U.S. patent application number 15/183993 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-09 for positioning of a mobile x-ray detector.
The applicant listed for this patent is SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH. Invention is credited to ANDREAS DEINLEIN, THOMAS DIPPL, SUSANNE DORNBERGER, MICHAEL FUHRMANN, SULTAN HAIDER, RALF NANKE.
Application Number | 20180220989 15/183993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57467128 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180220989 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
DEINLEIN; ANDREAS ; et
al. |
August 9, 2018 |
POSITIONING OF A MOBILE X-RAY DETECTOR
Abstract
A positioning device for a mobile x-ray detector, an x-ray
device containing such a mobile positioning device, and a method
mutually align a mobile x-ray detector and an x-ray emitter in
relation to one another. In order to enable exact mutual alignment
or positioning of the mobile x-ray detector in relation to the
x-ray emitter, a positioning device is used for a mobile x-ray
detector. The positioning device contains at least one marker
and/or at least one sensor for determining the position and/or the
orientation of the positioning device and contains a number of
connection elements for establishing a mechanical connection
between the positioning device and the mobile x-ray detector.
Inventors: |
DEINLEIN; ANDREAS;
(BAYREUTH, DE) ; DIPPL; THOMAS; (PRESSATH, DE)
; DORNBERGER; SUSANNE; (ERLANGEN, DE) ; FUHRMANN;
MICHAEL; (HERZOGENAURACH, DE) ; HAIDER; SULTAN;
(ERLANGEN, DE) ; NANKE; RALF; (NEUNKIRCHEN AM
BRAND, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH |
ERLANGEN |
|
DE |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170360394 A1 |
December 21, 2017 |
|
|
Family ID: |
57467128 |
Appl. No.: |
15/183993 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 6/4464 20130101;
A61B 6/08 20130101; A61B 6/4405 20130101; A61B 6/4429 20130101;
A61B 6/587 20130101; A61B 6/547 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 6/00 20060101
A61B006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 16, 2015 |
DE |
102015211057.5 |
Claims
1. A positioning device for a mobile x-ray detector, comprising: at
least one device selected from the group consisting of at least one
marker and at least one sensor for determining a position of the
positioning device; and a number of connection elements for
establishing a mechanical connection between the positioning device
and the mobile x-ray detector.
2. The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of said marker or said sensor determines an orientation of the
positioning device.
3. The positioning device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a computer unit for determining at least one of a position or an
orientation of the mobile x-ray detector; and an interface for
providing at least one of position data or orientation data.
4. The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein said
connection elements are embodied to establish at least one of a
latching or snap-in connection between the positioning device and
the mobile x-ray detector.
5. The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein the
positioning device is a frame for at least one of accommodating or
holding the mobile x-ray detector.
6. The positioning device according to claim 1, further comprising
an arm which is movable from a first position to a second position
and back again, said arm having a free end at which at least one of
said marker or said sensor is disposed, wherein at least one of
said marker or said sensor has a greater distance from the mobile
x-ray detector in the second position of said arm than in the first
position of the arm.
7. An x-ray device, comprising: an x-ray emitter; a mobile x-ray
detector; and a positioning device being connectable to said mobile
x-ray detector, said positioning device containing: at least one
device selected from the group consisting of at least one marker
and at least one sensor for determining a position of said
positioning device; and a number of connection elements for
establishing a mechanical connection between said positioning
device and said mobile x-ray detector.
8. The x-ray device according to claim 7, further comprising a
positioning aid connectable to said x-ray emitter or to a ceiling
mount, said positioning aid containing: at least one further device
selected from the group consisting of a further marker and a
further sensor for establishing at least one of the position or an
orientation of said positioning device for said mobile x-ray
detector; and a number of further connection elements for
establishing a mechanical connection between said positioning aid
and said x-ray emitter or the ceiling mount.
9. A method for mutually aligning a mobile x-ray detector and an
x-ray emitter in relation to one another, which comprises the
following steps of: connecting the mobile x-ray detector to a
positioning device with an aid of a number of connection elements
of the positioning device; determining a position of the mobile
x-ray detector; providing position data with an aid of the
positioning device; and aligning the mobile x-ray detector in
relation to the x-ray emitter, and/or vice versa, using the
position data.
10. The method according to claim 9, which further comprises:
determining an orientation of the mobile x-ray detector and
providing orientation data with an aid of the positioning device;
and carrying out an alignment of the mobile x-ray detector in
relation to the x-ray emitter, and/or vice versa, using the
orientation data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119, of German application DE 10 2015 211 057.5, filed Jun.
16, 2015; the prior application is herewith incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a positioning device for a mobile
x-ray detector, an x-ray device containing such a positioning
device and a method for mutually aligning a mobile x-ray detector
and an x-ray emitter in relation to one another.
[0003] In order to record an image of a patient in an x-ray device,
it is necessary for an x-ray emitter to be aligned in such a way
that the x-rays emitted thereby are incident on an x-ray detector
through the patient such that the x-rays are registered by the
x-ray detector and able to be processed further to form an image of
the patient.
[0004] It is sufficient to carry out the alignment once in an x-ray
device in which the x-ray detector and the x-ray emitter are
securely installed and arranged at a fixed position relative to one
another, for example because there is mechanical coupling between
x-ray emitter and x-ray detector. Apart from occasional testing and
servicing, the alignment between these parts remains unchanged.
[0005] However, there are a series of x-ray devices which have
various degrees of freedom in respect of the positioning of the
x-ray emitter and/or x-ray detector in order thereby to enable
different types of examinations and adaptations to the anatomy of
the respective patient. Especially if the x-ray emitter and x-ray
detector can be moved independently of one another, i.e. if they
are not rigidly connected to one another as in the case of e.g. a
C-arm or a computed tomography scanner, the ideal positioning of
these two components for the respective examination is a
complicated problem. Here, requirements in terms of efficiency
should be taken into account, i.e. the positioning of the emitter
and detector should be carried out as quickly as possible in order
to enable an efficient workflow.
[0006] This is particularly demanding when use is made of mobile
x-ray detectors. By way of example, such a mobile detector can be
connected only by way of a flexible cable with the x-ray device,
with the cable ensuring the energy supply of the device and the
data transfer. However, a mobile x-ray detector can alternatively
also contain an autonomous power supply, for example by way of
batteries or accumulators, and have a wireless data connection for
transmitting the received signals, for example by way of radio
waves, other electromagnetic couplings or else by infrared.
[0007] The particular advantage of these mobile x-ray detectors, in
particular of those with a wireless data connection, is that they
can be used in a particularly flexible manner. Thus, for example,
it is possible to prepare a patient for a recording by virtue of
already placing the patient onto a movable patient couch with a
mobile x-ray detector prior to the examination. The patient can
then be pushed under the x-ray emitter within a short period of
time for the purposes of the recording.
[0008] In the case of such mobile x-ray detectors with a variable
pose, it is necessary prior to carrying out an image recording to
bring the x-ray detectors into a fixed and defined position
relative to the x-ray emitter in order to enable a predetermined
image recording of the patient. In the case of mobile x-ray
detectors, the practice of directly and immediately determining the
spatial pose (position and orientation) of the x-ray detector by
appropriate position sensors so that the x-ray emitter can be
aligned appropriately is known. By way of example, such x-ray
detectors are described in U.S. patent publication No.
2006/0109958A1 and published, non-prosecuted German patent
application DE 10 2011 051 053 A1.
[0009] However, such a procedure is relatively complicated from a
measurement point of view, since an immediate optical determination
of the pose of the x-ray detector is not always possible from the
x-ray emitter as the x-ray detector, on account of the function
thereof, must often be arranged behind the patient or the object
through which radiation should pass. Moreover, it is difficult to
arrange the measuring device in the interior of the detector
housing due to the generally very restricted available free housing
volume.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to enable an exact
mutual alignment or the positioning of the mobile x-ray detector in
relation to the x-ray emitter. This object is achieved by a
positioning device, by an x-ray device and by a method.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the
dependent claims.
[0011] The advantages and refinements explained below in
conjunction with the positioning device also apply analogously to
the x-ray device according to the invention and to the method
according to the invention, and vice versa.
[0012] The positioning device according to the invention for a
mobile x-ray detector contains at least one marker and/or at least
one sensor for determining the position of the positioning device
and a number of connection elements for establishing a mechanical
connection between the positioning device and the mobile x-ray
detector. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the position
and/or the orientation of the x-ray detector is registered with the
aid of a measuring device.
[0013] The x-ray device according to the invention contains an
x-ray emitter, a mobile x-ray detector and a positioning device
according to the invention which is connectable to the mobile x-ray
detector.
[0014] The method according to the invention for mutually aligning
a mobile x-ray detector and an x-ray emitter in relation to one
another contains connecting the mobile x-ray detector to a
positioning device with the aid of a number of connection elements
of the positioning device, determining the position of the mobile
x-ray detector and providing the position data with the aid of the
positioning device and also automatically aligning the x-ray
emitter in relation to the mobile x-ray detector, and/or vice
versa, using the position data provided. In a preferred embodiment
of the invention, the position and/or the orientation of the x-ray
detector is determined, the position and/or orientation data are
provided with the aid of the positioning device and the automatic
alignment of the x-ray emitter in relation to the mobile x-ray
detector, and/or vice versa, is carried out using the position
and/or orientation data provided.
[0015] It is a core concept of the invention no longer to provide
the measuring device for determining the position and/or the
orientation of the x-ray detector directly in the x-ray detector
itself, i.e. generally in the interior of the detector housing.
Instead, these measuring devices are provided as part of a
positioning device which is manageable independently of the x-ray
detector but optionally connectable to the x-ray detector. The pose
of the x-ray detector is no longer detected immediately. Rather,
the position and/or orientation of the positioning device connected
to the x-ray detector in a defined manner is established and the
pose of the x-ray detector is determined therefrom.
[0016] This allows an exact mutual alignment or positioning of the
mobile x-ray detector in relation to the x-ray emitter to be
obtained, without it being necessary to undertake changes on the
x-ray detector itself. In particular, no structural changes of the
x-ray detector, such as reconstructions in the interior of the
detector housing, are required. The function of the x-ray detector
also remains completely unchanged. Hence, standardized x-ray
detectors can be used for the x-ray device according to the
invention without needing to dispense with exact positioning.
[0017] The positioning device and, therewith, the mobile x-ray
detector are positioned in space, i.e. usually placed below the
patient. By way of the positioning device, the measuring devices
(markers and/or sensors) are associated in a spatially secured
manner with the x-ray detector and co-moved therewith. The exact
spatial pose of the x-ray detector relative to the positioning
device is known in the assembled state, i.e. when a connection is
established between the positioning device and x-ray detector, due
to the exactly defined, detachable and, in the process, precisely
repeatable connection between the positioning device and the mobile
x-ray detector. Therefore, by registering or establishing the
position and/or the orientation of the positioning device, it is
also possible to register or establish the position and/or the
orientation of the mobile x-ray detector and hence the relative
pose thereof in relation to the x-ray emitter.
[0018] Once a relative position or the orientation of the x-ray
detector is known, it is possible to align the x-ray emitter onto
the x-ray detector, possibly in an automatic manner. Expressed
differently, it is possible to compare an actual position of the
x-ray emitter with an intended position thereof, as a result of
which a correction in the position of the x-ray emitter is made
possible. Thus, the x-ray emitter can advantageously be brought
into a desired position relative to the x-ray detector.
[0019] Alternatively, the known position and/or orientation of the
x-ray detector also permits a comparison of an actual position of
the x-ray detector with an intended position thereof, as a result
of which a correction in the position of the positioning device,
and hence of the x-ray detector arranged thereon, is made possible.
Thus, the x-ray detector can advantageously be brought into a
desired position relative to the x-ray emitter.
[0020] The x-ray device according to the invention, which, in
addition to the preferably variably positionable x-ray emitter and
the mobile x-ray detector for recording an x-ray projection of an
examination object arranged on an examination table, also contains
the positioning device according to the invention, additionally has
a positioning aid connectable to the x-ray emitter or to a ceiling
mount of the x-ray device in a preferred embodiment of the
invention. Here, the positioning aid is arranged in a known,
defined relative pose in relation to the x-ray emitter.
[0021] Similar to the positioning device, this positioning aid
contains at least one marker and/or at least one sensor for
establishing the position and/or the orientation of the positioning
device for the mobile x-ray detector and a number of connection
elements for establishing a mechanical connection between the
positioning aid and the x-ray emitter or the ceiling mount. In the
assembled state, it serves together with the positioning device to
register or determine the position and/or the orientation of the
x-ray detector.
[0022] The markers and/or sensors of the positioning device or of
the positioning aid are designed to register or establish a
relative position between the x-ray detector and the x-ray emitter.
In the process, they can comprise any suitable position and/or
orientation encoders which permit a unique position and/or
orientation determination.
[0023] If the measuring devices are situated in the region of the
free line of sight of the x-ray emitter, i.e. if they are visible
and not covered by a patient during an image acquisition of the
patient using the x-ray detector, the position and/or the
orientation of the x-ray detector can be established very easily by
optical means, for example by attaching optical markers. By way of
example, the markers are a number of optically registrable position
markers, which are attached at the positioning device in such a way
that a registration of the position of the position marks renders a
spatial determination of the positioning device possible. In this
case, the positioning aid preferably contains an optical
acquisition system such as e.g. a camera, which determines the
spatial pose of the positioning device, and hence of the x-ray
detector. The signal from the camera can be automatically
registered and processed by a control device such that it is
advantageously possible to provide an x-ray device which
independently poses the patient and/or carries out an automatic
alignment of the x-ray emitter. In one possible embodiment, the
positioning aid contains two cameras. A second camera
advantageously enables a view of regions which are covered up for
the first camera, for example by a patient. Moreover, a second
camera enables stereoscopic registration, and so the pose of a
position mark is registrable not only in two dimensions but also
three-dimensionally in space. As a result, fewer pose marks may
suffice for registering the position and/or the orientation of the
x-ray detector. In one possible embodiment, the positioning aid
contains one or more 3D or depth cameras instead.
[0024] In one conceivable embodiment, the positioning aid contains
a light source for emitting a light beam. Then, positioning can
advantageously be carried out by operating staff without further
aids by virtue of the light beam being aligned with a position
mark. A manual alignment can also be assisted by appropriate
optical signals, for example by the emission of a central
connecting line between the x-ray emitter and the center of the
x-ray detector and by displaying the central beam in the beam cone
or by optically shown boundaries of the beam cone.
[0025] Another possibility for determining the position and/or
orientation of the positioning device and hence of the x-ray
detector in the case of a free line of sight lies in the use of
ultrasonic transmitters and receivers.
[0026] However, position and/or orientation of the x-ray detector
can also be determined on an electromagnetic basis such that no
free line of sight is necessary. Advantageously, magnetic coils or
other position markers registrable by electromagnetic signals in
the radiofrequency range can be used as electromagnetic position
and orientation encoders, in particular radio frequency
identification device (RFID) transponders. In this case,
appropriate RFID reading devices are attached in the positioning
aid. Radio waves pass through the patient but are harmless at the
same time. Therefore, it is possible that the position marks are
also covered by the patient and nevertheless registered,
simplifying handling. In particular, care need not be taken
especially to ensure that the position marks remain visible during
the preparation of the patient.
[0027] The positioning device and/or the positioning aid contains a
number of suitable transmitters and/or receivers, and also sensors
and/or detectors for determining the position and/or orientation of
the positioning device. Here, the positioning device and/or the
positioning aid can also, for example, have a distance measuring
device and/or a compass and/or a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer
and/or a pose sensor, e.g. an angle encoder relative to the
gravitational field, wherein these further measuring devices can be
used additionally for determining the position and/or orientation
of the x-ray detector.
[0028] In a simple refinement of the invention, the positioning
device only has markers, e.g. optical or electromagnetic markers,
and the positioning aid only has sensors, e.g. cameras or RFID
readers. However, preferably both the positioning device and the
positioning aid contains both a number of markers and a number of
sensors. Here, the markers on the positioning device interact with
the sensors on the positioning aid and the sensors on the
positioning device interact with the markers on the positioning
aid. It is advantageous if the measurement procedures of the
available marker-sensor pairs are monitored such that only those
measurement results originating from suitable marker-sensor pairs
are used for establishing the position and/or orientation of the
x-ray detector, while unsuitable measuring device, for example
those which do not supply any or any usable measurement results,
for example because there is no optical line of sight between
marker and sensor due to the position of the patient, remain
unconsidered.
[0029] Preferably, the positioning device has a computer unit such
that the calculation of the position and/or orientation of the
x-ray detector can be carried out in the positioning device itself.
Here, in one embodiment of the invention, the position and/or the
orientation of the mobile x-ray detector is determined with the aid
of the computer unit on the basis of the measurement data obtained
by the measuring device. Here, this can be the relative position
and/or orientation of the x-ray detector in relation to the x-ray
emitter, or else an absolute determination of the pose in
space.
[0030] The computer unit preferably contains a computer program
stored in storage of the computer unit, which computer program is
executed during operation and, in the process, carries out
calculations for determining the position and/or orientation of the
x-ray detector. This established position and/or orientation of the
x-ray detector can then be output or stored or processed further
for further use.
[0031] The computer unit is preferably embodied as part of the
positioning device. However, the computer unit can also be part of
the positioning aid or else it can be a functional unit embodied
independently of the positioning device and the positioning aid and
arranged at a distance therefrom.
[0032] In a further conceivable embodiment, the positioning device
and/or the positioning aid furthermore has an interface, by which
interface the position and/or orientation or pose of the x-ray
detector, which is detected or established with the aid of the
computer unit, is provided.
[0033] In order to provide the established position and/or
orientation data, the interface of the positioning device or of the
positioning aid is connected or at least intermittently connectable
to the computer unit. The position and/or orientation data are
preferably provided to a control unit of the x-ray device by virtue
of being transmitted, preferably in a wireless manner, to the
latter. The interface contains correspondingly suitable provision
or transmission device, in particular a transmitter which
preferably transmits data wirelessly. There preferably is wireless
infrared communication or the data transmission is carried out by
way of a Bluetooth interface or using different near field
communication technology.
[0034] Alternatively, it is also possible that only the data
necessary for determining position and/or orientation of the x-ray
detector is sent directly to the control unit of the x-ray device,
where the data is processed accordingly.
[0035] Subsequently, there is a preferably automatic alignment of
the x-ray emitter in relation to the mobile x-ray detector using
the position and/or orientation data provided. To this end, the
x-ray device has a control and computer unit serving as a device
for positioning the x-ray emitter in one conceivable embodiment of
the invention, the control and computer unit aligning the x-ray
emitter with the x-ray detector after it previously, where
necessary, carries out the calculations required in this
respect.
[0036] The positioning device and/or the positioning aid have a
power supply for supplying the measuring device(s), the computer
unit and/or the interface with power. Here, this is preferably an
autonomous power supply in the form of a rechargeable battery. It
is particularly advantageous if the positioning device or the
positioning aid is designed in such a way that recharging of the
battery can be carried out wirelessly. In one conceivable
embodiment, the positioning device has an electrical connection to
the x-ray detector, by which both the power supply and the data
transmission take place.
[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment, the positioning device
has an arm which is movable from a first position to a second
position and back again, at the free end of which arm at least one
marker and/or sensor is arranged, wherein this at least one marker
and/or sensor has a greater distance from the mobile x-ray detector
in the second position of the arm than in the first position of the
arm. If the marker or sensor attached to the free end of the arm is
a measuring device which requires a free line of sight to a counter
piece of the marker-sensor pair attached at the positioning aid and
if this free line of sight is not given in the first position of
the arm, then the required free line of sight can be established by
moving the arm into the second position. Preferably, the arm has a
length which ensures that the free end of the arm is no longer
covered by the patient in the direction of the positioning aid in
the second position in the case of a typical arrangement of the
positioning device under a patient placed onto an examination
table.
[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the movable arm is
embodied as a swivelable or extendable, e.g. telescopable, arm.
Preferably, the positioning device has an arm which is fastened to
a main body of the positioning device with the aid of a swivel
joint and which is swivelable from an initial position into a
swiveled position.
[0039] A number of connection elements of the positioning device
serve to connect the mobile x-ray detector to the positioning
device. Here, the connection elements of the positioning device are
preferably designed in such a way that they fix the x-ray detector
in a predetermined relative position with respect to the
positioning device. The connection elements of the positioning aid
are likewise designed to fix the positioning aid in a predetermined
relative position at the x-ray emitter or at the ceiling mount. In
both cases, connection elements which are embodied for establishing
a latching and/or snap-in connection between the positioning device
and the mobile x-ray detector were found to be particularly
advantageous. Such connection elements render it possible in a
simple and cost-effective manner to set the relative position
between positioning device and x-ray detector or between
positioning aid and x-ray detector or ceiling mount in an exact and
permanent manner.
[0040] In one conceivable embodiment, the positioning device is
embodied as a frame for accommodating and/or holding the mobile
x-ray detector. The embodiment as a frame preferably provides for a
substantially U-shaped structure to engage around the x-ray
detector, wherein the measuring device, the computer unit and/or
the interface are arranged in one or both U-limbs and/or in the
U-base. Here, the frame preferably forms a slot for the mobile
x-ray detector, particularly if the x-ray detector is a flat-panel
detector. The frame then has an accommodation groove suitable for
accommodating the x-ray detector, at least at the U-limbs
thereof.
[0041] The components provided in the positioning device or in the
positioning aid, such as measuring device, battery, etc., can be
arranged in the interior of the respective main body. However, the
main bodies of positioning device and positioning aid can also be
embodied in such a way that they comprise corresponding receptacles
for these components. The components can then be inserted into the
main body according to requirements.
[0042] In a further conceivable embodiment of the invention, the
positioning device is embodied as a closed frame which surrounds
the x-ray detector on all sides. Preferably, the x-ray detector is
connected to this type of frame by forming a latching or snap-in
connection.
[0043] In a further conceivable embodiment of the invention, the
positioning device is embodied as a type of case, in the interior
of which the mobile x-ray detector can be accommodated. Compared to
an embodiment as a U-shaped holding frame, the case variant is
distinguished by virtue of the x-ray detector being held between a
base element and a lid element.
[0044] An embodiment of the invention in which the positioning
device and/or the positioning aid is produced by an additive
manufacturing process was found to be particularly advantageous.
These are processes, known from the prior art, for producing any
type of three-dimensional object, usually by selective
solidification of a construction material such as a plastic, metal
or ceramic applied layer-by-layer. In addition to
stereolithography, examples of such layered construction processes
are laser sintering or selective mask sintering. With the aid of
such an additive manufacturing process, the positioning devices
and/or positioning aids used in the context of the present
invention, preferably including the measuring device and the power
supply, can be manufactured in a simple manner, quickly and
cost-effectively and individually adapted to the respective
application.
[0045] Therefore, the invention provides a system for automatic
alignment of the x-ray emitter, applicable in a particularly
advantageous manner in the case of wireless x-ray detectors. Here,
the type of the x-ray device plays a secondary role. However, the
invention can be employed particularly advantageously in the case
of radiographic x-ray devices. The modular design and the
variability of this system enable universal applicability.
Depending on the wish of the user, the positioning device and the
positioning aid can be provided with selected measuring devices.
Since modifications need not be undertaken on either the x-ray
detector itself or on the x-ray emitter, the positioning device and
the positioning aid can be integrated in a particularly simple
manner in the available x-ray device. The positioning aid can be
provided at the x-ray emitter and/or at a ceiling mount.
[0046] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0047] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in positioning of a mobile x-ray detector, it is
nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since
various modifications and structural changes may be made therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the
scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0048] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0049] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an x-ray
device;
[0050] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a mobile x-ray
detector with a first positioning device;
[0051] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first positioning
device from FIG. 2;
[0052] FIG. 4 is a front view of a second positioning device;
and
[0053] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a mobile x-ray
detector with a third positioning device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0054] In the figures, the same reference signs correspond to
elements with an equivalent or comparable function. Referring now
to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to
FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a radiographic x-ray device 1. The
x-ray device 1 has an x-ray tube 3 as an x-ray emitter which is
displaceable on a ceiling mount 2. A patient 5 as an examination
object is situated on a patient couch 4 which serves as an
examination table. A wireless mobile x-ray detector configured as a
flat-panel detector 6 is provided under the patient 5. The x-ray
tube 3 is positioned relative to the flat-panel detector 6 in such
a way that these can interact for recording the patient 5. A
central beam 7 pointing from the x-ray tube 3 into the center of
the flat-panel detector 6 has been drawn.
[0055] The flat-panel detector 6 is connected to a positioning
device 8 which is embodied in the style of a U-shaped frame. The
positioning device 8 has a continuous accommodation groove 12,
which extends over two U-shaped limbs 9, 10 and a U-base 11 and
into which the flat-panel detector 6 can be inserted, as shown in
FIG. 2.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in which it is depicted in a
transparent manner, the positioning device 8 contains respectively
one ultrasonic transmitter 13 as a marker in the four corners
thereof. Moreover, a microcontroller 14 serving as a computer unit
and a battery 15 are provided in the U-limbs 9, 10.
[0057] Moreover, the x-ray device 1 contains a positioning aid 18,
which is connected to the ceiling mount 2 and arranged at a
distance from the x-ray tube 3. Alternatively, this positioning aid
18 can also be fastened directly to the x-ray tube 3, as indicated
in FIG. 1 by broken lines. The positioning aid 18 can likewise be
embodied as a type of frame or else it can be available in any
other suitable form. It contains one or more suitable ultrasonic
receivers 19 as a sensor for forming marker-sensor pairs with the
ultrasonic transmitters 13 in the positioning device 8.
[0058] The ultrasonic transmitters and receivers 13, 19 serve as
measuring devices to establish the position and/or the orientation
of the positioning device 8 and hence to establish the position
and/or the orientation of the flat-panel detector 6 arranged in a
defined manner in relation to the positioning device 8.
[0059] Instead of the ultrasonic transmitter and receiver 13, 19,
or in addition thereto, the positioning device 8 and the
positioning aid 18 can also have different markers and sensors.
[0060] In the exemplary embodiment described here, the relative
position of the flat-panel detector 6 in relation to the x-ray tube
3 is determined. In addition to determining the relative position,
the orientation of the flat-panel detector 6 may also be
determined, preferably in relation to an axis of symmetry of the
x-ray tube 3. All calculations required in this respect are carried
out in the microcontroller 14 which, to this end, executes suitable
software.
[0061] An infrared transmitter 16, which is connected to the
microcontroller 14 and is likewise part of the positioning device
8, serves as an interface for providing the established position
and/or orientation data to a control unit 21 of the x-ray device 1
equipped with an infrared receiver 20. The control unit 21, which
is merely indicated schematically in FIG. 1, controls the
subsequent automatic alignment of the x-ray tube 3 in relation to
the flat-panel detector 6, which is already situated in the
recording position, by using the provided position and/or
orientation data and, to this end, it is connected to a
motor-driven displacement unit (not depicted here) for the x-ray
tube 3. Alternatively or additionally, the flat-panel detector 6 is
aligned, for example by way of the motor-driven drive of the
patient couch 4.
[0062] In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, a
positioning device 22 has an arm 23, which can be moved from an
initial position, indicated by broken lines, into a swiveled
position and back again, with one of the ultrasonic transmitters 13
being arranged at the free end of said arm. In the swivel position,
the ultrasonic transmitter 13 is at a greater distance from the
flat-panel detector 6 accommodated in the positioning device 22
than in the initial position of the arm 23, and so it protrudes
laterally next to the patient 5 and there is a free line of sight
in the direction of the ultrasonic receiver 19 on the positioning
aid 18. In contrast to the U-shaped frame type, the positioning
device 22 shown here has a circumferential, closed frame, which
encloses the flat-panel detector 6 on all sides. Latching elements
24 provided at the positioning device 22 for establishing a
latching connection between the flat-panel detector 6 and the
positioning device 22 are only indicated symbolically in FIG.
4.
[0063] FIG. 5 depicts a further exemplary embodiment of a
positioning device 26. Here, the positioning device 26 is embodied
as a case with a base part 27 and a lid part 28 which is fastened
to the base part 27 in a swivelable manner. After closing the lid
part 28, the flat-panel detector 6 is held in the interior of the
positioning device 26 in a defined manner. The components
contributing to the functionality of the positioning device 26,
such as measuring devices and the like, are integrated into the
base part 27 and/or into the lid part 28 in this case.
[0064] Although the invention was illustrated more closely and
described in detail by the preferred exemplary embodiment, the
invention is not restricted to the disclosed examples and other
variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art,
without departing from the scope of protection of the
invention.
[0065] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and
the corresponding structure used in the above description of the
invention: [0066] 1 X-ray device [0067] 2 Ceiling mount [0068] 3
X-ray tube [0069] 4 Patient couch [0070] 5 Patient [0071] 6
Flat-panel detector [0072] 7 Central beam [0073] 8 Positioning
device [0074] 9 U-limb [0075] 10 U-limb [0076] 11 U-base [0077] 12
Accommodation groove [0078] 13 Ultrasonic transmitter [0079] 14
Microcontroller [0080] 15 Battery [0081] 16 IR transmitter [0082]
17 (unassigned) [0083] 18 Positioning aid [0084] 19 Ultrasonic
receiver [0085] 20 IR receiver [0086] 21 Control unit [0087] 22
Positioning device [0088] 23 Arm [0089] 24 Latching element [0090]
25 (unassigned) [0091] 26 Positioning device [0092] 27 Base part
[0093] 28 Lid part
* * * * *