FR3084579A1 - REMOTE CONTROL RADIOLOGY SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

System (A) of remote-controlled radiology, of the type comprising, a table (1) pivoting relative to a frame (2) between a horizontal position and two vertical positions, a column (3) able to move relative to the table ( 1), and on which an X-ray element (4) is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel and transverse to the table (1), an X-ray receiver (5) arranged and movable under and along the table (1 ), the column (3) is fixed in translation along the table (1) and is pivotally mounted relative to a transverse axis and located in a plane parallel to the table (1), and the system comprises adjustment means (6) of the distance between the X-ray element (4) and the X-ray receiver (5), and in that the X-ray receiver (5) is automatically movable along the table (1) to follow the radiogenic element (4), or the pivoting of the column (3) and the pivoting of the radiogenic element (4) are automatic so that X-rays are emitted on the X-ray receiver (5).

Description

REMOTE CONTROL RADIOLOGY SYSTEM

Technical area

The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices intended for performing medical imaging procedures, and more particularly relates to a remote-controlled radiology table.

Prior art

In the field of medical devices intended for performing medical imaging procedures, there are known, for example, tilting and height-adjustable remote-controlled radiology tables with X-ray tube-holder column, movable in translation along and at the back of the table. The X-ray tube, or X-ray unit, is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel and transverse to the table. An X-ray receiver is placed under the table and able to move depending on the position of the X-ray element at normal or oblique incidence.

According to this state of the art, to make incidences at the table ends, it is advisable to move the column along the table, then to tilt it to achieve the incidences at the table end and allow the radiographic examination of the upper limbs. of a patient in a standing or lying position. In this state of the art, the inclination at the end of the table is limited (± 40 °) in particular by the presence of a limit stop. In this way, the current configuration of the table does not allow a wide range of focal length / angle of incidence combinations, and therefore does not allow radiographic examinations of the skull, sinuses or feet of a patient.

Another drawback inherent in the structure described above resides in the space generated by the column, in particular for supporting a mobile carriage which itself supports the column. This space prevents the rear access to the table necessary, for example, during the transfer by a user of a patient arriving on a stretcher.

-2Finally, some tables require a support leg positioned under the table to lower or raise the table. However, the presence of this foot limits the possibilities of lowering, making it difficult for people with reduced mobility to access the table.

Expose the invention

One of the aims of the invention is therefore to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a remote-controlled radiology table making it possible to produce incidences at the ends of the table, which is ergonomic in terms of operation and access, while providing a greater range of focal length-angle of incidence combinations to allow for radiographic examinations of the patient's skull, sinuses or feet.

To this end, a remote-controlled radiology system has been developed in accordance with the state of the art in that it comprises a table which can be pivoted relative to a frame, between a horizontal position and two vertical positions (± 90 °), a column capable of moving relative to the table, and on which an X-ray emitting element radiating is mounted pivoting about an axis parallel and transverse to the table, an X-ray receiver arranged and movable under and along the table.

According to the invention, the column is fixed in translation along the table and is pivotally mounted relative to a transverse axis and located in a plane parallel to the table, and allows depending on the length of the column to achieve incidences at the end of the table, for example at an angle of ± 50 °. Since the X-ray element moves away from or approaches the table when the column is pivoted, the system includes means for adjusting the distance between the X-ray element and the X-ray receiver. Finally, since the column does not operate a translational movement along the table, the X-ray receiver is then automatically movable along it to follow the X-ray element or the pivoting of the column and the pivoting of the X-ray elements are automatic so that X-rays are emitted on the X-ray receiver, preferably in the center of the X-ray receiver.

- 3 The adjustment means can be of any suitable type, for example, in the form of means for focusing the focal distance, or even in the form of a column having two arms articulated with respect to each other in other words with scissor arms.

According to a particular embodiment, the means for adjusting the distance between the radiogenic element and the X-ray receiver are in the form of a telescopic column.

Preferably, the frame is in the form of at least one post, and the table is pivotally mounted about an axis connected perpendicular to the post which allows to free itself from the foot under the table. The post preferably comprises means for raising and lowering the axis for raising or lowering the table.

In this way, the rear access to the table is free so that it is possible for the user to more easily install a patient arriving on a stretcher.

In addition, the table can also be lowered to its minimum, thus facilitating the direct and simple transfer of a child or another person with reduced mobility.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises means for controlling the pivoting of the X-ray element with the pivoting of the column to emit the X-rays at a constant incidence, for example a normal incidence relative to the X-ray receiver as the column swivels.

According to another preferred embodiment, the system comprises means for controlling the distance between the X-ray element and the X-ray receiver with the pivoting of the column to compensate for the variation in the distance of the X-ray element during the pivoting of the column.

It is also possible to synchronize the pivoting of the X-ray element, the adjustment of the distance between it and the X-ray receiver with the pivoting of the column.

-4 Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is produced below, for information and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the remote control radiology system with the column perpendicular to the table;

Figure 2 is a front view of the system illustrating the pivoting of the column for an incidence X-ray perpendicular to the table and at the end thereof;

Figure 3 is a top view of the remote control radiology system;

Figure 4 is a side view of the remote control radiology system;

Figure 5 is a front view of the system illustrating the pivoting and the extension of the telescopic arm of the column for an X-ray at the end of the table with a non-zero angle of incidence;

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention relates to a remote control radiology system (A).

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the system (A) comprises a table (1) pivotable relative to a frame (2), preferably in the form of at least one post (2a), between a horizontal position and two vertical positions ± 90 ° from the horizontal position. An X-ray tube holder column (3) is pivotally mounted with respect to an axis transverse to the table (1) and situated in a plane parallel to the table (1), preferably near the table ( 1) and at the level of half the length of the table (1).

The X-ray tube or X-ray element (4) is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel and transverse to the table (1). An X-ray receiver (5) automatically moves under and along the table (1) to follow the X-ray element (4), or the column (3) and the X-ray unit (4) automatically rotate to maintain the alignment of the X-ray beam with, for example, the center of the ray receiver

- 5 X (5). The X-ray element (4) can rotate regardless of the position of the column (3) so that the X-rays can arrive, for example at normal incidence relative to the X-ray receiver (5). In order to compensate for the proximity or the distance of the radiogenic element (4) from the X-ray receiver (5) during the pivoting of the column (3), the system includes means for adjusting (6) the distance between the radiogenic element (4) and the X-ray receiver (5).

According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means (6) are in the form of a telescopic column (3), for example by a sprocket and chain system. The telescopic column (3) makes it possible to maintain a certain constant distance between the radiogenic element (4) and the X-ray receiver (5), during the pivoting of the column (3). Of course, other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, the adjustment means (6) may be, for example, in the form of means for focusing the focal distance or even under the shape of a column with scissor arms (not shown).

Preferably, the system (A) comprises means for controlling the pivoting of the X-ray element (4) with the pivoting of the column (3) allowing the X-ray element (4) to emit the X-rays according to a constant incidence, for example a normal incidence with respect to the X-ray receiver (5) as the column (3) pivots. Thus, the user who controls the system (A), acts for example only on the longitudinal position of the X-ray receiver (5) or on the angle of incidence of the X-ray beam via, by example, a console equipped with a control lever, the pivoting of the column (3) and of the X-ray element (4) being automatic. User handling is therefore reduced and the setting of the area to be examined by X-ray is faster.

Similarly, the system (A) comprises means for controlling the distance between the radiogenic element (4) and the X-ray receiver (5) with the pivoting of the column (3) to compensate for the variation in the distance from the radiogenic element (4) during the pivoting of the column (3).

The control means can be of any suitable type, for example, in the form of an electronic control card to which the various slave elements are connected.

In order to provide more ergonomic use for the user of the system (A), it is also possible to synchronize, the pivoting of the X-ray element (4), the adjustment of the distance between the X-ray element (4 ) and the X-ray receiver (5) with the pivoting of the column (3).

Given that the table (1) is not supported by a leg located under this table (1), but that the table (1) is pivotally mounted about an axis (7) connected perpendicularly to the post (2a), the rear access of the table (1) is released so that a user of the system (A) can position himself there, for example, to tranship a patient arriving on a stretcher. Furthermore, the post (2a) comprises means for raising and lowering the axis (7) for raising or lowering the table (1). The lifting and lowering means are well known and include, for example, sprockets and transmission chains. The absence of a support leg under the table also makes it possible to lower the table (1) as close to the ground as possible to facilitate access to a child or a person with reduced mobility, for example, a person arriving on a wheelchair , see for example Figure 1 in which the table (1) is shown lowered as close to the ground.

When the patient is lying on the table (1), in a horizontal position, or when he is standing against the table (1), in a vertical position after tilting 90 °, the user of the system (A) can then realize radiographic examinations over an area covering the entire upper surface of the patient's body.

With reference to FIG. 5, the telescopic column (3) can pivot by a determined angle and can lengthen by a certain length, so that the X-ray element (4) is positioned outside the table ( 1), that is to say that it is no longer on the table (1). The X-ray element (4) can then pivot at a determined angle to emit the X-rays at oblique incidence over a wide range of focal distance / angle of incidence value (± 50 °), so that, for example, radiography can be examined the top of the shoulders, the skull, the sinuses or even the feet of the patient.

It appears from the above that the invention does indeed provide a system (A) making it possible to carry out radiographic examinations at the end of the table, covering in particular the patient's skull, sinuses and feet, whatever the position of the table (1), horizontal or vertical, and therefore, whatever the position of the patient, lying or standing, while being ergonomic, less bulky, and easier to access than the systems of the prior art.

Claims (6)

claims 1. Remote-controlled radiology system (A), of the type comprising, a table (1) pivoting relative to a frame (2) between a horizontal position and two vertical positions, a column (3) capable of moving relative to the table (1), and on which an X-ray emitting element (4) is pivotally mounted about an axis parallel and transverse to the table (1), an X-ray receiver (5) disposed and movable under and the along the table (1), characterized in that the column (3) is fixed in translation along the table and is pivotally mounted relative to a transverse axis and situated in a plane parallel to the table (1), and in that the system comprises means (6) for adjusting the distance between the X-ray element (4) and the X-ray receiver (5), and in that the X-ray receiver is automatically movable along the table (1) to follow the radiogenic element (4), or the pivoting of the column (3) and the rotation of the X-ray element (4) is automatic so that the X-rays are emitted on the X-ray receiver (5). 2. Radiology system (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for adjusting (6) the distance between the radiogenic element (4) and the X-ray receiver (5) are in the form of '' a telescopic column (3). 3. Radiology system (A) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the pivoting of the radiogenic element (4) with the pivoting of the column (3) for emitting the X-rays at a constant incidence with respect to the X-ray receiver (5) as the column (3) pivots. 4. Radiology system (A) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the distance between the radiogenic element (4) and the X-ray receiver (5) with the pivoting of the column (3) to compensate for the variation in the distance of the radiogenic element (4) during the pivoting of the column (3). 5. System (A) of radiology according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (2) is in the form of at least one post (2a), and the table (1) is pivotally mounted around a axis (7) connected perpendicular to the post (2a). 6. Radiology system (A) according to claim 5, characterized in that the 5 post (2a) comprises means for raising and lowering the axis (7) for raising or lowering the table (1).