HK1036210A1 - A therapeutic bed - Google Patents

Abstract

A therapeutic bed (1) comprises a patient support platform (7) rotatably mounted on a base frame (4) for rotation about a longitudinal pivot axis between a supine support position and a prone support position. The base frame (4) is in turn mounted on a wheeled chassis (2) by pivot linkages (5) which allow tilting and raising and lowering of the base frame (4) on the chassis (2). Drive interlocks prevent rotation of the patient support platform (7) unless side rails (25) are locked on the patient support platform (7) and patient support flaps (40, 41) extending between the side rails (25) are locked together to secure a patient on the patient support platform (7). Guides (51) are provided at each end of the patient support platform (7) at the longitudinal rotational axis to guide patient care lines between a patient on the patient support platform (7) and associated devices externally of the patient support platform (7). This prevents entanglement of patient care lines as the patient support platform (7) rotates.

Description

Treatment bed

The invention relates to a treatment bed, in particular to a prone positioning bed.

Patient positioning has been used for some time as a treatment for patient comfort, preventing skin breakdown, improving drainage and facilitating breathing. One purpose of patient positioning is to maximize oxygen supply to improve oxygenation of the system. Various studies have shown beneficial effects of body positioning and promotion of impaired oxygen transmission. Supporting the patient in a prone position can be beneficial to improve the stretching and oxygen supply of the back of the lungs.

The invention relates in particular to a treatment couch of this type: comprising a base frame, a patient support table rotatably mounted on the base frame for rotation about a longitudinal axis of rotation of the patient support table, and drive means for rotating the patient support table on the base frame.

In our earlier filed patent application published under number WO97 \22323, we describe a treatment couch of this type for supporting a patient in a supine or prone position for exercise therapy.

This type of treatment couch is particularly suitable for treating patients with respiratory complaints. The bed advantageously allows the patient to rotate on the patient support platform and, if necessary, to rotate the patient support platform into a prone support position which is particularly desirable for treating patients with severe breathing problems.

In such treatments, a patient may be slowly inserted into a number of tubes extending on one side of the bed between the patient in the bed and associated equipment mounted on a stand or similar equipment at the side of the bed for infusing fluid to the patient or removing fluid from the patient. Likewise, there may be many wires running from sensors on the patient to various monitors beside the bed. These oxygen and liquid delivery tubes, drug delivery tubes, monitoring cables, etc., are collectively referred to throughout the patent specification as patient care lines. The term "patient care line" as used in this patent specification is intended to refer specifically to any tube, pipe, conduit cable and the like which is used to infuse or withdraw fluid from a patient, to monitor the condition of the patient and in general to treat the patient on the patient support table of the bed. A problem with these patient care lines is that, particularly when the patient support table is rotated between the prone and supine positions, in that position they can become easily entangled and may be accidentally pulled away from the patient. To avoid this, a nurse or other attendant has to carefully handle and adjust the patient care lines as necessary while the couch is rotating. This work is very difficult to perform. Access to the patient and patient care lines is difficult when the patient support platform is in or near the prone support position.

Another problem that arises is ensuring that the patient is properly secured to the patient support platform before rotating the patient support platform away from the horizontal supine support position. The nurse has to check again that all the patient-tight straps, rails and supports are stationary before the patient support table is rotated into the prone position. This is very time consuming. And it is not always easy to check whether the belt or other fastener is properly and safely engaged.

In order to rotate the patient support table between the supine support position and the supine support position, a number of nursing staff are typically required to rotate the patient support table and simultaneously handle the lines and wires to prevent entanglement or disentanglement. Many caregivers may be required to be away from other stations for a considerable period of time. As a result, operational efficiency is negatively affected and hospital expenses are increased.

The present invention is directed to solving these problems.

The invention is characterised in that guide means for patient care lines are provided at one or both ends of the patient support platform for guiding these patient care lines between a patient on the patient support platform and associated equipment external to the patient support platform, said guide means being mounted at or near the longitudinal rotational axis of the patient support platform.

The present invention provides a hospital bed incorporating a patient care line management system for optimizing the treatment of patient care lines, particularly when the bed is rotated between a supine support position and an adnexed support position. Since the lines are safely supported by the guide means during rotation of the patient support table, the risk of entanglement or displacement of the patient care lines is minimized.

In a second aspect, the invention features a tightening means for releasably securing a patient to a patient support platform, the tightening means being operatively connected to drive means for rotating the patient support platform to adjust the rotation of the patient support platform in response to proper engagement of the tightening means. This configuration advantageously prevents rotation of the patient support platform unless the patient is securely strapped or strapped to the patient support platform. The device gives the caregiver a simple and quick indication of whether the patient is properly secured to the patient support platform.

In a third aspect, the invention features drive means operable to rotate the patient support table on the base frame, means for detecting the orientation of the patient support table on the base frame, and means for controlling the operation of the drive means in dependence on the detected position of the patient support table on the base frame. In this way, the patient support table can be easily controlled in a simple manner to rotate between a number of desired orientations on the undercarriage. Also, the base support table can be controlled to move between different orientations, thereby allowing a nurse to freely attend to the patient while exercising such control as necessary.

In one embodiment, a device for securing a patient care line to a guide is provided.

In another embodiment, the guide comprises a tubular guide for passage of a patient care line or tube therethrough.

In yet another embodiment, the tubular guide has an aperture for passage of a patient care line therethrough, and an aperture insert is engaged in the aperture, the aperture insert having a plurality of spaced apart recesses at the periphery of the insert, each recess for receiving a patient care line, each recess being closed by a sidewall of the aperture when the insert is mounted in the aperture.

In another embodiment, the guide includes a guide body having a plurality of patient care line receiving recesses for receiving patient care lines.

In yet another embodiment, the guide has a guide body with a plurality of spaced apart peripheral grooves for receiving patient care lines.

Preferably, each recess has a lateral opening and the closure means is engageable across the lateral opening to releasably retain the line in the recess.

In another embodiment, the closure device is a spring-loaded finger normally biased into a groove-closing position across the lateral opening and retractable against the action of the spring bias to insert a line into the groove or remove a line therefrom.

The closure means is preferably a quick-opening strip engageable across the lateral opening.

In yet another embodiment, the guide body is movably mounted on the patient support table for vertical movement of the guide body on the patient support table.

The guide body is preferably slidably mounted on the patient support platform.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a tightening means for releasably securing a patient on a patient support platform,

the tightening means is operatively connected to drive means for adjusting the rotation of the patient support platform to adjust the rotation of the patient support platform in response to proper engagement of the tightening means.

In yet another embodiment, the lacing means comprises: a plurality of pairs of support elements mounted between the head end and the foot end of the patient support platform,

each pair of support elements including associated support elements mounted on opposite sides of the patient support platform, and having a fastener to secure the support elements together to hold the patient on the patient support platform,

detection means associated with each fastener for detecting proper engagement of the fastener,

the detection means is connected to a controller for controlling the operation of the drive means.

In another embodiment, each fastener has a complementary pair of fasteners, a first fastener and a second fastener,

one fastener is mounted on each pair of support elements,

the first fastener is normally biased out of engagement with the second fastener,

the first fastener cooperates with the probe when in the engaged position to indicate that the fastener is engaged.

In yet another embodiment, the detector has a magnetically operated switch, and an operating magnet is mounted on the first fastener to operate the switch.

In another embodiment, the support elements are mounted on side rails that stand upright at each side of the patient support table.

Each side rail is preferably removably mounted on the patient support platform, the side rail having: means for releasable engagement with the patient support table,

a locking device for securing the guide rail to the patient support platform,

a rail detecting device for detecting interlocking engagement of the rail with the patient support table,

the rail detection means is operatively connected to the controller of the drive means such that the drive means is only operative if the rail is properly engaged with the patient support table.

In another embodiment, means are provided for locking each guide rail to the patient support table when the patient support table is in a switched position.

In yet another embodiment, one or more hinged panels are provided in the patient support platform for providing access to the patient when the patient support platform is in a switched position,

each hinge plate has plate locking means to secure the plate in a closed position on the patient support table,

there is provided a plate detection means for detecting locking engagement of the plate with the patient support table,

the plate detection means is operatively connected to the controller of the drive means such that the drive means is only operative if the plate is locked in a closed position on the patient support table.

In another embodiment, means are provided for detecting the orientation of the patient support table on the undercarriage, and means are provided for controlling the operation of the drive means 'in dependence on the detected position of the patient support table on the undercarriage'.

In another embodiment, the detection device comprises: a ring mounted on the patient support platform and coaxial with the axis of rotation of the patient support platform;

the ring has a first set of slits spaced 1 deg. around the ring,

the ring having a plurality of sets of locator slits spaced around the ring, each set of locator slits providing an indication of a particular orientation of a patient support platform relative to the base frame;

and an auxiliary position sensing device associated with the puck, the position sensing device being mounted on the chassis and having auxiliary pairs of light emitting and receiving means supported at opposite sides of the puck for cooperating with the slot in the puck to determine the orientation of the patient support table on the chassis.

In another embodiment, the ring has a plurality of stop slots located about the ring to define a plurality of stop positions for the patient support table on the base frame where a locking pin is engageable between the patient support table and the base frame to lock the patient support table to the base frame.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treatment couch according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the treatment couch shown in another application position;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the couch with the patient support platform shown in a converted prone patient support position;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the bed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame of the treatment couch;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of the bed frame with the patient support platform of the bed removed;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the frame of the bed;

fig. 8 is a plan view of the bed base shown in fig. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 8 showing the hinge plates of the patient support platform in place on the bed frame;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the treatment couch in use, and supporting a patient in a supine position;

figure 11 is a perspective view of the bed in use, and supporting a patient in a prone position;

FIG. 12 is an exploded sectional detail view of the side rail locking mechanism of the bed;

FIG. 13 is a detailed exploded cross-sectional view of the side rail locking mechanism of the cot shown in another position of use;

FIG. 14 is a sectional elevation view of a plate locking mechanism on the patient support table;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of the locking mechanism of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing the locking mechanism in another position of use;

figure 17a is a detailed perspective view of a patient tightening strap of the bed;

FIG. 17b is a circuit diagram of the rotational interlock incorporated in the strap;

FIG. 17c is a detailed perspective view of a patient tightening strap and buckle used to secure the strap;

FIG. 18 is an elevational view showing a tube guide at one end of the bed;

FIG. 19 is a detailed front view of a rotary encoder ring forming part of the rotary control mechanism of the patient support table for the bed;

FIG. 20 is a side detailed elevational view of a rotary encoder forming part of a bed;

FIG. 21 is a detail view showing a portion of the rotary encoder ring.

Referring to these figures, a treatment couch, generally designated by the numeral 1, according to the present invention is illustrated. The couch 1 comprises a grounded chassis 2 mounted on wheels 3. A chassis 4 is fixed to the chassis 2 by a pivotal joint 5. A push rod 6 mounted in the chassis 4 operates the pivot joint 5 to raise or lower the chassis 4 on the chassis 2. The push rod 6 can be manipulated to keep the chassis 4 horizontal even when it is moved or can be manipulated to raise or lower an end of the chassis 4 to tilt the chassis 4 about a transverse axis of the chassis 4 to move the patient support table 7 supported on the chassis 4 into a treatment position. A patient support table 7 is rotatably mounted on the base frame 4 for rotation about its longitudinal axis of rotation between a supine support position, shown in figure 1, and a prone support position, shown in figure 3.

The patient support table 7 has a pair of upstanding end rings 8, 9, each of which sits on and rotatably engages a pair of spaced apart associated rollers 10 (figure 6) at each end of the base frame 4. The side support bars 12, 13 extend between the end rings 8, 9. A central crossbar 14 extends between the side support bars 12, 13. The hinge plates 16, 17 (fig. 9) are hinged to the cross bar 14 and can be opened to access the back of the patient on the couch 1 when the couch 1 is in the prone position as shown in fig. 3. It is noted that this configuration provides good access to the patient with minimal obstruction.

A lap closure mechanism 20 is mounted on each hinge plate 16, 17 for engagement with the support rods 12, 13 to securely lock the hinge plates 16, 17 in the closed position. The spring loaded locking pin 22 is slidably mounted within an elongate tubular housing 23 for movement between a retracted storage position (fig. 15) and an extended position (fig. 16) in which the locking pin 22 is engaged in corresponding receiving recesses 23a in the support rods 12, 13. A detector (not shown) detects the correct locking engagement of each locking pin 22 with its associated receiving recess 23a and transmits a signal to a rotation control for the patient support platform 7 which prevents rotation of the patient support platform 7 unless both hinge plates 16, 17 are securely locked to the patient support platform 7. A gravity pin 21 is slidable under the influence of gravity in an associated tube 21a in the side wall of the housing 23 to engage a complementary annular groove 24 in the locking pin 22 to prevent the hinge plates 16, 17 from opening when the patient support platform 7 is in the supine position, the gravity pin 21 sliding out of engagement with the groove 24 to allow the hinge plates 16, 17 to open when the patient support platform is in the prone position. At the inner end of the locking pin 22 there is a handle 98 for manually releasing the locking pin 22 to be able to retract into the housing 23 against the action of the spring 99. Thus, the hinge plates 16, 17 are released to open. In the retracted position, fig. 14 and 15, a spring loaded latch 100 mounted on the locking pin 22 engages a recess 101 in the side wall of the housing 23 to retain the locking pin 22 in the retracted position. The latch 100 can be pressed into the housing 23 against the bias of the spring 105 to release the locking pin 22, and the locking pin 22 is then biased outwardly by the spring 99 into the outwardly extending engagement position shown in figure 16 to re-lock the hinge plates 16, 17 on the patient support platform 7.

At each side of the patient support platform 7 there is provided an upright side rail 25. Each side rail 25 has a downwardly extending leg 26 at each end which engages a complementary socket 27 (see figure 13) in one of the support bars 12, 13 of the patient support table 7. With the post 26 engaged with the socket 27, a spring loaded locking pin 28 mounted in the rod 12, 13 can pass through the opening 24 in the side wall of the socket 27 to engage with a locking recess 29 in the post 26. A handle 30 at the inner end of the locking pin 28 is operable to slide the locking pin 28 within an associated housing 31 provided inside the levers 12, 13 to release the strut 26. A spring 31a within the housing 31 urges the locking pin 28 out of the housing 31 and into a post engaging position. It is noted that a gravity operated associated securing pin 32 is slidably mounted in a tubular sleeve 33 on the housing 31 such that when the patient support table 7 is in the converted prone position, the pin 32 falls downwardly under the influence of gravity (in the direction of arrow a in figure 13) to prevent retraction of the pin 28 and lock the guide rail 25 in position. A detector 35 is engageable with each pin 28 to determine the position of the pin 28 to indicate whether it (28) is engaged or disengaged with the post 26. All of the detectors 35 are connected in series and to the rotational control of the motor which rotates the patient support platform 7 so that the motor does not operate until all of the detectors 35 indicate that the pins 28 have been properly engaged with the support posts, and the guide rail 25 is firmly attached and locked in position on the patient support platform 7.

To retain a patient on the patient support platform 7, respective pairs of patient support straps 40, 41 (figure 1) are pivotally mounted on the opposed side rails 25 and can be secured together by locking straps 43 to securely retain a patient on the patient support platform 7, as described in our prior patent application published as WO97/22323 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). Each strap 43 comprises a web 44 with a buckle 45 (fig. 17) or associated clip 46 at the free end of the web 44, the buckle 45 and clip 46 forming a quick-release fastening arrangement. The abdominal belt 44 is shortened when the buckle 45 is released by means of an elastic band 47 sewn in a tensioned position on one side of the abdominal belt 44 to retract the buckle 45 from above a magnetically operated switch 48 mounted on the associated strap 41 on which the buckle 45 is mounted. The magnetic switch 48 is mounted inside each strap 41 and directly under the magnets in the tightening buckle 45. The series circuit of the magnetic switch 48 and the resistor 49 is terminated in a connector 49a, which connector 49a is accessible outside the strip 41. By selecting a single value of resistance for each strap 45 and measuring the resistance, proper closure of each buckle 45 can be confirmed. Thus, when the buckle 45 with a small magnet is in the engaged position, the magnetically operated switch 48 can be operated to confirm that the buckle 45 and the clip 46 are properly attached so that the patient is properly secured to the patient support platform 7. Each fastener must be properly engaged before the patient support table 7 can be rotated.

A hand-held controller 85 (fig. 4) is mounted in a pocket 86 in the foot of the couch 1. The controller 85 has a contact for engaging the connector 49a to allow the controller 85 to check whether the buckle 45 is properly engaged (the switch 48 is closed) and to measure the value of the resistance 48 to identify the strap 40, 41 being checked. Each strip pair 40, 41 is examined in turn starting from the foot of the couch 1 and going towards the head of the couch. Unless the strap locking is confirmed in the correct sequence and the sequence is complete, the patient support table 7 cannot be released for rotation. This ensures that all strips are checked together at the same time.

Assuming all interlocks are cleared, the hand-held controller 85 can be used to remotely transmit an operating signal to the rotational motor controller to rotate the patient support table 7. As the patient support table 7 rotates, the nurse may move around the couch, with the controller 85 controlling the rotation to ensure that there are no problems with the patient or patient care lines during the rotation.

On which management means for patient care lines, such as tubes and detector cables, are provided. At the foot end of the treatment couch, the management device comprises a central opening 50 (fig. 5) near the longitudinal axis of the patient support table 7 for supporting and passing patient care lines. A line clamping device 57 (FIG. 4) is removably engaged in the opening 50 and has a plurality of spaced apart peripheral recesses 58, each for receiving a patient care line. Each recess 58 is closed by a side wall of the opening 50.

At the head end of the couch, the patient care line management apparatus comprises a guide body 51 (fig. 1 and 18) mounted near the longitudinal axis of the patient support table 7 and slidable on respective guide rails 52 so that it will fall under the head of the patient when the couch is in the supine or prone position. The guide body 51 has a number of recesses 54 for accommodating patient care lines. The groove 54 may have a variety of sizes as shown to accommodate different lines. A spring-loaded retention finger 55 mounted across the entrance of each recess 54 secures the patient care lines in the recesses 54 when the patient care lines are engaged with the recesses 54. The guide body 51 is mounted on a rod 56 which is rotatably mounted on a slide 59 which is slidably engaged with the guide rail 52. Thus, the guide body 51 can be rotated out of the way as necessary to better access the patient's head. It will be appreciated that this manner of patient care line management by directing the patient care lines axially outwardly at each end of the treatment couch is highly advantageous for handling the patient care lines when moving the patient support table between the supine and prone support positions. At the same time, the patient care line is firmly clamped to prevent the line from being accidentally pulled away from the patient.

The drive means for the patient support table may be of the type described in our prior patent WO97/22323 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), and basically comprises a belt drive between the patient support table 7 and the respective motor located on the base frame 4 at the foot end of the couch 1. In this case, however, the operation of the motor is controlled by a rotary photosensitive encoder comprising an encoder disk 60 with three concentric groove tracks-see fig. 19-21-and an auxiliary position reading device 64. An outer graduation mark 61 comprises slits spaced 1 deg. from each other. An intermediate graduation mark 62 has a slit for providing indexing recognition and an inner graduation mark 63 has a slit in line with the locking ring stop position. The encoder disk 60 is attached to the patient support table 7 and a corresponding position sensing device 64 is mounted on the base frame 4. The position sensing device 64 has a channel 64a for receiving an outer portion of the disk 60 and for allowing the disk to rotateIt passes through. The light emitter 65 is installed at one side end of the passage 64a and the auxiliary light receiver 66 is installed at the opposite side of the passage 64 a. The light emitter 65 and the receiver 66 cooperate with corresponding slots in the code wheel 60 to indicate the orientation of the patient support table 7 on the chassis 4. 7 infrared emitter/detector pairs 65, 66 are used in the optical system to decode the position information. The outer graduation mark 61 comprises 360 sets of grooves 70 and spaces 71. Ideally, one groove 70 occupies 0.5 degrees of the circumference, and one groove 70 and the space 71 together occupy 1 degree. The inner graduation mark 63 is formed by a number of slits 74, each corresponding to a locking position in which a corresponding locking pin 75 (fig. 7) can be engaged between the base frame 4 and the patient support table 7. The locking pins 75 are slidably mounted on the base frame 4 for engagement with and disengagement from respective hubs on the ring 9 of the patient support platform 7. The locking pin 75 serves to mechanically anchor the patient support table 7 to the base frame 4 and also operates an on/off switch for the rotation motor to prevent operation of the motor when the locking pin 75 engages the patient support table 7. Each slot 74 should be precisely aligned with the centre of a corresponding locking hole 75a in the patient support table 7, the narrowness of the slot 74 determining the accuracy of the locking positioning. The middle graduation mark 62 is used to assign a single binary code to each locking position 1. Each locking position has a set of holes 76 (the number may vary from 1 to 4 holes 76). The pattern of individual values of the holes 76 at each locking position should convey locking angle information to the controller for controlling the rotation of the patient support table 7. These binary arrays of wells are shown in the table below.

Position of locking pin	Hole 76 (fig. 21)
						D	C	B	A
1	0	0	0	1
					2	0	0	1	0
3	0	0	1	1
					4	0	1	0	0
5	0	1	0	1
					6	0	1	1	0
7	0	1	1	1
					8	1	0	0	0
9	1	0	0	1
					10	1	0	1	0

The binary weighting of the four holes is that A is 1, B is 2, C is 4 and D is 8. In the table, the number of holes is 1, and the number of holes is 0.

Seven pairs of ir emitter-detectors 65, 66 are used in the optical system to decode the position information. These emitter/detector pairs 65, 66 are positioned at A, B, C, D, I, X and Y as shown in fig. 21.

When the detector 66 sees a light emitter 65 through a slit or hole in the code wheel 60, the detector produces an output of "1". Otherwise, the detector produces an output of "0". The incremental angle and direction information is read by X and Y. The angle is increased or decreased by 1 degree each time a slot 70 passes over the detector X. Two spaced detectors X and Y are provided for the outer graduation mark 61 and the order in which the detectors X and Y see the light emitters determines the direction. There are four spaced apart emitter/detector pairs A, B, C, D corresponding to the middle tick mark 62 and these emitter/detector pairs provide the pattern information to the controller for calculation of the locking angle information. A light emitter/detector pair I is provided in association with the inner graduation mark 63 and provides locking position information. The spacing between the slits blocks the infrared light beam from passing between the light emitter 65 and the receiver 66 on the support 67 of the base frame 4 when the patient support table 7 is rotated. The information from the infrared detector is processed by an optical processing controller to give the angle of the patient support table 7 which is displayed on a display screen 80 (fig. 4) located at the foot end of the couch 1.

As can be seen in fig. 7, the pivotal link 5 has rotating arms 90, 91 with inner ends pivotally engaged with the chassis 4 by pivot pins 92, 93. At one end of the couch 1, an outer end of each pivot arm 90 is pivotally engaged with the chassis 2 by a pivot pin 94, while at the other end of the couch 1, the outer end of each pivot arm 91 is pivotally engaged with the chassis 2 by a pivot pin 95 that is also longitudinally slidable in an elongate recess 96 on the chassis 2. The push rod 6 is operable to pivot the pivot pins 92, 93 on the chassis 4 to operate the pivot link 5.

In use, the detectors on the patient support platform 7 with respect to the side rails 25 and the hinge plates 16, 17 are connected to the drive controls of the patient support platform 7 so that the patient support platform cannot rotate unless all of the locking structures are properly engaged. In addition the belt detectors for the patient securing straps 40, 41 must indicate correct engagement before the patient support platform 7 can be rotated. It will also be appreciated that such having patient care lines, such as tubes and other cables and conduits, axially outwardly at each end of the patient support table greatly facilitates management of the patient care lines during movement of the patient support table between the supine and prone positions.

It is noted that when the patient support table is rotated from the supine support position to the prone support position, the table will be rotated through 200 deg. and then rotated back to the 180 deg. or zero prone position. This function will center the patient on the treatment couch 1.

It will be appreciated that the patient support table may be oscillated on the base frame or may be locked in a plurality of fixed orientations on the base frame.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a patient care line guide system for a patient bed to neatly guide patient care lines away from each end of the treatment bed.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinabove, which may vary in structure and content within the scope of the claims.

Claims (22)

1. A therapeutic bed, comprising:

a bottom frame, a plurality of supporting legs and a plurality of supporting legs,

a patient support table rotatably mounted on the base frame for rotation about a longitudinal axis of rotation of the patient support table, an

A drive device for rotating the patient support table on the base frame,

characterised in that guide means for patient care lines are provided at one or both ends of the patient support platform for guiding these patient care lines between a patient on the patient support platform and associated equipment external to the patient support platform, said guide means being mounted at or near the longitudinal axis of rotation of the patient support platform.

2. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided for securing the patient care lines to the guide means.

3. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the guide means comprises a tubular guide for the passage of patient care lines.

4. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tubular guide has a bore through which the patient care line passes and is provided with a bore insert for engagement within the bore, the bore insert having a plurality of spaced apart recesses around the periphery of the insert, each recess for receiving a patient care line, each recess being closed by a side wall of the bore when the insert is mounted within the bore.

5. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the guide means comprises a guide body having a plurality of patient care line receiving recesses for receiving patient care lines.

6. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the guide means comprises a guide body having a plurality of spaced apart peripheral recesses for receiving patient care lines.

7. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 6 wherein each recess has a lateral opening and closure means is engageable across the lateral opening to releasably retain a line in the recess.

8. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 7 wherein the closure means is a spring loaded finger normally biased into a groove closing position across the lateral opening and retractable against the spring bias to insert or remove a line from the groove.

9. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 7 wherein said closure means is a quick release strip engageable across the lateral opening.

10. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 5 wherein the guide body is movably mounted on the patient support platform for vertical movement of the guide body on the patient support platform.

11. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 10 wherein the guide body is slidably mounted on the patient support platform.

12. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are provided fastening means for releasably securing a patient to the patient support platform,

the tightening means is operatively connected to the drive means to adjust the rotation of the patient support platform in response to proper engagement of the tightening means.

13. The therapeutic bed of claim 12 wherein said lacing means comprises a plurality of pairs of support members mounted between the head end and the foot end of the patient support platform,

each pair of support elements including associated support elements mounted on opposite sides of the patient support platform, and having a fastener for securing the support elements together to hold the patient on the patient support platform,

the treatment couch has a detection device associated with each fastener for detecting proper engagement of the fastener, the detection device being connected to a controller for controlling operation of the drive device.

14. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 13 wherein each fastener has a complementary pair of fastening elements, a first fastening element and a second fastening element, the first and second fastening elements being mounted on each pair of support elements,

the first fastening member is generally biased out of engagement with the second fastening member,

the first fastening member cooperates with the detection means when in an engaged position to indicate that the first fastening member is engaged with the second fastening member.

15. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 14 wherein the detection means has a magnetically operated switch and an operating magnet is mounted on the first fastening member to operate the switch.

16. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 13 wherein the support elements are mounted on side rails which stand upright at each side of the patient support platform.

17. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 16 wherein each side rail is removably mounted on the patient support platform and has means for engaging the patient support platform,

a locking device for securing the guide rail to the patient support platform,

a rail detection means for detecting interlocking engagement of the rail with the patient support platform,

the rail detection means is operatively connected to a controller for the drive means such that the drive means is only operative if the rail is properly engaged with the patient support platform.

18. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 16 wherein means are provided for locking each guide rail to the patient support table when the patient support table is in a switched position.

19. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more hinged panels are provided in the patient support platform to provide access to the patient when the patient support platform is in a switched position,

each hinge plate has hinge plate locking means for securing the plate in a closed position on the patient support table,

hinge plate detection means are provided for detecting locking engagement of the plate with the patient support platform,

the hinge plate sensing means is operatively connected to the drive means' controller such that the drive means is only operative when the hinge plates are locked in a closed position on the patient support platform.

20. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided for sensing the orientation of the patient support platform on the base frame, and means are provided for controlling the operation of the drive means in dependence on the sensed orientation of the patient support platform on the base frame.

21. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 20 wherein the means for detecting the orientation of the patient support comprises a ring mounted on the patient support and coaxial with the axis of rotation of the patient support,

the ring has a first set of slits spaced 1 deg. around the ring,

the ring having a plurality of sets of locator slits spaced around the ring at intervals, each set of locator slits providing an indication of a particular orientation of the patient support platform relative to the base frame,

an auxiliary position sensing device corresponding to the code wheel is mounted on the chassis and has auxiliary light emitter and receiver pairs supported at opposite sides of the code wheel for cooperating with the slots in the code wheel to determine the orientation of the patient support table on the chassis.

22. A therapeutic bed as claimed in claim 21 wherein the ring is provided at its periphery with a plurality of stop slots defining a plurality of stop positions for the patient support platform on the base frame at which a locking pin is engageable between the patient support platform and the base frame to lock the patient support platform to the base frame.