Patient Support Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a patient support apparatus for use during a medical procedure. The patient support apparatus is configured to receive and support a body of a patient on a base member. The base member includes a top surface having a plurality of adjustable members, wherein each of the adjustable members is configured to support a different portion the body of the patient. A plurality of actuation mechanisms are operably connected to both the base member and one each of the plurality of adjustable members, such that each of the plurality of adjustable members is separately, selectively positionable with respect to the base member. A control device operably connected to the actuation mechanism to selectively control the position of each of the adjustable members and the corresponding body portions.

1 . An apparatus for changeably positioning a body part relative to an imaging coil, comprising:
 a means for supporting the body part; and   a means for latitudinally positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said means for longitudinally positioning the body relative to the imaging coil includes a rod running latitudinally relative to the imaging coil; and   said rod is connected to said means for supporting the body part.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said rod is fixed to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said rod includes a means for releasably fixing a latitudinal position of the body part relative to the imaging coil. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for changeably positioning a body part relative to an imaging coil, comprising:
 a means for supporting the body part; and   a means for longitudinally positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for longitudinally positioning the body part being connected to said means for supporting the body part.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said means for longitudinally positioning the body part includes a guide member and a rail having a longitudinal slot formed therein, said guide member travelling longitudinally in said slot to move said means for supporting the body part longitudinally. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for changeably positioning a body part relative to an imaging coil, comprising:
 a means for supporting the body part; and   a means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 said means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil includes a rod running vertically relative to the coil; and   said vertical rod is connected to said means for supporting the body part and is configured to move said means for supporting the body part vertically relative to the coil.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for changeably positioning a body part relative to an imaging coil, comprising:
 a means for supporting the body part; and   a means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising an indexing mechanism connected to said means for rotating the body relative to the imaging coil, said indexing mechanism rotating the body part between at least two discrete rotational positions. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said indexing mechanism includes:
 a rod connected to said means for supporting the body part;   a block having an axle hole formed therein and having said rod inserted through said axle hole and rotating in said axle hole and further having at least two index holes formed therein;   an index block at least occasionally fixed to said rod and having at least one index hole opening formed therein corresponding to each of the index holes; and   a pin inserted through said index hole opening and said index holes to fix rotationally said means for supporting the body part.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said index openings are radially equidistant from said opening in said block. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said indexing mechanism includes:
 a rod connected to said means for supporting the body part;   an index block having a hole formed therein, said rod being inserted through said and rotating in said hole; and   a detent mechanism interconnecting said rod and said index block, said detent mechanism having stops for releasably fixing a rotation of said rod at said at least two discrete rotational positions.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means for longitudinally positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for longitudinally positioning the body part being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising a means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , further comprising a means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for vertically positioning the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , further comprising a means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil, said means for rotating the body part relative to the imaging coil being connected to said means for supporting the body part. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for changeably positioning a body part relative to an imaging coil, comprising:
 an attachment member configured to hold the body part;   a longitudinal rod connected to said attachment member;   a support block having a hole formed therein, said support block having said longitudinal rod rotationally and longitudinally-slidingly seated in said hole, said rod being movable latitudinally relative to said support block to latitudinally move the body part relative to the coil, and said rod rotating in said support block to rotate the body party relative to the coil;   a guide member connected to said support block;   a rail running longitudinally and having a slot formed therein, said slot being configured to have said guide member travel longitudinally therein, said support block being movable longitudinally along said rail to move the body part longitudinally relative to the coil; and   a vertically traveling rod being connected to said rail and being configured to allow said support block to travel vertically thereon, said support block being movable vertically along said travelling rod to move the body part vertically relative to the coil.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , further comprising a table for receiving a patient, said table being connected to said rail.