Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6928672?dq=4182933
Timestamp: 2014-07-13 09:30:35
Document Index: 152227866

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 29', 'art 28', 'art 28']

Patent US6928672 - Patient positioning and transport system - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsThe invention relates to a patient positioning and transport system comprising a transportable stretcher (1) and a cart (2) for transporting the stretcher (1) with the patient. The stretcher (1) can be removed from the cart (2) to be placed on a diagnosis or treatment station (4). A patient positioning...http://www.google.com/patents/US6928672?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6928672 - Patient positioning and transport systemAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6928672 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/478,595PCT numberPCT/EP2002/005129Publication dateAug 16, 2005Filing dateMay 10, 2002Priority dateJun 5, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asDE10127210A1, DE10127210B4, DE50206252D1, EP1392169A1, EP1392169B1, US20040143905, WO2002098294A1Publication number10478595, 478595, PCT/2002/5129, PCT/EP/2/005129, PCT/EP/2/05129, PCT/EP/2002/005129, PCT/EP/2002/05129, PCT/EP2/005129, PCT/EP2/05129, PCT/EP2002/005129, PCT/EP2002/05129, PCT/EP2002005129, PCT/EP200205129, PCT/EP2005129, PCT/EP205129, US 6928672 B2, US 6928672B2, US-B2-6928672, US6928672 B2, US6928672B2InventorsOtto Pastyr, Gernot Echner, Wolfgang Schlegei, Volker Sturm, Harald TreuerOriginal AssigneeDeutsches KrebsforschExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (14), Referenced by (10), Classifications (8), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPatient positioning and transport systemUS 6928672 B2Abstract The invention relates to a patient positioning and transport system comprising a transportable stretcher (1) and a cart (2) for transporting the stretcher (1) with the patient. The stretcher (1) can be removed from the cart (2) to be placed on a diagnosis or treatment station (4). A patient positioning and transport system of the aforementioned type should be designed as to avoid, to the greatest possible extent, repositionings of the patient between separate diagnosis or treatment stations (4). Towards this end, at least one adapter plate (3) that can be assigned to the stretcher (1) is provided, whereby the stretcher (1), the adapter plate (3) and the cart (2) can be joined to another and are configured in such a manner that the stretcher (1) with the patient can be transferred from the cart (2) to various, differently designed diagnosis or treatment stations (4) and back.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns a patient positioning and transport system with a transportable stretcher and a cart for transporting the stretcher along with the patient, wherein the stretcher can be removed from the cart and be disposed on a diagnosis or treatment station.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on the finding that, in view of the plurality of the above-mentioned diagnosis or treatment stations and the continuous new developments in these stations, it is not sufficient if only the stretcher can be removed from a cart and be disposed e.g. on the operating table. The most differing conditions at the individual diagnosis and treatment stations must be taken into account including spatial conditions, the apparatus structure and the respective construction as well as physical conditions requiring materials which do not disturb the devices. It is therefore not possible to design a stretcher which can be removed from a cart which simultaneously satisfies all these numerous requirements. These requirements must, however, be met in order to allow the patient on the stretcher to pass at least all diagnosis or treatment stations between imaging and termination of the therapy without being repositioned. The invention therefore provides for at least one adapter plate associated with the stretcher. The stretcher is supported on the adapter plate, and optionally one or more further adapter plates are disposed therebelow. These are all positioned on the cart such that the stretcher can be removed separately, or with one or more adapter plates to be disposed in the respective diagnosis or treatment station. The separate use of the stretcher is advantageous in diagnosis or treatment stations having space and/or diagnosis or treatment stations with stringent requirements with regard to the physical properties of the stretcher. The underlying adaptor plate may occupy a certain amount of space but must not satisfy the high requirements of the stretcher with regard to the materials from which it is produced, rather is e.g. adapted to the existing apparatus of further diagnosis or treatment stations such as inserting direction or the mechanisms for inserting the stretcher. In this fashion, further adapter plates may be provided through which the stretcher with intermediate adapter plates can be associated with further diagnosis or treatment stations, wherein the design of the respective adapter plate takes into account the requirements dictated by the respective diagnosis or treatment station. Embodiments and further developments of the invention provide corresponding examples. The invention also concerns optimised adjustment of diagnosis or treatment stations for easy and shock-free movement of the stretcher onto the diagnosis or treatment station and back, and suitable achievement of compatibility. This may be effected by modifying the diagnosis or treatment station or by adding further adapter parts. Such measures are also described in further developments of the invention.
Conventional magnetic resonance tomographs generally have a stretcher. To ensure that it does not have to be dismounted for use of the inventive stretcher, the inventive stretcher is sufficiently flat that it can be placed over the stretcher of a magnetic resonance tomograph, wherein the position mechanism of the magnetic resonance tomograph is adapted and designed for this purpose. The magnetic resonance tomograph stretchers very often have longitudinal grooves along the edges for accessories�often in the form of dove-tailed grooves�which can be used for positioning. If there are no such grooves, such grooves can advantageously be provided in the magnetic resonance tomograph stretcher to be able to slide the inventive stretcher onto that magnetic resonance tomograph stretcher. The invention also concerns a stretcher which can be introduced separately and characterized by association with at least one adapter plate to permit use in other diagnosis or treatment stations, as is requested to achieve the inventive object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention is explained below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing.
FIG. 3 shows a section III�III through FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows a section IV�IV through FIG. 3;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention with a stretcher 1 disposed on a cart 2. The stretcher 1 has two associated adapter plates 3, namely a base plate 11 and an intermediate plate 19. The stretcher 1 is disposed on the intermediate plate 19 such that it can be displaced in a longitudinal direction (in the direction of arrow 8). The intermediate plate 19 is disposed on the base plate 11 to permit displacement in a transverse direction (in the direction of the arrow 9). The base plate 11 is disposed on the cart 2 in a secure fashion, wherein raising in the direction of the arrow 6 and lowering in the direction of the arrow 7 are possible. FIG. 2 shows the corresponding designs of the positioning means 5, 5′, 5″ which serve to move the stretcher 1 to different diagnosis or treatment stations 4.
FIG. 3 shows a section III�III through FIG. 2, illustrating a suitable embodiment of a longitudinally displaceable holder 5′. The guides 20 are V-shaped, wherein the inlet is wide and the guides 20 taper towards the end stops 21. These guides 20 are formed as T-shaped grooves and cooperate with guiding and holding bolts 22 which have a complementary mushroom-like shape. The end stops 21 are defined when the guiding and holding bolts 22 abut the ends of the guides 20.
FIG. 4 shows the same arrangement in section IV�IV. The region between the intermediate plate 19 and the stretcher 1 is shown in a simplified form and shows how the guiding and holding bolts 22 form the end stops 21 on the cart 2. At least one locating pin 55 is introduced as securing means for transport which is inserted through locating holes 53 of the intermediate plate 19 into the locating holes 54 of the guiding and holding bolts 22. When this locating pin 55 which serves as positioning device 10 is removed, the intermediate plate 19 with stretcher 1 can be displaced onto the diagnosis or treatment station 4 until the guiding and holding bolts 22 of the diagnosis or treatment station 4 engage in guides 20 on the right side of the intermediate plate 19 to encouter the end stops at the end of these guides 20. Locating pins 55 for positioning means 10 may also be inserted on the diagnosis or treatment station 4. Of course, the height of the base plate 11 must be exactly adjusted to the height of the diagnosis or treatment station 4 or vice versa.
FIG. 9 shows a cross-section through an adapter part 28. It is particularly advantageous when diagnosis or treatment stations 4 have stretchers 45 which may have very different shapes. In this case, the adapter part 28 is formed of at least two support bars 29 which are connected to at least one bar 30 (shown in perspective view in FIG. 10). The intermediate plate 19 can be disposed directly on this adapter part 29 or preferably�as shown�onto a positioning board 56. Devices 10 for exact positioning may also be provided. The positioning means 10 and the positioning means 5″ correspond to the description of FIGS. 3 and 4 with the exception that the diagnosis and treatment station 4 is not directly provided with guiding and holding bolts 22, rather the adapter part 28. The other functions are identical to those described in FIGS. 3 and 4. The support bars 29 are provided with clamping devices 58 to be able to freely position and then fix them on the at least one bar 30. Bevels 57 in the positioning boards 56 permit sliding of the intermediate plate 19 without being hindered by a projecting edge. Of course, several support bars 29 may be provided. The advantage of this adapter part 28 is that the support bars 29 may be appropriately formed without difficulties and can be adjusted to the different shapes of existing stretchers 45.
List of Reference Numerals 1 Stretcher
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4105923Apr 1, 1977Aug 8, 1978Pfizer Inc.Patient handling system and apparatus for tomographic scanningUS4873732 *Oct 24, 1988Oct 17, 1989Roberto PerezTrauma stretcherUS5077780 *Nov 23, 1990Dec 31, 1991Lee Jr James GFlat top radiographic tableUS5111541Jan 14, 1991May 12, 1992Wagner Kenneth ENon-metallic gurney for patient transportUS5475884 *Jul 21, 1993Dec 19, 1995Siemens AktiengesellschaftPatient support apparatusUS5493741 *Aug 4, 1994Feb 27, 1996Siemens AktiengesellschaftPatient support operable in combination with a patient gurney for medical examinationsUS5842987May 20, 1997Dec 1, 1998Sahadevan; VelayudhanSimulated patient setup for medical imaging with increased patient throughputUS6205347Feb 26, 1999Mar 20, 2001Picker International, Inc.Separate and combined multi-modality diagnostic imaging systemUS6484332 *Dec 8, 2000Nov 26, 2002Med-Tec Iowa, Inc.System for vertical to horizontal movement and lateral movement of a patientUS6640364 *Nov 30, 2001Nov 4, 2003Ge Medical Systems Global Technololgy Company, LlcPedestal for use with patient transport system for multiple imaging systemsDE2812074A Title not availableDE4224036A Title not availableDE4330606A Title not availableEP0047958A1Sep 7, 1981Mar 24, 1982Siemens AktiengesellschaftPatient-positioning device* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7041109 *Dec 12, 2002May 9, 2006Kelsey, Inc.Apparatus and method for interstitial laser therapy of small breast cancers and adjunctive therapyUS7216383 *Aug 27, 2004May 15, 2007Siemens AktiengesellschaftSupport device for a patientUS7407177 *Oct 10, 2006Aug 5, 2008Darling Iii Charles WMission adaptable portable cart/utility table arrangementUS7467004 *May 12, 2005Dec 16, 2008General Electric CompanySystem, method and apparatus for surgical patient tableUS7869858 *Apr 26, 2007Jan 11, 2011General Electric CompanyPatient table system and apparatusUS7920910Nov 12, 2008Apr 5, 2011General Electric CompanySystem, method and apparatus for surgical patient tableUS8092507Dec 14, 2007Jan 10, 2012Novian Health, Inc.Interstitial energy treatment probe holdersUS8518095Dec 14, 2011Aug 27, 2013Novian Health, Inc.Interstitial energy treatment probe holdersUS8584274Sep 6, 2011Nov 19, 2013Medtrak Holding Company, LlcPatient support and transport systemWO2007121478A2 *Apr 18, 2007Oct 25, 2007David A HolmesStretcher carrier* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification5/81.1HS, 5/601, 5/86.1International ClassificationA61B6/04Cooperative ClassificationA61B6/0407, A61B6/0442European ClassificationA61B6/04A8, A61B6/04ALegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionFeb 11, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Oct 20, 2009CCCertificate of correctionFeb 9, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 24, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM STIFTUNG DES OFFEFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PASTYR, OTTO;ECHNER, GERNOT;SCHLEGEL, WOLFGANG;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:015174/0211;SIGNING DATES FROM 20031017 TO 20031113RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google