Patent Application
20090318795
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medical imaging tables. More particularly, it relates to a medical imaging table having replaceable parts to allow comfortable patient positioning and proper flexion of the neck and spine for enhanced physician access and improved imaging definition and quality when a patient is in the prone, face down position during procedures.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Currently carbon fiber imaging tables and table tops are manufactured in a variety of configurations based on the clinical requirements of each imaging procedure, as well as doctor preferences and patient comfort. Since different imaging procedures require different patient and/or doctor positions for optimal access to the subject anatomy, the table top size and shape on a specific table model may vary depending upon the type of imaging procedure or procedures that the particular imaging table is designed to facilitate. Additionally, a table top pad or mattress of uniform thickness, and with outer dimensions shaped to coincide with the shape of the table top, is used to provide a cushioned surface for the patient to lie on.
Additionally, positioning a patient in a face down prone position can be problematic. For example, in the field of Pain Management/Spinal Imaging the patient is placed in the prone or face down position so that the doctor can access the spine while imaging. In order to ease the patient's breathing, a pillow or pad may be placed under the patient's forehead, or a c-shaped face cushion similar to those used on a massage table is used to support the patient's head at the perimeter of the face. Some table manufacturers cut holes into the table top to provide facial clearance and breathing access. In this way, the patient's eyes, nose and mouth are positioned over the hole in the table top while the outer perimeter of the face is supported by the table top pad. An additional pad or c-shaped face cushion may be placed on the table top pad to permit elevating the face where necessary.
The other aspect of patient positioning relates to the orientation of the spine which is important to facilitate both access for treatment and optimal imaging views of the subject spinal anatomy. Positioning the patient can be somewhat challenging based on the differences in the “geometry” of people, thin vs. large. Obviously when placed on a flat and stiff table top the location of a persons face relative to their chest and lower abdominal region will vary based on their relative size and girth.
The question then becomes how to both position a patient in such a way on a flat surface so that free breathing may be possible while not compromising the ideal geometry or positioning aspects of the procedure. Some table manufacturers cut holes in the face section of their tops, but as this cut out is co-planar with the top surface, the location of the hole is not necessarily coincident with the location that is optimal for positioning. With a plane surface to support them the position of a patients face will vary in distance to the plane of the top necessitating additional pillows or foam blocks to provide support
Other manufacturers sell cushioned add-on devices that can be placed on the table top and under the patient to help maintain ideal spinal geometry; some of these devices even incorporate a face support cushion. As these devices are placed directly under the spine they are by default directly in the imaging field of view. While they may be made out of component that are radio-translucent, they will still create artifacts and further increase the overall x-ray absorption of the table top.
The present invention is a table which is able to properly position patients in a face down prone position. Additionally, it can be used as a standard flat table for patients in other positions. According to an aspect of the invention, a carbon fiber imaging table includes a recess positioned towards one end. According to another aspect of the invention, the imaging table includes a plurality of inserts which fit into the recess. The inserts have various dimensions to allow variable positioning of the patient's head in both planar and angular positions.
According to another aspect of the invention, an insert includes an oval opening to accommodate a patient's face. According to another aspect of the invention, an insert has two sides and is reversible. One side provides a recessed cavity; when reversed, the cavity forms an extension above the other side extends above the surface of the table to support the patient's face. When placed within the recess of the table in one direction, the insert extends above the surface of the table top. When placed in the recess of the table in the opposite direction, the insert provides a recess for the patient's head. According to another aspect of the invention, an insert provides a level surface with the top of the table. According to another aspect of the invention, an insert includes an upper surface which extends above the table top at an angle relative to the top of the table.
The present invention, as illustrated in
The table includes a large access hole 30 built into the head end. As illustrated in
In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in
In another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in
When the modular component 60 is reversed, as illustrated in
Other types and shapes of modular components can be used to properly position and align the head, neck, and spine of the patient for the desired imaging. As is known in the art, it may be desirable to have the patient's face angled.
The modular components 40, 50, 60, 70 have been illustrated with different configurations allowing positioning of the patient's head above, at and below the top of the table. The various heights above and below the top of the table depend upon the desired positioning of patients. Different modular components may be used with various heights or depths in order to accommodate variations in desired positions or in patient sizes.
Having disclosed at least one embodiment of the present invention, various adaptations, modifications, additions, and improvements will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such adaptations, modifications, additions and improvements are considered part of the invention which is only limited by the several claims attached hereto.
