Patent Description:
Medical and surgical procedures require placement of a patient on a surgical table in various positions to allow a practitioner surgical access. For example, a patient platform on a surgical table must be moved upwardly or downwardly, or tilted about a horizontal axis. In addition, the head or foot portions of a patient platform on a surgical table must be independently depressed or elevated to achieve particular orientations, referred to as Trendelenberg or reverse Trendelenberg positions.

As heretofore stated it is important to configure a surgery table to accommodate the needs of a surgeon. In certain cases, table movement may be employed to shift the patient's internal organs relative to the patients head for the sake of surgical access. In addition, a reverse Trendelenberg position on a surgical table may also increase blood flow to the patient's head to minimize shock during surgery and permit anterior or posterior access to the patient.

In the past, adjustments of surgical table platforms have been manually accomplished by the interaction of such surgical platform with the end supports of a surgical table specifically adjustments of the surgical platform had been achieved through the removal and insertion of a rod between parallel bars having openings for accommodating the rod. Although being functional, such a system requires great care on the part of the surgical team to prevent a patient from accidentally being lowered on the surgical platform. In addition, the raising, lowering, tilting, and independently elevating or lowering the head and foot portions of a surgical platform was often difficult and inconvenient through the mechanisms of the prior art. Reference is made to <CIT> as representative of a typical prior art adjustable surgery table.

<CIT> discloses a patient support apparatus for supporting a patient in a prone position during a surgical procedure, which includes a patient support structure incorporating an open fixed frame suspended above a floor and a pair of spaced opposed radially sliding joints cooperating with the frame, each joint including a virtual pivot point and an arc of motion spaced from the pivot point, the joints being movable along the arc providing a pivot-shift mechanism for a pair of pelvic pads attached to the joints. A base supports and suspends the patient support structure above the floor, for supporting a patient during a surgical procedure, the base including a pair of spaced opposed vertical translation subassemblies reversibly attachable to the support structure, a cross-bar, and a rotation subassembly having two degrees of rotational freedom; wherein a location of each vertical translation subassembly is substantially constant during operation of the patient support structure.

<CIT> discloses a surgical patient support that includes a foundation frame, a support top, and a brake system. The foundation frame includes a first column and a second column. The support top is coupled to the first column and the second column for rotation about a top axis extending along the length of the support top.

A positioning system for a surgical table that is safe and easy to manipulate would be a notable advance in the medical field.

In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table is herein provided.

The apparatus of the present invention is utilized with a patient platform having a first and second end portions. First and second end supports are also employed with the present apparatus and are linked to the first and second end portions of the patient platform in a manner that is safe and easy to accomplish.

In this regard, the apparatus includes a crossbar mounted to and forming a portion of either end support. A carriage is also employed and utilizes a base housing and first and second studs that extend from the base housing. Each of the first and second studs provides an engagement surface for connectors associated with either end portion of the patient platform. Each connector may take the form of a claw-like member that rotatably locks at the first and second stud engagement surfaces extending from the base housing of the carriage.

In addition, at least one tower is employed to be removably fixed to the first and/or second end supports, preferably to the crossbar. Each tower is provided with at least one gear rack having alternating recesses and shoulders. The combined carriage and one or more towers forms a tower assembly. A controller associated with the carriage moves at least one pawl into and out of engagement with any of the gear racks, thus, allowing the end portions of the patient platform and the carriage to move upwardly and downwardly relative to a tower through a ratchet mechanism. Needless to say, the use of a carriage, one or more towers and controllers, hereinabove described, may be utilized with the first and second end supports of the surgery table. Consequently, the first and second end portions of the patient platform may be independently raised and lowered relative to the first and second end supports.

Moreover, each tower assembly may include a mechanism for removably fixing the same to the crossbar of the first, and/or second end support. In essence the tower may be formed with a single protuberance having a boss engaging an opening in a crossbar. However, such mechanism preferably includes the provision of first and second openings in the crossbar. Each tower is then fitted with first and second protuberances. The first protuberance rotatably fits within the first opening of a crossbar, while the second protuberance fits into the second opening of such cross bar upon rotation of the first protuberance. A locking mechanism audibly actuates and holds the second protuberance in the second opening of the crossbar, achieving a bayonet type of connection.

It may be apparent that a novel and useful adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table has been herein above described.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table that provides for patient safety and facilitates manipulation by a surgical staff.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table that permits multiple movements of a patient platform to allow positioning of a patient that is convenient for a surgeon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table that eliminates hazards associated with surgery tables of the prior art, including inadvertent unlocking of the table, uncontrolled movement of the table, or inability to position the patient platform in certain instances.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table that provides for audible indicators, signaling locking and unlocking of various components of the surgery table.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table that eliminates carriage drift under patient weight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table that is relatively maintenance free.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table which achieves a high degree of stability during use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table that employs a tower attached to an end support by the way of a crossbar via a bayonet type fitting that prevents removal of a linked patient supporting tabletop.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table that complies with governmental standards for lift limits.

The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.

For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above described drawings.

Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof. Such descriptions should be taken in conjunction with the prior delineated drawings to fully understand the idea sought for patenting.

The adjustable support apparatus for a surgery table of the present invention is shown in the drawings, as a whole, by reference character <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, it may be observed that apparatus <NUM> is used in conjunction with a surgery table <NUM>. Surgery table <NUM> is shown as possessing end supports or posts <NUM> and <NUM>. Posts <NUM> and <NUM> are connected to feet or bases <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Bases <NUM> and <NUM> are linked to one another by spanning member <NUM>. Plurality of casters <NUM> allow surgery table <NUM> to be rolled along surface <NUM>.

Apparatus <NUM> further includes tower assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> found at the head and foot end of surgical table <NUM>, respectively. <FIG> denotes surgical table <NUM> with a basic H-frame <NUM> linked to tower assembles <NUM> and <NUM>. In addition, <FIG> show an additional table top or platform <NUM> which may take the form of a spinal surgery top, orthopedic trauma top, radio-lucent imaging top, and the like. It should be seen that <FIG> represents that the position of H-frame <NUM> and table top <NUM> may be reversed by rotation about axis <NUM> through a known mechanism. In addition, <FIG> illustrates the fact that H-frame <NUM> may be moved vertically along either tower assembly <NUM> and/or <NUM> through the apparatus <NUM> of the present application, which will be discussed in greater detail as the specification continues.

With reference now to <FIG>, apparatus <NUM> is depicted in further delineated. Apparatus <NUM> includes tower assembly <NUM> associated with first end support at the head end of surgery table <NUM>. It should be noted that a similar tower assembly <NUM> is associated with second end support <NUM> at the foot end of surgery table <NUM>, shown schematically in <FIG>. Tower assembly <NUM> includes a crossbar or mount <NUM> which is connected directly to and forms a part of first end support <NUM>. Crossbar <NUM> orients towers <NUM> and <NUM> outwardly therefrom and, as depicted in <FIG>, in a generally vertical orientation. Tower assembly <NUM> also possesses carriages <NUM> and <NUM> that move along towers <NUM> and <NUM> via a ratchet mechanism which will be further discussed hereinafter. Carriage <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>, for clarity without engagement and support of a table top as shown in <FIG>. Carriage <NUM> includes a first stud <NUM> and a second stud <NUM> that extend from a base housing <NUM>. Engagement surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> lie intermediate base housing <NUM> and handles <NUM> and <NUM> of studs <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Engagement surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are shown as being generally cylindrical members. However, engagement surface <NUM> is longer than engagement surface <NUM> in order to aid in the orientation of table top <NUM> or H-frame <NUM>. With further reference to <FIG>, it may be seen that H-frame <NUM> is connected to carriage <NUM> by the use of connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, which will be further detailed as the specification continues. Directional arrows <NUM> and <NUM> are intended to show the inward and outward movement of carriages <NUM> and <NUM> relative to crossbar <NUM>, respectively, as well as a table top connected to carriage <NUM> and H-frame <NUM> connected to carriage <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, a schematic rendition of a prior art adjustment mechanism for a surgery table <NUM> is depicted, such as that found in <CIT>. A patient platform <NUM> is held to an H-frame <NUM> by the use of a removable rod or pin <NUM> which selectively engages openings <NUM> through H-frame <NUM>. Needless to say, rod <NUM> must be cautiously removed and reinserted in any of the openings of H-frame <NUM> to move table top <NUM> upwardly or downwardly according to directional arrow <NUM>.

In contrast, the adjustment apparatus <NUM> of the present application offers superior advantages and is illustrated in <FIG> by exemplary Lower <NUM> and carriage <NUM>. Again, it should be noted that carriage <NUM> of tower assembly <NUM>, and other carriages associated with the tower assembly <NUM> on the foot end of surgery table <NUM>, are similarly constructed. Carriage <NUM>, in <FIG> is shown at its rear side, opposite to the front side orientation shown in <FIG>. As it may be seen, tower <NUM> includes an inner open chamber <NUM> which hold gear racks <NUM> and <NUM>. Carriage <NUM> includes a pawl mechanism <NUM> detailed in <FIG>.

Viewing <FIG>, a controller in the form of a slide lever lock actuator <NUM> connects to slide lock knob <NUM> which is manually rotated according to directional arrow <NUM>. Cam follower <NUM> moves along cam surface <NUM> to urge slide lever lock actuator <NUM> outwardly according to directional arrow <NUM>. Such movement displaces lever lock actuator <NUM>, in slot <NUM> as shown, by directional arrow <NUM> in <FIG>. Lever lock actuator <NUM> lies between plates <NUM> and <NUM>. Plate <NUM> has been removed from <FIG> for sake of visibility of the pawl mechanism <NUM>, Lever lock actuator <NUM> rotatably attaches to ratchet pawls <NUM> and <NUM> at pins <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Again, movement of lever lock actuator <NUM>, according to directional arrow <NUM>, causes the rotation of ratchet pawls <NUM> and <NUM>, indicated by directional arrows <NUM> and <NUM>. Pawl notches <NUM> and <NUM> are held in engagement with the gear racks <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, in tower <NUM> by biasing springs <NUM> and <NUM>. The inward rotation of ratchet pawls <NUM> and <NUM> according to directional arrows <NUM> and <NUM> will disengage pawl notches <NUM> and <NUM> from gear racks <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, allowing carriage <NUM> to travel upwardly and downwardly relative to gear racks <NUM> and <NUM>. The release of knob <NUM> will cause pawls <NUM> and <NUM> to reengage gear racks <NUM> and <NUM> through the action of biasing springs <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Of course, pawls <NUM> and <NUM> as well as gear racks <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to allow carriage <NUM> to travel in an upward direction without the operation of slide lock knob <NUM>, yet prohibit the downward motion of carriage <NUM> without the turning of slide lock knob <NUM>, as heretofore described. It should be apparent that ratchet pawls <NUM> and <NUM> rotate relative to plates <NUM> and <NUM> by the use of pawl pins <NUM> and <NUM> held by plates <NUM> and <NUM>, <FIG>. Return spring <NUM> between slide lever lock actuator <NUM> and buttress <NUM> turns knob <NUM> to a rest position where pawls <NUM> and <NUM> are extended into engagement with gear racks <NUM> and <NUM>. Buttress <NUM> is firmly attached to body member <NUM> of carriage <NUM>.

A basic mechanism <NUM> is revealed in <FIG> for removably fixing tower <NUM> to crossbar <NUM> of first end support <NUM>. In this regard an opening <NUM> is formed in crossbar <NUM> with undercut chambers <NUM> and <NUM>. Protuberance <NUM> extends from tower <NUM> and includes lateral projections <NUM> and <NUM>. Placement of protuberance <NUM> within opening <NUM> and twisting or turning of tower <NUM> and protuberance <NUM> will cause lateral projections <NUM> and <NUM> to engage surfaces or ceilings <NUM> and <NUM> of undercut chambers <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Directional arrow <NUM> of <FIG> includes such twisting. Protuberance <NUM> and projections <NUM> and <NUM> remain in opening <NUM> by a tight tolerance construction of such components. However, a preloaded spring may be employed to bear against protuberance <NUM> within opening <NUM>, if desired.

With reference to <FIG>, a preferred mechanism <NUM> is depicted for removably fixing tower <NUM> to crossbar <NUM> of first end support <NUM>. In this regard, tower <NUM> includes an end surface <NUM> into which protuberances <NUM> and <NUM> extend. Protuberance <NUM> bears a slot <NUM>. Protuberance <NUM> is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with an extending boss <NUM>. As may be apparent, upper surface <NUM> of crossbar <NUM> is formed with a first opening <NUM> having a recess <NUM> with an undercut hollow <NUM> shown in phantom on <FIG>. A second opening <NUM> is also found on surface <NUM> of crossbar <NUM> and includes a spring loaded plunger <NUM>. Plunger <NUM> is intended to engage slot <NUM> of protuberance <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, once protuberance <NUM> is placed in opening <NUM>, boss <NUM> rides in undercut hollow <NUM> and tower <NUM> is swung into place such that protuberance <NUM> of tower <NUM> enters second opening <NUM> and is held in place by spring biased plunger <NUM>, concomitant with a snapping noise. As such, tower <NUM> engages and fits into crossbar <NUM> in a bayonet connection fashion. Knob <NUM> maybe pulled to retract spring loaded plunger <NUM> via shaft <NUM> connected knob <NUM>. Mechanism <NUM> also fixes tower <NUM> to crossbar <NUM> and fixes a similar tower or towers to a crossbar of tower assembly <NUM>.

With respect to <FIG>, the connection of platform <NUM> to carriage <NUM> is illustrated in that a pair of connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are shown. Connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are linked by a spanning body <NUM> having a handle <NUM>. It should be noted that connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are similar to connectors <NUM> and <NUM> shown partially in <FIG> that are employed with respect to H-frame <NUM>. Pairs of connectors, similar to connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, are used at each end of platform <NUM> and H-frame <NUM>. Each connector <NUM> and <NUM> is constructed as a claw-like member, illustrated in section on <FIG> with respect to connector <NUM>. As may be seen from <FIG>, claw-like connector <NUM> fits over engagement surface <NUM> of stud <NUM>. Likewise, connector <NUM> would fit over engagement surface <NUM> of stud <NUM>. Connectors <NUM> and <NUM> click into place by the use of a retractable tip, such as exemplary ball tip <NUM> used with respect to connector <NUM>. Tip <NUM> also allows the rotation of connector <NUM>, directional arrow <NUM>, and is linked to paddle structure via rods <NUM> and <NUM>. Paddle structure <NUM> which may be employed to release or retract tip <NUM> from its position against engagement surface <NUM> of stud <NUM>, directional arrows <NUM> and <NUM>. Springs <NUM> and <NUM> bias tip <NUM> in its extended position <NUM> (phantom) to hold claw-like connector <NUM> against engaging surface <NUM> of stud <NUM>. Needless to say, table top <NUM> may be rotated should the table top <NUM>, at the second end support <NUM>, lie at a higher or lower level than the table top portion connected to first end support and tower assembly <NUM>, and vice versa.

<FIG> depict a front view of connectors <NUM> and <NUM> as well as paddle structure <NUM> that rotates about axis <NUM>. Paddle structure <NUM> links to alternate flattened projection tips <NUM> and <NUM> of connectors <NUM> and <NUM> via hubs <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Spanning member <NUM> holds connectors <NUM> and <NUM> together. With particular reference to <FIG>, another operation mechanism <NUM> for maneuvering tip <NUM> is shown. A similar mechanism maneuvers projection tip <NUM> associated with connector <NUM>. A rotor <NUM> connects to hub <NUM> and turns with any force applied to upper portion <NUM> or lower portion <NUM> of paddle structure <NUM>, directional arrows <NUM> and <NUM>, <FIG>. Slotted arms <NUM> and <NUM> engage pin <NUM> on body <NUM> which pivots about axis <NUM>. Directional arrow <NUM> indicated such rotation and the release or retraction of flattened projection tip <NUM> from stud <NUM> when either slotted arm <NUM> or <NUM> moves toward pin <NUM>, according to directional arrows <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Spring <NUM> holds flattened projection tip <NUM> in place against stud <NUM>, absent any force on paddle structure <NUM>. In summary, paddle structure <NUM> releases flattened projection tip <NUM> by pressing of either upper portion <NUM> or lower portion <NUM>, thereof.

In operation, the user attaches H-frame <NUM> and/or table top <NUM> to tower assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>, which are similarly constructed, at the first end support <NUM> and the second end support <NUM> of surgery table <NUM>. Tower assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> are erected using the bayonet structure illustrated in <FIG>, showing the exemplary connection of tower <NUM> to crossbar <NUM>, <FIG>. H-frame <NUM> and/or table top <NUM> are fastened to tower structure <NUM> by the interaction of the exemplar connectors <NUM> and <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which are similar to the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The exemplar connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are held to exemplar tower <NUM> by the use of engagement surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of studs <NUM> and <NUM>. Paddle structure <NUM>, <FIG> may be employed to release connectors <NUM> and <NUM> from studs <NUM> and <NUM> via the exemplar mechanism <NUM>, thus, freeing table top <NUM> from end supports <NUM> and <NUM>. Exemplary carriage <NUM> positions tabletop <NUM> relative to exemplary tower <NUM> by the ratchet mechanism described in <FIG>. Of course, the structure described with respect to tower <NUM> and carriage <NUM> also applies to H-frame <NUM>, tower <NUM>, and carriage <NUM>, as well as a similar arrangement with respect to tower assembly <NUM> associated with table top <NUM> and H-frame <NUM>. Using the ratchet assembly illustrated in <FIG>, the user of surgery table <NUM> may adjust either end of H-frame <NUM> or table top <NUM> upwardly, downwardly and/or into a Trendelenberg or reverse Trendelenberg configuration.

Claim 1:
An adjustable support apparatus (<NUM>) for a surgery table (<NUM>), comprising:
a first post (<NUM>) extending vertically between a lower end and an upper end of the first post (<NUM>);
a first crossbar (<NUM>) mounted to the first post (<NUM>) proximate to the upper end of the first post (<NUM>), the first crossbar (<NUM>) comprising top (<NUM>) and bottom surfaces, the first crossbar able to be fixed to at least one first tower (<NUM>) and at least one second tower (<NUM>);
a first tower (<NUM>) extending between first and second ends of the first tower (<NUM>), the first tower (<NUM>) configured to removably fix with the first crossbar (<NUM>); and
a first carriage (<NUM>) coupled to the first tower (<NUM>), the first carriage (<NUM>) configured to translate along the first tower (<NUM>) via a ratchet mechanism in inward and outward directions with respect to the first crossbar (<NUM>), the first carriage (<NUM>) comprising a first handle (<NUM>) and a second handle (<NUM>) at opposite first end and second end of the first carriage (<NUM>).