96 examines the patient by reaching over the patient and placing the probe 92 through first site 40 into contact with the body region of the patient. 
     FIG. 8 shows base unit 90 in an orientation for use by the examiner 96 holding probe 92 in the left hand. As shown, base unit 90 has been shifted to the opposite end 20, patient 96 is in a second position lying adjacent side 24 over site 44 with the patient&#39;s head adjacent end 20. Also, first and second filler sections 34,36 are closed and filler section 38 is open allowing access through third site 44. Third site 44 is configured and positioned for receiving the probe 92 therethrough into contact with a body region of a patient 94 lying on deck 16 in a second position with the patient&#39;s head adjacent end 20. 
     As shown, examiner 96 is positioned between table 10 and base unit 90. Examiner 96 is generally facing end 20 and base unit 90 is within the field of view and within reach of the right arm of examiner 96. This allows examiner 96 to position probe 92, held in the examiner&#39;s left hand, through third site 44 into contact with the body region of the patient 94 with out reaching over patient 94. 
     FIG. 9 shows base unit 90 in an orientation for use by the examiner 96 holding probe 92 in the right hand. As shown, base unit 90 has been shifted to end 22 adjacent to side 24, patient 96 is in a second position lying adjacent side 24 over site 44 with the patient&#39;s head adjacent end 20. Also, first and second filler sections 34,36 are closed and filler section 38 is open allowing access through third site 44. Third site 44 is configured and positioned for receiving the probe 92 therethrough into contact with a body region of a patient 94 lying on deck 16 in a second position with the patient&#39;s head adjacent end 20. 
     As shown, examiner 96 is positioned between table 10 and base unit 90. Examiner 96 is generally facing end 22 and base unit 90 is within the field of view and within reach of the left arm of examiner 96. This allows examiner 96 to position probe 92, held in the examiner&#39;s right hand, through third site 44 into contact with the body region of the patient 94 with out reaching over patient 94. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention encompasses many variations in the preferred embodiments described above. For example, other types of pivot mechanisms could be used as long as the mechanism is sufficient for defining a pivot axis. Also, the pivot mechanism can be positioned at other locations on table 10 as needed for a particular application. As another example, it is not required that the access sites open outwardly from one of the sides of deck 16. In particular, the sites could be holes through the deck, sites of different shape, or even in the configuration of contours or indentations in the side edges of deck 16. Also, it is not required that the access sites have filler sections, although such is preferred, or that the filler sections be hingedly coupled with the inboard wall of a respective site. Further, the base unit 90 could be shiftable in any number of ways, such as attached to rails, wheels or a rod extended from the ceiling. As a final example, support assembly 18 can take on any number of configurations sufficient to support deck 16. Additionally, pedestal 52 can present a telescoping configuration, powered or manually operated, for changing the height of deck 16. Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the following is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent: