Operating Room Table Parts and Functions Explained for Biomed Staff

Base, castors and floor lock

The base carries the weight of the whole table and the patient. It houses the castors, the brake or floor-lock system and often the battery and control electronics. A well-designed base is stable at the extremes of tilt and leaves room for the surgical team's feet and for the C-arm to pass.

Floor locks lift the table onto fixed feet or brake the castors so it does not move during surgery. The Smarter Practico has an electric floor lock and battery operation, while the Practico Manual has a quick lock and unlock brake system. Ask how easily the lock is released and whether it can be operated from the control.

Column and height adjustment

The column connects the base to the table top and lifts it. In manual tables a hydraulic pump, often with a foot pedal, raises the column; in electric tables a motor or actuator does the work. Height range matters because surgeons of different sizes, seated or standing, need different working heights. The Practico Manual lists 710 to 1020 mm.

Some models offer several column options. Smarter Practico comes in three column height options: General, Low and High, so a theatre can choose a lower table for seated work or a taller one for standing procedures.

Table-top sections: head, back, seat and legs

The top is made of sections that articulate. A typical multi-purpose table has a head section, back section, seat section and one or two leg sections. The back section raises or lowers, the leg sections can be dropped or split, and the whole top can tilt laterally or in Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg. The Practico Manual lists a back section range of -30 to +70 degrees, lateral tilt of 20 degrees each way and Trendelenburg of 25 degrees with reverse of 18 degrees.

Many tables can also slide the top lengthwise, which helps imaging. Smarter Practico has a 390 mm longitudinal slide for X-ray and fluoroscopy access.

• Head section: supports the head and neck
• Back section: raises for sitting or beach chair work
• Seat section: carries the pelvis and often sits over the column
• Leg sections: lower, split or remove for lithotomy and orthopaedic work
• Slide: moves the top relative to the column

Controls, side rails and accessories

Electric tables are driven from a hand control, with a backup panel on the column in many models. Features such as memory positions, an endoscopic mode for low-light use and anti-collision movements, all listed for Smarter Practico, make operation faster and safer. Manual tables use hand wheels, levers, pedals and gas-spring assisted release.

Side rails run along the top and carry clamps and accessories. The Practico Manual has Euro, UK and US side rails. For more, see operating table accessories and the difference between electric and manual drive.

Mattress, cleaning and maintenance

The mattress provides pressure care and must be radiolucent where imaging is used. Bellows, covers and joints should be easy to wipe. Daily cleaning follows the manufacturer's approved disinfectants; preventive maintenance covers castors, hydraulics or actuators, batteries and the safety functions.

Plan service from the start. Our team can support maintenance for the tables we supply, and you can request a consultation from Beckfinity if you want help matching table parts to your clinical requirements.

Common faults and what they point to

Slow or uneven lifting often points to hydraulic leaks, worn seals or a weak battery. A table that drifts down under load needs its lifting system inspected. Sections that jam or move jerkily may have debris in the guides or a failing actuator. Loose clamps or worn rail profiles are accessory-interface problems and should be fixed at once.

Keep a simple fault log for each table. Patterns across several tables of the same model often show a cleaning or maintenance habit that can be corrected.