Surgical tables
A surgical table having a tabletop and a column for enabling at least a part of the tabletop to be rotatable about a trend axis extending in a transverse direction across the tabletop; and an actuator mechanism coupled between the movable framework and the column and arranged to raise and lower the movable framework and the trend axis relative to the column and to rotate the movable framework about the trend axis, wherein the actuator mechanism is fitted to an external surface of the outer column element and is adapted to move the movable framework between a lowermost position, at which the trend axis extends through an upper part of the outer column element which surrounds the inner column element when the column elements are telescoped into the contracted configuration, and an uppermost position, at which the trend axis is spaced at spacing height from an uppermost part of the column.
1 . A surgical table comprising:
a base for standing on a floor;
a column of adjustable height mounted on and extending from the base;
a tabletop providing a patient support surface;
a movable framework mounted between the tabletop and the column for enabling at least a part of the tabletop to be rotatable about a trend axis extending in a transverse direction across the tabletop;
a linear guide mechanism extending along at least a part of the column, the linear guide mechanism comprising a first part coupled to the column and a second part coupled to the movable framework, the first and second parts being relatively movable along a linear axis of the linear guide mechanism to enable the movable framework to be translated along the linear axis by relative movement of the first and second parts;
a first actuator mechanism coupled to the movable framework and arranged to raise and lower the movable framework relative to the column and to rotate the movable framework about the trend axis; and
a second actuator mechanism coupled to the linear guide mechanism and arranged to cause relative movement of the first and second parts thereby to raise and lower the trend axis relative to the column.
2 . A surgical table according to claim 1 , wherein the first actuator mechanism comprises first and second actuators, the first actuator being connected to a first portion of the movable framework and the second actuator being connected to a second portion of the movable framework, the first and second portions being mutually spaced and located on opposite sides of the trend axis.
3 . A surgical table according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second portions are located on opposite sides of a central axis orthogonal to the trend axis and extending through the movable framework.
4 . A surgical table according to claim 2 , wherein the movable framework is substantially rectangular and the first and second portions are located at diagonally opposite corners of the movable framework.
5 . A surgical table according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second actuators are the only actuators coupled between the column and to the movable framework for causing movement of the movable framework relative to the column.
6 . A surgical table according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second actuators are each inclined at a respective acute angle in opposite directions from a plane including a longitudinal axis of the column and the trend axis so that an upper first end of each of the first and second actuators is oriented further from the plane than a respective lower second end.
7 . A surgical table according to claim 2 , wherein the first actuator has an upper first end connected to a first portion of the movable framework and a lower second end coupled to the column and the second actuator has an upper first end connected to a second portion of the movable framework and a lower second end coupled to the column.
8 . A surgical table according to claim 7 , wherein the second end of each of the first and second actuators is coupled to an external surface of the column.
9 . A surgical table according to claim 7 wherein the second end of each of the first and second actuators is pivotally coupled to the column.
10 . A surgical table according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second actuators each comprise an electrical linear actuator.
11 . A surgical table according to claim 2 , wherein the first and second actuators each comprise an elongate element having an upper end connected by a pivot joint to the movable framework and a drive assembly coupled to a lower portion of the elongate element for extending, or retracting, the elongate element so as respectively to raise, or lower, the respective first and second portions of the movable framework.
12 . A surgical table according to claim 11 , wherein the elongate element comprises a leadscrew and the drive assembly is adapted to rotate the leadscrew to extend, or retract, the leadscrew so as respectively to raise, or lower, the respective first and second portions of the movable framework, optionally wherein the leadscrew extends entirely through the drive assembly so that a lower end of the leadscrew is below the drive assembly at least when the leadscrew is retracted.
13 . A surgical table according to claim 11 , wherein the elongate element is linear and is inclined at an acute angle from the plane including a longitudinal axis of the column and the trend axis so that the upper end is oriented further from the plane than the lower portion.
14 . A surgical table according to claim 13 , wherein the elongate elements of the first and second actuators are oriented in opposite directions from the plane.
15 . A surgical table according to claim 6 , wherein the lower second end of each of the first and second actuators is pivotally coupled to the column and the acute angle of inclination of each elongate element from the plane decreases as the extension of the elongate element increases.
16 . A surgical table according to claim 1 , wherein the movable framework defines an internal opening which is larger than an upper end of the column and the first actuator mechanism is capable of lowering the movable framework relative to the column to a lowermost position in which the movable framework is below the upper end of the column and surrounds the column.
17 . A surgical table according to claim 16 , wherein in the lowermost position the trend axis is below the upper end of the column.
18 . A surgical table according to claim 16 , wherein in the lowermost position the movable framework is entirely below the upper end of the column.
19 . A surgical table according to claim 1 , wherein the first actuator mechanism is capable of raising the movable framework relative to the column to an uppermost position in which the moveable framework is above an upper end of the column.
20 . A surgical table according to claim 19 , wherein in the uppermost position the trend axis is above the upper end of the column.