Surgeon Support System for Operating Tables

Abstract

Systems and methods of providing an attendant support on an operating table include obtaining a cushion presenting an attendant support surface and coupling the cushion to a rail of the operating table such that the attendant support surface of the cushion is oriented at least partially laterally outward from the rail. The attendant support surface is operable to provide support to an attendant positioned adjacent to and leaning against the operating table.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An operating table assembly, comprising:
 a base;   a patient support surface carried by the base, the patient support surface configured to receive and support a patient thereon;   a rail carried by the base, the rail extending along a lateral side of the operating table, the rail being disposed vertically lower than the patient support surface; and   a cushion, coupled to the rail, the cushion presenting an attendant support surface oriented at least partially laterally outward from the rail, the attendant support surface operable to provide support to an attendant positioned adjacent to and leaning against the operating table.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is coupled directly to the rail such that an interface between the cushion and the rail is devoid of any additional support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the patient support surface defines a lower vertical boundary of a sterile field, and wherein the rail and the cushion are vertically removed from the sterile field. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion presents an at least partially arcuate attendant support surface. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion includes one or more weakened zones that define cushion segments, the cushion segments being separable from one another at the weakened zones. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is slidably positionable along the rail. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is removably attachable to the rail. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is at least partially deformable to provide a form fit over the rail. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the cushion includes a rail opening on a side of the cushion opposite the attendant support surface, the rail opening being openable to receive at least a portion of the rail within the cushion. 
     
     
         10 . A method of providing an attendant support on an operating table, comprising:
 obtaining a cushion presenting an attendant support surface;   coupling the cushion to a rail of the operating table such that the attendant support surface of the cushion is oriented at least partially laterally outward from the rail, the attendant support surface being operable to provide support to an attendant positioned adjacent to and leaning against the operating table.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein coupling the cushion to the rail comprises attaching the cushion directly to the rail such that an interface between the cushion and the rail is devoid of any additional support structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the operating table includes a patient support surface thereon that defines a lower vertical boundary of a sterile field, and wherein coupling the cushion to the rail includes coupling the cushion vertically removed from the sterile field. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cushion includes one or more weakened zones that define cushion segments, and further comprising separating at least two cushion segments from one another at the weakened zones. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising slidably positioning the cushion along the rail. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein attaching the cushion to the rail further comprises removably attaching the cushion to the rail. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cushion includes a rail opening on a side of the cushion opposite the attendant support surface, and wherein coupling the cushion to the rail includes elastically deforming walls of the rail opening and installing the cushion about the rail. 
     
     
         17 . A kit, comprising:
 a cushion, coupleable to a rail of an operating table, the cushion presenting an attendant support surface orientable at least partially laterally outward from the rail when the cushion is coupled to the rail, the attendant support surface operable to provide support to an attendant positioned adjacent to and leaning against the operating table; and   instructions for attaching the cushion to the rail.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the operating table includes a patient support surfaces that defines a lower vertical boundary of a sterile field, and wherein the instructions include further instructions to attach the cushion to the rail in a location vertically removed from the sterile field. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the cushion includes one or more weakened zones that define cushion segments, and wherein the instructions include further instructions to separate cushion segments one from another at the weakened zones. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the cushion is slidably positionable along the rail, and wherein the instructions include further instructions to slidably position the cushion along the rail.