CN219629651U - Detector unit of imaging medical device and imaging medical device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a detector unit of an imaging medical device and an imaging medical device. The detector unit includes: a first number of detector modules for detecting measurement data, based on which an image dataset can be generated; a control unit; a plurality of detector module readout units associated with the control unit, wherein each detector module readout unit has a second number of a plurality of readout interfaces, each of the readout interfaces being designed for signal coupling with one of the plurality of detector modules for readout of measurement data; a detector information unit, on which information is stored that can be called up by the control unit, on the basis of which information the actual occupancy state of the read-out interface of the corresponding detector module read-out unit by the detector module to which it is coupled can be deduced.

Description

Detector unit of imaging medical device and imaging medical device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a detector unit of an imaging medical device, comprising a plurality of detector modules and a plurality of detector module readout units associated with a control unit, wherein each detector module readout unit has a plurality of readout interfaces, which are each designed for signal coupling to one detector module of the plurality of detector modules for reading out measurement data. The utility model also relates to an imaging medical device with such a detector unit.

Background

Detectors are used in many imaging applications. In X-ray imaging, for example in Computed Tomography (CT), angiography or radiography, for example, a counting, direct-conversion X-ray detector or an integrating, indirect-conversion X-ray detector can be used, which is designed to convert incident X-ray radiation into electrical signals, which can ultimately be used as spatially resolved measurement data sets for generating an image data set.

For example, the detector of a computed tomography apparatus generally has a plurality of individual detectors or detector modules which run in parallel and are responsible for recording measurement data. However, the number of detector modules may vary for different detector types and devices, so that the internal structure of the detector unit may differ depending on the detector type. The measurement data and status information of the plurality of detector modules are typically read out by a functional unit coupled thereto, combined and transmitted to a central control unit (controller). Since the number of individual probes varies for different probe types, there is also a need for a functional unit capable of supplying a different number of end probes. In general, this means that for each detector type, a functional unit of different type construction is likewise used, which is coordinated with the overall number of detector modules of that detector type. Furthermore, due to the plurality of individual detector modules and detector sizes provided in the imaging medical device, it may be necessary to run multiple functional units in parallel to merge the measurement data. Depending on the type of detector and the number of detector modules provided, functional units of different types are run in parallel within the imaging device in order to take into account the final sought number of detector modules. Thus, the number and size of the functional units are detector specific and cannot or are difficult to reuse for other detector types.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present utility model to improve the independence of the different units in one detector unit, in particular between the detection module used and the functional unit connected downstream thereof, so that the type of detector used independently and the reusability can be improved.

This object is achieved by the features of the present utility model. Further advantageous and inventive embodiments and modifications of the utility model emerge from the description below.

The utility model relates to a detector unit of an imaging medical device, comprising:

-a first number of a plurality of detector modules for detecting measurement data, based on which an image dataset can be generated;

-a control unit;

-a plurality of detector module readout units associated with the control unit, wherein each detector module readout unit has a second number of a plurality of readout interfaces, each of the readout interfaces being designed for signal coupling with one of the plurality of detector modules for reading out measurement data;

-a detector information unit on which information is stored that can be called up by the control unit, on the basis of which information the actual occupancy state of the read-out interface of the corresponding detector module read-out unit by the detector module to which it is coupled can be deduced.

The detector unit may be used for imaging medical devices, which are designed for example as X-ray imaging devices. The imaging medical device can then be designed, for example, as an angiographic facility or as a mammography device. Particularly preferred is a detection unit for a computed tomography apparatus. Imaging medical devices may also be designed, for example, as SPECT or PET systems. The imaging medical device may also be other imaging devices, in particular other imaging modalities. The above considerations apply here in the same way.

The detection module can be designed in particular to include or be designed as: the component is designed to detect incident electromagnetic radiation and to generate a signal based thereon, which can be read out from the detection module as measurement data and further processed into an image dataset. For this purpose, the respective detection module may comprise, for example, a sensor unit which develops a detection surface for the incident radiation and electronic components, for example an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), which allow the detection and, if appropriate, the first processing of signals generated by the detection of the incident radiation. For this purpose, the sensor unit for X-ray radiation may have a directly or indirectly converted sensor material, for example. Multiple sensor units may also be associated with one detection module. The detection module may also have at least one programmable component that may be directly associated with the detection module. For example, the respective detection module has a circuit board with at least one programmable component applied thereto. A typical example of a programmable component may be an FPGA (field programmable gate array ). Other functions of the respective detection module may be realized by means of such a programmable component.

For reading out measurement data from the detector module, the detector module is signal-coupled to the detector module reading unit. A detector module readout unit or also a plurality of detector module readout units may be provided at the detector module readout unit. If a plurality of detector module readout units are present, a partial number of all the plurality of detector modules is respectively signal-coupled to the respective detector module readout unit.

The corresponding detector module readout unit may be mainly used for: measurement data is collected from the detector modules associated therewith and forwarded to subsequent ones of the detector units. Furthermore, the detector module readout unit may be adapted to: the control signals or operating voltages are assigned to the detector modules associated therewith. The detector module readout unit may also display other functions. The corresponding detector module readout unit may be designed for: the measurement data from the detection module associated therewith is flush classified and/or preprocessed before forwarding. For example, the first correction of the measurement data may already be performed on the detector module readout unit. For easier transmission and reduction of data to be transmitted, it is also conceivable that: the data aggregated by the detection modules are compressed by the detector module readout unit. The detector module read-out unit advantageously has suitable circuitry to map the function of the detector module read-out unit. In particular, the detector module readout unit can have at least one programmable component, for this purpose, for example an FPGA.

The corresponding detector module readout unit has a readout interface for signal coupling to the detector module, which serves as a communication interface to the detector module. Data transmission from the detector module coupled thereto to the detector module readout unit is effected via the respective readout interface, so that measurement data can be transmitted from the detector module. Furthermore, signal transmission from the read-out unit to the detector module via the read-out interface is usually effected. In this way, the reading out of measurement data from the detector module can be initiated, or other control signals or configuration data can also be transmitted to the detector module. Accordingly, the data connection leads from the read-out interface to the corresponding detector module. The data connection can be designed, for example, as a flat-ribbon cable connection.

The detector module readout unit provides a plurality of readout interfaces, for example 5, 11 or 20. The read-out interface of the corresponding detector module read-out unit provides the option of coupling with the detector module, i.e. the detector module can be coupled to said read-out interface. However, in the detector unit according to the utility model, each read-out interface is not necessarily signal-wise coupled to the detector module, i.e. not every read-out interface is necessarily occupied by the detector module. In a further embodiment of the detector unit according to the utility model, at least one detector module readout unit is present, the number of detector modules to which the detector module readout unit is signal-coupled being smaller than the number of readout interfaces provided by the detector module readout unit. In this case, the at least one detector module readout unit has at least one readout interface which is not coupled to the detector module, i.e. is unoccupied. However, there may also be more than one unoccupied read-out interface. Thus, the occupancy state of the detector module readout unit reflects: which readout interfaces of the respective detector module readout units are signal-coupled to the detector module for data transmission, or which are unoccupied.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, the detector unit has a plurality of detector module readout units, the detector module readout units being identically designed. However, this is not necessarily the case. However, this ensures as good reusability and interchangeability of the components as possible, which facilitates cost-effective provision and maintenance of the detector unit. The multiple detector module readout unit is particularly advantageous when a very broad range of detector units with multiple detector modules are provided. This can simplify the data transmission and signal distribution to the detector modules, advantageously keeping the transmission path to the next functional unit short and simplifying the parallel processing of the existing data streams. If there are a plurality of detector module readout units of identical or different design, the occupancy states of the detector module readout units may differ from each other.

In particular, the control unit may be used for managing and controlling the data flow during operation of the detector unit. This may include measurement data from the detector module and signals for steering the detector unit. The control unit is coupled to the plurality of detector module readout units via data connections, wherein communication of control signals from the control unit to the detector modules via the respective detector module readout units and the readout interfaces of the respective detector module readers is effected and ensured. In particular, the control unit may be designed for initiating the reading out of measurement data from the coupled detector modules via the respective detector module reading out units. In particular, the control unit may be designed for executing or activating the configuration of the detector module readout unit and/or the detector module. The central control unit may also be used to forward measurement data from the one or more detector module readout units to an external calculation unit. The control unit advantageously has suitable circuitry to map the functions of the control unit. In particular, the control unit can likewise have at least one programmable module, for example an FPGA, for this purpose.

For an advantageous operation of the detector unit according to the utility model, information which can be called for by the control unit is present in the detector information unit, on the basis of which the actual occupancy state of the corresponding detector module readout unit's readout interface by the detector module coupled to the detector module readout unit can be deduced. To this end, the detector information unit may comprise a memory unit, on which the information is stored in a callable manner. This information allows the control unit to take into account the actual occupancy state of the read-out interfaces of the respective detector module read-out units when managing the data flow in the detector units and when handling the detector units. The occupancy state reflects which readout interfaces of the respective detector module readout units are actually coupled to the detector module, i.e. occupied, and are provided for reading out data. If there are a plurality of detector module readout units, said information may advantageously be present for each detector module readout unit, so that different occupancy states of the detector module readout units of the detector units may be taken into account. What can be invoked is that the control unit ignores the unoccupied read-out interface when managing the data stream and enabling the detector unit, so that error messages are avoided and/or a seamless read-out of the measurement data is achieved. The unoccupied interface, i.e. the read-out interface, which is not coupled to the detector module, can thus be left out of consideration in the data flow management and control and is hidden from the overall system.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the control unit may be designed for: based on the information stored by the detector information unit, the reading out of the measurement data from the coupled detector modules via the corresponding detector module reading out units is initialized. The unoccupied read-out interface can now be omitted here, so that seamless reading out of the measurement data from the detector module via the detector module read-out unit is ensured.

Furthermore, the control unit is designed to: the detector module read-out unit is configured based on the information stored by the detector information unit. This may be the case in particular when the detector module read-out unit performs other functions than pure data aggregation and forwarding of data from a coupled detector module, wherein the detector module needs to take into account the occupancy state of the read-out interface.

Advantageously, the detector unit according to the utility model enables a flexible activation of the structure. The number of readout interfaces present and the number of detector modules are advantageously decoupled from one another, so that a targeted coordination of the detector module readout units or the readout interfaces provided thereon and a predetermined number of detector modules is no longer necessary. The number of detector modules can advantageously be adapted, for example, independently of the existing read-out interfaces, wherein only the occupancy information of the read-out interfaces has to be adapted. In this way, the number of differently configured units can be significantly reduced, since the same unit can be used in a simplified manner in different configurations or detector types. Thereby, maintenance and service costs can be significantly reduced. It is also possible to benefit from the increased number of pieces in terms of price.

The dimensions of the detector module readout unit can be preferably selected such that thereby the best possible support of different detector widths can be covered. The smaller the functional unit is selected, the easier it is to mechanically position it in the detector unit and the more flexible it is possible to support different detector widths. However, particularly small scale embodiments also result in increased manufacturing costs. For example, the detector module readout unit may have 5 to 20, about 11 readout interfaces, which allows for a sufficiently advantageous flexibility.

The callable information may comprise detector type information, on the basis of which the actual occupancy state of the detector module to which the read-out interface of the respective detector module read-out unit is coupled can be deduced. The occupancy of the read-out interface may be linked directly according to the detector type information. Within a detector type, the structure and composition of the detector units are generally identical, so that the detector type information is sufficient to infer the occupancy state of the read-out interfaces of the respectively used detector module read-out units. In this case, the control unit may be designed, for example, for: based on said information, a translation of the detector type information into the actual occupancy state of the readout interfaces of the respectively used detector module readout units is performed. This may be implemented, for example, in the form of a current conversion table (look-up table, LUT) linking the detector type with the occupancy state of the read-out interface, wherein the control unit is able to employ the conversion table for its function and can process the conversion table. For example, the control unit comprises an FPGA with an inherently present LUT, which enables the association between the occupancy state and the detector type. Advantageously, only a small memory space is required on the detector information unit.

In an alternative embodiment, there is a one-to-one association of the respective read-out interfaces of the detector module read-out units with the occupancy state of the respective read-out interfaces on the detector information unit itself. For example, the information is stored on the detector information unit by means of a database table or file, which the control unit can access to implement its functions. This may include: the control unit directly accesses the data for processing or loads the data into the internal memory of the control unit upon initialization of the detector unit. This advantageously allows direct access to the occupancy state via the detector information unit. This may be advantageous for adapting the information, for example after replacement or maintenance of components within the detector unit, since only the information on the detector information unit has to be adapted in the change of the occupancy state acting on the read-out interface and the control unit itself or its configuration does not have to be modified. This can likewise be achieved in that: the configuration and programming of the control unit can be taken over across the detector types if necessary even unchanged, for example when only the number of detector modules or detector module readout units and the occupancy state of the detector modules used therewith differ.

In particular, the detector information unit may comprise a non-volatile memory unit. In particular, information is then stored on the non-volatile memory unit, on the basis of which the actual occupancy state of the read-out interfaces of the respective detector module read-out units by the detector modules coupled to the detector read-out units can be deduced. The non-volatile memory may be designed, for example, as a flash EEPROM. However, the utility model should also relate to the use of volatile memory. In this case, in particular, a battery may also be provided to power the memory. The nonvolatile memory has the following advantages: information can be retained even without a power or voltage supply. The information stored on the memory is preferably written to the memory during the manufacturing process of the detector unit.

Preferably, the detector information unit has an internal interface via which the information provided by the detector information unit can be accessed by the central control unit via the at least one data connection. An internal interface is understood here to mean an interface via which only data and/or voltage connections can be established inside the detector itself, but such connections are not established outwards from the detector unit.

Furthermore, the detector information unit may also have an external interface. An external interface is understood here to mean an interface via which a data and/or voltage connection can be established from the detector information unit to a transmitter or receiver which is not part of the detector unit. This enables the establishment of a data connection to the detector unit via the detector information unit for an external application. The external interface enables access to and/or adaptation of the information provided in the detector information unit for the external application without the need to establish a data connection via the central control unit. Thereby simplifying the data access and reducing its error sensitivity.

The external interface advantageously comprises write-protect contacts. The information provided by the detector information unit can only be adapted by an external application if the write-protection contact is bridged with a corresponding protection plug. Unnecessary alteration of the contained information can thereby be prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment of the detector unit, the detector modules are each coupled to a respectively associated detector module readout unit via a flat-ribbon cable connection, wherein at least two flat-ribbon cable connections have different lengths. Due to the different lengths, different spacings between the arrangement of the detector modules and the read-out interfaces on the respective detector module read-out units can be compensated, which can result from an optimized relative arrangement of the detector module read-out units and the detector modules, in particular if the read-out interfaces are partly unoccupied by the detector modules. By means of the connection by means of the flexible flat ribbon cable connection and in particular by using different lengths, a suitable implementation is advantageously possible in the case of an optimized arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, the measurement data detected by the detector module are based on the detection of X-ray radiation. In other words, in a preferred embodiment variant, the detector unit is an X-ray detector unit. This in turn can be used in different imaging medical devices. For example, a so-called flat panel detector may be used in a simple X-ray device, an angiographic system or a mammography device to generate a two-dimensional fluoroscopic image. As well as a detector unit for a computer tomography apparatus.

The utility model also relates to an imaging medical device comprising a detector unit according to one of the above described embodiments. The imaging medical device according to the utility model can in principle be constructed in any conventional manner. It is only necessary to use the detector unit within the device according to one of the previously described embodiments.

All of the design variants described above in connection with the detector unit according to the utility model can accordingly also be implemented in an imaging medical device. The advantages described in relation to the detector unit and previously described with respect to the detector unit may also be correspondingly applicable to the imaging medical device according to the utility model.

In particular, the utility model also relates to a computer tomography apparatus comprising at least one detector unit according to the utility model. In contrast, computer tomographs comprise an X-ray source which is designed to expose a detector unit, in particular a detection surface of a detection module of the detector unit, with X-ray radiation. Due to the size of the detector unit of the computed tomography apparatus, a plurality of detection modules and possibly module readout units are usually operated in parallel, so that the interchangeability and reusability of the same components is particularly advantageous here. Furthermore, different detector dimensions are often provided within the product category, so that the use of identically constructed components independently of the current detector type is accompanied by a higher number of pieces as a whole and thus a cost-effective solution.

For recording the computed tomography image dataset, an object to be imaged may be placed between the X-ray source and the detector unit and transmitted by means of the X-ray source.

All of the design variants described above in connection with the detector unit according to the utility model can also be implemented correspondingly in a computer tomography apparatus. The description above in relation to the detector unit and the advantages of the detector unit may also be correspondingly applied to the computer tomography apparatus according to the utility model.

Features described in connection with different embodiments of the utility model may also be combined within the scope of the utility model to form further embodiments of the utility model. In addition to the embodiments of the present utility model explicitly described in the present utility model, various other embodiments of the present utility model may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present utility model.

The use of the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that the feature in question may occur more than once. The use of the term "having" does not exclude that objects linked by the term "having" may be identical. For example, a computed tomography apparatus has a computed tomography apparatus. The use of the term "unit" does not exclude that an item referred to by the term "unit" may have a plurality of components spatially separated from each other.

Drawings

The utility model is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The representations in the figures are schematic, simplified and not necessarily drawn to scale. Wherein:

figure 1 shows an exemplary schematic view of a detector unit in a first embodiment,

fig. 2 shows an exemplary schematic view of a detector unit in a second embodiment, and

fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary imaging medical device.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of a detector unit 1 in a first embodiment. The detector unit 1 for an imaging medical device comprises a first number of a plurality of detector modules 100 for acquiring measurement data, on the basis of which an image dataset can be generated. The detection module 100 may in particular be designed as or may comprise components which detect incoming electromagnetic radiation, in particular X-ray radiation, and based thereon generate signals which can be read out as measurement data by the detection module 100 and further processed to form an image dataset. The detection module 100 may also have at least one programmable component, for example an FPGA, by means of which further functions of the respective detection module 100 can be implemented.

The detector unit 1 further comprises a control unit 3 and a plurality of detector module readout units 5 associated with the control unit 3 and connected by data connections 15, each detector module readout unit 5 having a second number of a plurality of readout interfaces 13, each of which is designed for signal coupling with one detector module 100 of the plurality of detector modules 100, respectively, for reading out measurement data. In this case the detector unit 3 comprises a plurality of detector module readout units 5. In the specific case, four detector module readout units 5 are taken as an example, wherein a part of the plurality of detector modules 100 is coupled to the respective detector module readout unit 5 via a readout interface 13.

The detector module read-out unit 5 is also designed identically in the exemplary embodiment shown, in particular with respect to the number of read-out interfaces 13 provided for coupling the detector modules 100. Furthermore, at least one of the detector module read-out units 5 has a smaller number of detector modules 100 to which the detector module read-out unit signals are coupled than the number of read-out interfaces 13 that it has, i.e. at least one of the detector module read-out units 5 has an unoccupied read-out interface 13 that is not coupled to a detector module. In other embodiments, there may be more read-out interfaces 13 that are unoccupied. Advantageously, the absence of individual readout interfaces enables the number of detector modules 100 in the detector unit 1 to be adjusted without this having any impact on the subsequent structural units used. In particular, the same design of the read-out unit 5 can be continued to be used.

The respective detector module readout unit 5 may be used mainly for collecting measurement data from the detector modules 100 assigned to it and forwarding them to subsequent units of the detector unit 1. Furthermore, the detector module readout unit 5 may be used to assign control signals or operating voltages to its detector modules 100. Furthermore, the detector module readout unit 5 may also map other functions. The respective detector module read-out unit 5 may be designed, for example, to acquire measurement data from the detector modules 100 assigned to it and/or to pre-process them before forwarding them. The detector module read-out unit 5 suitably has circuitry suitable for this purpose in order to map the function of the detector module read-out unit 5. In particular, the detector module readout unit 5 may have at least one programmable component, such as an FPGA.

The readout interface 13 is used as a communication interface for the detector module 100. The data transmission from the detector module 100 coupled thereto to the detector module readout unit 5 takes place via the respective readout interface 13, so that measurement data can be transmitted from the detector module 100. Furthermore, a signal transmission to the detector module 100 via the read-out interface 13 is also possible. In this way, the readout of the measurement data may be initiated by the detector module 100, or other control signals or configuration data may also be transmitted to the detector module 100. The data connection leads from the read-out interface 13 directly to the corresponding detector module 100. The data connection may be in the form of a flat ribbon cable connection, for example. In particular, these may also advantageously have different lengths to compensate for differences in distance from the respective detector module 100 to the respective associated detector module readout unit 5, which may occur in the following cases: for example, if an unoccupied readout interface 13 is provided in one detector module readout unit 5, an optimal placement can be better ensured.

The read-out interface 13 of the respective detector module read-out unit 5 provides the possibility of signal coupling with the detector module 100, i.e. the detector module 100 can be signal-coupled for data transmission. However, in the detector unit 1 according to the utility model, each read-out interface does not have to be signal-coupled to the detector module, i.e. not every read-out interface has to be occupied by the detector module.

Information is provided by the detector information unit 7 in the detector unit 1 according to the utility model, on the basis of which the actual occupancy state of the read-out interfaces 13 of the respective detector module read-out units 5 by the detector modules 100 coupled thereto can be deduced. The control unit 3 may invoke this information via the data line 17. In particular, the detector information unit 7 may comprise a non-volatile memory unit. In particular, information is stored on the non-volatile memory unit, on the basis of which the actual occupancy state of the read-out interfaces 13 of the respective detector module read-out units 6 by the detector modules 100 coupled thereto can be deduced.

The detector information unit 7 preferably has an internal interface via which the central control unit can access the information provided by the detector information unit via at least one data connection. Furthermore, the detector information unit 7 may also have an external interface.

The occupancy state of the read-out interface 13 of the detector module read-out unit 4 comprises: which of the read-out interfaces 13 of the individual detector module read-out units 5 is actually coupled in terms of signals to the detector module 100 for data transmission.

The callable information may comprise detector type information, on the basis of which the actual occupancy state of the read-out interfaces 13 of the respective detector module read-out units 5 by the detector modules 100 coupled thereto can be deduced. In one detector type, the structure and composition of the detector units 1 are generally identical, so that the detector type information is sufficient to infer the occupancy state of the read-out interfaces 13 of the individual detector module read-out units 5 used. In this case, the control unit 3 can be designed, for example, on the basis of this information to convert the detector type information into the actual occupancy state of the readout interfaces 13 of the individual detector module readout units used.

In an alternative embodiment, there is a one-to-one association of the respective read-out interfaces 13 of the detector module read-out units 5 with the occupancy state of the respective read-out interfaces 13 of the detector information units themselves. For example, the information is stored on the detector information unit 7 via a database table or file, which is accessible to the control unit 3 for its function. This may involve the control unit 3 directly accessing the data for processing or loading the data into an internal memory of the control unit 3 upon initializing the detector unit 1.

In particular, the control unit 3 may be used to manage and control the data flow during operation of the detector unit 1. This may comprise measurement data from the detector module and signals for controlling the detector unit 1. The control unit 3 is connected via data connections 15 to a plurality of detector module readout units 5, wherein communication of control signals from the control unit 3 to the detector modules 100 is effected and ensured via the respective detector module readout units 5 and the readout interfaces 13 of the detector module readout units 5. The control unit 3 may be designed in particular for: the reading out of measurement data from the coupled detector modules 100 is initiated by the corresponding detector module reading out unit 5. The control unit 3 may also be designed to execute or activate the configuration of the detector module readout unit 5 and/or the detector module 100. The control unit 3 advantageously has suitable circuitry for mapping the functions of the control unit 3. In particular, the control unit may also have at least one programmable component, for example an FPGA

The control unit 3 is designed in particular for: based on the information stored by the detector information unit 7, the reading out of measurement data from the coupled detector modules 100 via the respective detector module reading out units 5 is initialized. In this case, the unoccupied read-out interface can now be omitted, thereby ensuring a complete read-out of the measurement data from the detector module 100 by the detector module read-out unit 5. Furthermore, the control unit 3 may be designed for: the detector module read-out unit 5 is configured based on the information stored by the detector information unit 7.

Furthermore, a signal connection to the external computing unit 45 can be realized via the data connection 21. The control data may be transmitted from the external computing unit 45 to the detector unit 1, for example based on user input, or the measurement data may be transmitted from the detector unit 1 to the computing unit 45 via the data connection 21. The external computing unit may be designed to generate the image dataset based on the transmitted measurement data.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary schematic illustration of a detector unit 1 in a second embodiment, which differs from the first variant in fig. 1 in a smaller number of detector modules 100 and in that a smaller number of detector modules provide a read-out unit 5. However, it is possible to use an assembly of the same design as in fig. 1, wherein only the allocation of the detector module readout units is adapted to the respective embodiment variant. In an exemplary variant, this results in an unoccupied read-out interface 13 on the two external detector module read-out units 5, i.e. not coupled to the detector module 100. However, the actual occupancy state of the respective detection module read-out unit 5 can be deduced by means of the information stored in the detector information unit 7, thereby ensuring a smooth running of the detection module read-out unit 5 and reading out the detection module 100, while advantageously ignoring unoccupied read-out interfaces.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an imaging medical device 32 in the form of a computed tomography device having an X-ray detector assembly 36 comprising at least one detector unit 1 according to the utility model and an oppositely arranged X-ray source 37. The X-ray source 37 is designed to irradiate the X-ray detector assembly 36 with X-rays. The medical imaging device 32 shown is designed in particular as a computed tomography device. The computer tomograph comprises a gantry 33 with a rotor 35. The rotor 35 includes an X-ray source 37 and an X-ray detector assembly 36. The rotor 35 is rotatable about a rotation axis 43. An examination object 39, here a patient, is arranged on a patient table 41 and is movable through the gantry 33 along a rotation axis 43. The calculation unit 45 is used for controlling the computer tomography apparatus 32 and/or for calculating a sectional image or a volumetric image of the object. The input device 47 and the output device 49 are connected to the calculation unit 45.

The X-ray detector assembly 36 of such an imaging medical device 32 may in particular comprise one detector unit 1 or may also comprise a plurality of detector units 1. In particular, the detector units 1 or the detector modules 100 of the detector units 1 are typically arranged adjacent to each other at least in the direction of rotation, so that by arranging the respective detection surfaces of the detector modules 100 of the detector unit or units 1 in a row, a large total detection surface can advantageously be formed. In other design variants of the imaging medical device, the X-ray detector can also be designed differently.

For data transmission between the X-ray detector assembly 36 and the computing unit 45 in the imaging medical device, the transmission path 21 can be designed, for example by means of a slip ring transmission system in the computer tomography device shown here. Slip ring transmission systems may include capacitive transmission, radio transmission, or optical transmission. Advantageously, the transmission may be performed wirelessly. The data transmission is used on the one hand for transmitting measurement data from the detector unit 1 or detector units 1 to the calculation unit 45 and on the other hand for transmitting control data from the calculation unit 45 to the detector unit 1 or detector units 1.

Claims (12)

1. A detector unit (1) of an imaging medical device (32), characterized in that the detector unit comprises:

a first number of detector modules (100) for detecting measurement data, based on which an image dataset can be generated;

a control unit (3);

-a plurality of detector module readout units (5) associated with the control unit (3), wherein each detector module readout unit (5) has a second number of a plurality of readout interfaces (13) which are each designed for signal coupling to one detector module (100) of the plurality of detector modules (100) for reading out the measurement data;

-a detector information unit (7) on which information is stored which can be called up by the control unit (3), on the basis of which information the actual occupancy state of the read-out interface (13) of the respective detector module read-out unit (5) by the detector module (100) to which it is coupled can be deduced.

2. Detector unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (3) is designed for: -initializing the reading out of the measurement data from the coupled detector modules (100) via the respective detector module reading out units (5) based on the information stored by the detector information units (7).

3. Detector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (3) is designed for: -configuring the detector module readout unit (5) based on the information stored by the detector information unit (7).

4. Detector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the number of detector modules (100) to which at least one detector module read-out unit (5) is signal-coupled is smaller than the number of read-out interfaces (13) that the detector module read-out unit (5) has.

5. Detector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detector unit (1) has a plurality of identically designed detector module read-out units (5).

6. Detector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detector modules (100) are each coupled with the respectively associated detector module readout unit (5) via a flat ribbon cable connection, and wherein at least two flat ribbon cable connections have different lengths.

7. Detector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detector information unit (7) comprises a non-volatile memory unit.

8. The detector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detector information unit (7) has an external interface.

9. A detector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stored information comprises detector type information.

10. Detector unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stored information comprises a one-to-one association of the respective read-out interface (13) and the occupancy state of the respective read-out interface (13).

11. Imaging medical device, characterized in that it comprises a detector unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Imaging medical device according to claim 11, characterized in that the imaging medical device is designed as a computed tomography device.