DE102017214919A1 - An imaging medical device and method for operating an imaging medical device - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for operating an imaging medical device (1), in particular a computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomograph, which has an input unit (27) for detecting a user input and a control unit (29) for controlling at least one function of the imaging medical device (1) in accordance with detected user input is proposed that the input unit (27) detects and / or recognizes an acoustic speech signal (S) as a user input and by means of a position detection unit (25) the position of a user (B) is determined. Control of the function according to the user input is enabled or blocked depending on the particular position of the user (B). Furthermore, an imaging medical device (1) is proposed, which is designed in particular for carrying out such a method.

Description

The invention relates to an imaging medical device, in particular a computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomograph, with an input unit for detecting a user input and a control unit for controlling at least one function of the imaging medical device in accordance with the detected user input. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a designed medical imaging device.

Imaging medical equipment, such as magnetic resonance imaging or X-ray imaging, in particular computed tomography, which are adapted to detect the interior of a patient's body, are well known in the art. Usually, the patient is located on a patient couch for examination, which typically has to be adjusted during the examination, especially in the horizontal direction, so that the relevant examination area in its entirety can be detected. The patient bed is operated in common designs on switching elements such as buttons, foot switches or the like, which are not sterile. In addition, a security channel is prescribed for the operation of safety-related functions of the medical imaging device, which includes the adjustment of the patient bed, regulatory.

The object of the invention is to specify an improved medical imaging device and an improved method for operating such an imaging medical device.

With regard to the method, the above-mentioned object is achieved by features of patent claim 1.

With regard to the device, the above-mentioned object is achieved by features of patent claim 10.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a method for operating an imaging medical device, in particular a computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomograph, which comprises an input unit for detecting a user input and a control unit for controlling at least one function of the imaging medical device in accordance with the detected user input, it is provided according to the invention that the Input unit detects and / or recognizes an acoustic speech signal as user input. In addition, the position of a user is determined by means of a position detection unit and a control of the function is enabled or blocked in accordance with the user input in dependence on the specific position of the user.

Contactless voice control of functions, in particular of safety-relevant functions, of the imaging medical device in accordance with a detected or recognized voice signal initially has the advantage of increased sterility, ease of use and operating efficiency. Furthermore, the invention is based on the recognition that a safety channel can be realized if it is ensured by technical measures that the user of the system is always within reach of operating elements of the imaging medical device, in particular in the range of an emergency stop switch, if necessary, to be able to abort the process in good time. As a result, the invention proposes to implement a position determination or position monitoring of the user as a safety channel.

Preferably, this is the position of the user in the room continuously, d. H. continuously monitored. If the position detection or monitoring shows that the user is further away from the imaging medical device, in particular farther from the emergency stop switch, when the speech signal is output, than the predetermined or specifiable maximum distance, the execution of the with the Voice signal or voice command associated control blocked. The predefinable or predetermined maximum distance can be, for example, 1 m. Preferably, when blocking or not executing the control, the user is given a corresponding warning either optically or acoustically, for example via a monitor, a display or a loudspeaker.

The detection of the position of the user is preferably carried out without contact. For position detection, fundamentally different technical implementations, such as radio, radar, sound or ultrasound come into consideration.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, to determine the position of the user, the acoustic speech signal output by the user is detected at several spatially separated locations, in particular by means of sound transducers, microphones or the like, as acoustic signals. In such embodiments, the speech signal used to control the function is also used to locate the user.

At least three acoustic signals are preferred for determining the position of the user evaluated in terms of their transit time and / or phase difference. Particularly preferably, the evaluation of the at least three acoustic signals is carried out with the aid of methods of hyperbola navigation.

The evaluation can be made, for example, under the simplifying assumption that the position of the sound source, that is to say the position of the user to be located, lies on a specific two-dimensional plane. For this purpose, for example, the evaluation can be made under the simplifying assumption that the sound source -in the rule the user's speech organ- is in a horizontal plane parallel to the floor, in particular at a distance of about 1.60 m to 1.80 m from the floor , is located. The points that correspond to a certain value for the transit time or phase difference lie on a hyperbola in this two-dimensional case. The position of the user can then be unambiguously determined if three acoustic signals which were detected at different locations are evaluated in pairs, in particular, with regard to their transit time and / or phase difference. The sought-after position of the user results as the intersection of the hyperbolas that correspond to the determined values for the corresponding transit time or phase differences. The determination of this, the position of the user or the sound source determining intersection, is preferably carried out in a possible implementation by means of suitable analytical or numerical methods of error minimization, for example by applying the method of least squares.

The signal detection takes place in particular at detection locations, which are predetermined by the positions of the sound transducer, in particular microphones in the room. Preferably, the acoustic signals used for the evaluation do not correspond to a collinear arrangement of the detection locations. Particularly preferably, the at least three acoustic signals used for the evaluation correspond to an orthogonal arrangement, i. H. an arrangement in which the connecting lines between the detection locations of the three acoustic signals to be evaluated form a right-angled triangle or at least approximately a right-angled triangle in at least one plane. In the context of this specification, an approximately right-angled triangle is in particular a triangle whose largest angle assumes a value between 70 ° and 120 °, preferably between 80 ° and 110 °.

The evaluation by means of methods of hyperbola navigation can also in three-dimensional space, d. H. in particular without the simplifying assumption that the location to be localized lies in a two-dimensional plane. In this case, the points which correspond to a specific value for the transit time or phase difference of two acoustic signals are given by hyperboloids. In order to arrive in this three-dimensional case to a clear location of the sound source, ie the position of the user, the evaluation of at least four acoustic signals is required. The position of the sound source is given in the theoretical ideal case of an intersection of these four hyperboloids. The deviations to be expected in a concrete practical application are preferably taken into account by means of the already mentioned methods of error minimization.

Preferably, a subset of acoustic signals detected at different locations is selected for evaluation on the basis of their transit time. In particular, it is proposed to select those acoustic signals for evaluation in which the determined transit time is minimal and thus indicate a shorter distance to the user. In this way it can be achieved that the evaluation is limited to those acoustic signals in which the signal-to-noise ratio is optimal. Furthermore, it is generally possible to narrow down the at least probable location of the user on the basis of these considerations, since shorter run times are correlated with shorter spatial distances. Depending on the spatial configuration or arrangement of the sound transducers, therefore, the selection of suitable acoustic signals can be determined, for example, in the context of a type of side detection in which it is additionally estimated on which side the user is likely to be in relation to the imaging medical device.

In an embodiment, the sound transducers and / or microphones provided for detecting the acoustic signals are operated in particular in a time-synchronized manner. To determine the transit time and / or phase difference, the acoustic signals are compared in particular in pairs. The comparison of two acoustic signals can be done, for example, by means of a cross-correlation function, optionally after a suitable filtering and / or normalization. The optional filtering and / or standardization can be used primarily for signal processing, since the acoustic signals to be compared are generally different with regard to their spectrum, the energy contained therein and / or the echo component. The exclusion of acoustic signals that have been detected at a location further away from the user and thus generally have a poorer signal-to-noise ratio is advantageously used to minimize errors and to simplify the evaluation. To select the suitable for evaluation acoustic signals, for example, plausibility considerations can be used, so that not all detected acoustic signals must be fully taken into account. Thus, for example, based on an evaluation of two acoustic signals taking into account their respective transit time and on the basis of plausibility considerations, it can be estimated in which spatial area the user, in particular with regard to the imaging medical device, is expected to be located. For this purpose, for example, it can be estimated on which side the user is in the room with regard to the imaging medical device. The validity of this plausibility assumption, ie the validity of the assumption that the user resides in the restricted spatial area, can be checked in particular by random sampling in that an acoustic signal excluded from the evaluation has an acoustic signal provided for evaluation with regard to the phase and / or transit time difference , for example, using the above-mentioned cross-correlation function is compared. Since the user can move in the room, the validity of the assumption that the user is in a certain restricted space area is preferably checked continuously or at regular intervals, more preferably automatically in the low priority background, and the selection of those intended for evaluation If necessary, the acoustic signals are adjusted accordingly.

The above-described method for evaluating the acoustic signals, in particular for determining the position of the user, is preferably implemented as software in evaluation electronics, which in particular comprises at least one processor, integrated circuit, microprocessor, microcontroller and / or microchip.

In an embodiment, at least one camera image, in particular using an object recognition method, is evaluated to determine the position of the user. It is proposed, in particular alternatively or in addition to locating the user with the aid of detected sound waves, to detect the area around the imaging medical device optically, for example by means of cameras, and to determine the position of the user with the aid of methods or methods of object recognition determine the optically captured images. For this purpose, suitable object recognition methods are known for example from the field of person recognition. Such methods can be implemented, for example, as software in evaluation electronics, in particular in a processor, integrated circuit, microprocessor, microcontroller and / or microchip. The camera or cameras provided for capturing camera images are preferably designed to detect the optically visible spectral range and / or a spectral range lying in the infrared.

In an embodiment, for determining the position of the user, at least one radio or radar signal is evaluated, in particular by determining or calculating transit times (time of flight) or taking into account a detected signal or field strength. In particular, it is provided to detect the user reflected radar signals and to evaluate the location of the user. In particular, in the case of a plurality of transmission units which emit radio signals or radar signals, methods of trilateration are used for the evaluation.

In an embodiment, it is proposed to receive and evaluate at least one calibrated to a predetermined or vorgebare transmission distance radio or radar signal to determine the position of the user. Transmitting units designed to emit such calibrated radio or radar signals are known, for example, as beacons, in particular Bluetooth beacons (also known as bluetooth low energy beacons), and are already being used in the field of indoor navigation. A calibrated radio or radar signal in the sense of the present specification is considered to be one in which additional information is transmitted with the radio or radar signal, from which it can be deduced to which transmission distance a detected signal and / or field strength corresponds.

Preferably, the at least one, in particular calibrated, radio or radar signal is transmitted by a transmitter unit arranged on the user and received by a stationary installed, in particular arranged on a housing of the imaging medical device receiving unit. Alternatively, the at least one, in particular calibrated, radio or radar signal is transmitted from a stationarily installed, in particular arranged on a housing of the imaging medical device transmitting unit and received by a user arranged on the receiving unit.

In an embodiment, it is provided to provide a plurality of stationarily installed, in particular a plurality of transmission units arranged on a housing of the imaging medical device for emitting radio or radar signals, in particular calibrated radio or radar signals. In this case, the location is preferably complemented by trilateration.

The function controlled in dependence on the detected and / or recognized speech signal preferably relates to a safety-relevant function, in particular a positional adjustment of the patient couch of the imaging medical device.

In an embodiment, it is provided to implement the control of the function, in particular the positional adjustment of the patient couch, in such a way that no direct automatic execution of the control takes place in accordance with the speech signal. Rather, the actual control of the particular safety-relevant function is triggered only with mechanical or manual actuation of a switching element such as a footswitch. The switching element acts here in the sense of a position detection unit, since the user must necessarily be located in close proximity to the switching element in order to operate it manually or with his foot can.

The invention further relates to an imaging medical device, for example a computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomograph, which is designed in particular for carrying out the method described above.

The imaging medical device comprises the input unit for detecting the user input and the control unit for controlling the at least one function of the imaging medical device as a function of the detected user input. According to the invention, the input unit is designed to detect and / or recognize the acoustic speech signal as user input. The position detection unit for determining the position of the user is in operative connection with the control unit such that the control of the at least one function takes place only when the position detection unit releases it. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that the control unit is designed to execute the control of the at least one, in particular safety-relevant, function in accordance with the detected or recognized speech signal only after receipt of an enable signal generated by the position detection unit.

The input unit is equipped to detect the speech signal in particular with an evaluation in which a corresponding speech recognition software is implemented. The evaluation of the input unit comprises in particular at least one processor, integrated circuit, microprocessor, microcontroller and / or microchip.

In an embodiment, the position detection unit is configured to determine the position of the user on the basis of an evaluation of acoustic signals detected by means of sound transducers and / or microphones. The sound transducers or microphones are arranged at different positions in the room, in particular in or on a housing of the imaging medical device or outside the housing of the medical imaging device. Particularly preferably, the sound transducers or microphones are arranged such that the entire room in which the medical imaging device is located can be monitored with regard to sound sources.

In an embodiment, at least three sound transducers or microphones are provided in a non-collinear arrangement for detecting the position of the user. As already described, non-collinear arrangements or, in particular, orthogonal arrangements are to be preferred since these make it possible to detect the position of the sound source with increased accuracy.

For this purpose, it is particularly preferred to arrange the at least three transducers or microphones such that the connecting lines between the at least three transducers or microphones at least approximately form a right-angled triangle in at least one plane such that the largest angle in the triangle is between 70 ° to 120 °, preferably assumes between 80 ° to 110 °.

In an embodiment, a redundant number of sound transducers, in particular more than three sound transducers, for example 5 or 6 transducers, is provided for detecting the position of a sound source. In particular, it is provided to provide a redundant for the detection of the position of a single sound source number of transducers. The minimum number of sound transducers that are necessary for locating a sound source depends in particular on whether, as already described, a location in three-dimensional space or in a two-dimensional plane is to take place. In a complete location in three-dimensional space generally at least four suitably arranged transducers are required. When locating in a two-dimensional plane, generally only three sound transducers are necessary, as long as these, as already described, are suitably arranged in space. By providing a redundant for locating the sound source number of transducers or microphones can be achieved advantageously better coverage. Particularly preferred for locating the sound source or the user only a reduced, in particular for locating a minimum number of acoustic signals that are detected by the individual transducers at different spatial points, evaluated. The selection of the sound transducer, which are taken into account in the evaluation, is preferably carried out using the procedure already described.

In an embodiment, at least one sound transducer in or on a housing of the imaging medical device, for example on a detection unit of the imaging medical device with a tunnel-like Examination area and / or on a patient bed, especially in a lower foot of the patient bed, arranged.

In an embodiment, the position detection unit comprises at least one camera for optically detecting a region surrounding the imaging medical device. The determination of the position of the user takes place in this embodiment, in particular based on the captured camera images using the aforementioned object detection.

In an embodiment, the position detection unit comprises at least one transmitting unit for transmitting a radio or radar signal, in particular a calibrated radio or radar signal, and at least one receiving unit for receiving the radio or radar signal. The at least one transmitting unit is, for example, a portable device, which the user carries with him, and the receiving unit is stationary, in particular provided by the imaging medical device. In other embodiments, the at least one receiving unit is a portable device, which the user carries with him, and the transmitting unit fixed, in particular provided by the imaging medical device. In yet other embodiments, multiple transmitting and / or receiving units for radar signals are stationary, in particular installed by the imaging medical device. In this case, the locating of the user preferably takes place on the basis of an evaluation of radar signals or waves reflected at the user.

It is understood that the different embodiments relating to the location of the user on the basis of sound, radar or on the basis of captured camera images are not mutually exclusive. Preferably, various modalities for locating the user, which are based in particular on different physical principles of action, ie in particular sound, radar and / or optical detection, are combined with one another in order to increase the reliability and / or the accuracy of the position detection.

Software implementations, in particular in electronic components such as the evaluation electronics mentioned above, are preferably realized in a non-volatile or persistent storage medium.

The above-described characteristics, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the manner in which they will be achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of the embodiments which will be described with reference to the drawings.

• 1: eine bildgebende medizinische Einrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in einer schematischen Frontansicht;
• 2: Komponenten der bildgebenden medizinischen Einrichtung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels;
• 3: eine bildgebende medizinische Einrichtung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in einer schematischen Frontansicht;
• 4: Komponenten der bildgebenden medizinischen Einrichtung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels;
• 5 bildgebende medizinische Einrichtung gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in einer schematischen Frontansicht;
• 6: Komponenten der bildgebenden medizinischen Einrichtung des dritten Ausführungsbeispiels;

For a further description of the invention reference is made to the embodiments shown in the drawing figures. They show in a schematic representation:

• 1 : An imaging medical device according to a first embodiment of the invention in a schematic front view;
• 2 : Components of the medical imaging device of the first embodiment;
• 3 : An imaging medical device according to a second embodiment of the invention in a schematic front view;
• 4 : Components of the medical imaging device of the second embodiment;
• 5 imaging medical device according to a third embodiment of the invention in a schematic front view;
• 6 : Components of the medical imaging device of the third embodiment;

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

1 shows an imaging medical facility 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention in a schematic front view. The exemplified imaging medical device 1 is designed as a computer tomograph and includes in a conventional manner a generally referred to as a gantry detection unit 3 for detecting the inside of a patient's body. For examination, the patient is typically on a patient couch 7 positioned so that the body of the patient to be examined in a tunnel-shaped examination area 5 the registration unit 3 located.

In the area of the tunnel-shaped examination area 5 is an emergency stop switch 9 arranged, which serves in particular, the execution of a safety-related function of the imaging medical device 1 to break off in a dangerous situation. On safety-relevant functions of the imaging medical device 1 Among other things, a positional adjustment of the patient couch counts 7 , Especially in a plane perpendicular to the plane horizontal direction.

The medical imaging facility 1 is designed to respond to voice signals S and voice commands of a user B. For detecting the speech signal S or the speech command is in the region of the examination area 5 a sound transducer 11 arranged. There are also two other sound transducers 13 . 15 on an upper side of a housing 17 the imaging medical facility 1 arranged. Two more sound transducers 19 . 21 are in the lower foot area 23 the patient bed 7 arranged. The sound transducer 11 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 21 are microphones in the illustrated first embodiment. As in 1 As can be seen, the sound transducers 13 . 11 . 19 arranged to each other such that the the sound transducer 13 . 11 . 19 connect connecting lines in the illustrated plane at least approximately form a right triangle. The same applies to the sound transducer 15 . 11 . 21 also configured in an orthogonal configuration such that the line connecting the transducers 11 . 15 almost perpendicular to the connecting line between the transducers 11 . 21 runs. The sound transducer 11 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 21 are especially adapted to that of the user B output speech signal S capture. The sound transducer 11 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 21 capture the speech signal S as acoustic signals, which are not identical in particular due to differences in transit time. This allows a location of the user B in the room based on an evaluation of the detected acoustic signals.

Components of the imaging medical device 1 are schematic in 2 shown. Accordingly, the sound transducers 11 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 21 Part of a position acquisition unit 25 which is adapted to the position of the user B determined by an evaluation of detected sound waves. The position detection unit 25 has for this purpose an evaluation, in which a software for evaluating the of the sound transducers 11 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 21 detected acoustic signals, in particular for the transit time calculation and position determination is implemented.

With appropriate interfaces to the sound transducers 11 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 21 can the position detection unit 25 Also modular as a separate and universal electronics module, for example, as a processor system with i.MX architecture, in particular with i.MX 6 architecture, be designed.

At least one of the sound transducers 11 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 21 , is further provided with an input unit 27 connected, which comprises a further, designed to recognize the speech signal S evaluation. The input unit 27 is in particular adapted to a control signal generated in accordance with the recognized speech signal S to a control unit 29 to send. The control unit 29 is adapted to a functionality of the imaging medical device 1 to control according to the control signal. This is the control unit 29 in particular with components of the imaging medical device 1 connected, perform the safety-related functions. Safety-relevant functions is in particular the already mentioned positional adjustment of the patient bed 7 or the operation of the detection unit 3 ,

The control unit 29 is designed to control in accordance with the detected and recognized speech signal S only after approval by the position detection unit 25 perform. For this generates and sends the position detection unit 25 a corresponding control signal to the control unit 29 , A release takes place when the evaluation of the means of the sound transducer 13 . 15 . 11 . 19 . 21 detected acoustic signals results in that the user B, for example, at a distance to the emergency stop switch 9 which is less than a predetermined minimum distance, for example, less than 1 m.

In the operation of the medical imaging device 1 the position determination of the user takes place B for example, as follows:

All five of the transducers 11 . 13 . 15 . 19 . 21 Received acoustic signals are received synchronously, since corresponding interfaces of the transmitter are operated time synchronously.

In a first step, it is derived from the acoustic signals in which room area the user B concerning the imaging device 1 is expected to be located. This is done for example by a kind of side detection, ie it should be estimated on which side the user B concerning the imaging device 1 located. For this purpose, for example, the of the sound transducers 13 . 15 recorded acoustic signals and compared. Based on the phase position or the time offset of these two acoustic signals is determined which of the two transducers 13 . 15 that of the user B output speech signal S registered earlier. From this it can be deduced on which side the user B concerning the medical imaging device 1 because there is a time offset of different durations of the speech or sound signal S is caused. A greater distance to the respective sound transducer 13 . 15 thus means that the corresponding sound transducer 13 . 15 the voice or sound signal S registered later. The two sound transducers 13 . 15 are arranged, for example, at a distance of about 1 to 2 m from each other. This corresponds to a transit time difference of typically 3 to 6 ms. This Time offset means at a sampling rate of 48000 Hz, for example, a distance in the data sequence of about 150 samples. The comparison of the two signals takes place with the aid of the cross-correlation function, if appropriate after suitable filtering and / or normalization, since the two detected acoustic signals are typically different in terms of energy, spectrum and / or echo content. In the in 1 shown example, the side detection that the user B on the side of the sound transducer 13 located.

The of the sound transducers 15 . 21 received acoustic signals are not considered in possible implementations of the method according to the invention in the evaluation, since the distance between the user B and the sound transducer 15 . 21 is greater than the distance to the other three transducers 13 . 11 . 19 , In other words, in these exemplary embodiments of the invention, a preselection of the acoustic signals provided for the actual evaluation takes place in accordance with their respective transit time. In the in 1 exemplified situation is the user B to the left of the imaging medical facility 1 , the limitation of the further evaluation to that of the sound transducers 13 . 11 . 19 detected acoustic signals is thus in the context of a kind of side detection, in which the at least probable location area of the user is estimated.
As the user B can move and thus change the page under certain circumstances, it is intended to carry out the implemented in the software page detection in the background with low priority continuously or at least at regular intervals.

The actual position determination is based on the hyperbola navigation. In principle, at least two variants for the position determination come into consideration:

According to a variant, a two-dimensional position determination takes place, ie it is essentially assumed that the sound source to be located, in general the speech organ of the user B at least approximately in a horizontal plane. With a user B with normal body size, the evaluation thus takes place on the plausibility assumption that the sound source is in a horizontal plane that runs parallel to the ground at a height of about 1.60 m to 1.80.

A hyperbola describes in a two-dimensional plane those geometric locations which have a constant distance difference from two specific in-plane points, which in the case under consideration are predetermined by the positions of the two considered sound transducers.

If the transit time difference of two acoustic signals is known, that of sound transducers arranged at different positions, for example the sound transducers 11 . 13 have been detected, this results in a hyperbola, on which the sound source, in the case considered here so the user B , is located.

If another acoustic signal, which from another, arranged at a different location sound transducer, such as sound transducer 19 , additionally used for the evaluation, results in further hyperbolas. The geometrical intersection of two hyperbolas determined in this way determines the searched position of the sound source or of the user B , For this purpose, the detection locations, ie the positions of the sound transducer 11 . 13 . 19 preferably arranged orthogonal to each other to obtain a clear result.

Considering all possible combinations, strictly speaking, there are also three hyperbolas at three different detection locations and known time differences, on which the sound source is to be located. In other words, this actually results in an over-determined system and thus three solutions for the position of the sound source to be located. This problem can be addressed by a suitable strategy for minimizing errors in the determination of the intersection point.

According to a further variant, the position determination takes place in three-dimensional space. However, the principle is identical to the position determination in the two-dimensional plane, but now the geometric locations that correspond to a constant distance difference, not given by hyperbolas, but by hyperboloids, especially bivalve hyperboloids. The desired location, ie the position of the sound source or of the user, is thus determined by intersections of hyperbolids. In three-dimensional space, at least four detection locations, ie acoustic signals from at least four sound transducers, must be evaluated in order to arrive at a clear result. To minimize errors, for example, the least squares method is used.

3 to 6 show further embodiments of the invention, which differ from the first embodiment of the 1 and 2 only in terms of the way the user's position B concerning the medical imaging device 1 is determined to differ. In all embodiments shown in the figures, the backup channel for blocking or releasing the function controlled in accordance with the speech signal S is implemented such that no physical contact of the user B with a component of the medical imaging device 1 necessary is.

In the second embodiment of the 3 and 4 the determination of the position of the user takes place B based on an evaluation of optically captured camera images, in particular by means of object recognition. The camera images are taken from a camera 31 captured, for example, in the upper part of the housing 17 is installed. The detection range of the camera is on a medical imaging device 1 directed to surrounding area.

The evaluation electronics of the position detection unit 25 thus includes an implementation of object recognition algorithms. The sound transducer 11 used in the second embodiment, in particular exclusively, the detection of the user B output speech signal S. The structure of the medical imaging device 1 according to the second embodiment is particularly in 4 outlined.

5 and 6 schematically illustrate a third embodiment of the invention, in which the detection of the position of the user based on radio or radar signals. The user contributes to this B a portable transmitter unit 33 which emits a calibrated radio or radar signal, which is from permanently installed receiving units 35 be received. The receiving units 35 are on the case 17 the imaging medical facility 1 arranged. The position detection unit 25 is adapted to the position of the user based on the detected radio or radar signals B to determine in the room.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited thereby. Other variations and combinations may be deduced therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential spirit of the invention.

Claims (17)

Method for operating an imaging medical device (1), in particular a computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomograph, comprising an input unit (27) for detecting a user input and a control unit (29) for controlling at least one function of the imaging medical device (1) in accordance with the detected user input characterized in that the input unit (27) detects and / or detects an acoustic speech signal (S) as user input, wherein by means of a position detection unit (25) the position of a user (B) is determined and a control of the function in accordance with the user input in Depending on the specific position of the user (B) is released or blocked. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that for determining the position of the user (B) the user (B) output acoustic speech signal (S) at a plurality of spatially separated locations is detected as acoustic signals. Method according to Claim 2 , characterized in that at least three acoustic signals for determining the position of the user (B) is evaluated in terms of their transit time and / or phase difference. Method according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that a subset of detected acoustic signals is selected based on their duration for evaluation. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for determining the position of the user (B) at least one camera image, in particular using an object recognition method, is evaluated. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that for determining the position of the user (B) at least one radio or radar signal, in particular under determination or calculation of maturities or consideration of a detected field strength, are evaluated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the determination of the position of the user (B) at least one calibrated to a predetermined or vorgebare transmission distance radio or radar signal is received and evaluated. Method according to Claim 6 or 7 Characterized in that the at least one, in particular calibrated, emitted radio or radar signal arranged by one at the user (B) transmitting unit (33) and from a stationary installed, in particular on a housing (17) of the medical imaging device (1) arranged Receiving unit (35) is received or from a stationary installed, in particular on a housing (17) of the imaging medical device (1) arranged transmitting unit (33) and received by a user (B) receiving unit (35) is received. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the function of the detected and / or recognized speech signal (S) controlled function relates to a safety-related function, in particular a position adjustment of a patient bed (7) of the imaging medical device (1). An imaging medical device (1), for example a computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomograph, in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an input unit (27) for detecting a user input and a control unit (29) for controlling at least one function of the imaging medical device (1 ) in dependence on the detected user input, characterized in that the input unit (27) is adapted to detect and / or recognize an acoustic speech signal (S) as user input and a position detection unit (25) for determining the position of a user (B) with the control unit (29) is in such an operative connection that the control of the at least one function takes place only when released by the position detection unit (25). Imaging medical facility (1) after Claim 10 , characterized in that the position detection unit (25) is adapted to determine the position of the user (B) based on an evaluation of means of sound transducer (11, 13, 15, 19, 21), in particular microphones, detected acoustic signals, wherein the sound transducers (11, 13, 15, 19, 21) at different positions in space, in particular in or on a housing (17) of the imaging medical device (1) or outside of the housing (17) of the imaging medical device (1) are. Imaging medical facility (1) after Claim 11 , characterized in that the position detection unit (25) comprises at least three sound transducers (11, 13, 15, 19, 21) in a non-collinear arrangement. Imaging medical facility (1) after Claim 12 , characterized in that the connecting lines between the at least three sound transducers (11, 13, 15, 19, 21) in at least one plane at least approximately form a right-angled triangle such that the largest angle in the triangle is a value between 70 ° to 120 ° , preferably between 80 ° to 110 °. Medical imaging institution (1) after one of Claims 11 to 13 , characterized in that a redundant for detecting the position of a sound source number of sound transducers (11, 13, 15, 19, 21) are provided. Medical imaging institution (1) after one of Claims 11 to 14 , characterized in that at least one sound transducer (11, 13, 15, 19, 21) in or on a housing (17) of the imaging medical device (1), for example on a detection unit (3) of the imaging medical device (1) a tunnel-like examination area (5) and / or on a patient bed (7), in particular in a lower foot area (23) of the patient bed (7) is arranged. Imaging medical device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 10 to 15 , characterized in that the position detection unit (25) comprises at least one camera (31) for optically detecting a region surrounding the imaging medical device (1). Imaging medical device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 10 to 16 , characterized in that the position detection unit (25) comprises at least one transmitting unit (33) for transmitting a radio or radar signal, in particular a calibrated radar signal and at least one receiving unit (35) for receiving the radio or radar signal.

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