WO2009073027A1

WO2009073027A1 - Dental chair with improved patient positioning

Info

Publication number: WO2009073027A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/086542
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nathan A. Hemmer
Original assignee: Dental Equipment, Llc, Dba Pelton & Crane
Priority date: 2007-12-05
Filing date: 2007-12-05
Publication date: 2009-06-11

Abstract

A movable, power operated treatment chair for supporting a patient in various positions that includes a seat support, a back support and a leg support attached to the seat support, a seat base for supporting the seat support, a stationary chair base, and six extensible actuators interconnected between the seat base and the stationary chair base for varying the position of the chair base relative to the position of the stationary base. The treatment chair may also include a seat support, a seat base connected to the seat support, and an actuator means having up to six degrees of freedom of motion, the actuator having a top surface supporting the seat base. Methods of positioning a patient in the dental chair of the present invention are also included.

Description

DENTAL CHAIR WITH IMPROVED PATIENT POSITIONING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to dental chah"s and, more particularly, to dental chairs and other support devices with six degrees of movement.

BACKGROUND

Generally, treatment chairs such as used in the modern practice of dentistry include an occupant supporting assembly comprising a seat rest and an angularly adjustable or tiltable back rest on which a head rest is adjustably supported. In some instances, a leg rest or thigh rest is formed as an integral part of the seat rest, and in other instances, the leg rest is angularly adjustable or tiltable relative to the seat rest. Various forms of mechanisms have been proposed for angularly adjusting the seat rest, the back rest and the leg rest relative to each other and for raising and lowering the occupant supporting components relative to the supporting base of the chair.

It is highly desirable for a healthcare professional, such as a dentist, oral surgeon, or ophthalmologist, to be able to work within a relatively small area, usually quite close to particular operatory equipment, while operating upon a patient or other occupant of the chair, notwithstanding the fact that the operator or his assistant must be able to quickly change the angular position and level of the patient while operating on or treating the patient. Therefore, in order that the patient's head may occupy a position close to the operator without requiring that the operator move from place to place at such times that the angular position of the back rest must be adjusted, it is desirable also for the operator to be able to quickly change the position of the entire occupant supporting assembly in various directions.

Known treatment chairs typically include a seat rest movable vertically. forward] y, and rearwardly on a stationary supporting structure. Such treatment chairs include a powered mechanism for shifting the occupant supporting assembly forwardly and rearwardly, other power means for raising and lowering the seat rest component and for tilting the seat rest, back rest and leg rest components relative to each other, and control means connected to the power means for automatically moving the seat rest, back rest, and leg rest components to predetermined treatment positions relative to each •1- other and relative to the stationary supporting base of the chair to locate a patient or customer on the chair in a supine position at a predetermined level.

The occupant supporting assembly is typically carried by carriage means including a main carriage mounted for longitudinal or rectilinear movement, forwardly and rearwardly, in a substantially straight and substantially horizontal path, on and relative to an elevator platform. Novel elevator or lift means can also be provided for raising and lowering a platform in a substantially linear, vertical path independently of a traversing means for the carriage.

Also known are lift mechanisms that provide a power driven, vertically extending lifting means which are stable in essentially all lateral directions and which remain stable regardless of the height to which the mechanism is elevated. Thus, current dental chairs offer a maximum of four degrees of freedom in their motion, which forces the dentist to assume unnatural positions or, alternatively, requires the patient to adjust positions to provide the dentist access to the oral cavity. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a dental chair that provides movement through six axes and can be accessed and operated by the health practitioner.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A particular embodiment of the invention provides a movable, power operated treatment chair for supporting a patient in various positions that includes: a seat support; a back support and a leg support attached to the seat support; a seat base for supporting the seat support; a stationary chair base; and six extensible actuators interconnected between the seat base and the stationary chair base for varying the position of the chair base relative to the position of the stationary base. Another embodiment of the invention provides a movable, power operated treatment chair for supporting a patient in various positions that includes: a seat support; a seat base connected to the seat support; and an actuator means having up to six degrees of freedom of motion, the actuator having a top surface supporting the seat base. Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a method of positioning a patient in a dental chair, which includes: providing a denial chair having a seat support: providing a seat base connected to the seat support; providing an actuator means having up to six degrees of freedom of motion, the actuator having a surface supporting the seat base; and moving the actuator means to change the position of the dental chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, this invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a dental chair according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a dental chair according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG, 3 illustrates a dental chair incorporating particular embodiments of the invention; and FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic flow diagram of various components of a dental chair system according to particular embodiments of the invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT TFE INVENTION Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some representative embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised that do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination.

The present invention relates to a movable, power operated treatment chair for supporting a patient in various positions that provide comfort to the patient and that are ergonomicalϊy correct for the healthcare professional (e.g., dentist, hygienist, surgeon) to practice, position, and operate. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the treatment chair comprises: a seat support; a seat base connected to the seat support: and an actuator means having up to six degrees of freedom of motion, the actuator having a top surface supporting the seat base. The actuator means is disposed for easy access and operation by the healthcare practitioner. -A-

In alternative embodiments, ihe base can further include a vertical lift device to provide additional vertical travel where desired. Any suitable lift device can be incorporated into the treatment chair, including without limitation, a four-bar linkage system, a cantilever system, or a scissor lift device. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical lift device can be connected to a bottom surface of the actuator means. The actuator means can include six extensible actuators, as described in more detail below. Suitable actuators for use with the present invention include, for example, hydraulic actuators, mechanical actuators, electromechanical actuators, motor-driven gear systems, rack and pinion mechanisms, and electrical actuators. Specific types of actuators that may be used include, for example, pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic jacks, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic jacks, mechanical jacks, linear motors, and mechanical cylinders.

The treatment chair can further include a controller (FIG. 4) for varying the movement of the actuator means. Suitable controllers for use with the present invention include, by way of example, a joystick, a foot pedal, a touch screen, buttons, switches, a voice command system, a remote control system, track ball, indexing wheel (such as the SpaceNavigator™, available from 3Dconnexion, San Jose, California), three-dimensional mouse (such as the NuLOOQ navigator™ available from LogiTech, Freemont, California), touchpad, and/or a sensory glove system. The treatment chair can further include software interface to control the controller. The software may include preprogrammed settings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a current embodiment of the invention, generally indicated at 100, of a movable, power operated treatment chair constructed according to principles of the invention. Treatment chair 100 includes: a seat support 110; a back support 112 and a leg support 114 attached to the seat support; a seat base 120 for supporting the seat support 110; a stationary chair basel22; and six extensible actuators 126 interconnected between the seat base 120 and the stationary chair base 122 for varying the position of the seat base 120 relative to the position of the stationary base 122. The six extensible actuators 126, also referred to herein as a hexapod, can vary the relative position of the stationary chair base 122 with respecl to that of the seat base 120, Generally, the six extensible actuators 126 have six degrees of freedom or movement (i.e., X axis, Y axis, Z axis, roll, pitch, and yaw). Extension lengths for the extensible actuators 126 can be selected by accessing logic, controlled by a computer and software interface (described below with reference to FIG, 4), which can define criteria that can be taken in isolation or in series. This can include logic for defining criteria such as amount of extension for actuators 126, limits of angulations, and orientation around various axes.

In particular embodiments of the invention, a plurality of hydraulic or pneumatic jacks or cylinders can be mounted between the seat base and the stationary chair base 122. A plurality of supply valves and release valves can be associated with each of the plurality of pneumatic jacks or cylinders. The controller can selectively control the supply and release of air or fluid to the plurality of supply valves and release valves to vary movement of the plurality of pneumatic cylinders or jacks.

In the various embodiments of the invention, the six extensible actuators 126 can be simultaneously operative to control motion of the seat support 110, and in turn, the treatment chair 100, The controller can produce an output signal that activates the extension and contraction of the actuators 126 to provide movement and positioning of treatment chair 100.

The orientation of the actuators 126, as illustrated in FIG. 1, allows for orientation and positioning of the seat base 120 and treatment chair 100 in a number of angles and positions. The actuators 126 can be arranged in a symmetrical hexapod configuration. Rotating pivots may also be used to attach the ends of actuators 126 in order to provide necessary freedom of motion between each actuator 126 and the seat base 120 and stationary chair base 122 to which they are attached.

The treatment chair 100 can be provided with a controller that is positioned for ready access by an operator (healthcare provider) while the patient sits in the treatment chair 100. In alternative embodiments, two or more controllers can be provided for use by multiple operators and assistants on various sides of the treatment chair 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a treatment chair 200 that includes a seat support 110; a back support 112 and a leg support 114 attached to the seat support; a seat base 120 for supporting the seat support 110; a stationary chair base!22; and six extensible actuators 126 interconnected between the seat base 120 and the stationary chair base 122 for varying the position of the seal base 120 relatnc to the position of the stationary base 122. Seat base can further include a vertical lift device 210.

HG. 3 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a treatment chair 300 that includes a seat support 110; a back support 112 and a leg support 114 attached to the seat support; a seat base 120 for supporting the seat support 110; an upper stationary chair base 122; and six extensible actuators 126 interconnected between the seat base 120 and the stationary chair base 122 for varying the position of the seat base 120 relative to the position of the stationary base 122. Stationary chair base 122 can further include a vertical lift device 310 that is positioned between and in contact with an upper base portion 132 and a lower base portion 132' of the stationary chair base 122.

Suitable vertical lift devices for use with the various embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, any known mechanism for vertically providing lift, such as, a four-bar linkage system, a cantilever system, hydraulic ram, telescoping cylinder, and a scissor lift device.

A schematic diagram of a treatment chair system according to a particular embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG, 4, The treatment chair 400 can include a controller 420 for varying the movement of the actuator 410 of the treatment chair 400. A software interface 430 can be included to direct the controller 420. The controller 420 can include, for example, a joystick, a foot pedal, a touch screen, buttons, switches, a voice command system, a sensory glove system, remote control system, or any other suitable means of providing a control mechanism. If desired, the software interface 430 can include preprogrammed settings.

Another embodiment of the invention is drawn to a method of positioning a patient in a dental chair. The method includes: providing a dental chair 100, 200, 300 having a seat support 110; providing a seat base 120 connected to the seat support 110: providing an actuator means (such as, for example, actuator 126) having up to six degrees of freedom of motion, the actuator supporting the seat base; and moving the actuator means to change the position of the dental chair. The actuator means can be, by way of example and not limitation, hydraulic actuators, mechanical actuators, electromechanical actuators, motor-driven gear systems, rack and pinion mechanisms, and electrical actuators. The method ma> also include providing a vertical lift device 210, 310 connected to the actuator means, and moving the vertical lift device 210, 310 to change the vertical position of the dental chair. The method may also include providing a controller 420 for varying the movement of the actuator. In another embodiment, the method may include providing a software interface 430 to direct the controller.

Although various embodiments of the invention have been described with particular detail to massage systems incorporated with dental chairs, it is understood that the massage systems of embodiments of the invention may be incorporated with other devices, and particularly with other chairs. For example, the massage systems according to embodiments of the invention may be incorporated with operatory chairs, examination chairs, or other seating devices or support surfaces of apparatuses and are not limited expressly to dental chairs.

Having thus described certain currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated without departing from the spirit or scope thereof as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

L A movable, power operated treatment chair for supporting a patient in various positions comprising: a seat support; a back support and a !eg support attached to said scat support; a seat base for supporting said seat support; a stationary chair base; and six extensible actuators interconnected between said seat base and said stationary chair base for varying the position of the seat base relative to the position of the stationary base.

2. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 1. wherein said seat base further comprises a vertical lift device.

3. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 1, wherein said lift device is selected from the group consisting of a four-bar linkage system, a cantilever system, hydraulic ram, telescoping cylinder, and a scissor lift device.

4. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 1 , further comprising a vertical lift device connected to a bottom surface of said actuator means.

5. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 4, wherein said lift device is selected from the group consisting of a four-bar linkage system, a cantilever system, and a scissor lift device.

6. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 1 , further comprising a controller for varying the movement of the actuator.

7. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 6, further comprising a software interface to control said controller.

8. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 1 , wherein said controller is selected from the group consisting of a joystick, a foot pedal, a touch screen, buttons, switches, a voice command system, a remote control system, track ball, indexing wheel, three-dimensional mouse, touchpad, and a sensory glove system.

9. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 1, wherein said software interface includes preprogrammed settings.

10. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 1, wherein said actuator is selected from the group consisting of hydraulic actuators, mechanical actuators, electromechanical actuators, motor-driven gear systems, rack and pinion mechanisms, and electrical actuators.

11. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 1 , wherein said actuator is selected from the group consisting of pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic jacks, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic jacks, mechanical jacks, linear motors, and mechanical cylinders.

12. A movable, power operated treatment chair for supporting a patient in various positions comprising: a seat support; a seat base connected to said seat support; and an actuator means having up to six degrees of freedom of motion, said actuator having a top surface supporting said seat base.

13. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12. wherein said seat base further comprises a vertical lift device.

14. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12, wherein said lift device is selected from the group consisting of a four-bar linkage system, a cantilever system, hydraulic ram, telescoping cylinder, and a scissor lift device.

15. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12, further comprising a vertical lift device connected to a bottom surface of said actuator means.

16. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 15, wherein said lift device is selected from the group consisting of a four-bar linkage system, a cantilever system, and a scissor lift device.

17. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12, further comprising a controller for varying the movement of the actuator means.

18. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 17, further comprising a software interface to control said controller.

19. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12, wherein said controller is selected from the group consisting of a joystick, a foot pedal, a touch screen, buttons, switches, a voice command system, a remote control system, track ball, indexing wheel, three-dimensional mouse, touchpad, and a sensory glove system.

20. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12, wherein said software interface includes preprogrammed settings.

21. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12, wherein said actuator means comprises six extensible actuators.

22. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12, wherein said actuator means is selected from the group consisting of hydraulic actuators, mechanical actuators, electromechanical actuators, motor-driven gear systems, rack and pinion mechanisms, and electrical actuators.

23. The movable, power operated treatment chair of claim 12, wherein said actuator means is selected from the group consisting of pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic jacks, hydraulic cyiinders, hydraulic jacks, mechanical jacks, ϊinear motors, and mechanical cylinders.

24. A method of positioning a patient in a dental chair, comprising: providing a dental chair having a seat support; providing a seat base connected to said seat support; providing an actuator means having up to six degrees of freedom of motion, said actuator having a surface supporting said seat base; and moving the actuator means to change the position of the dental chair.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said actuator means is selected from the group consisting of hydraulic actuators, mechanical actuators, electromechanical actuators, motor-driven gear systems, rack and pinion mechanisms, and electrical actuators.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising: providing a vertical lift device connected to said actuator means; and moving the vertical lift device to change the vertical position of the dental chair.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said lift device is selected from the group consisting of a four-bar linkage system, a cantilever system, hydraulic ram, telescoping cylinder, and a scissor lift device.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising a controller for varying the movement of the actuator.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising a software interface to control said controller.