GB2302492A

GB2302492A - X-ray system with laser targetting

Info

Publication number: GB2302492A
Application number: GB9612105A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Armin Rockseisen
Original assignee: LAP Laser Applikationen GmbH; LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen
Current assignee: LAP Laser Applikationen GmbH; LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen
Priority date: 1995-06-10
Filing date: 1996-06-10
Publication date: 1997-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-10
Also published as: FR2735006A1; GB2302492B; DE29509546U1; GB9611899D0; FR2735006B1; GB9612105D0

Abstract

An x-ray system 2 is comprised of a source 4 and image amplifier 6. Two lasers 8 and 10 with linear beams 17 and 17' are located on the image amplifier, displaced by a 90{ circumferential angle, such that they generate an aiming cross on the skin of the patient.

Description

X-RAY SYSTEM The invention refers to an X-ray system according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

For the X-raying of patients with such an X-ray system it is necessary to align image amplifier with the X-ray source such that the desired body parts are within the image area of the image amplifier. This is not a simple measure because the patients lies between the X-ray tube and the image amplifier and thus interrupts the interconnection axis for the operator of the system. Normally, the X-ray source is below or in the rear of the patient and only the image amplifier is exposed.

It is usual to carry out the locating of the desired body part under X-raying. If the desired part is within the image area of the image amplifier, the treatment can be started (e.g. a surgical operation). During the search and alignment under X-raying the patients but also the operator and other personnel are subject to X-rays. Above all, if the alignment must be carried out as fast as possible, e.g. in case of accident surgical operations, the radiation stress ist not particularly considered.

The invention starts from a known X-ray system (SIREMOBIL 2000 of Messrs. Siemens) which partially obviates these disadvantages. It includes an X-ray source and an image amplifier which are mounted on a C-shaped arc-shaped retaining means spaced from each other. The space is dimensioned such that a table with a patient thereon can be moved therebetween. For an adjustment of the X-ray system with respect to the patient the C-shaped retaining means can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the retaining means.

The X-ray system is equipped with two laser diodes at the X-ray source. These diodes enable a so-called laser aiming means generating a laser light cross in the path of the Xrays. The laser light cross is registered with a cross made of ribbons of plumbum in the image amplifier. The irradiation time necessary for the adjustment of the X-ray device with respect to the patient and also for other operations can be reduced in that the position of the laser light cross is marking the desired position of the center of the X-rays.

The known X-ray device above all is designed for the operation with locking nails, with the laser beam preferably extending horizontally. Above all, for other usages it is disadvantageous in the known X-ray device that the laser diodes are mounted on the X-ray source which normally is located below the operation table at a distance from the patient as small as possible. This is the case in particular with stationary devices. Under these conditions the laser light cross cannot be used for a marking.

It is an object of the invention to provide an X-ray device which reduces the stress through radiation in that an adjustment of the X-ray device with respect to the patient and vice versa for stationary devices can be carried out independent of the position of the patient.

This object is attained by an X-ray system wherein the linear lasers are mounted laterally on the image amplifier at an angle in circumferential direction such that the radiation planes generated by the lasers intersect crosslike in the path of X-rays between the X-ray source and the image amplifier.

A decisive advantage of such an X-ray system can be seen in the fact that the time necessary for the X-raying for a diagnosis or an operation independent of the position of the patient can be reduced to a minimum in that the aiming cross serves for the marking of the central X-ray during the adjustment of the image amplifier and the X-ray tube so that the desired body part lies in the image area of the image amplifier.

Preferably, the central X-ray extends within both planes of the laser beams of the linear lasers. In other words, the central X-ray extends along the intersecting line of both planes of the laser beams. It is achieved that the aiming cross generated by the lasers is parallax-free in the course of the central ray and thus is independent of its distance from the lasers.

In a further preferred embodiment the radiation planes of the lasers intersect under an angle of 90 so that accordingly a rectangular aiming cross is obtained. The image amplifier can include an annulus extending along the circumference of the entrance opening to which the lasers are attached. Alternatively, a plate permeable for X-rays can be mounted in front of the entrance opening of the image amplifier, an aiming cross impermeable for X-rays being mounted on the plate, the lasers being attached adjacent to the edge of the plate. The aiming cross has the purpose to provide a position marking of a central X-ray on a monitor connected to the image amplifier. Laser and plate are adjusted with respect to the X-ray device and to each other such that the central X-ray, the aiming cross and the marking cross are registering.While the marking cross indicates the position of the central ray on the X-ray image on the monitor, the aiming cross generated by the linear lasers indicate the impact point of the central ray on the skin of the patient.

The adjustment of the patient and the X-ray device relative to each other without an X-raying of the patient is possible by means of the aiming cross. Only after this adjustment the X-ray tube can be switched on for X-raying purposes so that the radiation stress is reduced. A special case is to be mentioned wherein an exact adjustment is required. In this case, an exact alignment of the patient with respect to the X-ray device can be carried out by a short X-raying at the beginning under usage of the marking cross. Thereafter, possibly further work can be done only with the aiming cross of the lasers.

The invention is subsequently described along drawings showing an embodiment example.

Fig. 1 shows an X-ray system, particularly a C-arc X-ray device and a patient within the radiation path.

Fig. 2 shows the underview of a plate to be attached to the entrance opening of an image amplifier inclu ding two linear lasers.

Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically the side view of an image amplifier including a plate and two linear lasers.

In Fig. 1 a C-arc X-ray device 2 is depicted comprising an X-ray tube 4, an image amplifier 6, two linear lasers 8, 10 attached to the image amplifier, a C-arc-shaped retaining arm 12 for the X-ray tube and the image amplifier and a supply unit 14. The lasers 8, 10 are mounted at the image amplifier 6 at the level of the entrance opening of the image amplifier with an offset of an angle of 90 relative to each other. The X-ray tube 4 is attached to the lower end of retaining arm 12. The image amplifier 6 is attached to the upper end of retaining arm 12. The X-ray device is mobile, and retaining arm 12 is pivotable. In the drawing, a patient 15 is indicated lying in the radiation path. The distance from the X-ray tube 4 is smaller than that from the image amplifier 6. From the course of rays 17, 17' of both linear lasers 8, 10 it can be seen that the rays intersect rectangular and project a cross on the plane of the patient.

In Fig. 2 the structure of plate 16 is depicted to which both lasers 8, 10 are attached, with the plate 16 being mounted in front of the entrance opening of the image amplifier 6. A marking cross 18 impermeable for X-rays, e.g. a cross made of plumbum wire is mounted centrally on the lower side of plate 16. The linear lasers 8, 10 are aligned with the lines of cross 18.

In Fig. 3 the image amplifier 6 is illustrated in connec tion with plate 16 and the linear lasers 8, 10. The circumference of plate 16 is slightly larger than the entrance opening of image amplifier 6. On the edge of plate 16 beyond the image amplifier both linear lasers are attached such that the rays thereof are downwardly directed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An X-ray system including an X-ray source, an image amplifier located at a distance from the X-ray source normally above thereof, and two linear laser sources generating an aiming cross on a plane irradiated, cha racterized in that the linear lasers are mounted la terally on the image amplifier at an angle in circum ferential direction such that the radiation planes generated by the lasers intersect cross-like in the path of X-rays between the X-ray source and the image amplifier.

2. The X-ray system of claim 1, wherein the central X-ray extends within both planes of the laser rays.

3. The X-ray system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the planes of the laser rays intersect at an angle of 90 .

4. The X-ray system of one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein an annulus is provided at the circumference of the entrance opening of the image amplifier, the lasers being attached to the annulus.

5. The X-ray system of one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the entrance opening of the image amplifier is covered by a plate permeable for X-rays, a marking cross being located on the plate made of material impermeable for X-rays, the lasers being attached adjacent to the edge of the plate.