Electronic controller for therapeutic table

In a therapeutic table having a frame, a patient support mounted to the frame for substantially continuous relative rotary, reciprocal movement with respect thereto between limits on opposite sides of a horizontal position and a drive mechanism for powering said relative movement to impart motion therapy to a patient, said relative movement requiring mechanical work, an improved controller for controlling said relative rotary, reciprocal movement, comprising:

• means for measuring the mechanical work required for said relative rotary, reciprocal movement;
• means for establishing a preselected rotary mechanical work reference;
• means for comparing the measured mechanical work with the mechanical work reference to sense a jam condition;
• and
• means for controlling the drive mechanism in accordance with said comparison to terminate the relative reciprocal movement substantially immediately in response to sensing of said jam condition.

In a therapeutic table having a frame, a patient support movably mounted to the frame and a drive mechanism for powering periodic relative movement of the patient support, an improved controller, comprising:

• means for automatically controlling the drive mechanism to cause periodic reversal of the relative movement of the patient support;
• means for sensing a fault condition;
• and
• means responsive to said sensing means to reverse the relative movement of the patient support intermediate the automatic periodic reversals.

In a therapeutic table having a frame, a patient support mounted to the frame for relative rotary reciprocal movement between limits on opposite sides of a horizontal position, an improved automatic controller, comprising:

• means for sensing the angular position of the patient support relative the horizontal position on either side thereof;
• means for preselecting a first angular reference position on one side of the horizontal position;
• means for preselecting a second angular reference position on the other side of the horizontal position opposite the one side independently of the preselection of the first angular position;
• means for causing the patient support to automatically rotate in one direction until it reaches said first angular reference position;
• and
• means for causing the patient support to automatically rotate in another direction opposite to said one direction when it reaches said second angular reference position.