US20060260515A1 - Modular, sterilizable surgical table for use in medical procedures - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular sterilizable surgical table that obviates the need for sterile drapes is particularly adapted for use during surgery in hospital operating rooms or in a veterinary health care facility. The table may include a movable base to which a plurality of posts is fixedly attached. A plurality of sterilizable sleeves may be detachably coupled to the plurality of posts. A first sterilizable shelf structured to hold sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure is detachably coupled to at least one of the sleeves. A second sterilizable shelf structured to hold sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies is detachably coupled to at least another one of the sleeves. Each of the sleeves and shelves is each removable from the table sterilization. The shelves may be adjustable and include one or more lips to retain items placed on the shelves.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/682,851 filed on May 20, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The invention relates generally to medical tables commonly covered with sterilized disposable surgical drapes and used during surgical or other medical procedures to both store and provide surgeon and nurse access to sterilized medical instruments and supplies and, more particularly, to an improved medical table that is compact and eliminates the need to use sterilized drapes or disposable covers.
• 2. Related Art
• Various types of specialized equipment are used to perform surgeries and other medical procedures. In particular, stainless-steel tables found in doctor's offices and operating rooms are used to hold a wide variety of sterilized medical instruments and supplies during surgical or other medical procedures. Examples of such items include, but are not limited to: scalpels, forceps, IV tubes, needles/syringes, spreaders, clamps, saws, staplers, staple removal tools, staples, catheters, stents, feeding tubes, instrument retrieval and soaking trays, instrument sterilization trays and baskets, as well as gauze, gloves, topical cleaning solutions, sterilized lubricants, rods, screws, plates, cages, and other sterile items.
• The requirement for such tables originates from the needs of doctors and nurses to quickly reach a medical instrument or accessory during various medical or surgical procedures. The requirement that medical instruments and supplies, as well as work surfaces of the table itself, be sterilized prior to use (and kept sterile until used) derives from rigorous local, state, and/or national health codes, and/or standard medical practices.
• For example, many hospital regulations require routine sterilization of all parts of medical tables used in surgery that are at about thirty inches or higher from the floor of an operating room. As another example, the Centers For Disease Control and various medical organizations strongly recommend the routine sterilization of medical instruments, examination tables, and other medical equipment. Because most conventional surgical tables are not easily disassembled for sterilization, the sterilization requirements are typically met by laying a sterilized disposable drape (cover) on the table surface(s) prior to the start of a medical procedure and then disposing of the drape(s) after the procedure is completed. In contrast, smaller medical instruments and supplies are typically sterilized in an autoclave located in the hospital or other healthcare facility. Examples of acceptable instrument sterilization methods include steam under pressure, dry heat, chemical vapor, radiation, cold sterilization, or ethylene oxide gas.
• Conventional surgical tables are typically made from surgical grade stainless steel and their size makes them bulky and awkward to use. Such tables generally have two or more horizontal shelves stacked one above the other and attached to four upright corner posts. The edges of the shelves and other parts of the tables are typically rounded to avoid snagging or tearing a sterilized disposable surgical drape that is laid over a particular shelf or shelves. To provide mobility, such tables are commonly equipped with an anti-static wheel at each bottom corner. The lower and upper shelves of conventional tables are structured to hold instrument sterilization trays and baskets, lap trays, scope trays, plastic baskets, wire baskets, packaged medical supplies and accessories, and other health care products.
• The sizes of conventional tables vary, but a typical surgical table measures about seventy-two inches wide, about thirty-four inches high, and about twenty-four inches deep, and has a uni-body construction that prevents sterilizing the table (or its components) in standard hospital autoclaves, which typically measure about three feet wide, about six feet tall, and about five feet deep. Thus, conventional surgical tables used in the operating rooms of most hospitals cannot be readily sterilized using steam under pressure, dry heat, chemical vapor, or other types of sterilization methods. Consequently, the shelves of conventional surgical tables are covered with sterile disposable surgical drapes prior to use. A typical use of a conventional surgical table is described below.
• Prior to a surgery, a nurse or technician will prepare the operating room. This is typically accomplished by cleaning the surgical table using a hand-scrubbing method and/or an ultrasonic cleaning method. Once the table is cleaned, the nurse covers the table's work surface(s) with a sterilized disposable surgical drape (or drapes). After the drape(s) have been properly positioned, the nurse loads previously sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies directly onto the surgical drape(s). Generally, the instruments themselves will have been removed from the hospital autoclave a short time before; however, sterilized pre-packaged instruments and/or supplies may be loaded onto the drapes as well. Typical medical instruments and/or supplies may include kits of surgical instruments and medical devices and materials appropriate to the particular surgery that will be performed, as well as autoclave instrument sterilization trays and other sterilization receptacles. Depending on the medical procedure involved, it is not uncommon for a six foot long conventional surgical table to be covered from end to end (and front to back) with sterilized instruments and/or supplies by the time the nurse completes the preparations.
• During surgery, the nurse is typically positioned between the doctor and the surgical table. From this position, the nurse can retrieve sterilized instruments and/or supplies and hand them to the doctor as necessary. The nurse can also take contaminated instruments from the doctor and place them on the surgical drape or in sterilization receptacles that were pre-positioned on the surgical table. Because most conventional surgical tables are about six feet long, the nurse often has to move back and forth from one end of the table to the other in order to retrieve (or set down) a sterilized or contaminated item. The size of the table hinders free and easy movement of the table and the people in and around the operating room. Small operating rooms further exacerbate this problem, because the bulky dimensions of a conventional surgical table leaves the nurse (and/or doctor(s)) with little floor space in which to work. Additionally, instruments and/or drapes positioned on the table may fall to the floor if the table is bumped or a drape is snagged. After the surgery or other medical procedure is finished, the drapes are considered to be biohazards, and must be properly incinerated, which increases disposal costs and adds regulatory compliance.
• Health care equipment suppliers have proposed numerous approaches for configuring surgical tables and methods for sterilizing them. For instance, one conventional configuration solution adds a top shelf to the table. This top shelf is as long as the tabletop, but slightly narrower. Although the plane of the top shelf is not adjustable relative to the plane of the tabletop, the top shelf may be raised and lowered between heights of about twelve inches to about fifteen inches above the tabletop. This adjustability feature allows persons of about five feet four inches or less to reach instruments on the top shelf without having to use step stools. However, this conventional approach suffers drawbacks in that in addition to traversing the six foot length of the table, the nurse may also have to tilt the trays or baskets on the top shelf and/or stand on tiptoe or on a step stool) to see what instruments and/or supplies are inside. Moreover, instrument trays and other supplies are likely to fall off the narrow top shelf and cascade onto those on the tabletop. Additionally, use of the top shelf requires an extra disposable drape, which increases the hospital's overhead costs.
• Yet another proposed, but to Applicant's knowledge never commercialized, approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,214 to Kaufman, et al., which discloses an operating room instrument table assembly formed of a plurality of modular table units. Each table unit includes castor wheel supports, a base frame attached to the castor wheel supports, a table top support frame connected to the base frame, and a removable table top detachably connected to the table top support frame. The removable table top is sterilizable as a unit with the instruments used in a medical procedure. The bare frame includes two upright posts. The table top support frame includes two tabular supports connected by a center connector. Each tabular support is sized to fit over one of the upright posts.
• One disadvantage associated with this operating room instrument table is that it consumes a large area of floor space since only a single table top is included for each movable base/table support frame. Further, if a larger work area is desired, then separate table tops, each on its own movable base, must be disposed side-by-side, and or in a circular configuration, with the surgeon or nurse in the middle. This leads to yet another disadvantage, which is that the person handling the instruments is not free to move about the operating room, but rather is confined within the center of the modular table units. To move about the operating room, the person must push one of the modular table units out of position, and risk bumping another table unit and thereby knocking instruments into disarray and/or onto the floor. Additionally, to access instruments during a medical procedure, the person may be required to move back and forth from one portion of the table to another. During long medical procedures, this may generate fatigue and/or increase the risk that instruments may be bumped and/or dropped. In addition, only the table top is removable for sterilization. The table support frame (e.g. tubular supports connected by a center connector) remains connected to the movable base, and thus is not sterilizable with the removable table top and/or the instruments.
• Another approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,459 to DeAngelis, which describes a collapsible auxiliary instrument shelf for use in surgical operating rooms. As described in this patent, a conventional surgical table includes a main shelf that is supported at each corner by a leg. A castor is attached to the bottom of each leg. The auxiliary shelf is supported above the main shelf by a pair of posts. Each post is affixed to one of the rear legs that support the main shelf.
• One disadvantage of this apparatus is that neither the auxiliary shelf nor the surgical table to which it is attached are detachable for sterilization. Another disadvantage is that paper and/or clear plastic surgical drapes, with all the drawbacks referenced above, must be used to cover the auxiliary shelf and table before the auxiliary shelf and table can be used in surgery. A further disadvantage is that the auxiliary shelf cannot be angled relative to the main shelf. Consequently, it is difficult for a user of the table to view and/or access items placed on the auxiliary shelf.
• Yet another proposed approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,674 to Boyd, et al., which discloses an accessory tray for use in a surgery, and, more particularly, a sterilizable accessory tray for supporting absorbent material pads for use in neurosurgery. The tray is supported on a conventional surgical stand, which has a movable base, an adjustable support pole attached the base, and a single shelf cantilevered from the top of the support pole. The accessory tray is removable from and in a fixed angular position relative to the shelf of the surgical stand. However, the shelf and other parts of the surgical stand cannot be readily disassembled and sterilized. Preferably, the accessory tray is made of a disposable plastic material, but it may also be made of a sterilizable plastic or metal material.
• A disadvantage of the accessory tray of Boyd, et al. is that the tray is particularly adapted to store sterile absorbent pads commonly used in neurosurgery to absorb blood or retain accumulated blood or brain fluids, meaning it has little if any utility for other medical procedures. Although the accessory tray may be removed from the shelf and sterilized, the tray, much like a surgical drape, is preferably removed and thrown away. Consequently, each use of the surgical stand requires either a new sterilized disposable drape or a new sterilized accessory tray. Another disadvantage of this apparatus is that the shelf of the surgical stand is equipped with a continuous raised lip that tends to retain blood and other fluids drained from any used surgical instruments and/or supplies that may be placed on the shelf during a procedure.
• Although today's health care facilities are crowded with new types of medical devices, instruments, equipment, and packaged supplies, virtually no significant improvements have been made to the commercially available medical tables themselves, particularly those used during surgical procedures in hospital operating rooms.
• Recent medical studies have generated stringent sterilization requirements, most of which are difficult or impossible to satisfy simply by hand cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning alone. In addition to being bulky and non-ergonomic, conventional surgical tables are difficult to sterilize and are costly because they require the use of expensive sterilized disposable drapes.
• Thus, there is a need for an improved configuration of a surgical table, particularly a compact table, used during surgery in a hospital operating room, which is easier to sterilize and use in surgery than conventional surgical tables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention meets the foregoing needs and avoids the drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a compact, ergonomically-designed, medical table for use in surgery and other medical procedures that has components that may be readily disassembled and sterilized in a standard autoclave of the type typically found in hospitals, thereby either completely obviating the need for conventional disposable drapes or making their use optional.
• A table manufactured according to the principles of the invention may be used in surgeries or other medical procedures performed in human health care facilities or in animal health care facilities. Both types of medical facilities may include autoclaves or similar sterilizers. The table of the invention may be used either to store medical equipment and/or instruments or as a workspace for performing a medical procedure. Users of a table manufactured according to the principles of the invention may include, but are not limited to, veterinarians, traditional doctors and surgeons, medical staff, and other persons who work in the animal or the health care industry.
• Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, a modular surgical table has a movable base to which a plurality of posts may be fixedly attached. A plurality of sterilizable sleeves is detachably coupled to the plurality of lower support members. A first sterilizable platform structured to hold sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure is detachably coupled to at least one of the sleeves. A second sterilizable platform structured to hold sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure is detachably coupled to at least another one of the upper support members. Each of the upper support members, the first sterilizable platform, and the second sterilizable platform is removable from the table for sterilization, which obviates the need for sterilized surgical drapes and facilitates re-use of the table in additional medical procedures.
• In another aspect of the invention, the lower support members may be generally upright posts that extend upwardly from the base, and the upper support members may be generally vertical sleeves, each having an opening that receives at least a portion of one of the lower support members. A gap may separate the first and second platforms or they may overlap and/or be coupled together. The height and/or angle of the first and second platforms may each be adjustable relative to a floor upon which the table is supported. At least one of the first and second platforms may comprise a shelf. The support members and the platforms may be sized to fit within an opening of a standard hospital autoclave, which typically has a width of about three feet, a height of about six feet, and a depth of about five feet. Additionally, the surgical table may be used during surgical or non-surgical medical procedures performed in a hospital, doctor's office, or health care facility.
• The first sterilizable platform may occupy a fixed, first generally planar position that is generally parallel or non-parallel to a second generally planar position occupied by the second sterilizable platform. The second platform may occupy a fixed vertical position higher than a fixed vertical position of the first platform, and the second platform may be disposed behind the first platform. Additionally, at least one of the platforms may be adjustable such that the first and second platforms occupy substantially similar or substantially different vertical positions. At least one of the platforms may further comprise a lateral support member fixedly or detachably coupled to one of the upper support members. Moreover, means for adjusting at least one of the height, angle, and/or horizontal position of the first and second platforms may be provided.
• In another aspect of the invention, at least one of the first and second platforms may comprise a plurality of panels occupying positions in substantially the same or substantially different planes. The panels of each platform may be fixed or adjustable relative to each other. At least one platform of the first and second platforms may include a rim extending upwardly from the plane of the platform that prevents the medical instruments and/or supplies from sliding off either the first platform or said second platform. The rim may include a gap, optionally formed at a corner where two rims meet, to conduct fluid away from the at least one platform. The components of the modular surgical table may be made from surgical-grade 304 stainless-steel, or similar material(s). The panels of each platform may also be detachably interlocked by a tab-and-slot arrangement or other means known in the art to form a substantially smooth and/or continuous platform surface.
• According to another aspect of the invention, a method may be provided for sterilizing a drapeless surgical table used in a medical procedure, the table having a separable support member and a platform. The method may include, inter alia, sterilizing the platform and separable support member in a standard hospital autoclave; removing the platform and separable support member from the standard hospital autoclave upon completion of a sterilization cycle; assembling the sterilized platform and separable support member onto a sterilizable movable base; and placing sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies directly onto the platform without use of any surgical drapes. The platform may also be inserted and/or removed from the autoclave with one or more other objects attached thereto. Such objects include, but are not limited to, baskets of instruments or instruments themselves.
• According to yet another embodiment, the surgical table may include first means for movably supporting the table on a floor, and second means for supporting sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure, as well as third means for supporting the second means on the first means. The second and third means may be removable from the first means for sterilization, thereby obviating a need for sterilized surgical drapes and facilitating re-use of the table in additional medical procedures. Additionally, the surgical table may include fourth means for adjusting a planar angle of the second means and fifth means for adjusting a height of said second means. The fifth means may be operatively connected to the third means.
• In yet another embodiment, a modular surgical table includes a movable base having a plurality of support members attached thereto, each support member may have a platform support. The table also includes a first and second sterilizable platforms that can be removably connected to corresponding platform supports. The first and second platforms are held in place relative to the respective panels supports using a releasable locking mechanism. The sterilizable platforms are removable from the table for sterilization. Thus, the need for sterilized surgical drapes is obviated, which facilitates re-use of the table for additional medical procedures.
• If appropriately sized, embodiments of the invention may provide ability to store about the same quantity of surgical instruments and packaged medical supplies as a conventional surgical table, but may do so within the confines of a floor area having exemplary dimensions of about forty inches by about thirty-eight inches. This configuration saves floor space and allows a nurse or other user to readily retrieve instruments and supplies while standing or sitting in a virtually stationary position. Most importantly, however, the surgical table may be used without costly disposable surgical drapes.
• Standard commercial components may be used with minimal modification (for example, standard sheets and tubes of surgical-grade stainless steel) to form the table of the invention. Thus, manufacturing costs should not be adversely impacted and embodiments of the invention may be competitively priced.
• Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth in the following detailed description, drawings, and claims, including methods of using the invention to perform various medical procedures. Although numerous implementations and examples of the invention are set forth herein—including in this “Summary of Invention” section—the examples and implementations described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. Together with the detailed description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a compact surgical table constructed according to the principles of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a top view of the table ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the table ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a front view of the table ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a second embodiment of a compact surgical table constructed according to the principles of the invention, which may be used in veterinary applications;
• FIG. 6 is a side view of the table ofFIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a front view of the table ofFIG. 5;
• FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the table ofFIG. 5 that more clearly illustrates the lips provided at the perimeter of the platforms on the invention;
• FIG. 9 is a side view of a third embodiment of a surgical table constructed according to the principles of the invention in which the platforms are supported by three legs and partially overlap;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the table ofFIG. 9 showing the flanged connection of the posts and sleeves of this embodiment;
• FIG. 11 is a back perspective view of the table ofFIG. 9;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a base of the invention;
• FIG. 13 is a plan view of a front left panel of the invention, which may be employed in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4;
• FIG. 14 is a front view of the panel ofFIG. 13;
• FIG. 15 is a right side view of the panel ofFIGS. 13 and 14;
• FIG. 16 is a front view of a rear left panel of the invention, which may be employed in the embodiment ofFIGS. 14, and illustratesrear lip111A bent downward;
• FIG. 17 is a right side view of the rear panel ofFIG. 16;
• FIG. 18 is a left side view of the rear panel ofFIG. 16;
• FIG. 19 is a front view of the front panel ofFIGS. 13 and 14;
• FIG. 20 is a right side view of a rear right panel of the invention, which may be employed as the rearright panel109B in the embodiment ofFIGS. 14;
• FIG. 21 is a front view of a front right panel of the invention, which may be employed as the frontright panel107B in the embodiment ofFIGS. 14;
• FIG. 22 is a plan view of the underside of the panel ofFIG. 18 illustrating the channel and gussets of the invention;
• FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the panel, channel, and post taken along lines A-A′ ofFIG. 22;
• FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a surgical table constructed according to the principles of the invention in which the panels are readily attached and removable from the posts;
• FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the table ofFIG. 24;
• FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a post ofFIG. 24; and
• FIGS. 27-29 are perspective views that illustrate various steps of attaching a panel to a post of the table ofFIG. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
• The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals may represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
• FIGS. 1-29 herein illustrate various embodiments of a compact medical table particularly adapted for use during surgical or similar medical procedures performed in the operating room of a hospital, doctor's office, or other health care facility. Embodiments of the invention are configured to provide ergonomic access to a variety of sterilized instruments and/or packaged medical supplies stored on the table, while permitting use of the table without sterilized disposable surgical drapes, e.g., by permitting quick disassembly of the table components for sterilization in a hospital autoclave or similar sterilizer. The modular design of certain embodiments of the invention also allows the surgical table to be configured to accommodate a variety of medical procedures, differently sized operating rooms, various medical instruments and/or prepackaged supplies, and/or various known or future-developed sterilization methods.
• FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first example of a surgical table constructed according to the principles of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1, an example of a surgical table100 is shown with awheeled base101,detachable support sleeves103A,103B,105A and105B, anddetachable shelves107A,107B,109A, and109B. The base101 may be equipped with conventionalanti-static polyolefin wheels102, some or all of which may be locking and/or non-locking. The base101 may have a generally rectangular or square shape and include one or more cross-braces115 that may be fixedly attached to one or morelower posts114A,114B,116A, and116B, which extend upwardly from the base. The cross-braces115 and thelower posts114A,114B,116A, and116B may each be formed of tubed, surgical-grade 304 stainless-steel, which can be laser-cut or die-cut from blanks and welded. Of course, thebase101 may be formed in other configurations or shapes as long as it provides adequate structural support for the upper portion discussed below.
• One or more of the cross-braces115 may serve as a footrail. In one embodiment, the table100 may be equipped with one or more clips or brackets so that two tables can be attached and/or moved together. Eachdetachable shelf107A,107B,109A, and109B may be configured to support at least sixty pounds, but the loading may change based upon the desired application.
• Eachpost114A,114B,116A, and116B has a portion detachably connected to a corresponding one ofupper support sleeves103A,103B,105A, and105B, respectively. For example, the bottom portion of thesleeve103A may slidably fit over a narrower cross-sectional top portion of the corresponding post14A. A friction-fit or detent or other connection may be used to fix the relative position of each sleeve and mated post.
• For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the cross-section (or diameter, if the posts and sleeves are circular in shape rather than square or rectangular as illustrated) of the top portion of thepost114A may be approximately uniform along its entire length. Consequently, the correspondingupper sleeve103A may overlap thelower post114A and rest in a pre-determined position on one or more of the cross-braces115. Alternatively, thepost114A may include a shim (or insert) at its free end, over which the bottom portion of the correspondingdetachable sleeve103A slidably fits, preferably in a flush-mounted position as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. In a flush-mounted position, the exterior surfaces of the free end of a sleeve (i.e.,103A) are aligned in the same or substantially the same plane as the exterior surfaces of the free end of the corresponding post (i.e., post114A) to which the sleeve is detachably coupled. In other words, the outer surface of the sleeve proximate an adjacent portion of the post does not substantially protrude outwardly from an outer surface of the post. Of course, a non-flush mounted position (i.e., one where an outer portion of the sleeve proximate an adjacent portion of the post protrudes outwardly from an outer surface of the post) may also be implemented. Preferably, in both a flush mounted position and in a non-flush mounted position, a portion of the end of the sleeve overlaps or adjoins an edge portion of the corresponding post.
• Theposts114B,116A, and116B andcorresponding sleeves103B,105A, and105B may be configured in a like manner to detachably couple to each other in a flush-mounted (or non-flush mounted) position. In either case, thesleeves103A,103B,105A, and105B occupy pre-determined vertical positions along a length of theircorresponding posts114A,114B,116A, and116B.
• Like theposts114A,114B,116A, and116B, the correspondingsleeves103A,103B,105A, and105B may be formed of any suitable material for use in surgical and other medical procedures, including but not limited to, tubed, surgical-grade, 304 stainless-steel, which may be laser-cut or die-cut from blanks. If theposts114A,114B,116A, and116B each have the same fixed height, therear sleeves105A and105B may have a fixed height that is greater than a fixed height of thefront sleeves103A and103B. Alternatively, if thesleeves103A,103B,105A, and105B each have the same fixed height, therear posts116A and116B may have a fixed height that is greater than a fixed height of thefront posts114A and114B. This will enable a shelf supported by the rear sleeves and posts to occupy a different vertical position than a shelf supported by the front sleeves and posts, as discussed in more detail below. In another embodiment, theposts114A,114B,116A, and116B may each occupy vertical positions relative to thesleeves103A,103B,105A, and105B that are infinitely adjustable or adjustable in predetermined increments. Of course, any other configurations that permit the total length of the post-sleeve combination to be adjustable in length may be used.
• As shown inFIG. 1, the surgical table100 includes a detachablefront shelf107 and adetachable back shelf109. Each of thedetachable shelves107 and109 may include two or more panels that fit together to form a substantially continuous and planar top work surface. For example, the frontdetachable shelf107 may include matedpanels107A and107B, while the backdetachable shelf109 may include matedpanels109A and109B. Eachpanel107A,107B,109A, and109B may be detachably coupled to a corresponding upper portion ofsleeves103A,103B,105A, and105B, respectively. For example,front panel107A may detachably couple tofront sleeve103A;front panel107B may detachably couple tofront sleeve103B; backpanel109A may detachably couple to backsleeve105A; andback panel109B may detachably couple toback sleeve105B.
• Although thepanels107A and107B are illustratively shown at substantially the same height and planar orientation, it is contemplated that thepanels107A and107B may be individually positioned at the same and/or different heights and/or the same and/or different planar angles. Similarly, although thepanels109A and109B are illustratively shown at substantially the same height and/or planar orientation, it is contemplated that each ofpanels109A and109B may be individually positioned at the same and/or different heights and/or the same and/or different planar angles (relative to each other and/or to the heights of thepanels107A and107B).
• The plane of thedetachable back shelf109 may be parallel to, but preferably intersects the plane of thefront shelf107 at a small angle as shown inFIG. 1. Illustratively, the plane of theback shelf109 may be fixedly angled downwards at about 100 from the horizontal (about 80° upwards from the vertical). This angle allows a user of the surgical table to place boxes and/or other packaging receptacles such as baskets, trays, etc., which are not needed as frequently as other materials, above thefront shelf107, which may be reserved for storing instruments and/or supplies used more frequently such as those taken from the boxes, baskets, or trays on theback shelf109.
• To increase retentive functions and utility, thefront shelf107 may have a raisedlip111 formed or attached about its entire perimeter, except for one or more corners, where a gap may optionally be provided between otherwise adjoining raised lips. The one or more corner gaps may be structured to allow fluid collected on theshelf107 to drain. Of course, other fluid draining means known to a skilled artisan may also be used. As shown inFIG. 1, front leftpanel107A may have a raised lip formed on three sides (front, left, and top); and frontright panel107B may have a raised lip formed on three sides (front, right, and top). When thepanels107A and107B are detachably positioned on theircorresponding support members103A and103B, their non-lipped edges abut to form a seam, and their lipped edges rim all, or substantially all, of the perimeter of thefront shelf107. The raised edges may be blunted to avoid cutting or scraping a user, and may be structured to keep medical items placed on one or other of thepanels107A or107B from sliding off.
• Additionally, theback shelf109 may have a raised lip113 formed about a portion of its entire perimeter, except for one or more corners, where a gap may optionally be provided between otherwise adjoining raised lips. The one or more corner gaps may be provided to allow fluid collected on theshelf109 to drain. As shown inFIG. 1, left backpanel109A may have a raised lip formed on two sides (front and left); andright back panel109B may have a raised lip formed on two sides (front and right). When thepanels109A and109B are detachably positioned on theircorresponding sleeves105A and105B, their respective right and left, non-lipped edges abut to form a seam, and their lipped edges rim the left, front, and right sides of theback shelf109. The raised edges may be blunted to avoid cutting or scraping a user, and may also function to restrain medical items placed on one or other of thepanels109A or109B from sliding off.
• Thefront shelf107 and theback shelf109, and their component panels, may each be laser-cut or die-cut from any suitable material for use in surgical and other medical procedures, such as a planar sheet of sterilizable, surgical-grade,304 stainless-steel. Other manufacturing techniques known in the art may also be employed.
• Theangled back shelf109 also permits a user of the surgical table to easily and freely access the interiors of boxes, baskets, or trays placed on the back shelf. Raised lip113 is provided at the front edge of theback shelf109 to prevent the boxes, baskets, or trays from sliding onto the lowerfront shelf107. Similarly, raised lips113 on the left side and right side of theback shelf109 prevent the boxes, baskets, or trays from sliding off theback shelf109 and onto the floor of an operating room. Of course, theback shelf109 may also be structured to have an angle with the horizontal that is infinitely adjustable or that is adjustable in predetermined increments.
• Preferably, the plane of thefront shelf107 parallels the horizontal to provide a flat work surface that is positioned at a lower height than theback shelf109. The horizontalfront shelf107 may be used to store medical instruments and/or supplies removed from a box, basket, or tray stored on theback shelf109. In one embodiment of the invention, the plane of thefront shelf107 is fixed relative to the horizontal. A raisedlip111 formed along each of the perimeter edges of thefront shelf107 prevents instruments and/or supplies from sliding off thefront shelf107 and onto the floor of an operating room. Of course, thefront shelf107 may also be structured to have an angle with the horizontal that is infinitely adjustable or that is adjustable in predetermined increments.
• FIG. 2 is a top view of the surgical table100 ofFIG. 1 that illustrates an exemplary placement and positioning ofback panels109A and109B andfront panels107A and107B. As shown inFIG. 2, the table100 may be configured to have agap118 between thefront edges160 of theback panels109A and109B and the corresponding back edges162 of thefront panels107A and107B. This arrangement maximizes the use of the work surface of thelower shelf107 and prevents items placed on thelower shelf107 from being hidden or obscured by thetop shelf109. In an alternative embodiment, the shelves may be flush and thegap118 may be eliminated or the shelves may overlap, e.g., as described in other embodiments below. Additionally, a gap may be provided between adjacentback panels109A and109B and/or between adjacentfront panels107A and107B. Preferably, however, adjacent panels are flush-mounted (i.e., butt jointed), overlapped, and/or interlocked. In a flush-mounted position, the exterior surfaces of adjacent portions of the panels (i.e.,107A/107B) are aligned in the same or substantially the same plane. In other words, the upper planar work surfaces of adjacent panels are aligned to be in the same or substantially the same plane. Of course, a non-flush mounted position (i.e., one where the upper planar work surfaces of adjacent panels occupy different planes) may also be implemented. In both a flush mounted position and in a non-flush mounted position, a portion of one panel may overlap or adjoin an adjacent edge of a corresponding adjacent panel.
• The dimensions of the table100 may vary depending on its desired use. However, in one particularly advantageous embodiment designed for use in hospital operating rooms, theoverall depth117 of the table100 may measure about forty-three inches from the front edge of thefront shelf107 to the back edge of theback shelf109. Thedepth119 of thefront shelf107 may measure about twenty-one inches. Thewidth121 of each of theshelves107 and109 may measure about forty inches. The height ofshelf107 above the floor is discussed below inFIG. 4, but may vary. For example, the height above the floor may range from approximately twenty-eight inches to approximately forty inches, as measured from the floor to a top surface of the front shelf. The height of therear shelf109 above the floor may range from approximately thirty-three inches to approximately forty-five inches, as measured from the floor to a top surface of the back edge of therear shelf109.
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the table100 shown inFIG. 1. At least one reinforcinggusset124 or126 may be secured underneath eachpanel107A,107B,109A, and109B. Thegussets124 and126 may have a v-shape as shown inFIG. 5 atgussets224 and226, and may extend across a corresponding panel. BecauseFIG. 3 is a side view, the description of thegussets124 and126 will be made with regard to the rearright panel109B and the frontright panel107B. Although the rearleft panel109A and the frontleft panel107A are obscured in this Figure, the skilled artisan will appreciate that gussets may be provided for each of these panels in a manner similar to that described with reference to thepanels109B and107B. Alternatively, each panel may include two v-shaped gussets placed back-to-back. In a plan view, the back-to-back gussets may form an x-shape, as shown inFIG. 22, for example.
• Referring again toFIG. 3, thegusset124 may be fixedly or detachably connected to the underside of thepanel107B by welding or other attachment means known to a skilled artisan. Thegusset124 may also include a recess133 that slidably and detachably fits over the top portion of thefront sleeve103B. Again, this is shown better in connection withrecesses233 and235 ofgussets224 and226 shown inFIG. 5.
• The top portion of thefront sleeve103B may be secured in the recess133 by a friction-fit, a set screw, and/or other known attachment means. Similarly, theback panel109B may be supported by asupport gusset126, which extends across the full or partial width of thepanel109B. Thegusset126 may be fixedly connected to the underside of thepanel109B by welding or other attachment means known to a skilled artisan.
• Thegusset126 also may be provided with arecess135 that slidably and detachably fits over the top portion of theback sleeve105B, which may be bent to angle thepanel109B relative to the sleeve, as discussed below. The top portion of theback sleeve105B may be secured in therecess135 by a friction-fit, set screw, and/or other attachment means known to a skilled artisan.
• As shown inFIG. 3, the top portion of therear sleeve105B may be angled forward at afixed angle127 relative to the vertical for the purpose of angling thetop shelf109 towards thefront shelf107. Other arrangements for angling theshelf109 may be employed, e.g., as discussed in connection withFIGS. 22 and 23 below.
• WhileFIG. 3 shows anangle127 of about 800 relative to the vertical, other angles such as those in the range of about 70° to about 90° may also be employed. Thefront panel107A, backpanel109A, and back support member105 may be fixed in a substantially horizontal position as shown inFIG. 5, or angled as shown inFIG. 3.
• The table100 may further include means for adjustably tilting one or both of theshelves107 and109 in any number of pre-set or infinitely variable positions relative to the horizontal. Means for adjusting the height of each shelf above the floor in any number of pre-set or infinitely variable positions may also be provided. Any such adjustment means known to a skilled artisan may be employed, e.g., means for altering the length of one or more of thesleeves103A,103B,105A, and105B and/or means for altering the length of one or more of theposts114A,114B,116A, and116B as discussed above. Moreover, one or more of the lower posts and/or upper sleeves (and/or one or both of theshelves107 and109) may be equipped with hydraulic, pneumatic, electromagnetic strut, pin-detent, or other mechanical, and/or electromechanical assemblies permitting limited relative movement between the posts, sleeves, and/or shelves. By way of illustration and not limitation, thefront shelf107 and/or therear shelf109 may vertically adjust using a stainless steel gas spring, such as those sold under the “Inox” tradename, in each vertical post and one or more CMA cable actuators to adjust the height. An embodiment of a table having one or more cable actuators is illustrated inFIG. 8.
• FIG. 4 is a front view of the table100 ofFIG. 1 showing one example of an illustrative height of the shelves for use in an operating room environment. In this case, theheight129 of the back edge of theback shelf109 may measure about forty-one inches from the floor. Theheight131 of the top surface of thefront shelf107 may measure about thirty-four inches from the floor. Of course, in operating rooms or other locations, other dimensions may be used depending upon the particular application or need.
• Although the table100 illustrated inFIG. 1 shows afront shelf107 and aback shelf109, the table of the invention may have virtually any number and size of shelves, posts, and/or sleeves, but maximum benefits are achieved when the shelves and detachable sleeves are sized to fit within a standard hospital autoclave.
• As mentioned above, the table100 obviates the need for disposable, sterilized, surgical drapes to cover non-sterilized portions of the table, e.g., the shelves. Using the table100 without sterilized drapes is possible because theshelves107 and109, andsleeves103A,103B,105A, and105B of the table100 may be detached from each other (and from the base101) and are sized to fit within a hospital autoclave having dimensions in the illustrative range of about four feet to about five feet deep, about thirty-five inches to about thirty-seven inches wide, and about five feet to about six feet tall.
• In some health care facilities, the autoclaves may be equipped with wheeled carts. The carts may be equipped to receive sterilization baskets that have been pre-loaded with contaminated instruments, instrument trays, and other medical devices. Once a cart has been loaded, it is placed inside the autoclave, the autoclave door is shut, and the steam or other sterilization process begins. The dimensions of the detachable components of the table100 may be particularly adapted so that each component will readily fit in one or more pieces on an autoclave cart or in one or more of its sterilization baskets. Optionally, one or more of the detachable components of the surgical table100 may be placed within a sterilizable packaging material prior to insertion in the autoclave.
• Steam, hot air, or chemical vapor sterilization of medical instruments and/or the detachable parts of the table100 will require varying degrees of time, depending on the load, arrangement, packaging material, and temperature, as well as the type of sterilizing agent, as the skilled artisan will readily recognize.
• Various methods exist to evaluate the effectiveness of the sterilization process. For example, chemical indicators that change color after being exposed to a sterilizing agent may be affixed to the baskets, packaging material, or the detachable parts themselves to indicate that the items have been processed through the autoclave. Because chemical indicators do not measure microbial kill, spore-testing or other biological indicators should be used in conjunction with chemical indicators to confirm the efficacy of the sterilization process. Illustratively, an indicator containing microbial spores may be included in a sterilization load and subjected to the sterilization cycle. Once the cycle has been completed, the spores may be incubated in a nutrient medium and evaluated to see whether a suitably high percentage has been neutralized.
• In general, the recommended settings for a steam thermal autoclave include 250° F. at 20 PSI for at least thirty minutes followed by fast exhaust and dry cycles. Unwrapped instruments or the detachable parts of the surgical table may be “flash” sterilized using 270° F. at 30 PSI for about four to seven minutes followed by a fast exhaust cycle. These settings are representative only. Different model autoclaves may operate with different settings. In addition to steam sterilization, radiation and chemical methods (ethylene oxide gas) may also be used to sterilize the detachable parts of the surgical table100.
• In use, the assembled and sterilized surgical table100 may be positioned in a portion of a health care facility, such as an operating room of a hospital. A medical professional, such as a nurse or technician, may load theback shelf109 with instrument sterilization trays and/or boxes, baskets, or trays of packaged medical supplies. The medical professional may then remove individual instruments from the sterilization trays and/or supplies/kits from the opened packages and place these items directly on thefront shelf107. Thereafter, as the medical procedure is performed, the instruments and supplies may be passed back and forth between the table100, the medical professional, and the doctor(s). Once the procedure is finished, the medical professional may discard any contaminated items on the table100 that are disposable, and may place any non-disposable contaminated items into appropriate receptacles for cleaning and loading onto the autoclave cart. Then the medical professional or other technician may disassemble the table100 for cleaning and sterilization.
• Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, to disassemble the table100, the medical professional may grasp the back shelf109 (or a panel thereof and lift to free therecess135 ingusset124 from theback sleeve105A and/or105B. This procedure may be repeated to remove the front shelf107 (or a panel thereof from thefront sleeve103A and/or103B. Optionally, thegussets124 and126 may also be disassembled. Then the medical professional may remove theupper support members103A,103B,105A, and105B, one at a time, by grasping each one and lifting until the bottom portion of each sleeve is freed from itscorresponding post114A,114B,116A, or116B. Thereafter, the disassembled shelves and sleeves may be hand-scrubbed and/or ultrasonically cleaned prior to being loaded onto an autoclave cart (or inserted directly into the autoclave) for sterilization. Additionally, thebase101, including theposts114A,114B,116A, or116B may be sprayed with a sanitizer/disinfectant. Alternatively, the table100 may be structured such that theposts114A,114B,116A, and116B detach from thebase101 for cleaning and/or loading onto the autoclave cart (or direct insertion into the autoclave).
• Once sterilization is complete, the medical professional may reassemble the surgical table100 using a reverse process. For example, the medical professional may first retrieve thefront sleeve103A from the autoclave cart and slidably fit the bottom end ofsleeve103A over the corresponding top portion ofpost114A. This process may be repeated for each of the remainingsleeves103B,105A, and105B, which are slidably fit over the top portions of theircorresponding posts114A,116A, and116B. Next, the front shelf107 (or one of itspanels107A and107B) may be removed from the autoclave cart and positioned such that one or both of its recessed bases133 slidably fit over the top portion of one or bothfront sleeves103A and103B. Then the back shelf109 (or one of itspanels109A and109B) may be removed from the autoclave cart and positioned such that one or both of its recessedbases135 slidably fit over the top portion of one ormore sleeves105A and105B. Thereafter, the table100 may be loaded with medical instruments and supplies as previously described.
• FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate a second embodiment of a surgical table200 of the invention in which components similar to those of table100 shown inFIGS. 1-4 have been designated with similar reference numerals. The table200 is generally similar to table100, but only two sleeve/post combinations are used, instead of four, as with table100. This embodiment of the table is not limited to, but is particularly adapted for use in veterinary science and/or medicine.
• Referring toFIG. 5, table200 has awheeled base201,lower posts214 and216,sleeves203 and205,gussets224 and226, andshelves207 and209. The base201 may be equipped with conventionalanti-static polyolefin wheels202, some or all of which may be locking and/or non-locking. The base201 may have a generally rectangular or square shape and include one or more cross-braces215A,215B, and215C forming a generally triangular configuration. The cross-braces are preferably fixedly attached to theposts214 and216, which extend upwardly from thebase201. Of course, other types of base configurations may be used provided they adequately supportshelves207 and209.
• Eachpost214 and216 may have a portion detachably connected to a corresponding one ofupper sleeves203 and205. For example, the bottom portions ofsleeves203 and205 may slidably fit over a narrower cross-sectional top portion of correspondingposts214 and216, respectively. Each shelf and/or post-sleeve combination of the table200 may be formed of the same materials and have the same cross-sectional shape as each shelf and/or post-sleeve combination of table100.
• Like the shelves of table100, theshelves207 and209 of the table200 are detachable from their support sleeves,203 and205, respectively. Theshelf209 supported by the rear post/sleeve combination may occupy a different vertical position than theshelf207 supported by the front post/sleeve combination. Additionally, the plane of theback shelf209 may be parallel to, but preferably intersects the plane of thefront shelf207 at a small angle of about 10° from the horizontal as shown inFIG. 5. Moreover, the respective post-sleeve combinations of table200 may each have heights relative to each other that are infinitely adjustable or adjustable in predetermined increments.
• Like the shelves of table100, eachshelf207 and209 of table200 may have a blunted raised lip along an edge (or edges) thereof to prevent items placed on either shelf from falling off. A gap (not shown) may be provided between otherwise adjoining raised lips or may be eliminated altogether.
• As shown inFIG. 6, theshelves207 and209 may be configured to have agap218 between them. Alternatively, theshelves207 and209 may be flush and thegap218 may be eliminated, or theshelves207 and209 may overlap.
• Like the table100, table200 may include one ormore gussets224 and226 mounted underneath thefront shelf207 and theback shelf209, respectively. Like the gussets of table100,gusset224 of table200 may include arecess233 that slidably and detachably couples to a corresponding portion ofsleeve203. Similarly,gusset226 of table200 may include arecess235 that slidably and detachably couples to a corresponding portion ofsleeve205. A v-shaped gusset is shown inFIG. 5, but other shaped gussets like “X” or “Y” or other configurations may be used to support and/or to reinforce the corresponding panels.
• Like table100, the table200 may have virtually any number and size of shelves, posts, and/or sleeves, but maximum benefits are achieved when at least the shelves and the detachable sleeves are sized to fit within a standard hospital sterilization unit. Additionally, theback shelf209 of table200 may be adjustable upwards and downwards in arange241 of about eleven to twelve inches between a first lowered position and a second raised position. WhileFIG. 6 shows anangle227 of about 800 relative to the vertical, other angles such as those in the range of about 700 to about 90° may also be employed.
• Like the table100, the table200 may further include means for adjustably tilting one or both of theshelves207 and209 in any number of pre-set or infinitely variable positions relative to the horizontal. Means for adjusting the height of each shelf above the floor in any number of pre-set or infinitely variable positions may also be provided. Such means may be the same or similar to the means described above with reference to table100.
• The dimensions of the surgical table200 will vary depending on its desired use. However, in one particularly advantageous embodiment shown inFIG. 6 and designed for use in hospital or veterinary operating rooms, theoverall depth228 of the table200 may measure about thirty-eight to thirty-nine inches from the front edge of thefront shelf207 to the back edge of theback shelf209. Thedepth223 of thefront shelf207 and thedepth225 of theback shelf209 may each measure about 20 inches.
• As illustratively shown inFIG. 7, theheight229 of the back edge of theback shelf209 may measure about forty-seven to forty-eight inches from the floor, and thewidth221 of each of theshelves207 and209 may measure about thirty-eight inches. Of course, other dimensions may be used, depending upon the particular application or needs.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the surgical table200 shown inFIG. 5, better illustrating the raisedlips211A-H that may be formed on one or more outer edges of thefront shelf207 or theback shelf209. Each lip may be formed by bending an edge of thefront shelf207 or backshelf209 upwards (or downwards), but the invention is not limited thereto. Other types of retaining devices known to the skilled artisan may also be used. Alternatively, one or more lips may be separately formed and then fixedly or removedly connected to theshelves207 and/or209.
• Illustratively, thefront shelf207 may include a raisedlip211A formed along a front edge thereof, a raisedlip211B formed along a left edge thereof, a raisedlip211C formed along a right edge thereof, and a raisedlip211D formed along a back edge thereof. The raisedlips211A,211B,211C, and211D may be formed of a continuous or a segmented material (i.e., a lip may include notches or gaps distributed along a length thereof). In a similar manner, theback shelf209 may include a raisedlip211E formed along a front edge thereof, a raisedlip211F formed along a left edge thereof, a raisedlip211G formed along a back edged thereof, and a raisedlip211H formed along a right edge thereof. Alternatively, one or more of the raisedlips211A,211B,211C,211D,211E,211F,211G, or211H may be omitted. Each raised lip may extend above the plane of the shelf a sufficient distance to prevent surgical instruments or supplies from sliding off the table.
• The tops and/or corner edges of each lip may be rounded to prevent cuts or scrapes. Additionally, a gap may be formed at one or more of the intersections of the raised lips of thefront shelf207, such as the intersection of the raisedlips211A and211C, to facilitate the draining of fluids from the surface of thefront shelf207. Likewise, a gap may be formed at one or more of the intersections of the raised lips of therear shelf209, such as the intersection of the raisedlips211E andlip211F, to facilitate the draining of fluids from the surface of theback shelf209.
• Thebase201 of the table200 illustrates the use of anoptional cable actuator206 that may be used to adjust the height of one or more of theshelves207 and209.
• FIGS. 9, 10, and11 illustrate a third embodiment of a surgical table300 of the invention in which components similar to those of table100 shown inFIGS. 1-4 have been designated with similar reference numerals. The table300 is similar to table100, but includes six sleeve/post combinations instead of four that support two adjacent or overlapping platforms.
• Referring toFIG. 9, the table300 has awheeled base301, three lowerfront posts314, three lowerrear posts316, three upperfront sleeves303, three upperback sleeves305, horizontal cross-braces315A,315B,315C, as well as afront shelf307 and aback shelf309. The base301 may have a generally rectangular, square, or other suitable shape, including two generally parallelouter members363A and363B that are spaced apart by twoorthogonal cross-braces315A and315B.Cross-brace315B may be positioned at about the center of theouter members363A and363B. Thecross-brace315A may be positioned between the cross-brace315B and corresponding ends of theouter members363A and363B. A number of polyolefin or other type of adjustable,anti-static wheels302 may be attached to the parallelouter members363A and363B, such as the ends as shown. Some or all of the wheels may be locking or non-locking. The front edge of thefront shelf307 may extend past the ends of the parallelouter members363A and363B.
• As shown best inFIG. 11, threerear posts316 may extend upwardly from therear cross-brace315A. Three correspondingfront posts314 may extend upwardly from thefront cross-brace315B. The top portions of theposts314 and316 may be fixedly supported by one or more upper cross-braces315C that extend between adjacent posts.
• Therear shelf307 may be detachably attached to threerear sleeves305, each of which has a flangedlower portion351, as shown best inFIGS. 10 and 11. Each flangedlower portion351 may have a cross-sectional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of each corresponding top portion of the rear posts316. The larger cross-section permits each flangedlower portion351 to detachably and slidably receive therein a corresponding top portion of the rear posts316. The cross-sectional area of the remainder of eachsleeve305 may be of a smaller dimension than the cross-sectional area of each flangedlower portion351. The shoulder ortransition region349 between the two cross-sectional areas may form a stop preventing the top of the post from moving past the shoulder.
• Similarly, thefront shelf307 may be detachably attached to threefront sleeves303, each of which has a flangedlower portion355, as shown best inFIGS. 10 and 11. Each flangedlower portion355 may have a cross-sectional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of each corresponding top portion of the front posts314. The larger cross-section permits each flangedlower portion355 to detachably and receive therein a corresponding top portion of the front posts314. The cross-sectional area of the remainder of eachsleeve303 may be of a smaller dimension than the cross-sectional area of each flangedlower portion355. The shoulder ortransition region348 between the two cross-sectional areas may form a stop preventing the top of the post from moving past the shoulder.
• Thefront sleeves303,rear sleeves305,front posts314,rear posts316,front shelf307,rear shelf309, and the base301 may be formed of welded surgical-grade stainless steel or other similar material(s). In addition to welding, or in lieu thereof, the components of the surgical table300 may be fastened together using any suitable type of fastening means known to the skilled artisan.
• Like the table100, therear shelf309 of table300 may angle downwards towards thefront shelf307. Additionally, therear shelf309 may overhang thefront shelf307 such that thefront edge360 of therear shelf309 overlaps theback edge362 of thelower shelf307. As mentioned above, thefront shelf307,rear shelf309,rear sleeves305, andfront sleeves303 may be detached from thebase301 and inserted into a standard sized hospital autoclave for sterilizing. Methods of disassembly, sterilization, assembly, and use of the table300 parallels those previously described with reference to table100 and200, and thus are not repeated here.
• FIG. 11 is a rear view of the table300 that better illustrates how the cross-braces315A and315B may connect with theouter members363A and363B of thebase301, and how the cross-braces315C may connect with the upper portions of therear posts305 and the front posts303. Specifically, theouter members363A and363B,rear posts316,front posts314, and cross-braces315C may be formed of tubular stainless steel cut to pre-determined lengths. At the bottom of thebase301, theouter members363A and363B are spaced a predetermined distance apart and arranged to be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. This spacing is maintained by fixedly or detachably attaching at least two cross-braces315A and315B to theouter members363A and363B. The cross-braces315A and315B are arranged such that the longitudinal axis of each cross-brace intersects the longitudinal axis of eachouter member363A and363B.
• One or more of the rear upright support posts316 may have their bottom ends fixedly or removably coupled to thecross-brace315A and/or theouter members363A and363B. Similarly, one or more of the front upright support posts314 may have their bottom ends fixedly or removably coupled to the cross-brace315B and/or to theouter members363A and363B. The upper portions of the rear upright support posts316 and the upper portions of the front upright support posts314 may be spaced a predetermined distance apart by fixedly or removably coupling one ormore cross-braces315C therebetween. Each cross-brace315C may be arranged such that its longitudinal axis intersects a longitudinal axis of theposts316 and/or314.
• The top ends of therear posts316 are slidably received in thelower portions351 of the upperrear sleeves305. Similarly, the top ends of thefront posts314 are slidably received in thelower portions355 of the upperfront sleeves303. The top ends of the upperrear sleeves305 may be detachably coupled to therear shelf309 and/or to abackplate365 thereof. Similarly, the top ends of the upper front sleeves303A may be detachably coupled to thefront shelf307 and/or to abackplate367 thereof. Eachbackplate365 and367 may extend downwardly from a rear edge of thecorresponding shelf307 or309.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view another embodiment of a base of the invention that may be used in the embodiment ofFIGS. 14. In this embodiment, the top portions of the frontupright posts114A and114B and the top portions of the rearupright posts116A and116B have been configured asinserts140A,140B,142A and142B, respectively. Each insert preferably includes walls on at least three sides. The fourth side may be left open to save material and/or manufacturing costs. The fourth side may face outwardly as shown or inwardly, which may facilitate shipping. If the fourth side is left open as illustrated, the top corners of the opposing sidewalls may be beveled or curved to facilitate insertion of theinsert140A,140B,142A,142B within the interior of acorresponding sleeve103A,103B,105A,105B.
• FIG. 13 is a plan view of the front left panel that may be used to form the frontleft panel107A in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4. Therear panel109A ofFIG. 1 may be formed similarly, with the exception of rear raisedlip111A, which preferably is omitted entirely or bent downwards to protrude beneath the plane of the panel. Because the configuration ofpanel107A is generally similar to that ofpanel109A, only one plan view of the panels, ie., ofpanel107A, is shown inFIG. 13 and described herein in detail.
• Thepanel107A may have raisedlips111A,111B, and111C on three of its perimeter edges, preferably, atop lip111A, aleft side lip111B, and afront lip111C, similar to the other lips described above. Thelips111A,111B, and111C may be formed by bending the appropriate perimeter edges upwards, as shown inFIG. 16. When forming therear panel109A, thetop lip111A may be bent downwards instead of upwards. Of course, thelips111A,111B, and111C may be separately formed from thepanel107A (or109A) and fixedly or removably coupled to a perimeter edge thereof.
• As shown inFIG. 13, theright perimeter edge112A of thepanel107A may be flat, with no raised lip formed thereon. Moreover, both thetop lip111A and thebottom lip111C may terminate a small distance, such as about three-fourths of an inch, from theright perimeter edge112A of thepanel107A. The termination of thetop lip111A and thebottom lip111C before the end of the panel forms agap region144 extending along theright perimeter edge112A of thepanel107A, as further shown at144 inFIG. 16. Within thegap region144, one or more slots (i.e., indents or holes)146 may be formed to receive corresponding tabs that are formed on the left edge of an adjacent panel. The slots and tabs function to interlock adjacent front or rear panels together, and provide rigidity and stability to thefront shelf107 orrear shelf109 as a whole. The tabs are shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, which are described below.
• FIG. 14 is a front view of the front panel ofFIG. 13. The front view is taken from the front of theshelf107A looking atedge112A and backward toward the rear of the panel. Consequently, the flatright perimeter edge112A is clearly shown extending past where the front raisedlip111C terminates.FIG. 14 shows howgapped edge region144 is bent slightly below the plane of the panel, which provides for an even, substantially planar top surface when the panels are interlocked together to form ashelf107 or109.
• FIG. 15 is a side view of the front panel ofFIGS. 13 and 14. The side view is taken from the right side of the front shelf looking across the flatright perimeter edge112A towards the left raisedlip111B. This view clearly shows that agap121 may be formed at a region where two orthogonal raised lips (i.e.,lip111C andlip111B) intersect. A similar gap may be formed wherelips111A and111B intersect. It also shows how theedge area144 oflip112A extends below the plane of thepanel107A. The gaps may function to permit liquid to drain from the top surface of the panel.
• FIG. 16 is a front view of an embodiment of a rear shelf of the invention, which may be employed as the rearleft panel109A in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4. The front view is taken from the front of thepanel109A looking backward toward the rear of the shelf. Consequently, thegapped edge region144 of the flatright perimeter edge112A is clearly shown extending past where the front raisedlip111C terminates. Additionally, thetop lip111A is clearly shown extending downward beneath thepanel109A.
• FIG. 17 is a side view of the rear panel ofFIG. 16. The side view is taken from the right side of the front shelf looking across the flatright perimeter edge112A towards the left raisedtab111B. This view clearly shows that agap167 may be formed at a region where two orthogonal raised lips (i.e.,lip111C andlip111B) intersect.
• FIG. 18 is a side view of the rear panel ofFIG. 16. The side view is taken from the left side of theshelf109A looking towards the right perimeter edge. This view more clearly shows theback lip111A protruding downward beneath the plane of thepanel109A. Only one of thegussets126A is shown inFIG. 18. Theupper sleeve105A may detachably couple to a pair ofgussets126A, which may be fixedly or removably attached to and span the underside of thepanel109A. Eachgusset126A may include a firstangled wing136 and a secondangled wing137, and a base134 connected therebetween, as shown more clearly inFIG. 22.
• When two v-shapedgussets126A are placed back-to-back, thegussets126A form a generally X-shape when viewing the underside of thepanel109A in plan, again as best shown inFIG. 22.
• Like the other components of the table100, thegussets126A may be formed of stainless steel, or other suitable material(s). Thegussets126A may be fixedly or detachably and/or adjustably coupled to thepanel109A using welding or other fastening means known to the skilled artisan.
• FIG. 19 is a front view of the front panel ofFIGS. 13 and 14. The front view is taken from the front of thepanel107A looking towards the back perimeter edge. This view clearly shows the flatright perimeter edge112A protruding past where the front raisedlip111C terminates. Theupper sleeve103A may be detachably coupled a pair ofgussets124A, which are fixedly or removably attached to the underside of thepanel107A. Thegussets124A may have a similar configuration asgussets126A.
• Thegussets124A may be configured to fixedly or adjustably tilt the plane of thepanel107A at an angle of about 10° with the horizontal. Preferably, however, thegussets124A secure the plane of theshelf107A parallel or substantially parallel to a flat, non-inclined floor. Like the other components of the table100, thegussets124A may be formed of stainless steel, or other suitable material(s). Thegussets124A may be fixedly or adjustably coupled to thepanel107A using welding or other fastening means known to the skilled artisan.FIG. 19 shows the top of thepost103A received within anopen channel member138, described in more detail below in the discussion ofFIG. 22.
• FIG. 20 is a right side view of an embodiment of a rear panel of the invention, which may be employed as the rearright panel109B in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4. This side view is taken looking right towards the right raised lip111D formed on the panel's109B right perimeter edge. This view clearly shows, in dashed lines, the spaced aparttabs147 that are bent downwards from theleft perimeter edge112B. As mentioned previously with reference toFIG. 13, thetabs147 of theedge112B are sized and spaced to correspondingly and removably fit within thereceptacles146 that are formed along the flatright perimeter edge112A of theleft panel107A. Thetabs147 interlock with theslots146 to provide rigidity and strength to therear shelf109 as a whole. Thetabs147 may be made of stainless steel or similar material(s). Thegussets126B andupper sleeve105B may be constructed similarly togussets126A andupper sleeve105A.
• FIG. 21 is a front view of another embodiment of a front panel of the invention, which may be employed as the frontright panel107B in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4. This view is taken from the front of the panel looking towards the front raised lip111D, which extends across the entire front perimeter edge of thepanel107B. One of thetabs147, which fits with theslot146 of the frontleft panel107A, is shown protruding downwards from theleft edge112B.
• In use, the frontleft panel107A is coupled to its correspondingupper sleeve105A, as previously described. Then, the frontright panel107B is coupled to its correspondingupper sleeve105B as previously described and simultaneously interlocked with the adjacent front leftpanel107A by overlapping theleft edge112B of the frontright panel107B with theright edge112A of the frontleft panel107A and by inserting thetabs147 into the corresponding slots146A that are formed along theright edge112A of the frontleft panel107A. Because theright edge112A of the frontleft panel107A is offset below the plane of thepanel107A, the two overlapping edges will mate to form a substantially flush seam such that the work surfaces of eachadjacent panel107A and107B are substantially even. Additionally, because the front lip111D of the frontright panel107B extends all the way to thevery edge112B, a portion of the front lip111D will overlap theleft edge112A of the frontleft panel107A and adjoin thefront lip111C that is formed on the frontleft panel107A. In this manner, theshelf107 as a whole is provided with a substantially continuous raised lip along its front edge. Although not shown inFIG. 21, the rear lips of thepanels107A and107B may also adjoin in a manner similar to that of thefront lips111C and111D. Thegussets124B,channel139, and theupper sleeve103B may be constructed similarly togussets126A,channel138, and theupper sleeve105A.
• FIG. 22 is an underside plan view of thepanel109A ofFIG. 18, showingchannel138 and pair ofgussets126A,126A, and thesleeve105A.FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of thepanel109A,channel138, andsleeve105A taken along the line A-A ofFIG. 22. Thechannel138 may be a three-sided or four-sided member having arecess135 that detachably receives an upper portion of thesleeve105A. The three-sided embodiment is shown inFIG. 22.
• As more clearly shown inFIG. 23, thechannel138 may include anangled end145 and an oppositefree end143. Theangled end145 of thechannel138 may be fixedly attached to the underside of thepanel109A, for example, by welding or other known fixed or removable attachment means, at about a center portion of the panel. Thus, when the longitudinal axis of thechannel138 is substantially aligned with the vertical, the attachedpanel109A will make about a 10° angle with the horizontal. Other angles may also be used.
• Referring again toFIG. 22, a pair of v-shapedgussets126A,126A may be fixedly attached to opposing exterior surfaces of thechannel138. Thegussets126A each include a base134 that is attached to the exterior of thechannel138, and opposingwings136 and137 angle outwards from the base134 towards adjacent corners of thepanel109A. The two gussets in combination form a generally x-shape, with each wing pointed toward a different corner of thepanel109A. The top portion of each gusset may be fixedly attached to the underside of thepanel107A, such that eachgusset126A,126A inclines at about the same angle as thepanel109A.
• FIGS. 24-29 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a surgical table400 constructed according to the principles of the invention in which the components similar to those of table100 have been designated with similar reference numerals. Table400 includes an alternative mechanism that facilitates quick but secure attachment and removal of the panels to the posts.
• Looking atFIG. 24, the table400 may include awheeled base401,front posts414A,414B, back posts416A,416B, cross-braces415, afront shelf407 comprisingpanels407A,407B, and aback shelf409 comprisingpanels409A,409B. The posts414,416 may be permanently attached to thebase401 by welding or other known means, or may be detachably connected to the base and formed in sections as described in connection with the previously described embodiments. Table400 can be sized and adjusted in the same fashion as previously described in the other disclosed embodiments. Thepanels407,409 may have on their perimeter edges one or more raisedlips411,413 to improve the panels' retentive properties and overall utility. The base401 may have generally rectangular or square shape and comprise one or more cross-braces415 fixedly attached one or more posts414,416 extending upwardly from the base. The base may includewheels402, that can be locking or non-locking, made of material suitable for a medical/surgical environment to facilitate the positioning of the table400. In addition, thebase401 may further comprise at least oneguard448 that can prevent the table from coming in contact with an unsterilized area.
• The table400 may include a pair of horizontal shelf supports447 connected by welding or other suitable means betweenposts414A and416A, andposts414B and416B. Shelf supports447 supports astorage shelf449 that provides an additional working surface or place where instrument, supplies or other materials may be stored. Thestorage shelf449 may have a raisedlip445 on one or more sides that serve the same purpose as thelips411,413 on the front andback shelves407,409.
• Eachshelf panel407A,407B,409A,409bmay be readily and securely attached to and removed from therespective posts414A,414B,416A,416B by alocking mechanism443, which will be described in further detail below.
• FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the table400 that shows the panels detached from posts. Each post414,416 may include aplate440 providing a surface for connecting thepanels407A,407B,409A,409B to the posts. Eachplate440 may be fixed to its post by welding or other known means. As shown in the enlarged view ofFIG. 26, eachplate440 may include a keyhole/slot opening440A to engage a protrusion on the bottom surface of a panel (not shown inFIG. 25) to fix the panel in a vertical position relative to thepost414A. To fix the panels in a horizontal position relative to the post, areleasable locking mechanism443 may be provided. The locking mechanism may be similar to a “Slam Latch,” such as those commercially available from the Paneloc Corporation, but adapted for used in accordance with the principles of the invention. An engagement portion443aof thelocking mechanism443 may extend beyond the planar surface of thepanel support440 throughopening440B in theplate440 to engage an aperture in the bottom surface of a panel to fix the panel in a horizontal direction relative to the post414. Thelocking mechanism443 can be biased upwardly by a biasing mechanism, like a spring, and may further include an elongated actuator such as J-shapedactuator443B to facilitate releasing the panel from thepost414A.
• FIGS. 27-29 illustrate how apanel407A can be removably attached to thepost414A usingpanel support440.FIG. 27 shows that thepanel407A may include a fixingplate451 that can be of substantially similar size as thepanel support440. Theplate451 may include a number ofstuds451A connected to theplate451 by welding or other suitable means, and one of the keyhole/slot openings440A. Theplate451 may also include amating aperture451B positioned to receive theengagement portion443A of the locking mechanism.
• Referring toFIG. 28, thepanel407A is lowered upon theplate440 so that thestuds451A enter the larger keyhole portion of theopening440A. Thestuds451A have shafts that extend from the lower surface of the fixingplate451 by any suitable means so that there is sufficient space between thestud451A and the fixingplate451 to accommodate the thickness of theplate440. The lower surface of the fixingplate451 pushes theengagement portion443A downwardly so that its upper edge is substantially co-planar with theplate440 when theplate440 contacts the fixingplate451.
• The panel407acan then slide in a first horizontal direction along the slot portion of openings440 (as shown by the arrow H) so that the slot portions of theopenings440A, which has a width much less than the diameter of thestud451, secures the panel407ato the support to prevent movement in a vertical direction. As thepanel407A slides horizontally, theengagement portion443A will “catch” the fixingplate451 when itsmating aperture451B passes over of thelocking mechanism443. The biasing force applied by thelocking mechanism443 to theengagement portion443A will force it into themating aperture451A to secure thepanel407 and prevent horizontal movement relative to the post.
• The panel407acan be easily detached from itspost414A by pulling the J-shapedactuator443B downwardly to overcome the biasing force applied to theengagement portion443A, which will cause it to become disengaged from themating aperture451A so that the panel can slide in a second horizontal direction, opposite the first horizontal direction H. Once thestuds451 are realigned with the keyhole portions of theopenings440, thepanel407A can be lifted upwardly and detached from thepost414A.
• As noted previously, while theposts414A,414B,416A,416B in this embodiment are shown to be one-piece posts extending from the base401 to theshelves407,409, each post, however, could also be divided into sections, such as a lower post section and upper support sleeve section, such as provided in table100 ofFIG. 1. In that case, theplate440 would be disposed at an upper end of the detachable support sleeve proximate the panel, and theplate440 and upper post could be sterilizable with the shelf panels. Moreover, the plates and upper posts could be detachably connected instead of permanently fixed by conventional means known in the art.
• A table manufactured according to the principles of the invention may further include a shelf customized to support a basket containing a medical instrument kit, such that the shelf and connected basket may be sterilized together in a standard hospital autoclave without separating the shelf and basket from each other. This arrangement reduces set-up time by permitting a nurse or medical technician to assemble the shelf (with basket attached) on the table base after simultaneously removing the shelf and its attached basket from the autoclave.
• While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, one or more of the raised lips113 of therear shelf109 and/or one or more of the raisedlips111 of thefront shelf107 ofFIGS. 1-4 (or thelips211A-H ofFIG. 8) may be replaced with a contoured shelf rod (not shown), which is raised approximately one-half inch from the shelfs planar surface so liquids can drain. Additionally, therear shelf109 may be configured to slide about 4 inches to about 8 inches forward. Moreover, on the rear shelf, the back raised lip and the back half of each side lip may be eliminated (or bent downwards). In such a configuration, the side lips of therear shelf109 may grade down as they reach the middle of the toprear shelf109. A portion of the front and rear panels of the invention may be labelled by being laser cut or embossed as follows: FR for front right; FL for front left; RR for rear right; and RL for rear left, to provide a system for easily assembling or re-assembling the table. The examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.

Claims (57)

1. A modular surgical table, comprising:

a movable base;

a plurality of lower support members attached to said movable base;

a plurality of sterilizable upper support members detachably coupled to said lower support members;

a first sterilizable platform structured to hold sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure, said first platform being detachably coupled to at least one of said upper support members;

a second sterilizable platform structured to hold sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure, said second platform being detachably coupled to at least another one of said upper support members; and

wherein said upper support members, said first sterilizable platform, and said second sterilizable platform are removable from the table for sterilization, thereby obviating the need for sterilized surgical drapes and facilitating re-use of the table in additional medical procedures.

2. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein said lower support members comprise generally upright posts extending upwardly from said base.

3. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein said upper support members comprise generally vertical sleeves having openings that receive at least a portion of one of said lower support members.

4. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of said first and second platforms overlap or are separated by a gap.

5. The modular surgical table ofclaim 4, wherein the height and/or angle of said first and second platforms relative to a floor upon which the table is supported is adjustable.

6. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second platforms comprise a shelf.

7. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein said support members and said platforms are sized to fit within an opening of a hospital autoclave having a width of about three feet, a height of about six feet, and a depth of about five feet.

8. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein the surgical table is used during surgical or non-surgical medical procedures performed in a hospital, doctor's office, veterinarian's office, or animal or health care facility.

9. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein said first sterilizable platform occupies a fixed, first generally planar position and wherein said second sterilizable platform occupies a fixed, second generally planar position, said first and second planar positions being non-parallel.

10. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of said platforms is adjustable such that said first and second platforms may occupy generally planar positions that are substantially parallel or non-parallel to each other.

11. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein said second platform occupies a fixed vertical position higher than a fixed vertical position of said first platform.

12. The modular surgical table ofclaim 11, wherein said second platform is disposed behind said first platform.

13. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of said platforms is adjustable such that said first and second platforms may occupy substantially similar or substantially different vertical positions.

14. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of said platforms further comprises a lateral support member fixedly or detachably coupled to one of said upper support members.

15. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1 further comprising means for adjusting at least one of the height, angle, and/or horizontal position of said first and second platforms.

16. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second platforms comprises a plurality of panels occupying positions in substantially the same or substantially different planes.

17. The modular surgical table ofclaim 16, wherein said panels of each platform are fixed or adjustable relative to each other.

18. The modular surgical table ofclaim 16, wherein one of said plurality of panels is coupleable to an adjacent panel of said plurality of panels.

19. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein at least one platform of said first and second platforms includes a first structure preventing the medical instruments and/or supplies from sliding off either said first platform or said second platform.

20. The modular surgical table ofclaim 19, wherein said structure comprises a rim formed along at least one side of said at least one platform.

21. The modular surgical table ofclaim 20, wherein said rim extends upwardly from the plane of the platform.

22. The modular surgical table ofclaim 19, comprising a second structure conducting fluid away from said at least one platform.

23. The modular surgical table ofclaim 22, wherein said second structure comprises a gap in said first structure.

24. The modular surgical table ofclaim 23, wherein said first structure comprises rims formed around a plurality of sides of said at least one platform and said gap is formed at a corner where two rims meet.

25. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein the components of the modular surgical table comprise surgical-grade 304 stainless-steel.

26. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, wherein said table is used during a procedure performed on an animal or a human being.

27. The modular surgical table ofclaim 1, further comprising means for coupling said table to another modular surgical table.

28. A modular medical table, comprising:

first means for movably supporting the table on a floor;

second means for supporting sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure;

third means for supporting said second means on said first means; and

wherein said second and third means are removable from said first means for sterilization, thereby obviating a need for sterilized surgical drapes and facilitating re-use of the table in additional medical procedures.

29. The modular surgical table ofclaim 28, further comprising:

fourth means for adjusting a planar angle of said second means; and

fifth means for adjusting a height of said second means, said fifth means operatively connected to said third means.

30. A method for sterilizing a drapeless surgical table having a separable support member and a platform used in a medical procedure, said method comprising:

sterilizing the platform and separable support member in a standard hospital autoclave;

removing the platform and separable support member from the standard hospital autoclave upon completion of a sterilization cycle;

assembling the sterilized platform and separable support member onto a sterilizable movable base; and

placing sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies directly onto the platform without use of any surgical drapes.

31. The method ofclaim 30, further comprising:

performing a medical procedure using the sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies.

32. The method ofclaim 30, further comprising:

removing the medical instruments and supplies upon completion of the medical procedure;

disassembling the platform and separable support member from each other and the sterilizable, movable base;

cleaning the platform and separable support member, if necessary;

inserting the platform and separable support member into a standard hospital autoclave; and

sterilizing the platform and separable support member in the autoclave.

33. The method ofclaim 32, further comprising:

sterilizing the sterilizable movable base;

removing the platform and support member from the autoclave when the sterilization cycle is complete;

re-assembling the platform and separable support member onto the sterilized movable base; and

re-using the surgical table to store sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies.

34. The method ofclaim 32, wherein the step of sterilizing the platform and separable support member in a standard hospital autoclave comprises inserting the platform and separable support member within an opening in the autoclave no bigger than about three feet wide by about six feet tall.

35. The method ofclaim 32, further comprising sterilizing instruments used in the medical procedure and the platform and separable support member simultaneously.

36. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the step of performing a medical procedure further includes using the table during surgery in an operating room of a hospital.

37. A modular surgical table, comprising:

a movable base;

a plurality of support members attached to said movable base, each support member having a platform support;

a first sterilizable platform structured to hold sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure, said first platform being detachably coupled to one of said platform supports;

a first releasable locking device to retain said first platform in a predetermined position relative to said one platform support;

a second sterilizable platform structured to hold sterilized medical instruments and/or supplies during a medical procedure, said second platform being detachably coupled to another one of said platform supports;

a second releasable locking device to retain said second platform in a predetermined position relative to said other platform support; and

wherein said first and second sterilizable platforms are removable from the table for sterilization, thereby obviating the need for sterilized surgical drapes and facilitating re-use of the table in additional medical procedures.

38. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein said support members comprise generally upright posts extending upwardly from said movable base.

39. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein said support members each comprise:

a lower support member attached to said movable base;

a sterilizable upper support member detachably coupled to said lower support member, and wherein said sterilizable upper support member is removable from the table for sterilization, thereby obviating the need for sterilized surgical drapes and facilitating re-use of the table in additional medical procedures.

40. The modular surgical table ofclaim 39, wherein said upper support members comprise generally vertical sleeves having openings that receive at least a portion of one of said lower support members.

41. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein at least a portion of said first and second platforms overlap or are separated by a gap.

42. The modular surgical table ofclaim 41, wherein the height and/or angle of said first and second platforms relative to a floor upon which the table is supported is adjustable.

43. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein at least one of said first and second platforms comprise a shelf.

44. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein said first sterilizable platform occupies a fixed, first generally planar position and wherein said second sterilizable platform occupies a fixed, second generally planar position, said first and second planar positions being non-parallel.

45. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein said second platform occupies a fixed vertical position higher than a fixed vertical position of said first platform.

46. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein at least one of said platforms further comprises a lateral support member fixedly or detachably coupled to one of said upper support members.

47. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein at least one platform of said first and second platforms includes a first structure preventing the medical instruments and/or supplies from sliding off either said first platform or said second platform.

48. The modular surgical table ofclaim 47, wherein said structure comprises a rim extending upwardly along at least one side of said at least one platform.

49. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein each platform includes at least one of a protrusion or a recess detachably coupled to a mating portion of one of said platform supports.

50. The modular surgical table ofclaim 49, wherein said at least one protrusion or recess comprises a protrusion, and said mating portion of said platform supports comprises a recess.

51. The modular surgical table ofclaim 50, wherein said protrusion comprises a stud and said recess comprises a keyhole shaped slot.

52. The modular surgical table ofclaim 50, wherein the engagement of said protrusion and said recess retains said platform in a predetermined vertical position relative to said platform support.

53. The modular surgical table ofclaim 52, wherein said recess comprises an opening having:

a first portion having a width greater than or equal to a diameter of said protrusion; and

a second portion having a width less than the diameter of said protrusion.

54. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein each locking device comprises:

an engagement portion to engage an aperture in a bottom surface of one of said platforms to substantially fix said platform in a horizontal direction;

a biasing mechanism biasing said engagement portion in a direction necessary to engage said aperture; and

an actuator connected to said engagement portion to thereby disengage said engagement portion from said aperture, thereby permitting detachment of said platform from said platform support when a force applied to said actuator is greater than the biasing provided by said biasing mechanism.

55. The modular surgical table ofclaim 54, wherein said aperture ifs formed in a plate secured to one of said sterilizable platforms.

56. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, wherein said movable base comprises a guard to prevent one of said first or second sterilizable platforms from contacting a non-sterilized surface.

57. The modular surgical table ofclaim 37, further comprising:

a plurality of shelf supports coupled to said plurality of support members; and

a third platform coupled to said plurality of shelf supports,

wherein said third platform is disposed lower than said first or second sterilizable platforms.

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