Viewing system

Abstract

An operating room having an operating table, an overhead supported system including illuminating fixtures and a television system is disclosed. The system includes an overhead mounted tubular support arm having a supported end adapted to be rotated about a vertical axis. The arm also includes a horizontal section including a bend remote from the supported end. A television camera is positioned to image a patient on the table and a TV monitor is supported by the arm. The system includes a coaxial cable connected operably to the camera and connected to the monitor for transmitting image producing signals from the camera to the monitor. A helical pulley is in the supported end. The pulley includes a helical perimetral groove and a portion of the cable engages the groove, the cable extends from the pulley through the arm to the monitor and includes a coiled portion disposed in the arm.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A tubular monitor support assembly for overhead suspension comprising: 
 a) a support arm having support end portion adapted to be supportedly connected to an overhead support;    b) the arm including a tubular portion adapted to extend generally horizontally from the support end portion;    c) the arm including a bend remote from the arm end portion;    d) the bend connecting a remote end portion to the tubular portion;    e) a coaxial cable within the arm;    f) a pulley having a helical groove disposed in the support end portion, a portion of the cable being disposed in the groove; and,    g) the cable including a coiled portion disposed within the arm at a location remote from the support end portion.    
     
     
         2 . An overhead suspension including the arm of claim one and a monitor connected to the arm and the cable.  
     
     
         3 . The arm of  claim 1  wherein the bend is about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The arm of  claim 3  wherein the pulley has a vertical axis when in use.  
     
     
         5 . The arm of  claim 4  wherein the support end portion and the pulley are coaxial when in use.  
     
     
         6 . The arm of  claim 1  wherein the pulley has a vertical axis when in use.  
     
     
         7 . The arm of  claim 6  wherein the support end portion and the pulley are coaxial when in use.  
     
     
         8 . The arm of  claim 1  wherein the support end portion closely surrounds the pulley whereby to maintain the cable in the pulley groove.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  furthering a vertical support tube for vertical suspension from an overhead when in use wherein the support arm end portion is journaled on the tube.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein the pulley is pinned to the tube.  
     
     
         11 . In an operating room having an operating table, an overhead supported system including illuminating fixtures and a television system, the system comprising: 
 a) an overhead mounted tubular support arm having a supported end portion adapted to be rotated about a vertical axis;    b) the arm including a horizontal section extending from the supported portion;    c) the arm further including a bend connected to the horizontal section at a connection remote from the supported end;    d) the system further including a television apparatus including a camera positioned to image a patient on the table and a monitor supported by the arms;    e) the system also including a coaxial cable operably connected to the camera and connected to the monitor for transmitting image producing signals from the camera to the monitor;    f) a helical pulley mounted coaxially within the supported end portion for relative rotation, the pulley including a helical perimetral groove, a portion of the cable engaging the pulley in the groove;    g) the cable extending from the pulley through the arm to the monitor; and, h) the cable including a coiled portion disposed in the arm.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  further including a tubular support depending from overhead and extending into the end portion, the end portion being journaled on the tube and the pulley being connected to the tube to prevent relative rotation.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the end portion closely surrounds the pulley whereby to maintain the cable in the groove when the arm is rotated relative to the pulley.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the end portion closely surrounds the pulley whereby to maintain the cable in the groove when the arm is rotated relative to the pulley.  
     
     
         15 . A sheave comprising: 
 a) an annular body having a through axial passage;    b) the body including a helical groove formed in a peripheral surface of the body and extending for at least 360 degrees about the body; and,    c) the body also including a radial passage communicating the axial passage with the groove.    
     
     
         16 . In combination with the sheave of  claim 15  a conductor extending into the axial passage, through the radial passage and having a section in the groove.  
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein the conductor is a coaxial cable for transmitting video signals to a monitor.