CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,058 filed on Sep. 29, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,997,286 granted on Apr. 7, 2015, which in turn claims benefit of priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(d) to German Patent Application No. 10 2009 047 869.8 filed on Sep. 30, 2009, all the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to an adapter for connecting at least one accessory device to an operating table. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the field of endoprothetics, accessory devices, e.g. plug-in devices for hip surgery are used, which are connected to a conventional operating table. For this purpose the operating table must include interfaces specifically designed for the accessory device, which allow for connecting the accessory device. 
         [0004]    As the number of joint operations has been increasing for years, there is also an increasing number of different operating table systems, which are used in the field of endoprothetics. Against this background the invention is based on the object of creating a possibility to combine the accessory devices more flexibly than previously with different operating tables. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention solves this problem by an adapter for connecting at least one accessory device to an operating table, comprising a first fixing device for attaching a base body of the adapter to the operating table and a second fixing device for attaching the accessory device to the adapter, wherein the base body is formed from an X-ray transparent plate, said X-ray transparent plate including a part lying on a support surface of the operating table and another part extending beyond the support surface and forming a support surface extension for supporting a patient, when said X-ray transparent plate is attached to the operating table. 
         [0006]    The adapter according to the invention allows for connecting an accessory device to an operating table, which does not have interfaces specifically designed for the accessory device. Furthermore the adapter itself can be used as support surface extension. 
         [0007]    As the plate of the adapter—as support surfaces of customary operating tables if required as well—consists of an X-ray transparent material, e.g. carbon fibre reinforced plastic, the patient can be supported on the plate and be treated by means of X-ray diagnostics in the region of the plate. 
         [0008]    Due to the part of the X-ray transparent plate lying on the support surface of the operating table, it is provided for a stable arrangement of the adapter on the operating table. Thus the above-mentioned first fixing device serving to attach the base body of the adapter to the operating table can be realized with comparatively low effort. In particular it is thus possible to connect the adapter and thus the accessory device (e.g. by means of a slide rail) in a simple manner to different operating tables. 
         [0009]    The part of the plate forming the support surface extension is preferably arranged in a free-standing manner. This means that all parts of the adapter, in particular the above-mentioned second fixing device for attaching the accessory device to the adapter are arranged such that the area surrounding the support surface extension is kept free from said parts, which could affect the treatment by means of X-ray diagnostics of the body part supported on the support surface extension. 
         [0010]    Preferably the part of the plate forming the support surface extension extends in the longitudinal direction of the support surface of the operating table and has a length of at least one third of the total length of the plate. Typically the length is at least 400 mm. Thus it is guaranteed that the adapter provides a sufficiently large additional patient support surface, which can be used for supporting the patient according to requirements in different positions (in particular in pelvis free position). 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment the plate can be pushed from one end of the support surface in the longitudinal direction onto the support surface until a first limit stop arranged at the adapter comes to bear against a second limit stop arranged at the operating table and said one part of the plate lies on the support surface. Preferably the part of the plate lying on the support surface has substantially the same width as the support surface. The above-mentioned part of the plate and the support surface of the operating table thus form an overlapping arrangement, the longitudinal sides of which are aligned with each other. Depending on the application, the plate can however also be smaller than the support surface of the operating table. 
         [0012]    In a further advantageous embodiment the first fixing device comprises a rail arranged at the plate and a hold-down device, which can be fixed to the operating table, said hold-down device including a locking element insertable into the rail, which locking element can be locked in the rail. The rail is e.g. formed as elongated recess in the top surface of the plate or as separate component attached to the plate and preferably arranged at said end of the plate, which is pushed onto the support surface of the operating table. Thereby the recess and the locking element inserted therein are to be sized preferably such that the top surface of the locking element is formed flush with the top surface of the plate. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment the hold-down device can be moved along a guide, which is mounted laterally on the operating table at the longitudinal direction thereof. Said guide is e.g. formed as slide rail, on which the hold-down device can be moved when the plate is pushed onto the support surface. 
         [0014]    Preferably the first fixing device serving to attach the base body of the adapter to the operating table comprises a handle screw having a contact surface, which can be screwed on the bottom surface of the operating table for securing the plate. Thereby the adapter is secured to the operating table from the bottom surface. 
         [0015]    An X-ray transparent cushion can be attached to the top surface of the plate of the adapter. This cushion preferably has a multilayered structure, wherein an EPDM backing layer is superimposed by viscoelastic foam. Attaching the cushion is e.g. carried out by means of a velcro fastener in the form of loop and adhesive tapes, which are attached to the bottom surface of the cushion or on the top surface of the plate of the adapter. 
         [0016]    Preferably the above-mentioned second fixing device, by means of which the accessory device is attached to the adapter, comprises a shaft receptacle, in which a plug-in shaft of the accessory device is pluggable. 
         [0017]    In a particularly preferred embodiment the shaft receptacle is attached to a carriage, which can be moved along a guide shaft. Thereby it is possible to move the shaft receptacle together with the plug-in shaft of the accessory device inserted therein to adjust e.g. the accessory device to the proportions of the patient and then fix it on the guide shaft. 
         [0018]    Preferably the adapter is designed for connecting a plug-in device for hip endoprothetics. However it is also possible to use the adapter for other accessory devices, which are to be attached to an operating table. 
         [0019]    According to a further aspect of the invention a system is provided, comprising an operating table, at least one accessory device as well as an adapter of the above-mentioned type. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The invention will be explained in the following on the basis of the Figures, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an adapter according to the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a further perspective view of the adapter; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows the adapter with mounted plug-in device; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  shows an illustration of how the plate is pushed onto the support surface of the operating table; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  shows an illustration of how the hold-down device is attached to the operating table; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows an illustration of how the plate is fixed on the operating table by means of the hold-down device; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  shows an illustration of how the plate fixed to the operating table is secured from below; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  shows an illustration of how the plate attached to the operating table is additionally secured from below; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows an illustration of how a cushion is attached to the plate; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows an illustration of how an accessory device is attached to the adapter; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  shows an illustration of how a carriage provided on the adapter is moved; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  shows an illustration of how a countertraction post is attached to the adapter; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  shows an illustration of how an abutment is attached to the adapter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The embodiment described in the following is directed to an adapter, generally referred to with  10 , serving to connect an accessory or plug-in device  12  for hip surgery to an operating table  14 . The plug-in device  12  mounted on the adapter  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . A part of the operating table  14  can e.g. be seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0035]    On the basis of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in the following first an overview of the elements forming the adapter  10  is provided. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base body of the adapter  10  is formed from a plate  16  consisting of a carbon fibre reinforced plastic. This plastic is X-ray transparent. 
         [0037]    The adapter  10  further comprises two hold-down devices  20 ,  22  serving to fix the adapter  10  to the two longitudinal sides of the operating table  14 . Of the two hold-down devices  20 ,  22 , which are substantially identical in construction and function, in  FIGS. 1 and 2  only the device referred to with  20  is shown in detail and described in the following. 
         [0038]    The hold-down device  20  includes a straight guide rod  24  being arranged perpendicular to the plate  16  in the mounted condition and an L-shaped rod  26 . In the mounted condition the short leg  28  is arranged perpendicular and the long leg  30  is arranged parallel to the plate  16 . 
         [0039]    The long leg  30  of the L-shaped rod  26  is inserted into a guide rail  34  in the mounted condition, which is attached to one end of the plate  16  in the lateral direction. 
         [0040]    In order to arrest the long leg  30  of the L-shaped rod  26  in the guide rail  34 , a locking device, generally referred to with  36 , is provided. The locking device  36  comprises a lever screw  38 , a receptacle  40  and a slide rail block  42  having a C-section. The slide rail block  42  can be attached to a slide rail  44 , which is mounted on the longitudinal side of the operating table  14  (cf.  FIG. 5 ). The short leg  28  of the L-shaped rod  26  is movably guided through the receptacle  40 . The lever screw  36  is screwed into the receptacle  40  with its threaded shank, being not illustrated in detail. By turning the lever screw  38  the threaded shank can be brought into contact with the short leg  28  of the L-shaped rod  26 . The short leg  28  can thus be locked in a desired height in the receptacle  40 . 
         [0041]    The hold-down device  20  further comprises a further straight rod  50 , which is movably arranged at the guide rod  24 . The rod  50  is arrestable by means of a locking device  52  on the guide rod  24 . The locking device  52  is formed from a lever screw  54  and a receptacle  56 . The lever screw  54  is screwed into the receptacle  56  with its threaded shank, being not illustrated in detail. By turning the lever screw  54  the threaded shank can be screwed into the receptacle  56  until the threaded shank  56  comes into contact with the guide rod  24 , whereby the rod  50  is locked in the desired height on the guide rod  24 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the adapter  10  further includes a handle screw  58  having a threaded shank  60 , on the end, being the upper end in  FIG. 2 , of which a contact surface  62  is attached. The threaded shank  60  is screwed through a threaded bore, being not illustrated in detail, which is formed in a frame part  64  of the adapter  10 . By turning the lever screw  58  the contact surface  62  can be brought into contact with the bottom surface of the support surface  15  to additionally secure the plate  16 . 
         [0043]    For attaching the plug-in device  12 , shown in  FIG. 3 , the adapter  10  includes a shaft receptacle  66 , in which a plug-in interface  68  (cf.  FIG. 10 ) of the plug-in device  12  can be inserted. The plug-in interface  68  inserted into the shaft receptacle  66  is arrestable by means of a spring-loaded safety bolt  72 . On the shaft receptacle  66  a tommy screw  70  is additionally provided serving to eliminate the play of the plug-in interface  68  inserted into the plug-in receptacle  66 . 
         [0044]    The shaft receptacle  66  is attached to a frame-shaped carriage  74 . The carriage  74  is guided movably on a guide shaft  76  extending in the lateral direction in parallel to the plate  16 , as can best be seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0045]    The carriage  74  can be locked to the guide shaft  76  by means of a locking device  78 . The locking device  78  comprises a lever screw  80 , which is screwed into the carriage  74  with its threaded shank, being not illustrated in detail. If the lever screw  80  is turned until the threaded shank comes into contact with the guide shaft  76 , the carriage  74  is locked on the guide shaft  76 . By loosening the lever screw  80  the carriage  74  together with the shaft receptacle  66  and the plug-in interface  68  of the plug-in device  12  being seated in the shaft receptacle  66  can be moved along the guide shaft  76 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , an X-ray transparent cushion  82  is attached to the top surface of the plate  16 . The cushion  82  includes a through hole  84 , into which an end of the countertraction post  86  can be inserted. The countertraction post  86  is covered in a cushion  87  (cf.  FIG. 12 ). On the plate  16  a post receptacle  85 , not shown in the Figures, is provided for the countertraction post  86 , which is oriented toward the hole  84  of the cushion  82  (cf.  FIG. 9 ). Further an abutment receptacle  88  for attaching an abutment  90  (cf.  FIG. 13 ) is formed on the plate  16 . 
         [0047]    In the following it will be shortly explained on the basis of  FIGS. 4 to 13  how the plug-in device  12  is connected to the operating table  14  by means of the adapter  10 . 
         [0048]    As indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 4 , first the plate  16  is pushed onto a support surface  15  of the operating table  14 . The support surface  15  is typically a hard paper plate, on which a cushion, not being shown, is later applied. In the mounted condition the plate  16  is thus arranged between the support surface  15  and said cushion. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 4  the plate  16  is pushed onto the support surface  15  to the right to such an extent that a first limit stop arranged at the adapter  10  comes to bear against a second limit stop arranged at the operating table  14 . In the present embodiment a frame part  95  forms the above-mentioned first limit stop, while the second limit stop is constituted by a front end face  93  of the operating table  14 . To assure a precise positioning of the adapter  10  on the support surface  15 , one or more marking lines can be provided on the plate  16 , which are aligned with the edges of the support surface  15  in case of correct positioning. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , subsequently the hold-down device  20  is pushed onto or put in from the side to the slide rail  44  attached to the operating table  14 . The short leg  28  of the L-shaped rod  26  is then inserted into the guide rail  34 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Subsequently, as indicated by the arrow in the enlarged partial view according to  FIG. 6 , the lever screw  38  is tightened manually, to arrest the short leg  28  of the L-shaped rod  26  in the guide rail  34 . The same is done with the other hold-down device  22 . 
         [0051]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the rod  50  is then moved upwards along the guide rod  24  until it abuts from below against the operating table  14 , e.g. against the shaft structure thereof. By tightening the lever screw  54  the rod  50  is locked on the operating table  40 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , subsequently the handle screw  58  is tightened to bring the contact surface  62  into contact with the bottom surface of the support surface  1 . If the contact surface  62  abuts against the bottom surface of the plate  16 , the adapter  10  is additionally secured to the operating table  14 . 
         [0053]    Subsequently the cushion  82  is laid on the plate  16  and is fixed thereon by means of loop tapes and adhesive tapes, not being shown, which are arranged at the bottom surface of the cushion  82  or the upper surface of the plate  16 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0054]    After the adapter  10  has now been completely mounted to the operating table  14 , the plug-in device  12  can be connected to the adapter  10 . This is shown in  FIG. 10 . For this, the plug-in interface  68  of the plug-in device  12  is inserted into the shaft receptacle  66  of the adapter  10 . If the plug-in interface  68  is secured by means of the spring-loaded safety bolt  72  in the shaft receptacle  68 , the lever screw  70  is tightened to eliminate the play. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 11  it is shown how the carriage  74 , on which the shaft receptacle  66  is attached, can be moved along the guide shaft  76  to position the plug-in device  12  correctly on the operating table  14 . For this, first the lever screw  80  has to be loosened, whereby the carriage  74  is freely movable on the guide shaft  76 . If the carriage  74  is brought into the desired position on the guide shaft  76 , the lever screw  80  is tightened again, to arrest the carriage  74  on the guide shaft  76 . 
         [0056]    If the cushion  82  is attached to the plate  16 , the countertraction post  86  can, as shown in  FIG. 12 , be inserted into the hole  84  formed in the cushion  82  and be fixed in the abutment receptacle  85  (cf.  FIG. 9 ), which is formed in the plate  16 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 13  finally shows, how the abutment  90  is plugged in the abutment receptacle  88  positioned on the bottom surface of the plate  16 . 
         [0058]    For the sake of completeness, in  FIG. 3  the plug-in device  12  being used for hip surgery, as mentioned above, is shown together with the adapter  10 , on which it is mounted. The plug-in device  12 , known per se, comprises a plug-in shaft  91  with the plug-in interface  68 , a shaft carriage  92 , a support foot  94 , a spindle traction mechanism  96 , a rotary tilting device  98  as well as an extension shoe  100 . A slide rail bolt  102  for attaching further accessories, e.g. femur hooks, leg holders etc. is provided on the plug-in shaft  91 . 
         [0059]    As becomes also apparent from  FIG. 3  said part of the plate  16 , to which the cushion  82  is attached and which does not lie on the support surface  15  of the operating table  14 , forms a fully functional support surface extension of the operating table  14  in the longitudinal direction thereof. However, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Thus, the adapter  10  can also be formed such that it forms exclusively or additionally a support surface extension of the operating table  14  in the lateral direction. 
         [0060]    In the present embodiment two plug-in devices of the described type can be connected on both sides of the adapter  10  and thus on both sides of the operating table  14 . However, the invention is neither limited to the number of mountable plug-in devices nor to the type thereof.
An adapter is described for connecting at least one accessory device to an operating table, comprising a first fixing device for attaching a base body of the adapter to the operating table and a second fixing device for attaching the accessory device to the adapter. The base body is formed from an X-ray transparent plate, said X-ray transparent plate including a part lying on a support surface of the operating table and another part extending beyond the support surface and forming a support surface extension for supporting a patient, when said X-ray transparent plate is attached to the operating table.