Abstract: A patient examination and transportation and echocardiography gurney is provided having side guard rails that protect the patient during transportation, the guard rails being repositionable to avoid obstruction of the access to the patient's chest during echocardiography procedures, the guard rails being selectably positionable to support the patient during echocardiography procedures.

Abstract: A seat extension and/or a back support are provided for an examination table which allows a examiner to be seated fully on the examination table and in one embodiment to lean across the patient without the examiner having to contact the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for accurately positioning a breast tumor of a patient in the decubitus position on examination table and preventing patient movement once the tumor is positioned and for preventing pain and loss of sensation in the patient's downwardly positioned arm and shoulder while the patient is in the decubitus position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining mammographic images of a human patient's breast and subsequently obtaining tissue samples for biopsy includes a deck having one or more of access sites, with the deck elevated above a floor or other supporting surface and capable of supporting the patient thereon. The deck includes a frame and may include one or more filler sections occupying respective access sites when closed. The filler sections are preferably positioned to provide one or more access sites on each side of the deck when opened, the access sites being sized to accommodate a technician or mammography device therein. The deck may include a central, longitudinally extending spine with cross-members extending perpendicular thereto. The filler sections can be removably or pivotally mounted on hinges or pivot pins to selectively shift out of the openings, such as by dropping or raising to a vertical orientation, to accommodate a mammography device or examiner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining mammographic images of a human patient's breast and subsequently obtaining tissue samples for biopsy includes a deck having one or more of access sites, with the deck elevated above a floor or other supporting surface and capable of supporting the patient thereon. The deck includes a frame and may include one or more filler sections occupying respective access sites when closed. The filler sections are preferably positioned to provide one or more access sites on each side of the deck when opened, the access sites being sized to accommodate a technician or mammography device therein. The deck may include a central, longitudinally extending spine with cross-members extending perpendicular thereto. The filler sections can be removably or pivotally mounted on hinges or pivot pins to selectively shift out of the openings, such as by dropping or raising to a vertical orientation, to accommodate a mammography device or examiner.

Abstract: A preferred patient examination table (10) includes a selectively engageable, pivot mechanism (14) allowing the table (10) to be pivoted about an upright pivot axis (98) in order to position the table (10) as needed for ready access to examination equipment (88) by performing a procedure with either a left or right hand.

Abstract: Patient examination methods, by an examiner using an examination instrument having a base unit and a probe soupled with the base unit by a flexible tether are disclosrd. An examination table will support a patient lying thereon, with the probe adapted to be held by the examiner's right or left hand. The method may be used to produce an echocardiogram. A preferred patient examination table (10) includes a selectively engageable, pivot mechanism (14) allowing the table (10) to be pivoted about an upright pivot axis (98) in order to position the table (10) as needed for ready access to examination equipment (88) by performing a procedure with either a left or right hand. In another embodiment, the base unit (90) is shiftable as needed to accommodate left-handed or right-handed holding of a probe (92) for performing a medical examination.

Abstract: A patient-supporting bed especially adapted for cardiac sonography includes a horizontal uppermost bed surface, an exercise apparatus coupled to one end of the bed, a tilting mechanism for tilting the bed surface, and a novel support structure for supporting the patient on the tilted bed. The support structure includes a flexible patient support sling adapted to circumferentially surround the patient's midsection and an adjustable shoulder support apparatus adapted to engage one side of the patient's body while the bed is tilted. The bed surface includes an access opening and a corresponding shiftable bed filler sections disposed within the opening. The bed filler section is shiftable between upper and lower positions and include a latching assembly serving to normally maintain the filler section in an upper, generally horizontal position so that the bed presents a generally horizontal and uninterrupted patient-supporting top surface.

Abstract: A patient-supporting bed (20) especially adapted for cardiac sonography is provided which includes a frame assembly (22) and mattress (24) which are configured to present a pair of marginal, axially offset access openings (49, 54) and a corresponding pair of shiftable bed filler sections (26, 28) disposed within the openings (49, 54). Each of the sections (26, 28) includes a latching assembly (86) serving to normally maintain each of the sections (26, 28) in an upper, generally horizontal position so that the bed (20) presents a generally horizontal and uninterrupted patient-supporting top surface. A patient is positioned on the bed with the patient's heart region located generally above the first filler section (26). The sonographer then manipulates the associated latching assembly (86), allowing the section (26) to pivot downwardly and thus expose an access opening (49). The second filler section (28) is similarly manipulated to expose the opening (54).