Beds – Sofa bed – Reverting back
Patent
1988-08-23
1991-02-12
Smith, Gary L.
Beds
Sofa bed
Reverting back
5190, 378209, A61G 705, H05G 100
Patent
active
049912437
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers to a radiation-permeable body support usuable as a part of the reclining surface in a patient's couch intended for use in radiation therapy. It consists of a frame having a transparent stringing whereby a central transverse beam of the frame is provided which divides the support into two supporting surfaces.
This body support is used instead of a portion of the normal reclining surface if the part of the body of a patient has to be treated by radiation directly as well as from the bottom side of the reclining surface during a single treatment cycle. For this purpose, usually a radiation source. e.g. an X-ray emitting apparatus is used which is displaceable in a vertical plane along a circular path.
The supporting surfaces have to be transparent in order to enable the treatment ray to be aligned to a treatment area optically outlined on the body portion and made visible by means of a pilot light in order to put the operator into a position to correct the alignment of the treatment ray if the patient changes its position unpredictably
PRIOR ART
A known body support of the kind mentioned herebefore comprises a rectangular frame with a central transverse beam dividing the reclining surface into two support surfaces. The frame is provided in each support surface with a stringing consisting of crossed strings anchored on parallely running frame parts. The frame must be rigidly constructed in order to withstand the stringing forces. Thus, the parts of the frame must have such a size that the radiation is unduly attenuated. In order to avoid this disadvantage, the frame is laterally displaceably mounted in a gate shift means. This makes possible that the central transverse beam as well as the outer frame parts running parallel thereto can be together positioned such that they are situated beyond the reach of the treatment rays during a static radiation therapy. However, particularly troublesome is the attenuating effect of the said outer frame parts during a dynamic radiation therapy because the radiation treatment is interrupted upon the transition of the direction of the radiation from one side of the support surface to the other one.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to avoid this disadvantage, the present invention provides a radiation-permeable body support having a H-shaped frame whereby at least one of the support surfaces is provided with a stringing which is secured exclusively to the two lateral beams running parallel to each other and being interconnected by the central transverse beam. Thus, any frame parts which could attenuate the radiation are omitted and no means are required for laterally shifting the frame.
Preferably, the lateral beams of the H-shaped frame are biased such that they run parallel with regard to each other under the influence of the stringing.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least one string consisting of radiation-resistive material, e.g. made of plastic material, is provided for the stringing of the support surface, forming the support surface in parallely running portions having identical distance and having a meander-like disposition. The stringing can be reinforced at the end portions of the beams, e.g. by providing a further string running from one beam to the opposite one in several windings.
In order to ensure an improved distribution of the pressure in the region of the support surface occupied by the body of the person resting on the body support and in order to avoid that the string portions laterally evade upon a load exerted in a small area, the stringing can be provided with a transparent radiation-resistant covering foil which is secured to the two lateral beams of the frame as well.
Instead of using strings for the stringing of the body support, another possibility consists in using a transparent support foil consisting of one part or a plurality of parts which can be reinforced by additional strings at the outer edges interconnecting the two lateral beams.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Leaflet, "Varian", published in 1982.
Rottermann AG
Saether F.
Smith Gary L.
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