Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Clasp – clip – support-clamp – or required component thereof
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-12
2003-07-29
Sakran, Victor (Department: 3677)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
C024S457000, C024S458000, C024S525000, C005S600000, C005S601000, C248S228600, C248S229260
Reexamination Certificate
active
06598275
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to radiolucent surgical tables and, more particularly, to a radiolucent surgical table with a low radiographic shadow edge profile, a plurality of clamp systems for connection onto the edge profile, and a set of surgical accessories integrated with the clamps.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional surgical tables include a flat patient support and a lower base for holding the patient support a predetermined distance from the floor. The base of conventional surgical tables commonly includes control apparatus for tilting the flat patient support through a range of orientations to facilitate performance of certain surgical procedures. Typical flat patient supports are made of surgical stainless steel and in most cases include a set of metal side rails supported along the edges of the table for holding surgical accessories, instrumentation, and the like. Typically, the side rails conform to an industry standard cross sectional size and configuration so that surgical accessories from any vendor source can be directly connected to surgical tables built by another vendor without modification of the attachment interface.
One disadvantage of stainless steel table tops of the type described above is that they block x-rays. Accordingly, their use in surgical or interventional procedures that require x-rays, fluoroscopic or other patient images to be taken are quite limited.
As a result, patient support tables have been proposed that utilize an x-ray translucent material, such as phenolic resins, in selected portions of the table top. The x-ray translucent material allows interoperative x-ray image signals to be generated using fluoroscopic devices, C-arm or CT scanners and other imaging equipment.
One such example of a prior art radiolucent table is shown at FIG.
1
. As illustrated in cross section, the flat patient support
10
includes a substantially planar table top member
12
formed of a x-ray translucent material such as, for example, a carbon fiber material or a phenolic resin such as sold under the trade name SPAULDITE. Due mainly to load carrying capacity limitations and to enhance stiffness, the table top
12
is supported on either side by a pair of longitudinally extending metal frame members
14
,
16
. Each of the metal frame members
14
,
16
are attached to the bottom surface of the table top member
12
using a suitable cement such as an epoxy, fasteners, or the like. A pair of side rail members
18
,
20
are held in a fixed relationship relative to the metal frame members
14
,
16
as illustrated. The side rail members
18
,
20
have a size and shape that conform to the industry-wide standards noted above.
One disadvantage of the flat patient support
10
illustrated in
FIG. 1
is that the metal frame members
14
,
16
as well as the side rail members
18
,
20
generate shadows when the patient support
10
is used in radiographic imaging procedures. As a result, only the portion of the radiopaque table top member
12
that is disposed between the pair of metal frame members
14
,
16
is usable for radiographic imaging. This limitation becomes more pronounced when the table is tilted relative to the x-ray generator. The angle of the table relative to the x-ray source effectively shortens the distance between the metal side frame members
14
,
16
as viewed from the x-ray source thus reducing the shadow-free areas in the radiographic image.
FIG. 2
illustrates another prior art surgical table configuration that is somewhat useful in radiographic imaging and in certain interventional procedures. As shown there, a predominant feature of the flat patient support
22
is a relatively thick slab
24
of radiographic material having a generally rectangular cross section. The slab
24
is provided on opposite transverse edges
26
,
28
with a substantially square accessory interface profile
30
,
32
as shown. Each of the accessory interface profiles
30
,
32
are sized and shaped to receive a pair of accessory coupler members
34
,
36
on the opposite transverse edges
26
,
28
of the radiopaque slab
24
. In turn, each coupler member
34
,
36
carries an industry standard side rail member
18
,
20
of the type described above. In that way, most commercially available accessories can be used with the table.
One drawback to the “slab” type radiolucent surgical tables shown in
FIG. 2
is that the accessory coupler members
34
,
36
are typically formed of metal and therefore obstruct x-ray signal propagation through portions of the table along the table edges. As a result, undesirable shadows are formed in the radiographic image.
Simple removal of the accessory coupler members
34
or
36
does not completely-solve the shadow problem. The vertical surfaces along the square edges of the accessory interface profiles
30
,
32
lead to shadows in radiographic images. The shadows are caused because, during normal use of the table, the vertical edges of the profile are typically aligned in a substantially parallel relationship with x-ray signal propagation. As a result, the edge surfaces tend to attenuate the x-ray signal to a substantial degree greater than the flat horizontal surfaces and, accordingly, the vertical edge surfaces generate shadows in the radiographic image.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a radiolucent surgical table that presents a substantially uniform attenuation characteristic to x-ray signals in both the lateral and transverse directions and with the table held flat or tilted relative to the x-ray signal source. In that way, the radiographic images of a patient disposed on such surgical table would be free and clear of extraneous shadows.
Copending application Ser. No. 09/804,287 filed on Mar. 12, 2001 and assigned to the assignee of the instant application provides such a table. In addition to being substantially x-ray shadow free overall, a surgical accessory interface profile is provided so that a wide range of surgical accessories can be easily and directly connected anywhere along the edge of the table top. The accessory interface profile presents a substantially uniform attenuation characteristic to x-rays passing through the table top and table top edges regardless of the angle of the table top relative to the x-ray source.
There is a need, therefore, for providing a set of clamp apparatus for connecting a plurality of medical accessories onto the interface profile of the radiolucent table. Preferably the clamp modalities are selected based on intended use with specific medical accessories and, in that way, the clamps provide the desired support for the medical accessories with which they are paired for ease of use, reduction in cost and to minimize size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, therefore, a shadow free radiolucent patient support table is provided including substantially planar top and bottom surfaces held apart in an opposed relationship. The radiolucent patient support table is preferably formed of an outer layer of carbon fibers surrounding an inner foam core. The outer longitudinal edges of the support table define a substantially continuous medical appliance support interface for selectively connecting a plurality of associated medical appliances to the table. The medical appliance support interface generally comprises a non-planar first connection area defined on the top surface of the surgical table and a second connection area defined on the side of the table top. The non-planar first connection area is shaped to provide first and second static supporting forces against an associated medical appliance, when connected to the table, in directions substantially parallel to and perpendicular with the top and bottom surfaces of the table. The second connection area is shaped to provide third and fourth static supporting forces against the associated medical appliance in third and fourth directions substantially parallel to and perpendicular with the top and bottom surfaces. The first and thir
Blanchard Richard C.
Keselman Yury
Kolody Timothy
Nalwad Vijendra
Sanders Ward L.
Sakran Victor
Steris Inc.
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