Tilt mechanisms for medical systems and applications
A robotic medical system can include a patient platform. The patient platform includes a tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism can include a lateral tilt mechanism and a longitudinal tilt mechanism. The lateral tilt mechanism can include a tilt plate and a pivot housing. A linear actuator mounted on the tilt plate can apply a linear force to the pivot housing. The lateral tilt mechanism can also include a first linear guide that extends along a first axis, and the pivot housing can translate along the first linear guide. Application of the linear force to the pivot housing tilts the tilt plate by causing the pivot housing to translate along the first linear guide.
1. A tilt mechanism for a medical platform, the tilt mechanism comprising:
a tilt plate;
a gimbal attached to the tilt plate, the gimbal configured to allow the tilt plate to at least tilt about a lateral tilt axis;
a linear actuator mounted on the tilt plate; and
a first linear guide attached to the gimbal, wherein the first linear guide extends along a first axis; and
a pivot housing configured to translate along the first linear guide wherein the linear actuator is configured to apply a linear force to the pivot housing, wherein application of the linear force to the pivot housing tilts the tilt plate about the lateral tilt axis by causing the pivot housing to translate along the first linear guide, and wherein the pivot housing is configured to pivot relative to the gimbal about a pivot axis, and the pivot axis is configured to translate relative to the gimbal along the first axis.
2. The tilt mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the pivot housing is further configured to pivot relative to the first linear guide as the pivot housing translates along the first linear guide.
3. The tilt mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator applies the linear force in a direction along a second axis.
4. The tilt mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the first axis and the second axis are not parallel.
5. The tilt mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:
the linear actuator comprises a motor that is configured to rotate a lead screw; and
the pivot housing comprises a screw nut housing mounted on the lead screw.
6. The tilt mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a second linear guide attached to the tilt plate, wherein:
the first linear guide comprises a first set of rails; and
the second linear guide comprises a second set of rails.
7. The tilt mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the first set of rails are positioned between the second set of rails.
8. The tilt mechanism of claim 1 , wherein:
the tilt plate is attached to a patient platform; and
the gimbal is attached to a column that supports the patient platform.
9. A robotic medical system, comprising:
a patient platform configured to support a patient during a medical procedure;
a column coupled to the patient platform by a gimbal configured to allow the patient platform to pivot in a lateral direction about a lateral tilt axis and in a longitudinal direction about a longitudinal tilt axis; and
a tilt mechanism connecting the column to the patient platform, the tilt mechanism comprising:
a lateral tilt mechanism configured to pivot the patient platform about the lateral tilt axis, wherein the lateral tilt mechanism comprises:
a tilt plate attached to the patient platform;
a linear actuator mounted on the tilt plate;
a pivot housing;
a first linear guide attached to the gimbal, wherein the first linear guide extends along a first axis and the pivot housing is configured to translate along the first linear guide; and
a second linear guide attached to the tilt plate, wherein the second linear guide extends along a second axis and the pivot housing is configured to translate along the second linear guide;
wherein the linear actuator is configured to apply a linear force to the pivot housing to cause the pivot housing to translate along the first linear guide and the second linear guide, thereby pivoting the title plate about the lateral tilt axis; and
a longitudinal tilt mechanism configured to pivot the patient platform about the longitudinal tilt axis.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the lateral tilt mechanism and the longitudinal tilt mechanism are configured to be operated simultaneously.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the lateral tilt mechanism is positioned on top of the longitudinal tilt mechanism.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the lateral tilt mechanism comprises the linear actuator configured to apply the linear force in a direction perpendicular to the lateral tilt axis to pivot the patient platform about the lateral tilt axis.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the linear actuator applies the linear force in a direction that is parallel to the second axis.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first axis and the second axis are not parallel.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein:
the linear actuator comprises a motor that is configured to rotate a lead screw; and
the pivot housing comprises a screw nut housing mounted on the lead screw.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein:
the tilt plate is configured to pivot relative to the gimbal about the lateral tilt axis, and the lateral tilt axis is configured to translate relative to the gimbal along the first axis.
17. The system of claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal tilt mechanism comprises:
a longitudinal tilt linkage extending between the column and the gimbal; and
an actuator configured to actuate the longitudinal tilt linkage to pivot the gimbal relative to the column to cause the patient platform to tilt about the longitudinal tilt axis.
18. The system of claim 9 , wherein the linear actuator comprises a longitudinal linear actuator configured to translate along an axis of the column to actuate the longitudinal tilt linkage.