Fail-safe release mechanism for use with patient positioning support apparati

A base structure for supporting a first patient support structure above a floor, the first patient support structure having a first connection bracket at a first outboard end thereof, the base structure comprising:

• a first upright end support supported on the floor at a first lower end and comprising a second upper end above the first lower end;
• a first rotator member connected with the second upper end of the first upright end support and configured to turn around a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotator member;
• a first turning connection subassembly having a first longitudinal axis and comprising a first attachment end, an opposite bracket connecting portion extending from the first attachment end along the first longitudinal axis and a movably connected first cylindrical body having a transverse axis substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis, the first attachment end releasably joined with the first rotator member by slidable overlapping engagement of at least one extending end structure therebetween, the first outboard end of the first patient support structure releasably joined with the bracket connecting portion of the first turning connection subassembly via the first connection bracket being in slidable overlapping engagement with the first cylindrical body and pivotal with respect to the transverse axis thereof,
• wherein the first cylindrical body is moveably connected with respect to the bracket connecting portion along the first longitudinal axis of the first turning connection subassembly so as to increase or decrease a spaced distance between the first cylindrical body and the first rotator member, and
• wherein the first attachment end of the first turning connection subassembly is prevented from being released with respect to the first rotator member when the first outboard end of the first patient support structure is joined with the bracket connecting portion of the first turning connection subassembly by the engagement between the moveably connected first cylindrical body and the first connection bracket.

A fail-safe patient positioning support apparatus including a base structure for supporting a plurality of interchangeable patient support structures above a floor, the base structure comprising;

• a first upright end support extending vertically between a first end and a second end of the first upright end support;
• a first rotator plate mounted to the first upright end support proximate to the second end of the first upright end support, the first rotator plate capable of being oriented substantially perpendicular to the first upright end support such that a first and a second end of the first rotator plate define a transverse axis extending therebetween being in a different plane than the first and second ends of the first upright end support defining a vertical axis extending therebetween, the first rotator plate comprising top and bottom surfaces, the first rotator plate able to be releasably attached to at least one first turning connection subassembly and at least one second turning connection subassembly at the top and bottom surfaces thereof, respectively;
• a first portion extending between first and second ends of the at least one first turning connection subassembly defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the second end of the at least one first turning connection subassembly being attached to the top or bottom surface of the first rotator plate so that the at least one first turning connection subassembly is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first rotator plate, the at least one first turning connection subassembly configured to be releasably attached with the first rotator plate such that the first rotator plate and the at least one first turning connection subassembly securely engage with each other, the first rotator plate configured to turn along an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane of the first rotator plate while releasably attached to the at least one first turning connection subassembly;
• and
• a first adjustable structure with at least a partial cylindrical portion having a centerline axis transversely connected to the at least one first turning connection subassembly along the first portion thereof, the first adjustable structure configured to be moved in upward and downward directions with respect to the first rotator plate along the longitudinal axis of the at least one first turning connection subassembly and be releasably connected to an outboard end of at least one interchangeable patient support structure,
• wherein the second end of the at least one first turning connection subassembly cannot be released from the first rotator plate when the outboard end of the at least one interchangeable patient support structure is connected to the at least one first turning connection subassembly at the first adjustable structure.

A surgical table comprising:

• spaced apart first and second columns, the first column defining a longitudinal axis;
• a motor coupled to the first column;
• spaced apart first and second arms;
• spaced apart first and second brackets each positioned between the arms, the first bracket being coupled to the motor;
• a shaft extending through the arms and the second bracket, the shaft defining a first transverse axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a platform coupled to the bracket, the platform being configured to support a body of a patient,
• wherein the second bracket is rotatable relative to arms about the shaft, and
• wherein the motor is configured to rotate the first bracket relative to the first column about a second transverse axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first transverse axis.

A surgical table comprising:

• spaced apart first and second columns, the first column defining a longitudinal axis;
• a rail having a first end coupled to the first column and an opposite second end coupled to the second column, the first column being permanently fixed relative to the second column by the rail;
• a motor coupled to the first column;
• spaced apart first and second arms;
• spaced apart first and second brackets each positioned between the arms, the first bracket being coupled to the motor;
• a shaft extending through the arms and the second bracket, the shaft defining a first transverse axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• a first platform having a first end coupled to the bracket by a pin, the first platform being configured to support a body of a patient, an opposite second end of the first platform being coupled to the second column, the second end of the first platform being rotatable relative to the first end of the platform about a hinge;
• a third arm removably coupled to the first arm and a fourth arm removably coupled to the second arm;
• a third bracket positioned between the third and fourth arms;
• and
• a second platform coupled to the third bracket,
• wherein the first and second arms each include a projection that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, the extension of the first arm being received in a cavity of the third arm and the extension of the second arm being received in a cavity of the fourth arm,
• wherein the second bracket is rotatable relative to arms about the shaft,
• wherein the motor is configured to rotate the first bracket relative to the first column about a second transverse axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first transverse axis, and
• wherein the pin extends parallel to the longitudinal axis the first platform is rotatable relative to the second bracket about the pin.