Patent Publication Number: US-2015061679-A1

Title: Patient Support Apparatus

Description:
This application claims the benefit of DE 10 2013 217 539.6, filed on Sep. 3, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The support and/or positioning of patients (e.g., physically impaired patients) on a medical patient support apparatus requires major expenditure of force on the part of medical operators (e.g., physicians or medical technical assistants). For example, the change of support and/or repositioning from a sitting position to a horizontal position and vice versa imposes a major strain on medical operators. 
     SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION 
     The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. 
     The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the drawbacks or limitations in the related art. For example, support and/or a change of support for a patient on a patient support apparatus assisted and/or facilitated. 
     A patient support apparatus configured to support a patient is provided. The patient support apparatus includes a table having a support surface to support the patient. 
     The table includes a patient support assistance unit with at least one handle element. The patient support assistance unit is configured to assist a support operation (e.g., a change of support operation and/or a repositioning operation from a sitting position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a sitting position for the patient). The patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) may be configured to provide support for the patient. The patient is able to use his hand to support himself on the patient support assistance unit (e.g., on the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) during a change of support and/or repositioning. This allows a change of support and/or repositioning of the patient to be assisted and/or facilitated in an advantageous manner. Also, the force expenditure on the part of a medical operator during the change of support and/or repositioning of the patient may be minimized. The patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) also allows a high level of safety to be achieved during the change of support and/or repositioning of the patient, thereby making the patient feel extremely safe. 
     In addition to the table, the patient support apparatus also includes a base unit. The table is supported such that the table may be moved in relation to the base unit. The patient support apparatus may have a sliding bearing unit. 
     The at least one handle element may be arranged at least partially in a center region of the table. This makes the at least one handle element advantageously accessible for the patient during a change of support operation and/or a repositioning operation. The at least one handle element may, for example, be arranged in the region of the patient&#39;s hip on the table. The at least one handle element is, for example, arranged in a center region on the table in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the table. 
     The patient support assistance unit may be formed by a separate unit configured solely to provide support for the patient during a support operation (e.g., a change of support operation and/or a repositioning operation from a sitting position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a sitting position) for the patient. Alternatively or additionally, the patient support assistance unit may also be integrated at least partially in a securing unit arranged at the side (e.g., a securing grid element) of a mobile patient support apparatus. 
     A particularly space-saving arrangement of the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) may advantageously be achieved if the at least one handle element is arranged in a peripheral region of the table. This provides, for example, that a region of the patient support apparatus configured to hold the patient may remain unrestricted. In this context, a peripheral region refers, for example, to a region of the table that may be arranged in proximity to an edge and outside a support region for supporting the patient. 
     If the at least one handle element is arranged on a side of the table, the side of the table being aligned perpendicular to the support surface, the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) may be integrated within the patient support apparatus such that a patient support region remains available in an unrestricted manner to support the patient. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one handle element is supported on the table such that the at least one handle element may be moved between a first grip position and at least one second grip position. The patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) may thus advantageously be adjusted for different situations (e.g., an examination situation and/or a support situation), so that there is no undesirable obstruction of the patient and/or of the examination. Also, for a further positioning operation for the patient on the patient support apparatus (e.g., for the positioning of additional units; an infusion unit and/or local magnetic resonance coil units, etc.), the handle element may be moved to a grip position that does not obstruct the further positioning operation. The at least one handle element may be supported on the table such that the at least one handle element may be folded and/or rotated between at least two grip positions. 
     A space-saving and compact arrangement of the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) within the patient support apparatus may be achieved if the table has a thickness, and the at least one handle element is arranged within the thickness in a first grip position on the table. The first grip position may include a passive grip position, so that in this first grip position, the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) is arranged so that the patient support assistance unit is folded in against the support table. The patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) is also configured not to be actuated and/or to provide support for a patient in this first and/or passive grip position. In this first and/or passive grip position of the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit), the patient and the patient support apparatus are in an examination position (e.g., within a patient receiving region of a medical imaging apparatus), or the patient leaves the patient support apparatus, so that such operations are not obstructed by the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit). In this first grip position, the handle element may also be arranged completely within the thickness of the table. 
     In a further embodiment, the at least one handle element projects into a patient support region of the table in a second grip position on the table. The second grip position may include an active grip position, in which the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) is configured to assist a support operation (e.g., a change of support operation and/or a repositioning operation from a sitting position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a sitting position) for the patient. The patient support region of the table may include the support surface of the table and a region adjoining the support surface, in which the patient positioned and/or supported on the support surface at least partially rests. 
     Simple operation and/or accessibility of the at least one handle element may advantageously be achieved for a patient if the at least one handle element has a longitudinal extension that is inclined at an angle of between at least 45° and maximum 90° to the support surface of the table in the second position on the table. The angle of inclination also allows support to be provided for the patient in an advantageous manner to assist a support operation (e.g., a change of support operation and/or a repositioning operation from a sitting position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a sitting position) for the patient. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one handle element has a longitudinal extension, whereby the longitudinal extension of the handle element is aligned essentially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the table when the handle element is in the second grip position on the table. Simple operation and/or accessibility of the at least one handle element may thus be achieved for a patient. Essentially parallel may, for example, be that the longitudinal extension of the handle element is at an angle between 150° to 210 (e.g., an angle between 160° to 200° or an angle between 170° to 190°) to the longitudinal extension of the table. 
     In a further embodiment, the table and/or the patient support assistance unit has a setting unit configured to set a grip position of the at least one handle element on the table. This allows simple setting and/or advantageous securing of the grip position to be achieved (e.g., while the handle element is loaded). The setting unit may, for example, include a sliding bearing unit and/or a latching unit and/or further units suitable for setting and/or securing the grip position of the handle element. 
     If the patient support apparatus has a sensor unit configured to detect a grip position of the at least one handle element on the table, a high safety standard may be achieved for the patient support apparatus. An unwanted collision of the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) with, for example, a housing enclosing a patient receiving region of a medical imaging apparatus as the table is introduced into the patient receiving region of the medical imaging apparatus may thus be prevented. 
     In one embodiment, a medical imaging apparatus with a magnet unit, a patient receiving region at least partially enclosed by the magnet unit and a patient support apparatus with a patient support assistance unit is provided. The patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) may be configured to provide support for the patient. The patient is able to support him/herself using his/her hand on the patient support assistance unit (e.g., on the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) during the change of support and/or repositioning This allows a change of support and/or repositioning of the patient to be advantageously assisted and/or facilitated. Also, the force expenditure on the part of the medical operator during the change of support and/or repositioning of the patient may be minimized. Also, the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) allows a high level of safety to be achieved during the change of support and/or repositioning of the patient, thereby making the patient feel extremely safe. 
     In one embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus has a monitoring unit configured to monitor a grip position of at least one handle element of the patient support assistance unit. The monitoring unit may include a sensor unit for detecting the grip position of the handle element. A high safety standard for the patient on the patient support apparatus may be achieved. An unwanted collision of the patient support assistance unit (e.g., the handle element of the patient support assistance unit) with, for example, a housing enclosing a patient receiving region of a medical imaging apparatus as the table is introduced into the patient receiving region of the medical imaging apparatus may thus be prevented. The monitoring unit may also be arranged at least partially within the patient support apparatus and/or within the patient support assistance unit. 
     In one embodiment, the monitoring unit may be configured to switch a movement mode of the patient support apparatus to a safety mode as a function of a set grip position of the at least one handle element. In safety mode, a movement (e.g., an introducing movement of the patient support apparatus into a patient receiving region of a medical imaging apparatus) is prevented and/or blocked. This embodiment of the monitoring unit advantageously prevents an introducing movement of the patient support apparatus into the patient receiving region when the handle element is set such that it would result in a collision with a housing of the medical imaging apparatus enclosing the patient receiving region. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a medical imaging apparatus with a patient support apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a patient support apparatus; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of one embodiment of a patient support apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a medical imaging apparatus. In the present exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus is formed by way of example by a magnetic resonance apparatus  10 . Alternatively, the medical imaging apparatus may also include a computed tomography apparatus, a PET apparatus, a C-arm apparatus and/or further configurations of a medical imaging apparatus. 
     The magnetic resonance apparatus  10  includes a magnet unit  11  with a main magnet  12  for generating a powerful and, for example, constant main magnetic field  13 . The magnetic resonance apparatus  10  also has a patient receiving region  14  for receiving a patient  15 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the patient receiving region is configured as cylindrical and is enclosed in a cylindrical manner in a circumferential direction by the magnet unit  11 . A different configuration of the patient receiving region  14  may also be provided. The patient  15  may be moved by a patient support apparatus  30  of the magnetic resonance apparatus  10  into the patient receiving region  14 . The patient support apparatus  30  has a table  31  that is arranged in a movable manner within the patient receiving region  14  of the magnetic resonance apparatus  10 . 
     The magnet unit  11  also has a gradient coil unit  16  for generating magnetic field gradients that are used for spatial encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit  16  is controlled by a gradient control unit  17  of the magnetic resonance apparatus  10 . The magnet unit  11  further includes a high-frequency antenna unit  18  and a high-frequency antenna control unit  19  for exciting a polarization that is established in the main magnetic field  13  generated by the main magnet  11 . The high-frequency antenna unit  18  is controlled by the high-frequency antenna control unit  19  and radiates high-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into an examination space, which is essentially formed by the patient receiving region  14 . 
     To control the main magnet  12  of the gradient control unit  17  and to control the high-frequency antenna control unit  19 , the magnetic resonance apparatus  10  has a control unit  20  formed by a computation unit. The control unit  20  controls the magnetic resonance apparatus  10  centrally (e.g., performing a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence). The control unit  20  also includes an evaluation unit (not shown in detail) for evaluating image data. Control information, such as imaging parameters, for example, and reconstructed magnetic resonance images may be displayed to an operator on a display unit  21  (e.g., on at least one monitor) of the magnetic resonance apparatus  10 . The magnetic resonance apparatus  10  also has an input unit  22 , by which information and/or parameters may be input by an operator during a measuring operation. 
       FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of a patient support apparatus  30  in more detail. The patient support apparatus  30  is configured to support the patient  15 , for example, for a medical imaging examination using the medical imaging apparatus. The patient support apparatus  30  has the table  31  with a support surface  32  for supporting the patient  15 . The patient support apparatus  30  also includes a base unit  33 . The table  31  is configured so that the table  31  may be moved in relation to the base unit  33 , allowing the table  31  to be introduced into the patient receiving region  14  of the medical imaging apparatus. In the present exemplary embodiment, the patient support apparatus  30  is integrated within the medical imaging apparatus, so the base unit  33  is arranged within the patient receiving region  14 . 
     The patient support apparatus  30  also has a patient support assistance unit  34  with a handle element  35 . The patient support assistance unit  34  (e.g., the handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34 ) is configured to assist a support operation (e.g., a change of support operation and/or a repositioning operation from a sitting position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a sitting position) for the patient  15 . The handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34  is, for example, configured so that the patient  15  may support him/herself with his/her hand on the patient support assistance unit  34  (e.g., on the handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34 ) during a change of support and/or repositioning. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the patient support assistance unit  34  includes a single handle element  35 . An embodiment of the patient support assistance unit  34  with two or more handle elements  35  may also be provided. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the handle element  35  is configured as a rod, and in a longitudinal extension  36  of the handle element  35 , the handle element  35  has a first end region  37  that includes a support region. The handle element  35  also has a grip region  38  that, in the longitudinal extension  36  of the handle element  35 , is arranged in a center region and in an end region  38  of the handle element  35  opposite an end region  37  including the support region. 
     The support region provides that the handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  35  is arranged in a peripheral region  40  of the table  31  (e.g., a peripheral region  40  of the support surface  32  of the table  31 ), so that any obstruction of a support operation for the patient  15  by the patient support assistance unit  34  (e.g., the handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34 ) is prevented. Also, the handle element  35  is arranged in a center region of the table  31 , so that the handle element  35  is easily accessible for a patient  15  lying on the table  31 , or for a patient  15  being moved from a sitting position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a sitting position. The center region is arranged in the center in the direction of and/or along a longitudinal extension  41  of the table  31 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the patient support assistance unit  34  (e.g., the handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34 ) is arranged on a side  42  of the table  31 . The side  42  is aligned perpendicular to the support surface  32 . 
     In one alternative embodiment, the support surface  32  may have a cutout in a lateral peripheral region, and the patient support assistance unit  34  (e.g., the handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34 ) may be arranged in the cutout. 
     The handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34  is arranged in a movable manner on the table  31 . The handle element  35  is arranged such that the handle element  35  may be moved between a first grip position  43  (shown with a broken line in  FIG. 2 ) and at least one second grip position  44 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the handle element  35  is supported on the table  31  such that the handle element  35  may be rotated between the at least two grip positions  43 ,  44 . The patient support assistance unit  34  has a rotary bearing unit  45  that allows rotation of the handle element  35  about a rotation axis on the table  31 . The rotation axis is aligned essentially parallel to the support surface  32  of the table  31  and essentially parallel to a transverse extension of the table  31 . The rotary bearing unit  45  is arranged within the support region of the handle element  35 . 
     In a first grip position  43 , the handle element  35  is arranged in a passive grip position on the table  31 . The handle element  35  is, for example, arranged almost completely within a thickness  46  of the table  31 , so that the handle element  35  in this first grip position  43  does not project beyond the support surface  32  of the table  31  and does not extend into a patient support region  47  of the table  31 . 
     When the handle element  35  is in a second grip position  44  on the table  31 , the handle element  35  (e.g., the grip region  38  of the handle element  35 ) extends into the patient support region  47  of the table  31 . The handle element  35 , for example, projects beyond the support surface  32  of the table  31 . The second grip position  44  of the handle element  35  includes an active grip position, in which support may be provided for the patient  15  at the handle element  35 . In the second grip position  44 , the longitudinal extension  36  of the handle element  35  is inclined at an angle of at least 45° to maximum 90° to the support surface  32  of the table  31 . 
     To set a grip position  43 ,  44 , the patient support assistance unit  34  and/or the table  31  has a setting unit  48 . The setting unit  48  includes the rotary bearing unit  45  as well as a setting element (not shown in detail), by which one of the grip positions  43 ,  44  may be locked, so that the handle element  35  is secured in the set grip position  43 ,  44 . The patient support assistance unit  34  may be configured such that the handle element  35  may be locked in different second grip positions  44  using the rotary bearing unit  45  and the setting unit  48 . 
     If a patient  15  is on the support surface  32  of the table  31  in a sitting or horizontal position and the patient  15  is to be supported differently and/or repositioned (e.g., from the sitting position to a horizontal position or from the horizontal position to a sitting position), the handle element  35  is moved by the setting unit  48  and the rotary bearing unit  45  to a second grip position  44  on the table and secured in this second grip position  44 . The patient  15  may grip the handle element  35  with one hand and support the patient  15  for the change of support operation and/or the repositioning operation using the handle element  35 . This significantly reduces the force expenditure on the part of a medical operator (e.g., a physician or medical technical assistant). 
     If a medical imaging examination is performed using the medical imaging apparatus after the change of support and/or repositioning, the handle element  35  is to be moved beforehand from the second grip position  44  to the first grip position  43  using the setting unit  48  and the rotary bearing unit  45  and is to be secured similarly in this first grip position  43 . Only when the handle element  35  is supported in the first grip position  43  on the table  31  may the table  31  be moved into the patient receiving region  14  of the medical imaging apparatus in order to prevent a collision of the patient support assistance unit  34  (e.g., the handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34 ) with a housing  23  of the medical imaging apparatus enclosing the patient receiving region  14 . 
     To detect and/or monitor a grip position  43 ,  44  of the handle element  35  on the support table  31 , the patient support apparatus  30  has a monitoring unit  49 . The monitoring unit  49  includes at least one sensor unit  50  configured to detect a position of the handle element  35  on the table  31 . In this process, the monitoring unit  49  switches a movement mode of the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., a movement mode of the table  31 ) to a safety mode as a function of a set grip position  44  of the handle element  35 . 
     If the sensor unit  50  detects that the handle element  35  is in a second grip position  44  on the table  31 , the monitoring unit  48  switches the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) to safety mode, so that movement of the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) is no longer possible. Safety mode includes a passive movement mode, so that movement of the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) is blocked. 
     If the sensor unit  50  detects that the handle element  35  is in the first grip position  43  on the table  31 , the movement mode of the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) remains active, so that movement of the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) may be provided at any time. If the handle element  35  is moved from the first grip position  43  to a second grip position  44  during movement of the table  31 , the monitoring unit  49  stops movement of the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) and deactivates the movement mode of the table  31 . 
     The monitoring unit  49  is also configured such that a position of the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) in relation to the patient receiving region  14  of the medical imaging apparatus may also be detected, and a safety mode for movement of the handle element  35  of the patient support assistance unit  34  may be set accordingly. Thus, for example, the monitoring unit  49  detects whether the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) is within the patient receiving region  14  of the medical imaging apparatus. If so, the handle element  35  is locked in a first grip position  43  by the setting unit  48 , so that the handle element  35  may not be moved out of the first grip position  43 . 
     To detect and/or monitor a grip position  43 ,  44  of the handle element  35  on the support table  31 , the monitoring unit  49  includes a processor unit (not shown in detail) and the required software and/or computer programs that are stored in a memory unit (not shown in detail) of the monitoring unit  49 . The software and/or computer programs are configured to detect and monitor the positions of the handle element  35  together with the sensor unit  50  and also to switch a movement mode of the patient support apparatus  30  (e.g., the table  31 ) to safety mode as a function of the grip position  43 ,  44  of the handle element  35  on the table  31 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the monitoring unit  49  may also be arranged outside the patient support apparatus  30  but within the medical imaging apparatus (e.g., within a patient receiving region  14  of the medical imaging apparatus). The monitoring apparatus  49  may also be integrated at least partially within the control unit  20  of the medical imaging apparatus. 
       FIG. 3  shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of the patient support apparatus  100 . Essentially same components, features and functions are identified with the same reference characters. The description that follows is essentially restricted to the differences compared with the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 2 , reference being made to the description of the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 2  with respect to the same components, features and functions. 
     The patient support apparatus  100  is formed by a mobile patient support apparatus that may be moved independently of the medical imaging apparatus. The patient support apparatus  100  has a table  101  and a base unit  102 . The table  101  includes a support surface for supporting and/or positioning the patient  15 . The table  101  is also configured so that the table  101  may be moved in relation to the base unit  102 , so the table  101  may be moved into the patient receiving region  14  of the medical imaging apparatus for a medical imaging examination. 
     The patient support apparatus  100  has a patient support assistance unit  104  that includes two boundary elements  105 . The two boundary elements  105  are arranged on opposing sides to delimit a patient support region  106  of the patient support apparatus on the table. The boundary elements  105  are, for example, arranged in a peripheral region  107  of the table  101 . The boundary elements  105  each have a handle element  108  that is arranged in a center region of the boundary elements  105 . The center region is arranged in the center in the direction of and/or along a longitudinal extension  109  of the boundary elements  105 . 
     The boundary elements  105  are supported in a movable manner on the table  101 . The boundary elements  105  may be folded away to the side when not in use. The handle elements  108  are thus supported such that the handle elements  108  may be moved between two different grip positions  110 ,  111  on the table  101 . The patient support assistance unit  104  has a rotary bearing unit  112 . 
     The handle elements  108  are arranged in a central peripheral region of the table  101 . The central peripheral region is arranged in the center in the direction of a longitudinal extension  112  of the table  101 . 
     In a first grip position  110 , the handle elements  108  are arranged essentially completely within a thickness of the table  101 , so that the handle elements  108  do not extend into the patient support region  106  of the patient support apparatus  100 . In a second grip position  111 , the handle elements  108  are aligned essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension  112  of the table  101 . 
     A further configuration of the patient support assistance unit  104  and a monitoring unit in  FIG. 3  corresponds to the embodiments relating to the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 2 . 
     Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail using the exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples. Other variations may be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. 
     It is to be understood that the elements and features recited in the appended claims may be combined in different ways to produce new claims that likewise fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from only a single independent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that these dependent claims can, alternatively, be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding or following claim, whether independent or dependent, and that such new combinations are to be understood as forming a part of the present specification. 
     While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.