Modular multi-articulated patient support system

An apparatus for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus having a longitudinal central axis, and comprising:

• (a) first and second support columns;
• (b) a base connecting said support columns;
• (c) a lateral shifting mechanism coupled with each of said support columns;
• and
• (d) first and second patient supports, each having an end coupled with a respective lateral shifting mechanism and an opposed free end to enable lateral shifting of said patient supports toward or away from said longitudinal central axis.

An apparatus for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus having a longitudinal central axis, and comprising:

• (a) first and second support columns;
• (b) a base connecting said support columns;
• (c) a lateral shifting mechanism coupled with each of said support columns;
• and
• (d) first, second, third and fourth patient supports, each having an end coupled with a respective laterally shiftable structure and an opposed free end to enable lateral shifting of said patient supports toward or away from said longitudinal central axis;
• (e) first and second separation mechanisms respectively interconnecting said columns with respective first and second and third and fourth patient support ends, said separation mechanisms each including structure operable to raise and lower said first or second patient support with respect to said third or fourth patient support for increasing and decreasing a distance therebetween;
• (f) vertical adjustment structure connected with said first and second support columns, said structure operable to selectively raise and lower a respective one of said columns and an end of each patient support coupled to a respective laterally shiftable structure coupled thereto;
• (g) first and second pivotal mounts interconnecting said first and second patient support ends respectively with said columns;
• said pivotal mounts each including structure operable to pivot a respective patient support end causing raising and lowering of a respective free end of said patient support for positioning said patient supports in a selected angular orientation;
• and
• (h) first and second rotation mechanisms interconnecting said first and second and third and fourth patient support ends respectively with said laterally shiftable mechanisms;
• said rotation mechanisms each including a rotary actuator operable to rotate said patient support about a rotational axis of said patient support.

An apparatus for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus having a longitudinal central axis, and comprising:

• (a) first and second support columns;
• (b) a patient support having a first end and a second end;
• (c) a lateral shifting mechanism connecting each of said support columns with one end of said patient support to enable lateral shifting of said patient support structure toward or away from said longitudinal axis;
• and
• (d) first and second pivotal mounts interconnecting said patient support first and second ends respectively with said support columns;
• said pivotal mounts each including structure operable to pivot a respective patient support end for positioning said patient support in a selected angular orientation.

An apparatus for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus having a longitudinal central axis, and comprising:

• (a) first and second support columns;
• (b) a patient support having a first end and a second end;
• (c) a lateral shifting mechanism connecting each of said support columns with one end of said patient support to enable lateral shifting of said patient support structure toward or away from said longitudinal axis;
• and
• (d) first and second rotation mechanisms interconnecting each of said lateral shifting mechanisms with one of said patient support first or second ends;
• said rotation mechanisms each including a rotary actuator operable to rotate said patient support about a rotational axis of said patient support.

An apparatus for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus having a longitudinal central axis, and comprising:

• (a) first and second support columns;
• (b) a patient support having a first end and a second end;
• (c) a lateral shifting mechanism connecting each of said support columns with one end of said patient support to enable lateral shifting of said patient support structure toward or away from said longitudinal axis;
• (d) vertical adjustment structure connected with said first and second support columns, said structure operable to selectively raise and lower a respective one of said columns and an end of the patient support coupled thereto;
• (e) first and second pivotal mounts interconnecting said patient support first and second ends respectively with said support columns;
• said pivotal mounts each including structure operable to pivot a respective patient support end for positioning said patient support in a selected angular orientation;
• and
• (f) first and second rotation mechanisms interconnecting each of said lateral shifting mechanisms with one of said patient support first or second ends;
• said rotation mechanisms each including a rotary actuator operable to rotate said patient support about a rotational axis of said patient support.

An apparatus for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus having a longitudinal central axis, and comprising:

• (a) first and second support columns;
• (b) a lateral shifting mechanism coupled with each of said support columns;
• and
• (c) first and second patient supports, each having an end coupled with a respective lateral shifting mechanism and an opposed free end to enable lateral shifting of said patient supports toward or away from said longitudinal central axis.

An apparatus for supporting a patient during a medical procedure, the apparatus having a longitudinal central axis, and comprising:

• (a) first and second support columns;
• (b) a lateral shifting mechanism coupled with each of said support columns;
• (c) first, second, third and fourth patient supports, each having an end coupled with a respective laterally shiftable structure and an opposed free end to enable lateral shifting of said patient supports toward or away from said longitudinal central axis;
• (d) first and second separation mechanisms respectively interconnecting said columns with respective first and second and third and fourth patient support ends, said separation mechanisms each including structure operable to raise and lower said first or second patient support with respect to said third or fourth patient support for increasing and decreasing a distance therebetween;
• (e) vertical adjustment structure connected with said first and second support columns, said structure operable to selectively raise and lower a respective one of said columns and an end of each patient support coupled to a respective laterally shiftable structure coupled thereto;
• (f) first and second pivotal mounts interconnecting said first and second patient support ends respectively with said columns;
• said pivotal mounts each including structure operable to pivot a respective patient support end causing raising and lowering of a respective free end of said patient support for positioning said patient supports in a selected angular orientation;
• and
• (g) first and second rotation mechanisms interconnecting said first and second and third and fourth patient support ends respectively with said laterally shiftable mechanisms;
• said rotation mechanisms each including a rotary actuator operable to rotate said patient support about a rotational axis of said patient support.