Since the 1940s, examination tables for diagnostic purposes have been developed from a simple type of table that consisted generally in an X-ray permeable tabletop supported on four fixedly mounted legs or wheeled legs to an advanced motorised unit. This unit is normally provided with a so-called floating tabletop, i. e. a top that can be moved in a horizontal plane so as to position a patient supported by the table relative to a beam source, and an image receptor for conventional analogue film systems or for digital systems connected to computerised image processing and filing system.

The major part of such tables are now also provided with motorised means for moving the tabletop in a vertical plane and therewith raise or lower the height of the table, among other things to enable the patient to climb onto and step down from the table more easily, and also to enable the X-ray personnel to select a preferred working height.

In order to obtain a floating function with respect to the tabletop, the front side and rear side of the tabletop include profiled sections that allow necessary mounting of the tabletop for movement in the longitudinal direction of the table. These profiled sections are also used for the application of various auxiliary devices, such as manoeuvring devices, objective lens supports, compression units, etc. The manoeuvring devices may comprise one or more manoeuvring handles and a manoeuvring box, often integrated to form a single unit.

The manoeuvring handle allows the tabletop to be released from a locked position, so as to enable the patient to be positioned relative to the beam source. Certain types of

manoeuvring handles can be placed selectively along the table profiled sections and fixed while taking practical and ergonomic requirements into account.

The table may also include a manoeuvring box that includes button-operated functions for adjusting height movement of the table, or functions regarding the unit that supports the beam source.

It has been noticed in practice that the immediate position of the manoeuvring handle often fails to coincide with the use planned for that moment in time, and that requisite movement of the tabletop has not been carried out. This is particularly the case of tables equipped with foot-operated tabletop release means. Instead, the X-ray personnel use the table profiled sections themselves as manoeuvring grips. The design of the profiled sections, however, is not adapted for this function. This results in an uncomfortable and non-ergonomic manual manoeuvring process on the part of the operator, which processes vary in said respect according to the weight of the patient and the mobility of the tabletop. Even though the tabletop can be moved with low friction, the mass to be moved is relatively large and heavy to position in view of the slight movements that are required in order to centre the objective lens within an intended range. The use of a table profile as a manoeuvring handle, an operation for which the table profile is not designed or intended, also presents a considerable injury risk particularly when the profile enables the tabletop bearings to be touched.

The use of several manoeuvring handles or manoeuvring devices has the disadvantage of hindering transfer of a patient to and from the table. The use of such handles or devices that can be swung away or lowered constitutes an expensive feature combination and also makes the work involved more time-consuming.

The many different types of examinations that it shall be possible to carry out and the individual requirement of making fine adjustments to the position of the tabletop in both the horizontal and the vertical plane places high requirements on the manoeuvrability and accessibility of the equipment used to carry out the examination. Moreover, the constantly higher demands for rationalisation and personnel reduction by the health service often means, to an ever-increasing degree, that the operator, as a rule one X-ray nurse, is required to work alone.

In order to eliminate the risk of a patient unintentionally releasing the tabletop for movement in the horizontal plane, should the patient, e. g., use the tabletop as a means of support when settling himself thereon or when using the tabletop as a support in order to stand on the floor, the table includes a superordinate latching function which overrides the automatic release of latching devices and which ensures that the table will remain fixed in a set position until the override function is disengaged, this being a safety factor both with respect to the patient and the operator in the vicinity of the table.

Such disengagement may be effected with the aid of a separate electric contact that is inaccessible to the patient and that is not activated by the operator until the patient is in place and the operator has full control of the situation.

The disengagement means for the latch function override shall be positioned so that it cannot be reached by a patient present on the table.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART DE-A1-43 17 264 (Siemens) describes an examination table of essentially the same kind as the table defined in the preamble of Claim 1 and having a superordinate latching device that cannot be reached by a patient present on the table. This superordinate device has the form of a recess or cut-out situated furthest down in the table mounting base and adjacent the floor, where the person manoeuvring the table is able to insert a foot and therewith break a beam of light and thus disengage the superordinate latching function. The releasable latching devices that function to hold the table releasably fixed in alternative set positions relative to the table frame have the form of a coupling device located immediately beneath the tabletop in the upper end of the table pedestal or mounting base. This coupling device is thus very difficult for the personnel concerned to reach, unless he/she is in the immediate vicinity of the device.

EP-A2-0 923 922 (Bradcovich) describes a combined operating and examination table, particularly intended for heart surgery. The table has a number of drive

functions, partly for displacing the table in different directions in the horizontal plane and partly for tilting the table longitudinally and laterally. These drive functions are intended to facilitate complicated surgical operations. The table also includes a number of latching devices which are intended to prevent certain longitudinal movements of the table when it is in a tilted position. Disposed discontinuously along the side edges of the table are rails which are intended solely to carry respective devices for controlling and manoeuvring the various drive and brake functions of the table, and are not intended to be used as manoeuvring handles. It is stated in the description that when the table shall be used primarily solely as an examination table, it may be convenient to exclude the rails in one portion of the table. Consequently, the control and manoeuvring devices cannot be reached readily by an attendant or operator who is not placed in the immediate vicinity of these devices, and it will be realised that the teachings of this document have no connection with the problems recited above in respect of the present invention.

US-A-3,967,126 (Otto), US-A-4,205,233 (Craig et al) and US-A-5,077,780 (Lee) disclose further examples of known X-ray table units.

None of these known table constructions provides a solution that will overcome all of the aforesaid problems.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide an examination table of the kind defined in the introduction where the tabletop can be positioned quickly, readily and flexibly in the horizontal and/or vertical plane with the aid of simple means and with attention to ergonomic requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an examination table in which the risk of injury to patient and/or operating personnel in conjunction with movement of the table between table settings is greatly reduced or eliminated entirely.

A further object of the invention is to provide an examination table that enables the operator to attend to the patient in conjunction with table adjustment movements, e. g.

to comfort or calm the patient as the setting of the table is adjusted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects are fulfilled by an inventive examination table that has the characteristic features set forth in the characterising clause of Claim 1.

As a result of the stated shape and positioning of the manoeuvring grips, the operator is able to come into contact with one of said grips and perform the manoeuvre concerned, without needing to change his position relative to the table. This considerably simplifies the work of the operator, besides making it more effective.

The operator can initially place himself in a position in which he is able to touch the patient with one hand, for instance to calm down the patient or to adjust his/her attitude on the tabletop, whilst manoeuvring the tabletop to a desired position in relation to the beam source with his other hand.

Such contact by the operator provides significant benefits in many instances, both with respect to the patient and with respect to a successful performance of the diagnostic operation concerned.

Regardless of where the operator is situated, he has complete control of the setting sequence, which greatly reduces or completely eliminates the risk of injury to the patient or damage to equipment in conjunction with positional adjustments.

Neither need the operator make a separate movement in order to release the latching devices. Instead, such release is effected automatically when the fingers of the operator move to a position for activation of the manoeuvring grips in order to provide or activate drive means that cause the table to move as desired.

The tabletop latching means and/or the functions of the table manoeuvring grips will preferably co-act with indicators which confirm to the operator that the function concerned has been activated, this confirmation being given either optically and/or acoustically for example.

It also lies within the scope of the present invention to provide the long sides of the tabletop with a selectively designed manoeuvring grip, the manoeuvring function of which is either activated in a contactless fashion or in response to an intentional touch, so as to activate release of the floating movement of the tabletop in the horizontal plane and/or in the vertical plane for height movement of the tabletop.

To this end, the side-edge profile of the tabletop may have a generally U-shape or fork-shape in cross-section, wherewith an upper leg of said profile forms the manoeuvring grip and an underlying leg forms an anti-pinch part in respect of the operator's fingers for instance.

The space defined between said legs may also serve as a beam passageway, e. g. an IR beam, for detection by a sensor in one end of the table profile and for release of the tabletop latching devices when a finger is inserted into said space and therewith blocks the passage of the beam.

Alternatively, the space defined between said legs may accommodate a touchable electric contact strip which functions to cause release of the tabletop latching devices when activated.

The manoeuvring grip may also include a moveable profile section which, through the medium of electromechanical means, manoeuvres the height movement of the table, preferably in the same direction as that in which the moveable profile part is actuated.

Because this latter function is combined with the function located within the profile for releasing the brakes acting on the table, the risk of unintentional activation of table height movement being activated by some kind of external equipment, such as by contact with a patient's bed for instance, is avoided.

However, movement of the tabletop shall always be blocked when manoeuvring the height movement of the table.

According to one preferred embodiment, the manoeuvring grip includes means for blocking collision of table movement in a vertical direction. The collision blocking means may be adapted for contactless activation, e. g. by means of an underlying and/or overlying IR beam for blocking downward and upward movement of the table respectively.

Alternatively, the manoeuvring grip may be provided with a spring-back part for upward and/or downward vertical movement and adapted to activate a signal for collision blocking of the table.

Such collision blocking will prevent unintentional activation of table height movement. Unintentional activation of the height movement of the table, particularly in a direction down towards the floor, can result in a serious pinching or squeezing occurrence since the force exerted by the table is quite considerable because of the requirement to lift very heavy patients.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a manoeuvring unit that can be fitted to an existing examination table and which includes one or more of the aforesaid devices and associated functions, including means for blocking table movement.

Further characteristic features of the invention and advantages afforded thereby will be apparent from the following description of a number of preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is made with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts of a diagnostic examination table and illustrates the possibilities of displacing the tabletop in different directions, although the profiled side parts and manoeuvring grips according to the invention have been excluded from the figure, together with other features.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the tabletop of the examination table shown in Fig. 1, after having removed the tabletop from the table stand and providing the tabletop with a number of elements in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one end part of the tabletop shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end view of a tabletop that includes alternatively designed side profiles.

In Fig. 1, the reference numeral 1 identifies an examination table for diagnostics with the aid of X-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or corresponding means.

The table 1 includes a frame 2 for vertical movement of a tabletop 3, the general movement patterns of which are shown in the figure. Bearing means in the form of ball-bearing rollers 5 are disposed between the frame 2 and the tabletop 3, for movement of the table in its longitudinal direction relative to the frame, and corresponding bearing means 6 are provided for transverse movement of the table.

The bearing means 5, 6 are disposed in metal side profiles 4 extending along the side edges of the tabletop 3.

The bearing devices 5,6 co-act with releasable latching devices, e. g. slip magnets, 7, g that hold the table releasably fixed in alternative positional settings relative to the frame.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate manoeuvring grips or handle parts 10 that extend essentially along the full length of the longitudinal side profiles of the tabletop and which can be gripped by an attendant or operator for moving the tabletop and the patient supported thereon to a desired position relative to a beam source (not shown). The operator shall thus be able to easily reach the manoeuvring grip 10 for displacement of the tabletop, regardless of his position along the sides of the examination table.

In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the manoeuvring grip has the form of a generally round profile section at the outer extremity of the side profile 4. Located inwardly of this outer extremity is an opening 11 which also extends along the full length of the tabletop. The operator can thus insert the four fingers of

one hand into the opening 11 and grip around the manoeuvring grip 10 so as to be able to move the table in a desired manner. The latching devices 7,8 of the bearing devices 5,6 are automatically released in conjunction therewith, so as to enable the tabletop 3 to be moved in its longitudinal and/or transversal direction. To this end, a beam source located at one end of the table (not shown) sends an IR beam 9 in a direction towards the other end of the table. The beam 9 passes in the region of the opening 11 in the side profile of the table, meaning that the beam will be broken as the operator inserts his fingers into the opening. Breaking of the movement path of the IR beam activates an electric function that releases said latching devices 7,8.

Also shown in Fig. 2 is a signal contact 16 in the form of a flip-flop for manoeuvring movement of the tabletop 3 vertically in relation to the frame. The state of the microswitch 16, i. e. the flip-flop, for initiating upward movement of the table is shown in the circle A, whereas the state of the flip-flop subsequent to finger actuation of downward movement of the table is shown in the other circle B. The latching devices are thus released automatically for horizontal movement of the table in conjunction with the operator gripping the manoeuvring grip 10 and therewith inserting his fingers into the opening 11, whereas desired vertical movement of the table is initiated by finger actuation of the flip-flop 16.

In order to prevent intentional or unintentional initiation of any one of the aforesaid movements by the patient, e. g. when the operator is absent, there is provided a superordinate latching device 20 which overrides the automatic release of the aforesaid latching devices and the latching function of which ensures fixation of the tabletop 3 in its set position until the superordinate function is disengaged. Such disengagement can only be effected by the operator, for instance through the medium of a pedal located at a distance from the table.

The tabletop latching devices 7,8 and the manoeuvring functions of the manoeuvring grips 10,11 co-act with indicating means 22 which confirm to the operator, either optically and/or acoustically, that the function in question has been activated. The operator thereby obtains immediately information that shows that tabletop can be moved in the desired direction.

In the alternative embodiment of the tabletop 3 shown in Fig. 4, the side profiles 4 have a generally side-facing U-shape, a reversed C-shape or a forked-shape including upper and lower legs 4a, 4b. Disposed in the manoeuvring grip 10 are upper and lower contact strips 25,26 which, when touched, initiate upward or downward movement of the tabletop. As with the earlier embodiment, an 1R beam 9 passes in the region of the opening 11. The beam is broken when the operator grips the grip 10 and, at the same time, inserts his fingers into the opening 11. The lower leg 4b forms a guard against pinching or trapping of the operator's fingers.

Alternatively, the manoeuvring grip 10 may include a profile part (not shown) which is moveable in the side profile 4 and which manoeuvres height or vertical movement of the table, preferably in the same direction as that in which the moveable profile part is actuated, through the medium of electromechanical means.

The manoeuvring grip 10,11 is also provided with collision-blocking means 25 for blocking vertical movement of the table 1 This blocking means is adapted for contactless activation by means of an underlying and an overlying IR beam. If an obstacle enters the vertical movement path of the table, the IR beam is broken and movement of the table blocked immediately, thereby enabling potential damage or injury to be avoided.

The manoeuvring grip 10,11 may also include a spring-back part for vertical upward and/or downward movement. A signal for blocking collision of the table can thereby be activated.

A tabletop according to the present standpoint of techniques, i. e. side profiles of standard design lacking a manoeuvring grip can be reconstructed to an inventive examination table relatively easily. To this end, there is provided a manoeuvring unit that can be fitted to a tabletop of the kind described and that includes side profiles constructed in accordance with the invention and one or more of the aforedescribed functions and including means for blocking the table.

It will be understood by the person skilled in this art that the invention can be varied in many other ways within the scope of the accompanying Claims.