GB2149652A - Therapeutic table - Google Patents

Abstract

An elongated therapeutic table has a support surface comprising three support members including a cervical support member 21 at the head, and a pivotable support member 23 at the foot of the table; the pivotable support member 23 being pivotally movable in horizontal and vertical directions about respective axes 37, 40 centrally located between the pivotable support member 23 and the adjacent support member 22 and the pivotable support member 23 also being rotatable about its longitudinal axis 35. The table includes a display panel 50 and lamps 53-8 for detecting and indicating the positions of the support members. Support members 21 and 23 move relative to support member 22 to apply traction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Therapeutic table THIS INVENTION relates to therapeutic tables ofthe kind used by therapists, such as chiropractors, physiotherapists and the like, in the diagnosis, manipulation and mobilization of patients.

Manytypes oftherapeutictables are known and many of these types are designed for particular manipulative or other uses. Thus, for example one kind oftraction table comprises a pair of co-planar support surface which are axially slidabletowards and away from each other. A traction machine at one end may be harnessed to a patient who is on the table and traction force applied to a particular part ofthe spine of the patient. The relatively sliding surfaces enable the patient to be correctly positioned such that the parts of his body move together with the surfaces on which they are located.

Anothertype oftherapeutictable includes two main co-planar surfaces which may be pivotted with respect to each other in the horizontal or vertical plane. As will be well appreciated by those skilled in the artthis enables one part of a patient's spine to be pivotted about another part and so enablethe angular orientation of two or more vertebra to be changed thereby making them more accessible or more amenableto manipulation and/or mobilization.

All therapeutic tables known to the applicant have limitations which make them unsuitable for use with a broad spectrum oftherapeutic techniques. Thus a practitioner wishing to practise such a broad spectrum of techniques would require the use of several types of therapeutic table if he wishes two achieve good results.

Further problem experienced by practitioners occurs in the field of diagnosis. With known techniques it is generally difficultto obtain consistency in diagnosis or a reasonable correlation between the diagnosis of patients with similar ailments.

An object of this invention is to provide a therapeutic table of increased versatility.

According to an aspectofthe invention an elongated therapeutic table has a support surface compris- ing at leasttwo support members located along the length thereofwith a pivotable support member forming the foot end of the table and being pivotably movable in horizontal and vertical directions about at least one pivot point centrally located substantially between the two support members and rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

Further according tothe invention the pivotable surface member is lockable in any horizontal or vertical rotational position or any combination thereof, and the two surface members are movable towards and awayfrom each other and are lockable in any position with respect to each other.

Still further according to the invention the pivotable surface member is biased in the vertical direction towards the position in which the the two members are generally co-planar.

Still further according to the inventionthetherapeutic table includes a cervical support surface member at the head end ofthetable and the cervical surface member is pivotable in a vertical direction about its edgeoppositethe head end ofthetable.

Still further according to the invention the therapeutic table includes means for changing the elevation of thesupportsurface.

Still further according to the invention the therapeutic table includes traction means including a traction device for the application of traction at each end of the support surface.

Still further according to the invention the therapeu tictable includes means for detecting the positions and relative positions of the support members thereof and a display means for indicating such position.

Still further according to the invention the display means includes a display panel having indicator lamps corresponding to the relative positions.

Still further according to the invention the table includes meansforrecording the position of the support members as detected by the detection means.

An embodiment ofthe invention described byway of example only, follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a therapeutictable according to the invention; Fig. 2isa plan ofthesupportsurfaceofthetable; Fig. 3 is an end elevation ofthe pivotal support member of the table; and Fig. 4 is an elevation ofthe display for the table.

In this embodiment ofthe invention a therapeutic table 1 comprises a generally horizontal support surface (indicated by numeral 2) which is mounted to a steel support framework, (indicated generally by numeral 3).

Theframework3comprisesa lowerelongated rectangularframework4which has a pairofshort legs 5 at each end thereof. Rigidly mounted to the lower framework4 is a rectangular housing 6forth elevation control hydraulics of the table which will be described later. This housing 6 projects upwardly from the lowerframework4.An upper rectangular supportframework7 is located above the lower framework4 and housing 6 and extends about one half ofthe length ofthesupport2.

The upperframework 7 has a pairs of downwardly extending leg members 8 and 9 which are connected to the lowerframe member4 by a linkage mechanism which enables the upperframework7to be raised and lowered.

The linkage mechanism comprises a pair of congruent 'L' shaped links 10 pivotally connected to the ends ofthe leg members Bat the 'head' end of the table. At their elbows or apexes 11 these links are pivotally connected to the one side 12 of the housing 6 and their second free ends 13 are pivotally connected to a single connecting bar 14which runs virtually the length ofthe lowersupportframework4.

At the foot end of the table the connecting bar is pivotally connected to one free end of a second pair of L shaped link members iSthe elbows of which are pivotally mounted to a su.table 'U' shaped support 16 rigidly connected to the lowerframework 4. The second ends 17 of these 'L' shaped link members 15 are pivotally connected to extension members 18 which are rigidly mounted to the pair of leg members 9 ofthe upperframework 7 and which are directed towards the foot end of the table.

From the drawing shown in Fig. 1, it will readily be appreciated that by moving the connecting bar towards the 'head' end of the table, the upper framework7 may be lifted with respect two the lower framework4 and similarly by moving the connecting bar l4towards the foot end ofthe table, the upper framework 7 may be lowered.

Within the housing 6 is an electrically operated hydraulic pump which activates a hydraulic ram (not shown) via a series of solenoid vaives. The cylinder of the ram is firmly mounted to the framework4 and the piston thereof is connected to the connecting bar 14.

By extending the ram the connecting bar 14 may be moved towards the 'head' of the table thereby lifting the upperframework 7 and by controlled release of the hydraulicfluid in the ram, the upperframework7 may be lowered under its own weight.

The support surface indicated generally by numeral 2 comprises three distinct support members 21,22 and 23 which are arranged along the length ofthe table in an end to end adjacent manner.

The support member 21 is located atthe 'head' end 24 ofthetable and comprises a pair of rectangular cushions 25 and 26 which are spaced apart slightly on either side of the longitudinal axis ofthe table so asto provide a small gap 27 there between. This gap 27 serves to accommodate a patient's nose when lying on the table in the prone position.

The cushions 25 and 26 of this member 21 which is hereinafter referred to as the cervical support member, are mounted to a suitable frameworkwhich is hinged to the upperframework7 along its end 28 thereby enabling the cervical support member 21 to be raised and lowered through a vertical angle a as shown in Fig. 1.

In orderto maintain the cervical support member 21 at any desired position in the range of angle a, it is provided with a downwardly extending elongated ratchet member29which engagesa pawl 30 mounted to a suitable support extending between the leg members 8. The ratchet 29 automatically engages the pawl 30 on raising the cervical support member 21 and may be released by means ofthe handle 31.

Adjacentthe cervical support member 21 is a horizontal surface member 22 which comprises a suitable cushion mounted across the width of the upperframework7. This horizontal surface member 22 may be raised a small amountwith respectto the frame 7 for use in certain manipulative procedures known as "drop section" techniques. As may be seen from Fig. 1 the drawings the transverse edge of the horizontal surface member 22 coincides with the end ofthe upperframework7.

Thethird support member 23 hereinafter referred to as the pivotable support surface, comprises a substantially rectangular cushion 24 which has its two corners 32 adjacent the horizontal support surface 22 cut away as indicated in Figure 2 and is mounted in a slidable manner on a support framework indicated generally by numeral 33. This slideable mounting is effected by means of suitable rollers 34 running in guide rails thereby enabling the pivotal support surface 23 to be moved towards and away from the horizontal support surface 22 as indicated by arrow X in Fig. 2.

The framework 33 for the pivotal support surface 23 includes an elongated tubular bearing surface 35 which is forms its own axis. As shown by Fig. 3the pivotal support surface may be rotated on this bearing 35 aboutthe axis ofthe table and through angles which correspond to about 25 above the horizontal and about 25 below the horizontal. A locking device 36 is provided to lockthe pivotal support surface 23 in any position within the angle defined by 13.

At its end nearestthe upperframework7the framework 33 is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis by means of an elongated pivot 37 located in mounting 38 and 39 which are attached to the rear leg members 9 ofthe upperframework.

This vertical pivot enables the pivotal support surface 23 to be pivotted horizontallythrough an angle y as shown in Fig. 2. This angle y corresponds to about 20 on either side ofthe axis running through the lengthofthetablewhen in itsrectilinearposition as shown in Fig. 2. The pivotal surface 23 may be locked in any position within the angle defined by angley by means of a locking device indicated by numeral 40.

Theframework33 isalso attachedto a horizontal pivot 40 located between it and the vertical pivot member 37. This enables the pivotal surface 23 to be moved upwards and downwards through an angle 5 which corresponds to an angle of about 10 above the horizontal and 30 below the horizontal. Once again the pivotal surface 23 may be locked in any position in the range of this angle by means of a suitable locking device 41. Because of the force required in raising the pivotal surface 23 from its lowered position the movement in the vertical direction is damped by means of a pair of springs42which extend between the extension member 18 of the upperframework7 and the framework 33. These springs 42 bias the support surface 23 towards its horizontal position.

Atthe head end ofthe table is a support 43 for a traction machine 44. The support is attached by means of member45to the lowerframework4.

The traction machine 44 has a traction cable 45 which includes connection means in the area of the cervical support surface 21 and a second traction cable 46 which passes beneath the support surface 2 to thefoot end ofthetable using a system of pulleys which supports the cable 46 in both horizontal and vertical directions. This enables tractive force to be applied bythetraction machine 44 using the cable 46 when the pivotal supportsurface 23 is in any position.

A display and central panel 50 as indicated in Fig. 4 is provided forthetherapeutictable. This panel includes a simple o n/off switch 51 which simply controls the supply of powerto the various circuits.

Atthe bottom left-hand side of the display panel 50 are switches 52 which control the elevation ofthe upper framework 7 and hence the supportsurface 2 as a whole. The first of these switches controls the upward movement of the framework7 and when activated causes the electrical hydraulic pump to pump hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic ram which in turn moves the connecting bar 14 towards the head end of the table. When the switch is de-activated the hydraulic ram holds the upperframe 7 in the desired position.

When the second switch is activated a solenoid valve releases hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic ram in a controlled manner thereby allowing the upper framework7 to fall under its own weight In the central portion ofthe display panel 50 is a schematic diagram showing the therapeutictable in end elevation. Associated with this diagram are four sets of lights.

The first set 53 of lights comprises twelve lights spaced equally along the arc defined by angle a thereby indicating a particular position within this angular range. When the cervical support member 21 is horizontal, the lowermost light denoted by the numeral 0 is activated. As the cervical support surface is raised the lights indicated by ascending degree values are sequentially activated to indicate the position ofthe support surface.

A second set 54 lights includes twenty four lights arranged in a horizontal straight line beneath the diagram of the table. These lights indicate the extent to which the pivotal surface member23 and the horizontal surface member 22 have been moved away from each other. Thusthe light numbered "1" is activated when the two surfaces are in their closest position and light number "24" is activated when the pivotal support surface 23 has been moved on its rollers 34 to a position furtherest away from the horizontal support surface 22.

The set 55 of lights comprises twelve lights arranged in a vertical straight line above the diagram of the table and in similar mannerto the previous sets indicatestheelevation of the table.

The setof lights 56 comprisesten indicating angles from +9"to -18" arranged along the arc ofthe angle 5.

These lights thus show the vertical pivotal position of the pivotable supportsurface 23.

Atthe righthand side ofthe display panel is a diagrammatic plan ofthe support surface 2 similarto that indicated in Fig. 2.Atthe bottom ofthis plan is a set 57 of fifteen lights which are arranged on the are defined bytheangleywiththelights numbered from "0 " in the centerto "21 " on each side. The lights indicate the degree of deviation in the horizontal movement of the pivotable surface 23.

At the top ofthe display panel is an end elevation of the pivotal surface 23 with a set of lights 58 on each side thereof. The two sets of lights are arranged along the arcs defined by the angle ss and this indicate the degree of axial rotation of the pivotable surface 23.

There are eleven lights in each set and the righthand set is numbered with "0"" in the middle indicating the horizontal position ofthe pivotable surface and the lights below and above the "0"" numbered from "5"" to "25"". It will thus readily be appreciated that the different sets of lights on the display panel 50 indicate exactly the position of the various component parts of the therapeutictable and hence indicate to the therapist using the table, the position of the patient who is lying on the table in either a prone or a supine position.

It is envisaged that these positions will be marked off by the therapist on a card which is substantially identical informattothedisplay panel.

Alternatively, it is envisaged that the data may be recorded in some manner by an automatic recording device activated by the therapist. Such a device could, for example, be one which marks the card automatically or alternatively a micro-computerwhich stores the information in a suitable retrieval system.

The benefits of the table will be readily apparentto all therapists such as chiropractors, physiotherapists, orthopaedic surgeons etcetera.

Apartfrom those benefits already mentioned, it will be realisedthatthetable provides the possibility of diagnosis, mobilization and manipulation in a far wider variety of positions than tables hitherto available or known to the applicant.

Other embodiments are envisaged within the scope oftheinvention and include otherdesignsforthe therapeutictable as well as other methods of construction. It should be notedthatthetable could incorporate other devices such as suitable straps, heating and vibrating cushions etcetera as are well known in the art.

Claims (13)

1. An elongated therapeutictable having a support surface comprising at leasttwo support members located along the length thereof with a pivotable support memberforming the foot end ofthetable and being pivotally movable in horizontal and vertical directions about at least one pivot point centrally located substantially between the two support mem bers and rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

2. Atherapeutictable as claimed in Claim 1 in which the pivotable surface member is lockable in any horizontal or vertical rotational position, or any combination thereof.

3. Atherapeutictable as claimed in either of Claims 1 and 2 in which the two surface members are movable towards and away from each other.

4. Atherapeutictable as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims in which the two surface members are lockable in any position with respect to each other.

5. Atherapeutictable as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the pivotable surface member is biased in the vertical direction towards the position in which the two members are generally co-planar.

6. Atherapeutictableas claimed inanyofthe preceding claims which includes a cervical support surface member atthe head end ofthetable.

7. Atherapeutictable as claimed in Claim 6in which the cervical surface member is pivotable in a vertical direction about its edge opposite the head end of the table.

8. Atherapeutictable as claimed in any of the preceding claims which includes means for changing the elevation of the support surface.

9. Atherapeutictable as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims which includes traction means including a traction device forthe application of traction at each end ofthe support surface.

10. Atherapeutictable as claimed in anyofthe preceding claims which includes means for detecting the positions and relative positions ofthe support members thereof and a display means for indicating such positions.

11. A therapeutic table as claimed in Claim 10 in which the display means includes a display panel having indicator lamps corresponding to the relative positions.

12. Atherapeutictable as claimed in either of claims 10 or 11 which includes means for recording the positions ofthe support members as detected by the detection means.

13. Atherapeutictable as herein described with reference to any ofthe accompanying drawings.