摘要 |
An apparatus for turning a patient form a supine to a prone position and vice-versa during the course of a surgical procedure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the turning apparatus comprises a rotatable stretcher supported at opposite ends by a rectangular frame. The turning apparatus is adapted to straddle a standard operating table and is provided with telescoping members for adjusting the length and width of the apparatus to accommodate virtually any operating table. The hydraulic system of the operating table is used to raise the turning apparatus, which is then locked in place, either manually or by a self-locking mechanism, in an elevated position. The operating table is then lowered, and the stretcher portion rotated 180 DEG , so as to turn the patient over. As a final step, the operating table is again raised to the level of the now rotated stretcher, the legs of the apparatus unlocked, and the patient lowered so that the surgical procedure can continue.
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