Patient positioning support structure

Abstract

A patient support system includes independently adjustable end columns supporting a centrally hinged, jointed or breaking patient support structure. At least one column includes a powered rotation assembly. The patient support includes at least two sections. A coordinated drive system provides for both upwardly and downwardly breaking or jointed orientations of the two sections in various inclined and tilted positions. Cable, cantilevered and pull-rod systems are included.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting and positioning a patient during a surgical procedure, comprising:
 a) a breaking patient support structure with first and second frame portions joined by an articulation; and   b) a surgical table base that includes first and second base structures, wherein:
 i) the first base structure is attached to the first frame portion and actively longitudinally translated the patient support structure, whereby the first base structure operably raises, tilts and inclines the patient support structure; and 
 ii) the second base structure is attached to the second frame portion such that the patient support structure is passively longitudinally translated. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , including:
 a) a translation connector, a connection pin and a pivot pin; wherein   b) the connection pin engages the translation connector and the patient support structure, whereby the translation connector and the patient support structure are pivotably joined together;   c) the pivot pin engages the translation connector and an angulation subassembly, whereby the translation connector and the angulation subassembly are pivotably joined together; and   d) a distance between the connection pin and the pivot pin, the distance varying in cooperation with positioning of the patient support structure.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 a) the first base structure includes a vertically adjustable pier including the angulation subassembly and a rotation subassembly, the pier cooperating with the surgical table base to position the patient support structure in a plurality of selectable positions.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) first and second frame portions each include an inner end, the inner ends being joined by the articulation; and   b) the articulation is substantially longitudinally stationary during the position the patient support in a plurality of selectable positions.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 a) the articulation includes a pair of spaced apart hinges.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for supporting and positioning a patient during a surgical procedure, comprising:
 a) a pair of translation connectors, each of the translation connectors being located between a respective outer end of a patient support structure and a respective vertically adjustable pier of a base; wherein   b) a first of the translation connectors is non-slidably fixed directly to the patient support structure, such that the first translation connector and the patient support structure are in non-slidable relationship to one another.