Abstract:
A panel segment is provided for a multipart patient supporting panel, with a radiotransparent support panel and at least one electrical connecting line, which extends at least over a partial region of the support panel. In order that the connecting lines cannot be seen as troublesome shading on x-ray images, the at least one connecting line is configured as a strip conductor that is disposed in a recess in the support panel. A patient supporting panel and an operating table with such a panel segment are also provided.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to European application number 06 021 191.9, filed on Oct. 10, 2006. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a panel segment for a multipart patient supporting panel, the panel segment comprising a radiotransparent support panel and at least one electrical connecting line, which extends at least over a partial region of the support panel. The invention is also directed to a patient supporting panel for supporting a patient, with a number of panel segments that are pivotable in relation to one another, as well as to an operating table with a support column, which supports such a patient supporting panel. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Patient supporting panels serve for supporting a patient, in particular during medical treatments and examinations, for example during the examination of a patient by means of x-rays. The patient supporting panel is in this case of a multipart form and comprises a number of panel segments which are pivotable in relation to one another in a motorized manner. The panel segments can, for example, be pivoted about pivot axes aligned transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis of the patient supporting panel. Electric motors that are connected to electrical connecting lines, namely signal and supply lines, are used for adjusting the panel segments. The panel segments comprise a support panel, which is formed such that it is transparent to x-rays. At least one panel segment additionally has at least one electrical connecting line, which extends at least over a partial region of the support panel. In an x-ray examination, the connecting lines get in the way of the path of the x-rays. This leads to troublesome shading on the x-ray images. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure features a panel segment in which the at least one connecting line is configured as a strip conductor that is disposed in a recess in the support panel, so that the connecting line(s) cannot be seen as troublesome shading on x-ray images. 
         [0005]    The inventors have found that troublesome shading on x-ray images caused by electrical connecting lines can be avoided by the attenuation of the x-rays that is caused by the at least one conductor configured in strip form differing only slightly from the attenuation that is caused in any case by the support panel. The conductor is therefore of a very thin but at the same time relatively wide form, so that the cross section of the conductor corresponds at least to the otherwise required cable cross section of a connecting line configured in the form of an electric cable. On account of the configuration in strip form, the shading in the x-ray image that is caused by the conductor either cannot be seen at all or at least cannot be seen in a troublesome form. 
         [0006]    The panel segment disclosed herein is distinguished by an attenuation of the x-rays that remains virtually the same over the entire region of the support panel. The material of the support panel usually has a relatively low attenuation for x-rays. In order to compensate for the slightly greater attenuation that the x-rays experience through the conductor, the conductor is disposed in a recess in the support panel, i.e. the support panel has a lesser material thickness at the level of the conductor than in a region in which no conductor is disposed. The influence of the conductor on the attenuation of the x-rays can consequently be compensated by choice of the depth of the recess and the thickness, i.e. the material thickness, of the conductor. 
         [0007]    It is of advantage if the thickness, i.e. the material thickness, of the conductor and the depth of the recess are chosen such that x-rays that penetrate the panel segment at the level of the conductor undergo the same effective attenuation as x-rays that penetrate the panel segment laterally alongside the conductor. In the case of such a configuration, the influence of the conductor on the attenuation of the x-rays is completely compensated, so that no shading caused by the conductors can be seen on an x-ray image. 
         [0008]    The at least one conductor is preferably produced from a metal, in particular from a metal with a low x-ray attenuation coefficient, for example from an aluminum material. Metal is distinguished by high electrical conductivity, so that electrical signals and electrical energy to be supplied to an electric motor can be effectively transmitted over the conductor. If a metal with a low x-ray attenuation coefficient is used, the conductor can be of a relatively thick configuration, without this leading to any significant shading on an x-ray image. Conductors of aluminum have proven to be particularly advantageous. 
         [0009]    In the case of a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the at least one conductor is at most 0.5 mm. In particular, it may be provided that the thickness of the at least one conductor is about 0.1 mm. 
         [0010]    In the case of a preferred embodiment, the width of the at least one conductor is a multiple of its thickness, in particular at least ten times, for example fifty to one hundred times, its thickness. A great width has the advantage that the conductor can have a great cross section, so that electrical signals and electrical supply energy can be transmitted with only very small losses. 
         [0011]    The support panel is preferably produced from a plastics material, in particular from a fiber-reinforced plastics material. It may, for example, be provided that the support panel is produced from a plastics material reinforced by means of cellulose fibers. So, for example, a plastics material based on thermocuring resins that is homogeneously reinforced with cellulose fibers may be used. 
         [0012]    It is advantageous if the panel segment has a number of strip conductors that are disposed alongside one another and do not overlap one another. Disposing the conductors in such a way that they do not overlap ensures in a structurally simple manner that x-rays that pass through the panel segment experience an attenuation that remains the same as much as possible. However, it is also possible in principle to dispose a number of conductors such that they overlap one another. It is then advantageous to choose the material thickness of the support panel to be particularly small in the region of overlap of the conductors, so that the greater attenuation that the x-rays experience in the region of overlap of the conductors is compensated by a particularly low attenuation in the region of the support panel above and/or below the region of overlap. 
         [0013]    In the case of a particularly preferred configuration of the panel segment, the attenuation of x-rays that penetrate the panel segment in the region between two conductors is just as great as the attenuation that the x-rays experience when they penetrate the panel segment at the level of a conductor. This can be achieved for example by a material that is not electrically conductive but attenuates x-rays to the same degree as the conductors being disposed in the region between two conductors. Alternatively, it may be provided that the support panel has a greater thickness (material thickness) in the region between two conductors than in the region of the conductors. 
         [0014]    In the case of an advantageous embodiment, the conductors are disposed alongside one another with edges aligned with one another. This makes it possible to dispense with a material between the conductors that attenuates the x-rays to the same degree as the conductors. Rather, the conductors as a whole form a surface area of constant thickness, so that the x-rays experience a constant attenuation over the region of the conductors. 
         [0015]    The conductors are preferably disposed in different planes. For example, it may be provided that at least one conductor is disposed in a first plane and at least one second conductor is disposed in a second plane. Adjacent conductors are aligned with their mutually facing edges aligned with one another and are each disposed in a recess in the support panel. 
         [0016]    It is advantageous if the support panel is configured as a multilayer panel, at least two layers having recesses in each of which a conductor is disposed. The support panel may, for example, comprise an upper support panel layer and a lower support panel layer, the upper support panel layer having recesses on the underside and the lower support panel layer having recesses on the upper side and a conductor being disposed in each of said recesses. 
         [0017]    The recesses of the support panel are preferably formed as U-shaped grooves. 
         [0018]    The conductors may have different widths. So, for example, conductors over which electrical signals are transmitted may have a lesser width than conductors over which an electric motor is supplied with electrical energy. 
         [0019]    It is of particular advantage if the conductors are respectively enclosed by an electrically insulating material. A polyester material may be used, for example, as the insulating material. By means of the enclosure, an electrical short circuit between mutually adjacent conductors can be avoided in a structurally simple manner. 
         [0020]    In the case of a preferred embodiment, the panel segment has at least one electric motor and an pivotable joint which is coupled with the electric motor and is adapted to be connected to a further panel segment. With the aid of the electric motor, the joint can, for example, be pivoted, and energy and signals can be supplied to the electric motor over the at least one strip conductor. 
         [0021]    It is particularly advantageous if the panel segment has two electric motors, each of which is coupled to an pivotable joint and are connected to each other by means of the at least one strip conductor. One of the two electric motors may be connected to a control and energy supply device by means of an electric cable which runs outside the panel segment, and the other electric motor may be connected to the first electric motor by means of the at least one conductor. 
         [0022]    As already explained, the present disclosure relates not only to a panel segment of the aforementioned type but also to a patient supporting panel with a number of panel segments that are pivotable in relation to one another, at least one panel segment being formed in the way explained above. 
         [0023]    The present disclosure also relates to an operating table with a support column, which supports such a patient supporting panel. It is advantageous if the patient supporting panel can be detachably connected to the support column. This provides the possibility of detaching the patient supporting panel from the support column and, for example, placing it on a trolley. 
         [0024]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic side view of an operating table with a multipart patient supporting panel; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the operating table from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows an enlarged plan view of a first embodiment of a panel segment of the patient supporting panel from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a sectional view of the panel segment from  FIG. 3  along the line  4 - 4  and 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a panel segment corresponding to  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an operating table  10  is schematically represented, with a height-adjustable support column  12 , on which a patient supporting panel  14  is mounted. The patient supporting panel  14  comprises a number of panel segments that are pivotable in relation to one another, in the form of a base segment  16 , an upper back segment  18  and a head segment  20  as well as a pelvis segment  22  and left and right leg segments  24  and  25 . The upper back segment  18  adjoins a first side  27  of the base segment  16  in the longitudinal direction of the patient supporting panel  14 , and the head segment  20  adjoins the upper back segment  18 . The second side  28  of the base segment  16 , the side remote from the upper back segment  18 , is adjoined by the pelvis segment  22 , which supports the two leg segments  24  and  25  on its side remote from the base segment  16 . The leg segments  24  and  25  are pivotable about a common pivot axis  30  ( FIG. 2 ), aligned perpendicularly in relation to the longitudinal direction of the patient supporting panel  14 . For this purpose, the pelvis segment  22  has a first electric motor  31  and a second electric motor  32  ( FIG. 3 ). This is clear from  FIG. 3 , which shows an enlarged plan view of the pelvis segment  22 . Each of the two electric motors  31  and  32  is coupled to a joint  34  and  35  that is configured to allow the position of the respective leg segment  24  or  25  relative to the pelvis segment  22  to be adjusted. The joints  34  and  35  may be pivoted by the electric motors  31  and  32  about the pivot axis  30  and respectively accommodate a connecting part  37  and  38  of the leg segments  24  and  25 . The leg segments  24  and  25  can be pivoted by means of the connecting parts  37  and  38  in accordance with the joints  34  and  35 . 
         [0031]    The two electric motors  31  and  32  are disposed on a support panel  40  of the pelvis segment  22  and electrically connected to one another by means of three conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43 . The conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43  are disposed parallel to and at a spacing from one another and run transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the patient supporting panel  14 . They are respectively disposed in a recess in the support panel  40  in the form of a U-shaped groove  45 ,  46  and  47 , disposed on the underside ( FIG. 4 ). Also connected to the second electric motor  32  is a multicore electric cable  49 , which runs outside the patient supporting panel  14  and can be connected to a control and energy supply unit that is integrated into the support column  12 . Such a control and energy supply unit is known per se and is therefore not represented in the drawing. From the control and energy supply unit, control signals and electrical energy can be transmitted over the electric cable  49  to the second electric motor  32 , from which the signals and the energy can be fed to the first electric motor  31  over the conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43 . 
         [0032]    The support panel  40  is produced from a plastics material, for example from a material based on thermocuring resins that is homogeneously reinforced with cellulose fibers. The conductors  41 ,  42  and  43  are produced from an aluminum material. The thickness of the conductors is about 0.1 mm, whereas their width is a multiple of their thickness, for example about 5 mm. 
         [0033]    As becomes clear in particular from  FIG. 4 , on account of the grooves  45 ,  46 ,  47  formed in it, the material thickness of the support panel is less at the level of the conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43  than in the region between the conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43  and laterally alongside the conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43 . Laterally alongside the conductors and between the conductors, the support panel  40  has a thickness t 1 . The depth of the groove is t 2 . The groove depth t 2  and the overall thickness t 1  are chosen such that x-rays that penetrate the pelvis segment  22  at the level of the conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43  experience virtually the same attenuation as x-rays that penetrate the pelvis segment  22  in a region laterally alongside the conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43 . The corresponding x-rays are schematically symbolized in  FIG. 4  by the arrows  51  and  52 . 
         [0034]    If a patient resting on the patient supporting panel  14  is subjected to a diagnostic x-ray examination in the region of the pelvis segment  22 , the x-ray image does not show any shading caused by the conductors  41 ,  42  or  43 . Rather, on account of the choice of the thickness t 1  and the groove depth t 2  as well as the thickness of the conductors  41 ,  42 ,  43 , a constant radiographic attenuation, i.e. attenuation of the x-rays, is ensured over the entire region of the support panel  40 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 5 , an alternative configuration of a pelvis segment, provided overall with the reference  60 , is represented. This is formed in a largely identical manner to the pelvis segment  22  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 . As a difference from the pelvis segment  22 , the pelvis segment  60  has a support panel  62 , which is configured as a multilayer panel and comprises an upper support panel layer  63  and a lower support panel layer  64 . The upper support panel layer  63  has on the underside two grooves  66 ,  67 , which are respectively formed in a U-shaped manner and are disposed parallel to each other. Disposed in each of the grooves  66  and  67  is a strip conductor  68  and  69 , which is enclosed by an electrically insulating material, for example a polyester material, not represented in the drawing. 
         [0036]    The lower support panel layer  64  has on the upper side, that is to say toward the upper support panel layer  63 , two spaced-apart U-shaped grooves  71  and  72 , in which there is respectively disposed a conductor  73  and  74 , which is enclosed by an electrically insulating material, preferably a polyester material, not represented in the drawing. As becomes clear from  FIG. 5 , the conductors  68 ,  69 ,  73  and  74  are disposed alongside one another with edges aligned with one another, i.e. the edge  76  of the conductor  68  that is toward the conductor  73  is in line with the edge  77  of the conductor  73 , the edge  78  of the conductor  73  that is toward the conductor  69  is in line with the edge  79  of the conductor  69  and the edge  80  of the conductor  69  that is toward the conductor  74  is in line with the edge  81  of the conductor  74 . The two conductors  68  and  69  are disposed here in a first plane  83  and the two conductors  73  and  74  are disposed in a second plane  84 , which runs parallel to the first plane  83 . 
         [0037]    On account of their edges being aligned with one another, the conductors  68 ,  73 ,  69  and  74  directly adjoin one another transversely in relation to the direction of the irradiation of the x-rays, without overlapping one another. This has the consequence that the conductors  68 ,  73 ,  69  and  74  form a homogeneous surface with respect to x-rays that penetrate the pelvis segment  60 . 
         [0038]    The material thickness of the upper support panel layer  63  and the groove depth of the grooves  66  and  67  are formed in a way corresponding to the configuration of the support panel  40  explained above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . The material thickness of the upper support panel layer  63  laterally alongside the conductors  68  and  69  is therefore chosen such that penetrating x-rays experience a constant attenuation, irrespective of whether they merely penetrate the material of the upper support panel layer  63  or also the conductors  68  or  69 . The material thickness and the groove depth of the lower support panel layer  64  are chosen in a corresponding way. This has the consequence that it is also the case with the embodiment represented in  FIG. 5  that x-rays experience a uniform attenuation, irrespective of whether or not they encounter a conductor. Consequently, no troublesome shading is produced by the conductors  68 ,  69  and  73 ,  74  on an x-ray image.