US 3,941,365 AGranted

Support and manipulation table for spinal examination and experimentation

OwnerWillard W. Frymoyerinventor

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Abstract

A table is shown suitable for use in supporting, manipulating and positioning human bodies or cadavers during examination, diagnosis and experimentation involving the spine. A pelvic support and a thoracic support are separately slidably mounted on a frame base table. Each support is provided with positioning rods which may be placed in predrilled holes in the pelvic and thoracic regions respectively. The positioning rods are pivoted for rotation so that the cadaver's spine may be controllably and adjustably positioned to simulate forward bending motion of the spine. The thoracic support is pivoted along two axes to provide lateral bending and rotation adjustments. Sensitive plates are positioned below and to the side of the cadaver for sequential radiographic analysis of the spinal region between the positioning rods during various postures controlled by adjustment of the rods and supports. Suitable indexing and locking mechanisms are provided so that a series of sequential positions may be examined.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A support table for use in supporting, positioning and manipulating a body during examination of the spinal regions of said body by means of radiographic examination equipment and the like, comprising:

a rigid base having an elongate runway system thereon;
a pelvic support for supporting the pelvic regions of the body, said support being slidably mounted on said rigid base for motion along said runway system;
a thoracic support for supporting the thoracic regions of the body so that a portion of the spinal region of said body between said supports is easily accessible for examination purposes, said thoracic support being slidably mounted on said rigid base for independent motion along said runway system in the same manner as said pelvic support;
releasable locking means for securing said thoracic support to said pelvic support to control relative motion therebetween so that said portion of said spinal region may be subjected to axial compression or elongation forces;
and
indexing means mounted to said base table for moving at least one of said supports so that said spinal region may be accurately and repeatably indexed and positioned along said runway system with respect to a fixed point on said runway system related to said examination equipment.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.