Modular multi-articulated patient support system

Abstract

A surgical table for supporting a patient during a surgical procedure and including a patient support structure, a first support structure, and a second support structure. The patient support structure is configured to support the patient during the surgical procedure and may be operably coupled at a first end to the first support structure and at a second end to the second support structure. The first support structure includes a first column and a first displacement apparatus operably coupling the first column to the first end of the patient support structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical table for supporting a patient during a surgical procedure, the surgical table comprising:
 a patient support structure configured to support the patient during the surgical procedure and operably coupled at a first end to a first support structure and at a second end to a second support structure,   the first support structure comprising a first column and a first displacement apparatus operably coupling the first column to the first end of the patient support structure, the first displacement apparatus comprising: a) a first rotation assembly operably coupled between the first column and the first end of the patient support structure, the first rotation assembly configured to rotate the patient support structure relative to the first column and relative to a rotation axis that is parallel to and positioned above a longitudinal axis of the patient support structure,   the second support structure comprising a second column operably coupled to the second end of the patient support structure and a second displacement apparatus operably coupling the second column to the second end of the patient support structure, the second displacement apparatus comprising: a) a second rotation assembly operably coupled between the second column and the second end of the patient support structure, the second rotation assembly configured to rotate the patient support structure relative to second vertical column and relative to the rotation axis.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical table of  claim 1 , wherein the patient support structure comprises a first segment comprising the first end, a second segment comprising the second end and opposite the first segment, and an inward articulation between inner ends of the first and second segments about which the first and second segments articulate relative to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical table of  claim 1 , wherein the first displacement apparatus further comprises:
 a first angulation assembly operably coupled between the first column and the first end of the patient support, the first angulation assembly configured to angle the first segment of the patient support structure relative to the first column, the first angulation assembly comprising:   i) a first member operably coupled to the first column via a first pivot; and   ii) a second member operably coupled to the first end of the first segment of the patient support structure and pivotally coupled to the first member via a second pivot.   
     
     
         4 . The surgical table of  claim 3 , wherein the first angulation assembly further comprises:
 iii) a third pivot near an intersection between the first end of the first segment of the patient support and the second member.   
     
     
         5 . The surgical table of  claim 1 , wherein the second displacement apparatus further comprises:
 a second angulation assembly operably coupled between the second column and the second end of the second segment of the patient support structure, the second angulation assembly configured to angle the second segment of the patient support structure relative to the second column, the second angulation assembly comprising:   i) a third member operably coupled to the second column via a third pivot; and   ii) a fourth member operably coupled to the second end of the second segment of the patient support structure and pivotally coupled to the third member via a fourth pivot.   
     
     
         6 . The surgical table of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation axis is parallel to and positioned above the longitudinal axis of the patient support structure when the patient support structure supports the patient from below. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical table of  claim 1 , wherein the inward articulation comprises a joint about which the inner ends of the first and second segments are coupled. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical table of  claim 7 , wherein the joint is a ball and socket joint assembly.