Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BackgTound of the Invention
The use of X-ray transparent flattop tables foT supporting
patientS in a desired position with respect to a source of x-radia-
tion or the like is well known. Such adjustable tables are com-
monly used when patients are to be subjected, for example, to
routine radiographic procedures. Tables with adjustable tops have
been used for expanded procedures such as require insertion in the
patient's body of a contrast media to be visually monitoTed by
fluoroscopic procedures.
One type of table for radiographic use comprised a frame
supported by corner legs and having an X-ray transparent panel
of wood, plastic or composition upon which a patient was made to
lie. A Bucky tray was disposed beneath the panel for supporting
X-ray sensitive film, and an X-~ay generator was positioned above
the table to project x-radiation downwardly through the patient's
body and the tTansparent panel to the X-ray sensitive film.
The X-ray tube was usually suspended or supported in a
manner that would allow projection o~ the radiation over an area
comprising as much as about 70 x 15 inches. In such an installa-
~0 t~on it was required that the patient "climb" or be lifted ontothe table and, with the heIp of a technologist, lie down approxi-
mately in the center of the table. To locate the selected area
of the patient to be studied over the center of the film in the
Bucky tray, lt was then necessary to push, pull or otherwise
physically slide the patient over the table top.
A large poTtion of such examinations often required two or
m¢re technologists to handle the patient. The use of foot stools,
sheets and other equipment did not solve the problem of the need
for additional technologists to assis~ the patients in all but the
simplest examinations.
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The next development was that of providing a table in which
the top was longi~udinally and transversely movable to partially
Teduce the need to slide the patient. Another improYemént was
achieved by developing a table, particularly for angiographic pro-
ceduTes, which comprised a top which moved ~our ways in a single
plane on a pedestal instead of fouT legs. This table also eleva-
ted the top to make minor surgical procedures easier. Also, this
table resembled an operating table more than an X-Tay table, and
did not have radiographic capabilities. Further, this table had
a normal lower or rest position of about thirty inches from which
it could be elevated. Thus, the requirement for additional tech-
nologists to assist a patient still existed.
A still later development provided a flat-top pedestal table
~ which completely eliminated the need to manually apply any force
on the patient once he is on the table. This table had a top
which had trav01 of twelve by forty-seven inches which allowed
easy positioning of the selected portion of the patient's body
over the center o the image Teceptor o~ film in the Bucky tray
for all routine radiographic techniques. This table has virtually
`~ 20 el`iminated the need foT an assistant technician to move the patlent
once the patient is on the table.
However, even this table had a normal lower or rest position
of about thirty or thirty-two inches above the floor~ and it was
`~ still necessary or a patient to climb onto the table top or to
be assisted thereon.
It has been found that a majority o in house patients in a
hospital or convalescen~ home, and residents of a retirement home,
need assistance to get onto a conventional float top or stationary
~ radiographic X-ray table. In a busy area an assistant is auto-
; 30 matically assigned to help the technician in order to reduce
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overall examination time. In a room having the capabilities of the
most modern known pliOr art X-ray table the time spent in gettin~
a patient on and off the table has been found to be the majo~
portion of the time for most examinations.
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Summar of the Invention
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The present invention oveTcomes the above and othe~ disad-
vantages of the prior art by the provision of an adjustable power-
driven X-~ay table, particularly for ~adiographic procedures,
which may be loweTed below the conventional rest position of about
thirty inches above the floor so as to pérmit easier disposition
of a patient upon the table top without climbing or lifting such
as was previously ~equired. In accordance with the present inven-
tion the table top may be lowered to a level of about nineteen
inches from the flooT. This has the advantage of permitting a
patient to sit down on the table top o~ to slide easily trans-
versely from a chaiT onto the table top instead of climbing up
or being lifted onto it.
It has been found that an ambulatory patient, even one on
crutches, needs no help getting onto the table embodying the
present invention. A wheel chair patient can merely flip down
the arm rest of his chair and slide smoothly sideways from the
chaiT to the *able top, often with no assistance whatsoeveT.
Such convenience encouTages patients to "do it yourself",
an aid to rehabilitation. Since the number of assistants may
be reduced substantially, there is a consequent reduction in the
cost as well as the exam time in most instances.
. The table embodying the present invention is a pedestal type
~` which may have a floating or stationary top and is completely
adjustable from an upper level to a normal rest level of abou~
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thirty-two inches and additionally to a lower level o about nine-
teen inches.
~`~ In order to allow the tabls top to be lowered as desired,
the mechanism to achieve the vertical adjustment is one which
` ~ 30 collapses, such as a scissors driven by a compact hyd~aulic
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system. Thus, in the lowered position of the table top the parts of the struc-
ture are compactly packaged without interfering with operation of the apparatus.
; Lifting power is provided conveniently by a suitable hydraulic sys-
tem attached to the central pivot area of the scissors, thus enabling effi-
cient operation without interference.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided X-ray
apparatus comprising a radiographic table having a base with a table-support-
ing bottom surface and upstanding side panels of a predetermined height less ~
than nineteen inches as measured from said bottom surface, a frame having an ;
elongated patient-supporting top surface spaced above said base and having de-
pending side panels disposed in slidable telescopic relationship with corres-
ponding side panels of the base, said frame side panels depending a distance
less than nineteen inches as measured from said top surface, and adjustable ~-
support means for translationally raising and lowering said frame and said top `~
surface relative to said base and said bottom surface, said support means
being enclosed by said base and ~rame side panels and movable longitudinally
with respect to said top surface when the frame and said top surface are low-
ered for storing the support means in a space having a vertical dimension be-
tween said top and bottom surfaces of less than nineteen inches and permitting
~0 the top surface to be located at substantially wheel chair height.
In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided
~ X-ray apparatus comprising a table with a top adapted to be lowered to a level
`~ at least approximately wheel chair height, said table having a base, a frame
spaced above said base, means on said frame for supporting said top thereon
;~ and adjustable support means for raising and lowering said frame and top, said ~;
; support means being located on said base between the base and frame and having
the frame mounted thereon, said support means being collapsible, when the
:"~ frame and top are lowered, into a space having a restricted vertical dimension
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```~ permitting the top to be located at substantially wheel chaîr height.
~ 30 In acc~rdance with the present invention, there iOE further provided
'~` X-ray apparatus comprising a tahle including a base ha~ing a table-supporting
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bottom surface, a frame having a patient-supporting top surface spaced above
said base and supported on the base for translational vertical movement rela-
tive to said bottom surface, and adjustable support means disposed between
said top and bottom surfaces and connected to the frame Eor translationally
raising and lowering said frame and said top surface relative to said base and
said bottom surface, said support means comprising a jack structure which
includes a first pair of longitudinally extending crossed arms having respec-
tive end portions pivotally secured to said base and said frame adjacent one
end of the table, a second similarly positioned and attached pair of longitu-
dinally extending crossed arms adjacent the opposite side of the table, said
crossed arms of each pair being pivotally connected together at axially align-
ed crossover points, and drive means pivotally connected to said crossover
points for raising and lowering said frame and said top surface relative to
said bottom surface, said drive means comprising at least one hydraulic cylin-
der mounted at one end on said base and having a plunger rod attached to said
crossover points, and means for operating said cylinder to cause said rod to
move said crossover points selectively upwardly or downwardly in accordance
with said translationally raising and lowering of said frame and said top
surface.
In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided
X-ray apparatus comprising a table with a top adapted to be lowered to a level ;~
~i at least approximately wheel chair height, said table having a base, an elong-
- ated patient-supporting top surface spaced above the base, and adjustable sup-
port means disposed between the top surface and the base and connected to the ~.
~` top surface for raising and lowering the top surface relative to the base, ~` ~
said adjustable support means being ex~endable longitudinally along the elong- :;
`~' ated dimension of said top surface when the top surface is lowered to a posi- -.;
tion where the top surface is located substantially at wheel chair height, the
amount of longitudinal extension of the support means along the elongated dim- . .
ension of the top surface heing changed when the top surface is above wheel
chair height.
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Brief Descripti:on of the Drawings
The abore and other objects and advantages of this invention
will become apparent from the following description taken in con-
nection with the accompanying d~awings, wherein:
FIG~ 1 is an isometTic view of an X-ray apparatus including
a tablc embodying the invention and showing the table in an inter-
mediate rest position;
FIGo 2 is an isometric view showing the table of- Fig~ 1 in
elevated position;
FIG~ 3 is an isometric view showing the table of Fig. 1
in loweTed position according to~this invention;
FIG~ 4 is an isometric view of the adjustable scissor
supporting mechanism for the table top;
FIG. 5 is a fTont elevational view of the table supporting
mechanism showing the table in elevated position;
PIG~ 6 is a front elevational view of the table supporting
mechanism showing the table i~n lowered position;
FIG~ 7 is a ve~tical se~ct~ional view of the elevating mech-
anism taken along line 7-7 of Fig. S; and
FIG~ 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control ~:
system for the apparatus. :
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Description of the Preferred Embodiments
ReferIing more pa~ticularly to the drawings, wherein like
characters of reference designate like parts thToughout the se~-
eral views, there is shown in Fig. 1 an X-ray apparatus 10 which
comprises an X-ray table 12 having a base or pedestal 14 and a
top 16. The top 16 is suitably secured upon a frame or carriage
18 for planar movement in any direction, the means for accomplish-
ing such movemen~ not comprising a part of this invention. The
carriage 18 has a depending fTont panel 20 and end panels 22
, 10 which overlie corresponding front and end panels 24 and 26 respec-
- tively of the base 14.
Although not a part of the present invention, the apparatus
lO is shown briefly as also including a tube stand 28 that sup-
ports a veTtically adjustable X-ray generator 30 which is normally
positioned above the table top 16. Details of the generator and
associated mechanism aTe well known and, therqfore, not described
herein.
Beneath the table top 16 is located a removable Bucky tTay
32 which includes a film caTrieT or cassette (not shown) which is
ada~ted to receive x-radiation from the generator 30. The details
of the film-supporting mechanism are also well known and, there-
fore, not described herein.
.~
` The table *op 16 in the position shown in Fig. 1 corresponds
,~
to ~he rest or lowered position of conventional X-ray tables,
which is about thirty-two inches above the floor, and may be raised
by means to be descrlbed ~o the elevated position shown in Fig. 2,
~ which is about fifty-four inches above the floorO
`~ It has been found that when a conventional table top is
dropped to the rest or lowered position shown in Fig. 1, it is ex-
~,
tremely difficult for an incapacitated patient to be assisted onto
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the ~hirty-two inch high table top. Therefore, in accordance with
this invention, the table top 16 may be lowered to a position as
shown in Fig. 3 which is about nineteen inches from the 100r.
Thls dimension is approximately at chair height, thus making it
considerably easier for a wheel~chair patient, ~or example, to
slide directly from the chair onto the table top without assis-
tance. After a patient is positioned on the table, the top may
be elevated to any level up to about thirty-two or fifty-four
inches, as may be convenient.
In further accordance with this invention, the means for
raising and lowering the table top 16 comprises a hydraulically
operated scissors mechanism as shown in Figs. 4-7. In Fig. 4
the table top 16 is shown in phantom and the Bucky tray is
omitted for convenience.
The table top 16 is adjustably positioned on the carriage
18 for lateral movement, as mentioned before. However, a frame
comprising a pair of longitudinal channel members 34 and 36 are
disposed at the front and rea~ of the table and interconnect end
panels 22 immediately below the carriage rails 38. On the under-
; 20 side of each channel 36 at one end of che table is located an
`` anchoT block 40 to each of which is pivotally attached the upper
end of a scissors bar 42.
On a sheet metal platform 44 in the base 14 there are pro-
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vided, at the opposite end of the table structure, a pair of
spaced bearing channels 46 within which are secured the lower ends
of the respective scissors bar 42. In actuality, the lower ends
of bars 42 carry rollers 43 which move longitudinally within the
channels to allow the scissors to function, as will be described
hereinafter.
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A pair of spaced anchor blocks 48 are also mounted on the
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platform 44 in vertical spaced rela*ion to the upper anchor
blocks 40. Anchor blocks 48 serve to pivotally secure the lower
ends of respective second scissors bars or arms 50. The bars 50
are adjustably supported by rOlleTS 50 ~Fig. 7) within respective
channels 52 which are sultably mounted on the under sides of the
channel members 36 in spaced vertical alignment with channels 46.
The bars 42-50 in each pair thus cross one anotheT and are pivot-
ally connected together at their crossover points by pivots 54.
~rom this it will be seen that the scissors can be used as a jack
to raise and lower the table top 16, and that with such a scissors
arrangement the table top can be lowered to a much lower ~evel
than can be achieved with vertical screws, rack and pinions or
` other mechanisms.
The means which is employed in the present invention for
vertically adjusting the table top 16 comprises a hydraulic system
` such as the HydTaulic Power Pack No. 2022405 supplied by Dura Corp.
~` of Paris, Kentucky. Such a hydraulic system includes a pump and
an electric motor for operating the pump to control flow of
hydraulic fluid into and out of a hydraulic cylinder. The pump-
motor unit is indicated at 56 and one unit is provided for each
pair of scissors bars 42 and 50. Each unit is preferably mounted
`~` on a rigidizing support plate 58 spanning respective opposed arms`~ and is operati~ely connected to a respective hydraulic cylinder
` 60.
`; Each cylinder 60 is pivotally attached at its lower end to
~` a respective bar 62 carried by the platform 44. The cylinders
` each contain the usual plunger having a plunger rod 64 extending
out from the upper end thereof, and the outer ends of the plunger
~` rods 64 are pivo~ally connected to respective spaced lugs or ears66 on a yoke plate 68 as shown best in Pig. 7. The yoke plate
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is provided with angled lugs or ears 70 in which the inner ends
of the pivot pins 54 of the crossed scissor arms 42 and 50 are
- secuTed.
Thus, it is to be understood that when the hydraulic cylin-
deTs 60 are actuated to Taise the table top 16, the plunger rods
64 will pTojeCt upwardly out of the upper ends of the cylinders
and, because of the pivotal connections with lugs 66, will move
the plate 68 in an upwaTd direction. Since the pivot members 54
are also connected to the plate 68 by the lugs 70, this will
cause the pivot members 54 and the scissor arms 42 and 50 to be
raised. The arms are pi~oted at one end to bloc~s 40 and 48, as
described. However, the opposite ends of the arms will roll on
their rollers 43 and 51 within the respective channel blocks 52
and 46, thus allowing the scissor jack mechanism to raise the
table top 16 to the desired level.
The hydraulic cylinders 60 can be similarly operated in
the reverse direction to lower the scissor jack mechanism and
consequently lower the table top. It will be understood that
the scissor jack mechanism described will collapse into a ~ela-
tivel~ small vertically dimensioned space, thus allowing the
table top to be lowered to a level as low as about nineteen inches
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from the floor.
The electrical control circuit for the described apparatus
is relatively simple,as shown in Fig. 8. Two double-pole single-
throw switches 72 and 74 are provlded and these are manually
opeTated as by foot pedals 76 and 78 at the bottom front of the
table. When switch 72 or 74 is closed, the motor 80 of the hydrau-
lic system is driven in one directlon to cause the pump 82 to force
fluid into a cylinder 60 to raise the table top 16. The circuit
is completed through the solenoid valve 84 of the hydraulic
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cylinder. Although only one hydraulic system is disclosed in
Pig. 8, it will be apparent that two systems could be operated
by the same circuit.
Prom the foregoing it will be apparent that all of the objec-
tives of this invention have been achie~ed by the appalatus shown
and desc~ibed. HoweverJ it will be understood that various changes
and modifications in the desc~ibed apparatus may be made by those
skilled in ~he art. For example, it will be apparent that a sin-
gle scissoT jack arrangement may be employed foT elevating and
lowering the table top instead of the double jack structure dis-
closed. Therefore, all matter shown and described is to be inter-
preted as illustTative and not in a limiting sense.
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