Multi-axis cervical and lumbar traction table
A multi-axis cervical and lumbar traction table and method of using same. The traction table includes a support frame with a first body supporting portion and a second body supporting portion. The first body supporting portion is moveable relative to the second body supporting portion along a longitudinal axis. A high friction surface is optionally used to secure a patient to at least one of the first and second body supporting portions. Linking mechanism is adapted to move the first body supporting portion along a path relative to the second body supporting portion, wherein the path comprises at least one rotational degree of freedom.
Latest The Saunders Group, Inc. Patents:
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/715,008, filed Nov. 17, 2003, entitled “Multi-Axis Cervical and Lumber Traction Table”, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,631, filed Jan. 22, 2002, entitled, “Multi-Axis Cervical and Lumber Traction Table”, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a therapeutic traction apparatus, and in particular, to a multi-axis traction device with a first body supporting portion moveable relative to a second body supporting portion and a method of using the therapeutic apparatus to apply traction to a patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBack and neck pain are common conditions that can adversely affect both work and leisure activities. One commonly used non-surgical approach to alleviating back pain in patients is the application of traction forces. Traction tables are used to apply traction forces to the human body through the application of tension force along the spinal column. Traction tables are generally used to relieve pain in two areas, the lumbar region, which is located between a patient's ribs and hipbones, and the cervical region, which corresponds to the patient's neck region.
A traditional system for applying traction to a patient is through the use of weights and pulleys. The method entails placing a patient in the supine position and securing the patient to a resting surface. Cords are then extended from the patient, looped around suspended pulleys and tied to raised weights which are released to provide a gravitational force. The weights thereby apply traction to the patient's back. The system has had only limited success because it does not sufficiently isolate the region of the body to which the force is to be applied. In addition, the system does not adequately treat patients with painful postural deformities, such as for example a flexed, laterally shifted posture often seen in patients suffering from a herniated lumbar disc.
Furthermore, the traditional system is based upon applying a linear force in a horizontal or vertical plane to achieve a particular force exertion on a specific joint or body location. The forces are typically generated using a static weight or force generating actuator. The forces applied in a vertical direction must manually account for weight of a body supporting portion of the system and weight of a human body to ensure that a correct force is applied to the intended location. The weight of the body supporting portion and the human body weight applied in a horizontal direction have a negligible effect and are typically applied directly without accommodation. When traction is delivered in a horizontal plane (perpendicular to gravity), the effect of these forces is negligible. When traction is delivered in a vertical plane, these forces must be accommodated for. Traditional traction methods and devices require that the clinicians manually take such weight effects on forces administered during traction into account.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,604 (Nelson) discloses a traction assembly that applies traction under the inclined weight of the patient. The traction assembly includes a stationary stand supportable on a ground or floor surface and a table assembly connected to the stand. The table assembly includes a frame that is rotatably assembled to the stand for limited rotation about a horizontal axis. A flat platform or table is slidably assembled to the frame for back-and-forth movement under gravitational influence in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the frame. Restraints are connected to the patient's ankles and head. Upon rotation of the frame on the stand to incline the platform, the body is put in traction according to the weight of the body and the degree of inclination.
One shortcoming of the device disclosed in Nelson is that the degree of applied force depends upon the weight of the body and the inclination of the frame, rather than by an independently adjustable force. Furthermore, the assembly does not compensate for a patient's postural deformities. For example, a patient with a herniated lumbar disc may not be able to lie perfectly straight on the table, reducing the effectiveness of the gravitational force. Further yet, because the patient is anchored to the table at the neck and ankles, the table does not sufficiently concentrate traction force on the specific area in need of treatment, for example, the lumbar region of the body.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,378 (Dyer et al.) discloses a therapeutic table with a frame and a table top having an upper-body section rigid with respect to the frame, and a lower-body section slidable with respect to the frame. The sections provide a separable surface for a patient to lie prone face down. Hand grips fixed with respect to the upper-body section extend upwardly of the plane of the table top. The patient grasps the hand grips with arms above the head. An anchor is connected to the lower-body section to which a pelvic belt can be connected. A cylinder and piston drive slides the lower-body section to increase and decrease the distance between the hand grips and the pelvic belt anchors.
Although the Dyer device avoids the use of weights and pulleys, he still requires a cumbersome harness anchored to the end of the lower-body section of the table. Dyer also requires the patient to lie prone and hold on to hand grips during treatment. The traction force is thus extended along the entirety of the patient's spine, rather than focusing the force to the lumbar region. Dyer does not disclose a multi-axis traction device that can compensate for patient postural deformities that hinder the application of traction forces along the spine.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a multi-axis traction device that is capable of treating back pain for a patient with postural deformities that hinder the traditional application of longitudinal traction force along the spine. The present traction device isolates and concentrates traction force on specific areas of the body, for example, the lumbar region, without applying the force along the entirety of the patient's body.
The present therapeutic apparatus comprises a support frame with first and second body supporting portions. The first body supporting portion is moveable relative to the second body supporting portion along a longitudinal axis. A high friction surface on at least one of the body supporting portions secures the patient to such body supporting portion during therapeutic treatment. A linking mechanism provides the first body supporting portion movement along a path relative to the second body supporting portion, the path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom.
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for determining an adjusted traction force for the patient. The first body supporting portion is positioned in a non-horizontal configuration. A compensating force related to a weight of the first body supporting portion, a weight of an applicable portion of a patient's body, and an angle between the first body supporting portion and a horizontal plane is determined. The compensating force is applied to a desired traction force to determine the adjusted traction force. The adjusted traction force is applied to the patient by moving the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis to affect the distance between the first body supporting portion and the second body supporting portion.
The compensating force is preferably subtracted from the desired traction force when the first body supporting portion is positioned below horizontal. The compensating force is preferably added from the desired traction force when the first body supporting portion is positioned above horizontal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention provides a therapeutic apparatus for treating a patient suffering from back pain. The apparatus is adapted to exert a therapeutic traction force on a patient's spine to relieve pressures on structures that may be causing pain. The apparatus is further capable of producing the forces and positions required to cause decompression of the intervertebral discs, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning. The apparatus provided by the present invention can be used to treat many conditions, including, but not limited to back pain, neck pain, herniated disc, protruding disc, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome and sciatica.
The therapeutic apparatus 10 further includes a securing system 20 adapted to secure a patient to the first and second body supporting portions 14, 16. Linking mechanism 22 is adapted to provide movement of the first body supporting portion 14 relative to second body supporting portion 16 along a path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom. As used herein, “rotational degree of freedom” refers to rotational movement of a first body supporting portion relative to a second body supporting portion. Although the embodiment in
Securing system 20 is adapted to secure a patient to the first and second body supporting portions 14, 16. In the embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment, the second body supporting portion 16 is rigidly attached to a top side 51 of platform portion 53 and is positioned along a substantially horizontal plane. First body supporting portion 14 is pivotally secured to platform portion 53 by linking mechanism 22. As shown in
Sliding mechanism 54 is slidably attached to roll mechanism 64. In the illustrated embodiment, sliding mechanism 54 includes rollers 55 that slide in tracks 57 on roll mechanism 64, although a variety of structures could be used. First body supporting portion 14 is secured to sliding mechanism 54 and is thereby capable of movement along longitudinal axis 18, as shown in
The present therapeutic apparatus 10 permits the actuator 56 to apply or remove a traction force to the patient without interfering with the operation of the yaw mechanism 60, pitch mechanism 62 or roll mechanism 64. In particular, any one or all of the yaw mechanism 60, pitch mechanism 62 and roll mechanism 64 can be adjusted before, during or after a traction force is applied to a patient. The therapeutic apparatus 10 has the added advantage that there are no rope and pulleys to interfere with the operation of the yaw mechanism 60, pitch mechanism 62 and/or roll mechanism 64 during traction.
Processor 70 receives input data, processes that data and communicates with a central source of compressed air 68 in response. In the illustrated embodiment, the processor has a digital display, incorporating touch screen capabilities. Processor 70 is adapted to receive, process and communicate to the traction apparatus almost any relevant treatment data, including the type of force (e.g. static or intermittent), force ramp up and ramp down times, force hold and rest times, magnitude of hold and rest forces, and treatment times. Optionally, the processor 70 is adapted to automatically adjusting the table height and/or pitch movement of the apparatus, as well as a patient control switch adapted to terminate treatment. As used herein, “processor” refers to any of a variety of general purpose or special purpose programmable computing devices, such as for example a PC or a programmable logic controller. In one embodiment, the processor 70 is a separate stand-alone computer, such as a PC.
The processor 70 can also store and retrieve pre-programmed traction protocols. For example, the therapist may develop a protocol for a particular patient that can be applied multiple time over the course of treatment. This protocol can be stored in the processor 70 for future use. A protocol can include any of the treatment variable available in the processor 70, including without limitation the type of force (e.g. static or intermittent), force ramp up and ramp down times, force hold and rest times, magnitude of hold and rest forces, and treatment times. The processor 70 also preferably assigns an index number or title to each protocol so that they can be easily retrieved. In another embodiment, the therapist generates a treatment protocol off-line on a separate computer system, such as a PC. The protocol is then uploaded to the processor 70 using conventional computer communication protocols and techniques, such as an RS-232 connection. This embodiment permits the treatment protocol to be sent electronically to other clinics at which the patient can receive treatment. One method of electronically transmitting a treatment protocol is using electronic mail over the Internet.
In
In
Although
In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis 18 comprises the axis of movement of the sliding mechanism 54 relative to the cantilever arm 58. This movement along the longitudinal axis 18 is independent of the three degrees of freedom. The path upon which first body supporting portion 14 is positioned affects the direction and angle of its movement relative to second body supporting portion 16 along longitudinal axis 18. For example, if first body supporting portion 14 is positioned along path 26, 10 degrees above the neutral position, then longitudinal axis 18 will be located 10 degrees above the location of longitudinal axis 18 in
The present invention provides at least one locking mechanism for releasably retaining first body supporting portion 14 along the path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom. The apparatus may further provide a locking mechanism for releasably retaining the first body supporting portion 14 from movement along longitudinal axis 18. For example,
The locking mechanisms 94, 96, 98 are preferably biased to a locked position. The locked position is released using the handles indicated by the reference numerals. The operator manually releases one or more of the locking mechanisms 94, 96, 98 and positions the first body supporting portion 14 in the desired configuration. Releasing the handle re-engages the locking mechanism 94, 96, 98. Positioning the first body supporting portion 14 along any combination of the three rotational degrees of freedom does not interfere with the movement of the sliding mechanism 54 along the longitudinal axis 18.
As illustrated in
The head supporting portion 120 is adapted to move relative to frame 134 along an axis 132 under the power of actuator 128. Conventional ropes and pulleys are eliminated. Actuator 128 is preferably powered by the central source of compressed air 68 (see
The present invention also provides a method of treating a patient with the apparatus generally described above.
Next, first body supporting portion 14 is moved relative to second body supporting portion 16 along longitudinal axis 18 (see
Many variations of the above described method can be accomplished by an apparatus of the present invention. For example, to further treat a patient's postural deformities, first body supporting portion 14 can be moved along a path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom after the patient is secured to the table and even during the application of traction force to the patient. Further, the table can be releasably retained anywhere along the path during treatment to accommodate the patient's condition. It may even be desirable to retain first body supporting portion 14 at multiple locations along a path during a treatment cycle. Additionally, the traction force created by first body supporting portion 14 moving away from second body supporting portion 16 along longitudinal axis 18 can be static (i.e. constant application of a force during a period of time) or intermittent (application of greater force for a period of time followed by a lesser force for a period of time). Further yet, the patient can be treated in either the supine or prone position and/or both, without adjusting the apparatus.
Prior to beginning therapy, a treatment protocol can be entered into processor 70 to facilitate some or all of the therapeutic steps. In a preferred embodiment, processor 70 provides a touch control screen to assist a health care professional in entering the treatment protocol. Data input such as the mode of lumbar treatment (e.g. static or intermittent), force ramp up time, force ramp down time, hold time, rest time, rest force, maximum force, and treatment time can all be entered to create a desired treatment protocol. The processor 70 communicates with the power source (in the illustrated embodiment the source of compressed air 68) to power the actuators 56, 66, 128 and to provide the designated movement between the first body supporting portion, second body supporting portions, and/or the head supporting portion 14, 16, 120.
Performance characteristics of the present invention include improved ability to treat patients with postural deformities, greater ease in the treatment of patients, and reduced set-up time. By providing an apparatus that is adapted to move along a path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom, an apparatus of the present invention can treat patients with postural deformities who could not be adequately treated with conventional traction devices. Further, the securing system 20 provides a more efficient and less cumbersome mechanism of applying traction force to a patient. Further yet, a single or series of patients can be treated in either the prone or supine position or both, without adjusting or altering an apparatus of the present invention. Thus, the invention has improved performance characteristics, while also being easier and faster to use.
In another embodiment of the present method, more accurate traction forces are provided by compensating for both the weight of the body supporting portion 14 and the weight of the applicable portion of the patient supported by the body supporting portion 14. For example,
The present invention uses the force vectors for the weight 222 of the tilted first body supporting portion 14 and the weight 220 of the applicable portion of the patient's body 202 supported by the body supporting portion 14 to calculate a compensating force along the longitudinal axis 18 of the tilted first body supporting portion 14. As used herein, the phrase “compensating forces” refers to force vectors along a longitudinal axis of a tilted body supporting portion of a therapeutic apparatus, which accommodate for the weight of the tilted body supporting portion and the weight of the applicable portion of the patient's body supported by the body supporting portion during traction.
To apply a desired traction force to the patient, the compensating forces 224 and 226 are either added to or subtracted from a delivered traction force 230 depending upon whether the first body supporting portion 14 is rotated up or rotated down from its neutral position on the horizontal plane 204. As shown in
In another example,
An estimate of the applicable portion of the patient supported by the body supporting portion can be calculated according to the following body mass distribution table.
The mathematical formula for calculating the compensating forces is determined according to the equation below:
Compensating forces=Sin(Acute Angle Between Tilted Body Supporting Portion of Therapeutic Apparatus and Horizontal Plane)*(Weight of Tilted Body Supporting Portion+Weight of Applicable Portion of Patient)
Adjusting the delivered traction force by the compensating forces will yield an adjusted traction force. As used herein, the phrase “adjusted traction force” represents a traction force that is modified to take the compensating forces into account. The mathematical formula for calculating the adjusted force is determined according to whether the force of gravity increases or decreases the delivered traction force. If the body supporting portion is rotated down from its neutral position, then Adjusted Traction Force=Delivered Traction Force−Compensating Forces. If the body supporting portion is rotated up from its neutral position, then Adjusted Traction Force=Delivered Traction Force+Compensating Forces.
For example, the total body weight of a male patient on the therapeutic apparatus 10 is about 200 pounds in
Sin(10°)*(22 pounds+88pounds)=17.4 pounds
Therefore, when delivering a traction force 230 of 150 pounds, an adjusted traction force of 132.6 pounds (150 pounds−17.4 pounds) should be applied to the patient.
Referring now to
Sin(15°*(22 pounds+88 pounds)=28.5 pounds
Therefore, when delivering a traction force 230 of 150 pounds, an adjusted traction force of 178.5 pounds (150 pounds+28.5 pounds) should be applied to the patient.
Referring to
Sin(10°)*(4 pounds+16 pounds)=3.5 pounds
Therefore, when delivering a traction force 232 of 150 pounds, an adjusted traction force of 146.5 pounds (150 pounds−3.5 pounds) should be applied to the patient.
Referring to
Sin(5°)*(4 pounds+16 pounds)=1.7 pounds
Therefore, when delivering a traction force 232 of 150 pounds, an adjusted traction force of 151.7 pounds (150 pounds+1.7 pounds) should be applied to the patient.
For most applications, the second body supporting portion 16 remains horizontal, while the first body supporting portion 14 and/or the head supporting portion 120 can move relative to horizontal. It is also possible for the second body supporting portion 16 to move relative to horizontal. In some embodiments, the angle measuring device 210 is three discrete devices that generate angle signals for each of the first body supporting portion 14, the second body supporting portion 16 and the head support portion 120.
A weight measuring device 212 is optionally attached to the therapeutic apparatus 10 to measure the total body weight of a patient. A signal from the weight measuring device 212 is transmitted to the process 70 and is used to calculate the adjusted traction force. In one embodiment, an operator identifies the portion of the patient supported by one of the supporting portions 14, 16, 120. The weight of the apparatus 10 is preferably stored in the processor 70. The processor 70 uses the weight measuring device 212 to calculate the total weight of the patient. The body mass distribution data in Table 1, stored as a look-up table available to the processor 70 is used to calculate the weight of the patient supported by the relevant body supporting portion 14, 16, 120.
In another embodiment, a weight measuring device 213a, 213b, 213c (referred to collectively as “213”) can optionally be provided on one or more of the first body supporting portion 14, the second body supporting portion 16 and/or the head support portion 120, respectively. Signals from the weight measuring devices 213 are preferably transmitted directly to the processor 70 for use in calculating the adjusted traction force. Providing multiple weight measuring devices 213 obviates the need to estimate the portion of the patient's body supported by a particular support portion 14, 16, 120, such as discussed above.
In one embodiment, the weight measuring device 212 provides a voltage signal representing the total weight of the patient. A percentage of the voltage from a voltage divider of the device 212 can be used to represent the weight of the tilted human body on the first body supporting portion 14. The weights of the tilted first and second body supporting portions 14, 16 are fixed and known at the time of manufacture. Accordingly, a constant voltage signal can be used to represent the weight of the tilted first body supporting portion 14. These voltage signals can be combined using electrical summing and multiplier circuits to provide a signal that represents the compensating forces. The signal that represents the compensating forces can be electrically summed with another signal that controls the actuator 56, so as to control the adjusted traction force that takes both the weight of the tilted first body supporting portion 14 and the weight of the applicable portion of the patient's body into account. Similarly, the weight measuring device 212 can also be used to control the adjusted traction force that takes both the weight of the head support portion 120 and the weight of the head and neck of the patient into account
The electronic signals from the angle measuring device 210 and weight measuring devices 212 and/or 213 can be directed to an electronic display indicating. The operator then uses this angle and weight information to calculate the adjusted traction force. In another embodiment, the signals from the angle measuring device 210 and the weight measuring devices 212 and/or 213 can be directed to the processor 70. The processor 70 preferably measures the weight supported by the supporting portions 14, 16, 120 directly. Alternatively, the operator inputs the portions of the patient's body supported by the body supporting portion 14, 16, 120 that is tilted relative to horizontal. The processor 70 optionally includes a data entry device, such as a keypad. The processor 70 then calculates the adjusted traction force. The adjusted traction force can be entered into the processor 70 by the operator or the processor 70 can control the operation of one or more of the actuators 56, 66 (see
The digital control system 220 is also capable of measuring the total and partial body weight of a patient (see
In the embodiment of
All of the patents and patent applications disclosed herein, including those set forth in the Background of the Invention, are hereby incorporated by reference. Although specific embodiments of this invention have been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the many possible specific arrangements that can be devised in application of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in accordance with these principles by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A therapeutic apparatus for a patient comprising:
- a support frame including a first body supporting portion and a second body supporting portion, the first body supporting portion moveable relative to the second body supporting portion along a longitudinal axis;
- a first actuator adapted to move the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis;
- a securing system comprising a high friction surface on at least one of the body supporting portions sufficient to secure a patient to such body supporting portion during therapeutic treatment; and
- a linkage mechanism adapted to move the first body supporting portion along a path relative to the second body portion, the path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom, wherein the first actuator is adapted to move the first body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis without interfering with movement of the first body supporting portion along the path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom.
2. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securing system further comprises a first belt attachable to the first body supporting portion and adapted to secure the patient to the first body supporting portion.
3. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securing system further comprises a second belt attachable to the second body supporting portion and adapted to secure the patient to the second body supporting portion.
4. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least one locking mechanism adapted to releasably retain the first body supporting portion in a plurality of locations along the path relative to the second body supporting portion.
5. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 4 comprising at least one locking mechanism for each rotational degree of freedom.
6. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1 comprising a processor programmed to determine an adjusted traction force based on patient parameters.
7. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1 comprising a processor programmed to receive the weight of the portion of the patient's body supported by the first body supporting portion and an angle between the first body supporting portion and horizontal, the processor being programmed to determine an adjusted traction force.
8. A therapeutic apparatus for a patient comprising:
- a support frame including a first body supporting portion and a second body supporting portion, the first body supporting portion moveable relative to the second body supporting portion along a longitudinal axis;
- at least a first actuator adapted to move the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis;
- a securing system comprising a high friction surface on at least one of the body supporting portions adapted to secure a patient to such body supporting portion during therapeutic treatment;
- a linkage mechanism adapted to move the first body supporting portion along a path relative to the second body portion, the linkage mechanism comprises a roll mechanism, a pitch mechanism, and a yaw mechanism comprising at least three rotational degrees of freedom; and
- wherein the first actuator is adapted to move the first body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis without interfering with movement of the first body supporting portion along the path comprising the rotational degrees of freedom.
9. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 8 wherein the securing system further comprises a first belt attachable to the first body supporting portion and adapted to secure the patient to the first body supporting portion and a second belt attachable to the second body supporting portion and adapted to secure the patient to the second body supporting portion.
10. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 8 comprising:
- a second actuator adapted to displace a portion of the therapeutic apparatus; and
- a single power source connected to the first and second actuators.
11. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 8 comprising:
- a second actuator adapted to move a head supporting portion of a cervical traction device relative to the first body supporting portion; and
- a single power source connected to the first and second actuators.
12. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 8 comprising:
- a head supporting portion moveable relative to the second body supporting portion; and
- a pair of neck wedges adapted to retain a patient's head to the head supporting portion.
13. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 8 comprising at least one locking mechanism adapted to releasably retain the first body supporting portion in a plurality of locations along the path relative to the second body supporting portion.
14. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 13 wherein the at least one locking mechanism is continuously adjustable.
15. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 13 comprising at least one locking mechanism for each rotational degree of freedom.
16. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 8 comprising a processor programmed to receive the weight of the portion of the patient's body supported by the first body supporting portion and an angle between the first body supporting portion and horizontal, the processor being programmed to determine an adjusted traction force.
17. A therapeutic apparatus for a patient comprising:
- a support frame including a first body supporting portion and a second body supporting portion, the first body supporting portion moveable relative to the second body supporting portion along a longitudinal axis;
- a linking mechanism pivotally securing the first body supporting portion relative to the second body portion such that the first body supporting portion is adapted to move along a path relative to the second body supporting portion, the path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom comprising pitch movement.
- a first actuator adapted to move the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis;
- a second actuator adapted to move the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the at least one rotational degree of freedom comprising pitch movement; and
- a securing system comprising a high friction surface on at least one of the body supporting portions adapted to secure a patient to such body supporting portion during therapeutic treatment.
18. A method of treating back pain in a patient comprising the steps of:
- providing a therapeutic apparatus having a support frame with a first body supporting portion, a second body supporting portion, and a first actuator adapted to move the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along a longitudinal axis;
- supporting the patient along the first body supporting portion and the second body supporting portion;
- locating the patient on a high friction surface on at least one of the body supporting portions to secure a patient to such body supporting portion during therapeutic treatment;
- moving the first body supporting portion along a path relative to the second body supporting portion, the path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom; and
- activating the actuator to move the first body supporting portion relative to the second body supporting portion along the longitudinal axis to affect the distance between the first body supporting portion and the second body supporting portion without interfering with the step of moving the first body supporting portion along the path comprising at least one rotational degree of freedom.
19. The method of claim 18 comprising securing at least a portion of the patient's body to one of the body supporting portions with a belt.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 21, 2005
Publication Date: Apr 6, 2006
Applicant: The Saunders Group, Inc. (Chaska, MN)
Inventors: Stephen Ryan (Chaska, MN), H. Saunders (Eden Prairie, MN), Douglas Tomasko (Woodbury, MN)
Application Number: 11/284,196
International Classification: A61F 5/00 (20060101);