MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM AND A TABLE FOR CARRYING A PATIENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to carrying or holding a patient for positioning with respect to a medical imaging system. More specifically relates to, a medical imaging system and a table connected to the medical imaging system for carrying a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Patients need to be carried on tables for undergoing diagnostic tests, surgical operations and other needs in a hospital environment. The patients may find it difficult while climbing on their own to lay down on the table or when the patients are transferred to the table by attendants. This may be due to the height of the table. Such tables are mostly used during surgical operations and connected to medical imaging systems used for conducting various tests on the patient. The medical imaging system may be for example, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging System, a Computed Tomography Imaging System, and a Positron Emission Tomography Imaging system. The table carrying the patient may be connected to the medical imaging system for conducting tests on the patient.

[0003] Tables having the feature of adjusting their heights are available. The height of the table can be adjusted using a foot switch provided. The foot switch when operated by an attendant sends signals to a motor to operate actuators. These actuators move the table up or down for adjusting the height. The actuators commonly used are hydraulic actuators, lead screw actuators, ball screw actuators and electric actuators. The actuators are usually positioned in an inclined manner connecting a base unit of the table for achieving lower heights. Even though the table can be lowered still the process of positioning the patient on the table remains cumbersome. This is because the patients may be anesthetic patients, aged and have short height and the height achieved by these tables still does not reduce the difficulty.

[0004] Therefore there is a need for a medical imaging system and a table connected to the medical imaging system for carrying a patient and capable of allowing a patient to be positioned in a convenient manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.

[0006] In an embodiment a table for carrying a patient is disclosed. The table includes an elongated table assembly for holding the patient. The table also includes a plurality of helical band actuators connected to the elongated table assembly. Each helical band actuator is capable of axially extending and retracting in a synchronized manner for lifting and lowering the elongated table assembly respectively.

[0007] In another embodiment a medical imaging system including an image processing unit for capturing images of a patient and a table for carrying and positioning the patient with respect to the image processing unit to capture the images is disclosed. The table includes an elongated table assembly and a plurality of helical band actuators. The elongated table assembly is used for holding the patient. Further the plurality of helical band actuators connected to the elongated table assembly. Each helical band actuator is capable of axially extending and retracting in a synchronized manner for lifting and lowering the elongated table assembly respectively.

[0008] Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIGURE 1 is schematic illustration of a table for carrying a patient in a raised position in accordance with an embodiment;

[0010] FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration of the table of FIGURE 1 in a collapsed position;

[0011] FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the table of FIGURE 1 showing a driving assembly in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustrates of exploded view of an elongated table assembly of the table in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0013] FIGURE 5 illustrates a medical imaging system having the table of FIGURE 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0015] As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the invention include a medical imaging system and a table connected to the medical imaging system for carrying a patient. The medical imaging system includes an image processing unit and a table. The image processing unit captures images of a patient. The table carries and positions the patient with respect to the image processing unit for capturing the images. The table includes an elongated table assembly for holding the patient. A plurality of helical band actuators present in the table is connected to the elongated table assembly. Each helical band actuator is capable of axially extending and retracting in a synchronized manner for lifting and lowering the elongated table assembly respectively. When the elongated table assembly is lowered the patient can lay down on the table conveniently. Thereafter the plurality helical band actuators are extended to move the elongated table assembly upward.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a table 100 for carrying a patient in a raised position in accordance with an embodiment. The table 100 includes an elongated table assembly 102 and multiple helical band actuators such as, two helical band actuators 104. The elongated table assembly 102 is used for holding a patient. The two helical band actuators 104 may be connected to the elongated table assembly 102 and a base unit 106. The helical band actuators 104 may be positioned perpendicular to the ground. The table 100 may include more helical band actuators based on the load that needs to be supported by the table 100. The helical band actuators 104 may be capable of axially extending and retracting in a synchronized manner. So when the helical band actuators 104 axially extend then the elongated table assembly 102 attains a raised position. Further when the helical band actuators 104 axially retract the elongated table assembly 102 is lowered to attain a collapsed position as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2 when the table 100 attains the raised and the collapsed position one or more scissor units 108 of the tables 100 attain an unfolded position and a folded position respectively. The scissor units 108 may have their one ends connected to guide members 110. The guide members 110 move through guide ways 112 provided to attain the folded and the unfolded positions. The other ends of the scissor units 108 may be connected to fixed members 114. The fixed members 114 may be present in the base unit 106 and the elongated table assembly 102 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The scissor units 108 may support any horizontal loads exerted on the table 100. The scissor units 108 may be composed of a steel material or any other materials known in the art capable of supporting the required load. Whereas the helical band actuators 104 support vertical loads exerted on the table 100. Such horizontal loads and vertical loads may be due to but not limited to movement of the patient lying down on the table 100.

[0017] A helical band actuator may be also known as a Spiralift® actuator. A helical band actuator may include flat members that interlock with a band. In an embodiment the flat members and the band may be composed of steel. However the flat members and the band may be composed of any other materials known in the art that facilitates in extending and retracting and also support sufficient load. The flat members may include protruding members that interlock with grooves of the band. The grooves may be present on two sides of the band. So when the band extends in a spiral manner axially the protruding members interlock with the grooves on both sides of the band. A column is formed when the band extends completely. Further a continuous T section may be formed within the column by the flat springs and the band. Various kinds of helical band actuators known in the art may be used and hence the flat members and the band of the helical band actuator are not shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. Now when the helical band actuator 104 retracts the band folds by disengaging the protruding members from the grooves of the band.

[0018] The helical band actuators 104 may be operated by one or more driving assemblies such as, a driving assembly 116. The driving assembly 116 may be configured on the base unit 106. The driving assembly 116 includes a driving unit 118 for operating the helical band actuators 104. The driving unit 118 may include a driving chain 120 connected to the helical band actuators 104. In an embodiment the driving chain 120 may be connected to ends 122 and 124 of the helical band actuators 104. These ends 122 and the 124 may have teeth that mesh with the teeth of the driving chain 120. The driving chain 120 may also have teeth that mesh with a gear 126 of driving unit 118 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 3. In an embodiment the driving assembly 116 may include single driving unit such as the driving unit 118, however it may be appreciated that the driving assembly 116 may include multiple driving units. Further it may be appreciated that the driving unit 118 may have any other configurations known in the art for driving the helical band actuators 104. The driving unit 118 may be but not limited to a belt driving mechanism, a pulley drive mechanism, and a combination of multiple gears and a driving chain.

[0019] The driving assembly 116 also includes a motor 128 for operating the driving unit 118. The motor 128 may be powered by electric energy. The motor 128 may be connected to the gear 126 and drives the gear 126. The gear 126 may rotate to the move the driving chain 120. Consequently the driving chain 120 moves to operate the helical band actuators 104 in a synchronized manner. Thus both the helical band actuators 104 retract and extend at the same time. In an embodiment the motor 128 may be operated by one or more foot switches (not shown in FIGs. 1, 2 and 3). The foot switches may be operated by an attendant. For instance when a first foot switch is operated by the attendant the motor 128 drives the gear 126. The gear 126 then drives the driving chain 120 for axially extending the helical band actuators 104 to lift the elongated table assembly 102. Whereas when the second foot switch is operated the motor 128 drives the gear 126 in a different orientation. Thereafter the driving chain 120 retracts the helical band actuators 104 thereby lowering the elongated table assembly 102.

[0020] In an embodiment the elongated table assembly 102 may be lowered such that a height between the elongated table assembly 102 and the ground is about 430 mm. In another embodiment the elongated table assembly 102 may be lowered such that a height between the elongated table assembly 102 and the ground may vary between about 430 mm and about 450 mm. As the elongated table assembly 102 can be lowered to such a low level a patient can be conveniently transferred to the table 100. Further due to this facility of lowering the table 100 the elongated table assembly 102 may be able to accommodate a Posterior Array (PA) coil integrated within the elongated table assembly 102. The PA coil generally adds to the height when integrated within an elongated table assembly of a table. Thus as the table 100 can attain such lower heights the additional height added due to the integration of the PA coil can be compensated. The PA coil may be used for assisting in capturing images of body parts of the patient.

[0021] The PA coil may be integrated within a cradle unit 130 of the elongated table assembly 102 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. The PA coil may have multiple wires that may be positioned in a table top 132 of the elongated table assembly 102. The table top 132 is positioned below the cradle unit 130. The wires may be placed within troughs 134 of the table top 132. As a result the wires do not contribute to any additional height for the table 100. Thus the table 100 can attain lower heights to enable a patient to be conveniently positioned on the table 100 or allows the patient to lay down on the table 100 with less effort. The table 100 can be operatively connected to a medical imaging system. Once connected multiple stoppers 140 may be used to assist the table 100 to be positioned connecting the medical imaging system 100. For instance a medical imaging system may be connected to the elongated table assembly 102. Then the cradle unit 130 may be positioned with respect to the medical imaging system for capturing images of any body parts of the patient. The cradle unit 130 may be positioned manually or may be automatically positioned by the medical imaging system. The table 100 can be disconnected from the medical imaging system and moved for servicing. In this scenario, a handle unit 136 connected to the elongated table assembly 102 may be used to move the table 100 for servicing. The table 100 may be moved with the assistance of multiple wheels 138 provided at the base unit 106.

[0022] Now turning to FIG. 5, FIG.5 schematically illustrates a medical imaging system 500 having the table 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The medical imaging system 500 may be but not limited to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging system, a X-Ray imaging system, and a Computed Tomography Imaging System. The medical imaging system 500 includes an image processing unit (not shown in FIG. 5) for capturing images of a patient. The table 100 connected to the medical imaging system 500 positioning the patient for capturing the images. The table 100 includes the elongated table assembly 102 and multiple helical band actuators 104 capable of axially extending and retracting in a synchronized manner for lifting and lowering the elongated table assembly 102. A foot switch 502 may be used for axially extending the helical band actuators 104. Whereas a foot switch 504 may be used for axially retracting the helical band actuators 104. The functioning of the helical band actuators 104 is explained in detailed in conjunction with FIGs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[0023] In order to take the images of body parts of the patient using the medical imaging system 500, the elongated table assembly 102 may be lowered for the patient to lie down. The elongated table assembly 102 may be lowered using the helical band actuators 104 to such a lower height that enables the patient to conveniently lie down. The patient lies down on the cradle unit 130. Thereafter the elongated table assembly 102 is raised using the helical band actuators 104. The table 100 is then connected to the medical imaging system 500. The table 100 may be an integral part of the medical imaging system 500. Alternatively the table 100 may be a separate unit from the medical imaging system 500. In this scenario the table 100 can be connected to the medical imaging system 500. The table 100 may be connected by interconnecting the cradle unit 128 with the medical imaging system 500. The medical imaging system 500 may include mechanisms known in the art for positioning the cradle unit 130 within a scanning area 506 for capturing the images of the patient.

[0024] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any computing system or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

[0025] Referral Numerals:

We Claim:

1. A table for carrying a patient, the table comprises:

an elongated table assembly for holding the patient;

a plurality of helical band actuators connected to the elongated table assembly, each helical band actuator is capable of axially extending and retracting in a synchronized manner for lifting and lowering the elongated table assembly respectively.

2. The table of claim 1, wherein the elongated table assembly when lowered a height between the elongated table assembly and ground is about 430 mm.

3. The table of claim 1, wherein the elongated table assembly when lowered a height between the elongated table assembly and ground is about 430 mm to about 450 mm.

4. The table of claim 1, wherein the plurality of helical band actuators is positioned perpendicular to
the ground.

5. The table of claim 1 further comprises a base unit having a plurality of wheels, wherein the plurality of helical band actuators is connected to the elongated table assembly and the base unit.

6. The table of claim 5 further comprises at least one driving assembly for operating the plurality of helical band actuators, the at least one driving assembly configured on the base unit, wherein a driving assembly of the at least one driving assembly comprises:

a driving unit connected to at least one helical band actuator of the plurality of helical band actuators for operating the at least one helical band actuator; and a motor for operating the driving unit.

7. The table of claim 6, wherein the driving assembly further comprises a switch for operating the motor, wherein the switch is operated by a user.

8. The table of claim 1, wherein the elongated table assembly comprises:

a cradle unit for holding the patient, the cradle unit having a posterior array coil integrated there within; and

a table top positioned below the cradle unit, the table top having at least one elongated trough for receiving a plurality of wires connected to the posterior array coil.

9. The table of claim 1, wherein the table is capable of operatively connecting to a medical imaging system, the elongated table assembly capable of positioning the patient for capturing images of the patient using the medical imaging system.

10. A medical imaging system comprising:

an image processing unit for capturing images of a patient; and a table for carrying and positioning the patient with respect to the image processing unit to capture the images, wherein the table comprises: an elongated table assembly for holding the patient; and a plurality of helical band actuators connected to the elongated table assembly, each helical band actuator is capable of axially extending and retracting in a synchronized manner for lifting and lowering the elongated table assembly respectively.

11. The medical imaging system of claim 10, wherein the medical imaging system is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging system.

12. The medical imaging system of claim 10, wherein the elongated table assembly when lowered a height between the elongated table assembly and ground is about 430 mm.

13. The medical imaging system of claim 10, wherein the elongated table assembly when lowered a height between the elongated table assembly and ground is about 430 mm to about 450 mm.

14. The medical imaging system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of helical band actuators is positioned perpendicular to the ground.

15. The medical imaging system of claim 11, wherein the table further comprises a base unit, wherein the plurality of helical band actuators is connected to the elongated table assembly and the base unit.

16. The medical imaging system of claim 11, wherein the table further comprises at least one driving assembly for operating the plurality of helical band actuators, wherein a driving assembly of the at least one driving assembly comprises:

a driving unit connected to at least one helical band actuator of the plurality of helical band actuators for operating the at least one helical band actuator; a motor for operating the driving unit; and a switch for operating the motor, wherein the switch is operated by a user

17. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein the elongated table assembly comprises:

a cradle unit for holding the patient, the cradle unit having a posterior array coil integrated there within; and

a table top positioned below the cradle unit, the table top having at least one elongated trough for receiving a plurality of wires connected to the posterior array coil.