Improvements in Surgical Operating-tables.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 13th May, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Surgical Operating-tables.
I, OTTO GRASEMANN, of 80, Lcuisenstrasse, Gera, in the German Empire,
Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to operating tables for the use of surgeons, its object being
to supply a simple and easily-manipulated table having those qualities which are of
importance for the so-called Trendelenburg Raised Positions "in abdominal cutting
operations.
For operations of the kind referred to (cuttings for stone or cuttings in the pelvis
of females from the abdomen), an apparatus is required which renders it possible
during the operation for the patient's body to be changed from the horizontal
position to the raised position in order to enable the intestinal parts to be removed
out of the line of operation and of sight by bending them back towards the
diaphragm.
The Raised Position" tables hitherto used are all supposed more or less to
attain that object. But in most cases, for instance in the Trendelenburg tables,
the mechanism for obtaining the raised position is very complicated.
A table made according to the present invention is so constructed that it
can be easily manipulated and adjusted by two operators without the aid of a
third.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 shows the improved table in the horizontal position for gyneological or
other surgical operations;
Fig. 2 representing the table when adjusted for the " Trendelenburg Raised
Position."
The table comprises three principal parts; namely, the large centre plane A, the
smaller plane C and the head-piece B. These parts are covered with suitable
padding, and generally with oil-cloth, and are connected by hinges and arranged to
slide upon the upper ledges of the table. The planes A and C are hinged to an
adjusting flap D, which is provided with handles, such as h. The head-piece B is
also hinged and connected with the plane A, and is furnished with hinged props,
such as d, each of which catches in the teeth of a rack, such as e, on the upper edge
of the table. These props serve to hold the head-piece B at any desired angle to
the surface of the table. The flap D has a rack, such as n, hinged to it on each
side of the table. A prop, such as o, also hinged to the flap, engages with the rack
on each side; these props enabling the flap to be maintained in any desired position.
The raising of the flap causes the planes A and C to become inclined to a corre-
sponding extent.
Each rack has sockets, such as b, which slide upon a bar, such as a, fixed at the
side of the table. The sockets can be locked in position by suitable thumb-screws.
In order to facilitate the movement of the plane C, it has inclined ledges p, which
slide upon the narrow edge of the table.
The above-described method of connecting the various parts and the arrangement
of the mechanism for preventing movement after adjustment render it possible to
give different positions to the operating table.
Assuming the table to have the planes A, B and C in the position shown in
Fig. 1, the feet of the table should have hooks, such as r, which can engage in eyes
fastened to the floor in order to prevent the table tipping.
If the position of the patient on the table require to be changed, it is only
necessary for the two operators to raise the head-piece B (whereupon its props

page_text: catch in the teeth of the fixed racks) and then to lift the flap D by the handles,
upon which its props engage with the adjustable racks; the table being thus placed
in the so-called "Trendelenburg Position," as shown in Fig. 2.
The improved table may also be used as an examining and operating chair, if the
head-piece B be shut down to a horizontal position and the plane A brought to a
steep slanting position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The plane A
then serves as a back-rest, and the piece B as a seat.
A holder is fitted at the end of the table near the piece B, in which adjustable
angle-irons can be readily mounted; these angle-irons serving to support adjustable
leg-rests, such as i, on rods, such as g, and foot-rests, such as k, on rods, such as l.
The leg-rests and foot-rests can be easily adjusted to correspond with the position
of the plane A and the head-piece or seat B. The table can thus be set in various
ways to adapt it for different operations.
The peculiar arrangement of the two planes and the head-piece or seat enables
the two operators to arrest the movement of the parts at any desired height,
without the aid of a third person. The handles can, during operations, be covered
with carbolic napkins or sterilised cloths, a fresh disinfection of the operators'
hands being thereby rendered unnecessary, and time, which might be of great
importance to the patient, saved.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. An operating-table for surgical purposes specially adapted for affording the
"Trendelenburg Raised Position," and comprising a flap D hinged at one end to
planes A and C and at the other end to racks, such as n, adjustable on side-rods,
the flap having props, such as o, which engage with the racks, the lifting of the
table being facilitated by the use of oblique ledges p underneath the plane C.
2. In an operating-table such as herein described, the employment of leg-
rests, such as i, and foot-rests, such as k, which can be adjusted as desired, in order
to enable the piece B to be used as a seat and the plane A as a back-rest, thus
enabling the table to be employed as an examining and operating chair.
3. An operating-table for surgical purposes, constructed substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 12th day of April 1893.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.