PATIENT HANDLING SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPLICATIONS

摘要

A patient pallet (100) has two sides, a proximal end and a distal end. The patient pallet (100) is horizontally elongated and is positioned to support a human patient with the patient's body axis horizontal. The pallet (100) is supported by a pedestal (10). The pedestal is vertically moveable so that the patient may be raised and lowered with respect to the floor. The pedestal (10) receives the patient pallet (100) so that the pallet (100) can slide horizontally, parallel to the floor. A pallet support (200) is horizontally spaced from the pedestal (10) and is so located that the distal end (100D) of the patient pallet (100) can be supported by the pallet support (200) when the patient pallet (100) is slid horizontally. In this way, the patient pallet (100) is either supported by the pedestal (10) alone or by the pedestal (10) and the pallet support (200). In the latter instance, the patient pallet (100) bridges between the pedestal (10) and pallet support (200). Left and right horizontally elongated arm rests (110, 112) are provided. Each of these is individually securable to a corresponding one of the sides of the patient pallet (100) and slides together with it when so secured. When a particular study makes it necessary or convenient to provide support for one or two arms, either one or both of the arm supports (110, 112) are secured to the patient pallet (100) and move together with it. If no arm support is necessary or appropriate, the patient pallet (100) slides by itself.