Patient supporting table

Abstract

A patient supporting table that includes a supporting device having a table column with a vertical axis, and a table top for supporting a patient, the table top supported by the table column and arranged to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the table top between a retracted and an extended position, and further arranged to rotate back and forth about the vertical axis between a first and a second pivot position. The table top can be detached from the supporting device in at least one pivot position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A patient supporting table comprising: 
 a supporting device comprising a table column having a vertical axis; and    a table top for supporting a patient, the table top supported by the table column and arranged to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the table top between a retracted and an extended position, and further arranged to rotate back and forth about the vertical axis between a first and a second pivot position, wherein in at least one pivot position the table top can be detached from the supporting device.    
     
     
         2 . The patient supporting table of  claim 1 , wherein in an extended position the table top projects by a length of at least 1.5 m away from the supporting device.  
     
     
         3 . The patient supporting table of  claim 1 , wherein the table top is placeable in its extended position on a trolley.  
     
     
         4 . The patient supporting table of  claim 3 , wherein the trolley is height-adjustable.  
     
     
         5 . The patient supporting table of  claim 3 , wherein the table column is height-adjustable.  
     
     
         6 . The patient supporting table of  claim 1 , wherein the table top is fixed with respect to rotation to the supporting device, and wherein the supporting device can be rotated about the vertical axis of the table column.  
     
     
         7 . The patient supporting table of  claim 1 , wherein the table top can be rotated with respect to the supporting device.  
     
     
         8 . The patient supporting table of  claim 1 , wherein the table top can be rotated through at least 90 degrees about the vertical axis of the table column.  
     
     
         9 . The patient supporting table of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting device comprises a table top receptacle that constrains the table top with respect to lateral motion, and the table top receptacle is fixed to the table column at an offset to the vertical axis of the table column.  
     
     
         10 . The patient supporting table of  claim 9 , wherein the table top receptacle constrains the table top at longitudinal sides of the table top receptacle.  
     
     
         11 . The patient supporting table of  claim 10 , wherein the table top receptacle can be tilted about a tilting axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the table.  
     
     
         12 . A method comprising: 
 transporting a patient on a table top located on a trolley;    securing the table top in a first pivot position to a supporting device of a patient supporting table;    retracting the table top, thereby removing the table top from the trolley;    rotating the table top to a second pivot position that aligns with a therapeutic or diagnostic medical device having a working space;    extending the table top to move the patient into the working space of the medical device;    performing a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure on the patient;    retracting the table top;    rotating the table top to the first pivot position;    extending the table top onto the trolley;    detaching the table top from the supporting device; and    transporting the patient away from the medical device using the trolley.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein securing the table top in the first pivot position to the supporting device comprises raising the supporting device to contact and lift the table top from the trolley.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein detaching the table top from the supporting device comprises lowering the supporting device to lower the table top onto the trolley.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein securing the table top in the first pivot position to the supporting device comprises lowering the trolley to rest the table top on the supporting device.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein detaching the table top from the supporting device further comprises raising the trolley to contact and lift the table top from the supporting device.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising tilting the table top along a tilting axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the table top.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the supporting device is a table column.  
     
     
         19 . A patient supporting system comprising the patient supporting table of  claim 1  and a trolley.