Motor-adjustable head rest

• US 7,134,157 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2003
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maquet GmbH & Company KG (Universal Robot Systems GmbH & Co KG)
• Original Assignee: Maquet GmbH & Company KG (Universal Robot Systems GmbH & Co KG)
• Inventors: Koch, Guido
• Primary Examiner(s): Santos, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US10/535,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20060150334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 562/2, 562/1, 564/0, 563/6, 562/3, 562/4, 564/6, 564/8, 550/31, 565/8, 566/1, 297/391, 297/408, 297/409
• US Class Current: 5/622
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/121 Head or neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 15/125 Head-rests

Abstract

A motor-adjustable head rest for operating tables comprises a head plate (12) which is arranged at one end of a curved support shaft (24) which, in a plane which is perpendicular with respect to the axis of curvature, is guided in an adjustable manner on a support between three rollers (26, 28, 30) which are spaced from one another in the direction of adjustment, which support can be connected to the operating table. The tracks (32, 34, 36) for the rollers (26, 28, 30) which are formed on the support shaft (24) are shaped such that their instantaneous curvature centers in each position of the support shaft (24) coincide with the instantaneous center of rotation of the head movement during the lifting and the lowering of the patient'"'"'s head (14) resting on the head plate (12).

Claims

1. A motor-adjustable head rest for operating tables, comprising a head plate which is arranged at one end of a curved support shaft having an axis of curvature which is guided in a plane perpendicular with respect to the axis of curvature in a direction of adjustment on a support between three rollers which are spaced from one another in the direction of adjustment and ride in tracks formed on the curved support shaft characterized in that the tracks are shaped such that the instantaneous curvature centers of the tracks coincide with the instantaneous center of rotation Z_mom of a patient'"'"'s head while resting on the head plate.

2. The head rest according to claim 1, comprising at least three tracks, two of which engage a corresponding roller along the lower edge of the support shaft, and one of which engages a corresponding roller along an upper edge of the support shaft.

3. The head rest according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the rollers supporting the support shaft is prestressed against the support shaft.

4. The head rest according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a housing which can be rigidly connected to the operating table, in which the rollers are attached, and the support shaft is led.

5. The head rest according claim 1, characterized in that the support shaft supports a gear track, in which a pinion which can be driven by a motor engages.

6. The head rest according to claim 5, characterized in that the gear track is formed on a side surface of the support shaft which is perpendicular to the axis of curvature of the support shaft, and in that the drive device, comprising the motor and the pinion, is attached to the support in such a manner that it can be moved about a pivoting axle which is perpendicular to the side surface.

7. The head rest according to claim 1, wherein the head plate is driven by a drive device which comprises a threaded spindle which can be rotated by a motor, which rests on the support, and which engages in a nut which is attached in a movable manner to the support shaft.

8. The head rest according to claim 1, wherein the head plate is driven by a drive device which comprises a pulling element, which is attached on, or near, the two ends of the support shaft and which is moved by a drive wheel which can be driven by a motor.

9. The head rest according to claim 1, wherein the head plate is driven by a drive device comprising a hydraulic cylinder which rests on a support.