Multiple position support structure

Abstract

A multiple position support structure and method of use is disclosed. The multiple position support structure includes a base, a planar member, and a linking assembly disposed therebetween. The linking assembly includes a plurality of elongated connecting arms. A rotatable pedestal is disposed on the base and is pivotably coupled to first ends of the connecting arms. Second ends of the connecting arms are flexibly coupled to a bottom side of the planar member. The planar member is pivotable about a vertical axis through an angle that is perpendicular to the base. A motor assembly or a clutch assembly may be included in the multiple position support structure.

1 . An adjustable device for supporting a patient comprising: 
 an elongated planar member having a top side and a bottom side, the planar member configured and adapted to support the patient;    a support assembly including a base defining a base plane with a pedestal disposed thereon; and    a plurality of elongated connecting arms having first and second ends, each first end being pivotably attached to the bottom side of the planar member and each second end being pivotably attached to the pedestal for moving the planar member from a first position defining a first plane to a second position defining a second plane wherein each connecting arm travels through an axis that is orthogonal to the base when the planar member moves from the first position to the second position.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for moving the planar member from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to each other and to the base plane.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the means for moving the planar member is a motor assembly operably coupled to each of the connecting arms.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pedestal is further configured for independent rotational motion relative to the base about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the support assembly further includes a motor assembly for rotating the pedestal.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the means for moving further includes a remote control operably coupled to the motor assembly.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongated connecting arms is arranged as a four bar linkage.  
     
     
         9 . A method for diagnostic imaging of a patient comprising the steps of: 
 providing a support device having a planar member capable of moving from a first position defining a first plane to a second position defining a second plane, the support device further including a plurality of elongated connecting arms, one end of each arm being pivotably attached to a bottom side of the planar member and each connecting arm travels through an axis that is orthogonal to the planar member when the planar member moves from the first position to the second position;    positioning the patient on the planar member of the support device;    moving the planar member into the first plane;    performing a first diagnostic procedure on the patient;    moving the planar member into the second plane; and    performing a second diagnostic procedure on the patient.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to each other.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of providing a support device includes the support device having a support assembly with a base defining a base plane and a pedestal, the pedestal being operably coupled to the connecting arms and configured for rotational movement relative to the base about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the means for moving the planar member into the first position and the means for moving the planar member into the second position is a motor assembly operably coupled to the connecting arms.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of positioning the patient includes the step of rotating the planar member relative to the base.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the means for moving includes a remote control operably coupled to the motor assembly.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to each other and to the base plane.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of elongated connecting arms is arranged as a four bar linkage.  
     
     
         17 . A method of moving a patient from a first plane to a second plane comprising the steps of: 
 providing a support device having a planar member capable of moving from a first position defining a first plane to a second position defining a second plane, the support device further including a plurality of elongated connecting arms, one end of each arm being pivotably attached to a bottom side of the planar member and each connecting arm travels through an axis that is orthogonal to the planar member when the planar member moves from the first position to the second position;    positioning the patient on the support device;    moving the planar member to the first plane; and    moving the planar member to the second plane.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to each other.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the steps of moving the planar member to the first plane and moving the planar member to the second plane include a motor assembly operably coupled to the connecting arms.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of providing a support device includes providing a support assembly having a base defining a base plane and a pedestal, the pedestal being operably coupled to the connecting arms and configured for independent rotational movement relative to the base about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , including a remote control operably coupled to the motor assembly.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to each other and to the base plane.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of elongated connecting arms is arranged as a four bar linkage.  
     
     
         24 . A device for supporting a patient comprising: 
 an elongated planar member having a top side and a bottom side, the planar member configured and adapted to support the patient;    a support assembly including a base defining a base plane with a pedestal disposed thereon, the pedestal being configured for independent rotational motion relative to the base about a vertical axis; and    a plurality of elongated connecting arms having first and second ends, each first end being pivotably attached to the bottom side of the planar member and each second end being pivotably attached to the pedestal for moving the planar member from a first position defining a first plane to a second position defining a second plane.    
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , further comprising a means for moving the planar member from the first position to the second position.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to each other and to the base plane.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the means for moving the planar member is a motor assembly operably coupled to each of the connecting arms.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the support assembly further includes a motor assembly for rotating the pedestal.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the means for moving further includes a remote control operably coupled to the motor assembly.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of elongated connecting arms is arranged as a four bar linkage.