Abstract: A device for controlling at least one drive device of a surgical table, comprising a control unit for making available an output control signal on the basis of at least a first input control signal. The device is configured in such a way that the drive device is controllable with the aid of the output control signal, and that the drive device is directly controllable with the aid of a second input control signal. The device is characterized in that the control unit receives the second input control signal or a signal based on the second input control signal.

Abstract: A device for detecting the position of movable operating table components that has a multilayer sensor film that is attached to a first operating table component; a slider that is mounted on a second operating table component which is movable relative to the first operating table component, the slider being equipped with a pressure piece that elastically compresses the multilayer sensor film; and -n electrical circuit, which generates a signal in accordance with the position of the pressure piece on the sensor film.