U.S. patent application number 10/577845 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for patient positioning device for a computer tomograph.
Invention is credited to Frank Bartels, Gerhard Helmreich, Stefan Leidenberger.
Application Number | 20070094797 10/577845 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34529977 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070094797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bartels; Frank ; et
al. |
May 3, 2007 |
Patient positioning device for a computer tomograph
Abstract
A patient positioning device for a computer tomographic device
having a gantry supported on a base is disclosed. The patient
positioning device comprises a bed guide for a patient bed having
an arm mounted on or to the base by means of a rotating joint which
rotates about a horizontal axis. The bed guide is mounted to the
arm by means of a rotating joint which rotates about a horizontal
axis, and the height of the bed guide may be adjusted.
Inventors: |
Bartels; Frank;
(Seybothenreuth, DE) ; Helmreich; Gerhard;
(Effeltrich, DE) ; Leidenberger; Stefan;
(Schriesheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
34529977 |
Appl. No.: |
10/577845 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 28, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/52688 |
371 Date: |
April 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/601 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 6/0487 20200801;
A61B 6/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/601 |
International
Class: |
A47B 13/00 20060101
A47B013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2003 |
DE |
10350900.3 |
Claims
1.-5. (canceled)
6. A patient positioning device for a computer tomograph device on
a support base, the patient positioning device comprising: a bed
guide operable to receive a patient bed; an arm supported at a head
or a foot end thereof by a first rotating joint, the first rotating
joint being rotatable about a first horizontal axis perpendicular
to a length direction of the patient positioning device; wherein
the bed guide is connected to the arm by a second rotating joint,
the second rotating joint being rotatable about a second horizontal
axis perpendicular to the length direction; and wherein a height of
the bed guide is adjustable by motion of the arm about the first
rotating joint, and the first rotating joint is disposed such that
the first rotating joint does not lie below the bed guide when the
bed guide is partially or completely lowered towards the support
base.
7. The patient positioning device of claim 6, further comprising a
height adjuster connected to the arm such that the height adjuster
is operable to rotate the arm about the first rotating joint.
8. The patient positioning device of claim 7, wherein the first
rotating joint is attached to the support base.
9. The patient positioning device of claim 6, wherein the first
rotating joint is attached to the support base.
10. The patient positioning device of claim 6, further comprising a
support arm supported on the arm by a third rotating joint, the
third rotating joint rotatable about a third horizontal axis, and
the bed guide supported on the support arm by a fourth rotating
joint, the fourth rotating joint rotatable about a fourth
horizontal axis.
11. The patient positioning device of claim 10, wherein a length of
the support arm is adjustable such that the orientation of the bed
guide remains stable when the arm is rotated.
12. The patient positioning device of claim 7, further comprising a
support arm supported on the arm by a third rotating joint, the
third rotating joint rotatable about a third horizontal axis, and
the bed guide supported on the support arm by a fourth rotating
joint, the fourth rotating joint rotatable about a fourth
horizontal axis.
13. The patient positioning device of claim 12, wherein a length of
the support arm is adjustable such that the orientation of the bed
guide remains stable when the arm is rotated.
15. A computer tomograph device supported on a base, the computer
tomograph device comprising: a patient positioning device, further
comprising: a bed guide operable to receive a patient bed; an arm
supported at a head or a foot end thereof by a first rotating
joint, the first rotating joint being rotatable about a first
horizontal axis perpendicular to a length direction of the patient
positioning device; wherein the bed guide is connected to the arm
by a second rotating joint, the second rotating joint being
rotatable about a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the
length direction; and wherein a height of the bed guide is
adjustable by motion of the arm about the first rotating joint, and
the first rotating joint is disposed such that the first rotating
joint does not lie below the bed guide when the bed guide is
partially or completely lowered towards the support base.
16. The computer tomograph device of claim 15 further comprising: a
X-ray source and X-ray detector disposed in a gantry having an
aperture therein, the patient positioning device positioned such
that a patient is positionable in the aperture.
17. The computer tomograph device of claim 16 having a second
patient positioning device disposed on an opposite side of the
aperture from the patient positioning device.
18. The computer tomograph device according to claim 15, wherein
the patient positioning device further comprises a height adjuster
connected to the arm such that the height adjuster is operable to
rotate the arm about the first rotating joint.
19. The computer tomograph device of claim 18 wherein the first
rotating joint is attached to the support base.
20. The computer tomograph device of claim 15 wherein the patient
positioning device further comprises a support arm supported on the
arm by a third rotating joint, the third rotating joint rotatable
about a third horizontal axis, and the bed guide supported on the
support arm by a fourth rotating joint, the fourth rotating joint
rotatable about a fourth horizontal axis.
21. The computer tomograph device of claim 20 wherein a length of
the support arm is adjustable such that the orientation of the bed
guide remains stable when the arm is rotated.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application relates to a patient positioning device for
a computer tomograph device and, to a computer tomograph device
having a patient positioning device of this kind.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Computer tomograph devices (CTs), serve to make
three-dimensional images or images of slices of a body. The image
data are computed by a computer using two-dimensional X-ray
projections of the body. For recording the two-dimensional raw
image data, an X-ray beam source and an image detector are disposed
diametrically opposite one another and rotate about the body to be
examined. The rotation takes place inside a gantry which has an
examination opening, or aperture, into which the body can be
introduced.
[0003] The position of the body in the gantry and the stability of
the body position affect the CT image quality. A patient
positioning device should therefore assure sufficiently stable
support of the patient body and should not have any significant
sagging, for instance, in response to the patient's weight. At the
same time, however, a complicated construction for supporting the
patient body in the examination opening of the gantry cannot be
used, because it would create interfering artifacts in the
image.
[0004] On the other hand, a patient positioning device should be
adjustable flexibly enough that handling the patient when shifting
the patient onto the patient positioning device and providing
medical care of a patient already lying on it is made simpler. For
example, it may be desirable for the patient positioning device to
be able to be lowered so the patient can lie down on the patient
positioning device or raised so the patient can get up from the
patient positioning device.
[0005] Good accessibility for medical staff is advantageous, and
for that reason the space below the patient positioning device
should be as free possible and without intervening structures.
[0006] German patent disclosure DE 101 08 549, teaches a patient
positioning device that enables flexible positioning and assures a
stable position of the patient's body in the examination opening of
the gantry of a CT device. However, the positioning device offers
no possibility of height adjustment, and has a bulky construction
below the patient, which makes accessibility more difficult.
[0007] A patient positioning device for a computer tomograph (CT)
device and a CT device having such a patient positioning device are
described. The patient positioning device ensures a stable position
of the patient body in the examination opening of the gantry, is
simultaneously flexibly adjustable in position, and has good
accessibility to medical staff.
[0008] The patient positioning device for a computer tomograph
device includes a gantry supported on a base; a bed guide for a
patient bed; and has an arm which is supported in the vicinity of
the head end and the foot end thereof by rotating joints that are
rotatable about a horizontal axis that is disposed perpendicular to
the length of the patient positioning device. The bed guide is
supported on the arm by a joint that is rotatable about a
horizontal axis and that is perpendicular to the length of the
patient positioning device. The height of the bed guide is
adjustable by movement of the arm about the rotating joints
supporting the arm. When the bed guide is partly or completely
lowered, the rotating joint is not located underneath the bed
guide.
[0009] The bed guide is supported on an arm in the vicinity of its
head end or foot end. When the bed guide is partly or completely
lowered, a construction is obtained in which the space below the
bed guide remains free.
[0010] This assures good accessibility to the patient. The term bed
guide should be understood in this context to mean a structural
element that makes it possible to attach a patient bed. The bed
guide may have the capability of being solidly connected to a
patient bed, or it may be a rail-like guide that allows the patient
bed to be placed on the bed guide or slidabley inserted therein for
displacement in the longitudinal direction.
[0011] The motion of the patient bed that results from the
rotatable mounting of the arm in the vicinity of its head end or
foot end that the patient bed, simultaneously moves the bed away
from a gantry and downward. Because of the greater distance of the
patient bed from the gantry when in this position, the
accessibility of the patient bed is improved and, furthermore,
there is less interference with any operation of the gantry that
may be taking place at the same time. Thus, a CT examination can,
for instance, proceed unimpeded for a first patient, while another
patient is being placed on another lowered patient bed.
[0012] While being raised, the bed guide is also simultaneously
moved closer to the gantry, which is an improvement in terms of
wear and tear on the patient bed and thus on the patient's body in
the examination area. For instance, the leverage with which the
patient weight is supported relative to the bed guide and which
causes sagging of the patient bed is reduces.
[0013] In an aspect, the patient positioning device has a height
adjuster, which is connected to the arm such that the height
adjuster can rotate the arm about the rotating joint by which the
arm is supported in the vicinity of the head end or foot end of the
base. The height adjuster may have a motor for this purpose, which
adjusts the arm, for instance, by means of a worm drive associated
with the motor and a gear wheel on the arm. The motor may also
drive a hydraulic drive that drives the arm around the rotating
joint. The height adjuster permits an automatic adjustment of the
height of the patient bed and thus makes the work of the medical
staff easier.
[0014] In another aspect, the patient positioning device has a
support arm, which is supported on the arm by a joint that is
rotatable about a horizontal axis, and on which support arm the bed
guide is supported by a joint that is rotatable about a horizontal
axis. The length of the arm may be automatically adjustable such
that the orientation of the bed guide remains stable, regardless of
a rotation of the arm. This permits a patient to be placed, for
instance, on a horizontally oriented patient bed, and the
orientation of the patient bed to be maintained when the height of
the patient bed is adjusted.
[0015] Maintaining the orientation of the patient bed is pleasant
for the patient who is being moved automatically by the patient
positioning device, and enables positioning the patient, with the
patient bed lowered, in exactly the position in which an ensuing CT
examination is to be done. Changes in the patient position, as the
patient positioning device is moved to approach the gantry, which
could cause movements on the part of the patient and hence
interfering artifacts in the CT image data, are thus averted.
[0016] The automatic adjustment of the length of the support arm
can be implemented in a similar manner to the rotary motion of the
arm. For instance, if the rotary motion is attained purely
mechanically, such as by a worm drive and a gear wheel, then the
adjustment of the length of the support arm can also be
accomplished by means of a mechanical gear-wheel or lever system.
If the rotary motion of the arm is driven hydraulically, then the
length of the support arm can also be adjusted hydraulically.
[0017] Hydraulic adjustment enables flexible movement of both the
arm and the support arm, so that the height of the patient bed is
adjustable by the arm, and the orientation is adjustable by the
support arm, freely and independently of one another. If the
orientation of the bed guide is to be maintained while the arm is
being adjusted, the longitudinal adjustment of the support arm may
be adapted to the motion of the arm. The hydraulic drive can
perform the longitudinal adjustment in accordance with a
characteristic curve as a function of the adjustment of the arm.
The characteristic curve depends on the geometric relationships
among the arm, the support arm, and their rotating joints.
[0018] In a further aspect, a CT device has one patient positioning
device on each side of the through-hole opening, or aperture, of
the gantry. CT examinations of a plurality of patients may be
performed smoothly and quickly.
[0019] That is, one patient can be placed on the lowered patient
bed on one side of the gantry, and another patient located on the
other patient positioning device can be examined in the CT device
contemporaneously. Once the examination is concluded, the patient
bed is lowered and thus moved away from the gantry. This makes the
examination opening available for the examination of the next
patient, who is moved toward the examination opening by the motion
of another patient positioning device. The patient bed of a further
patient to be examined can then be introduced into the bed guide of
the patient positioning device on the opposite side. The CT
examination of that patient then begin while the patient
positioning device on the second side is lowered again for
receiving a further patient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in
further detail below in conjunction with the drawings. Shown
are:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a CT device with a patient
positioning device;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view of the CT device with the patient
positioning device; and
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view CT device with another example of the
patient positioning device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Exemplary embodiments may be better understood with
reference to the drawings, but these examples are not intended to
be of a limiting nature. Like numbered elements in the same or
different drawings perform equivalent functions.
[0025] A CT device 1 with a patient positioning device is shown in
a perspective view in FIG. 1. The CT device 1 has a gantry 3 with
an examination opening. The gantry 3 rests on a base 5. A patient
to be examined is placed on a patient bed 9, which is introduced
into the bed guide 7. The bed guide 7 guides the patient bed 9 so
that the patient bed is displaceable longitudinally, such that the
patient bed 9 may be introduced into the examination opening or
aperture in the gantry 3. Gantry 3 may have a patient positioning
device on each side of the examination opening, and the patient bed
9, on being introduced into the aperture in gantry 3, is
transferred the bed guide 7' of the opposite patient positioning
device disposed at the opposite side of the aperture.
[0026] The bed guide 7 is supported in the arm 11 via a rotating
joint 19, rotatable about a horizontal axis. The arm 11 is
supported in or on the base 5 by a rotating joint 17 such that the
arm 11 is rotatable about a horizontal axis. The rotating joint 17
may be integrated with the base 5. Alternatively, the rotating
joint 17 may be part of the patient positioning device, and be
mounted in the vicinity of the base 5 but not as an integral part
thereof. Thus, the patient positioning device can be a structural
unit that is independent of the CT device 1 and that may be joined
to it in modular fashion.
[0027] The height of the bed guide 7 is adjusted by rotating the
arm 11 about the rotating joint 17. In the process, to maintain the
bed 9 orientation, which in the drawing is horizontal, the bed
guide 7 also rotates about the corresponding rotating joint 19.
[0028] The orientation of the bed guide 7 is stabilized by means of
a support arm 13. The support arm 13 supports the bed guide such
that sagging due to the patient's weight is reduced. To enable
maintaining the orientation of the bed guide 7 while the height is
being adjusted, the support arm 13 is supported in the arm 11 by a
rotating joint 21 that is rotatable about a horizontal axis, and by
a rotating joint 23 in the bed guide 7 that is rotatable about a
horizontal axis. The length of the support arm 13 may be adjusted
mechanically by a gear-wheel or lever system that is driven by a
rotary motion of the arm 11. Alternatively, the support arm 13
length adjustment may be effected hydraulically and may be adapted
to the motion of the arm 11 by means of a characteristic curve for
controlling the hydraulic drive. The rotary motion of the arm 11
can be driven either mechanically, for instance by a motor-driven
worm gear and a gear wheel on the arm, or by a hydraulic drive.
[0029] The patient positioning device may be configured such that
the bed guide 7 automatically maintains a horizontal orientation,
or such that the orientation of the bed guide 7 can be adjusted by
the medical staff. Upon adjustment of the height by rotation of the
arm 11, an orientation, once assumed, is automatically maintained
by means of the mechanics or the hydraulics.
[0030] Another patient positioning device, located on an opposite
side of the gantry 3, is illustrated by the bed guide 7', visible
FIG. 1. The other components, which are not visible, correspond to
those on a front side of the gantry 3. The gantry 3 may have a
patient positioning device on either one side or on both sides.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the CT device 1 with the patient
positioning device disposed on each side of the gantry 3, A patient
bed 9 introduced into the left-hand one of the two bed guides 7,
7'. The t second patient positioning device, also has an arm 11',
with rotating joints 17', 19' that are rotatable about horizontal
axes, and a support arm 13, with rotating joints 21', 23' that are
rotatable about horizontal axes.
[0032] A height adjuster 15 serves to adjust the height of the bed
guide 7 by means of a rotary motion of the arm 11 about the joint
17. The rotary motion of the arm 11 is by motor, mechanically, or
hydraulically. The individual components of the height adjuster 15
are not shown in the drawing. Each of the two patient positioning
devices has its own height adjuster 15, 15', so that the height of
each of the two bed guides 7, 7' may be adjusted independently of
one another.
[0033] In another aspect, FIG. 3 shows a side view of a CT device 1
with one patient positioning device on each of the two sides of the
gantry 3. The patient positioning devices have the similar
characteristics to the patient positioning devices shown in FIG. 2,
with the exception of the support arms 13, 13'. Support arms 13,
13', are rotatably attached to the height adjusters 15, 15', and to
the bed guides 7, 7' by rotatable hinges 23, 23' and cooperate with
the base 5, 5, and the bed guides 7, 7' to create a parallelogram
structure with the arms 11, 11'. Such an arrangement assures the
horizontal orientation of the bed guides 7, 7' during a height
adjustment process. The arms 11, 11' are supported as described
above and are driven by height adjusters 15, 15', the support arms
13, 13' are now located parallel to the arms 11, 11'. While one
bearing point of the support arms 13, 13' is still located in bed
guides 7, 7', the other bearing point is located in or on the base
5, to achieve a parallelogram arrangement.
[0034] The parallelogram arrangement mechanically maintains the
orientation of the bed guides 7, 7' regardless of the motions of
the arms 11, 11', To make a change in the orientation of the bed
guides 7, 7', the support arms 13, 13', in this example, may be
adjustable in length. The length adjustment can be effected
mechanically or hydraulically.
[0035] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of the invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *