SE1351276A1

SE1351276A1 - Flat panel X-ray imaging device

Info

Publication number: SE1351276A1
Application number: SE1351276A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Hans Sjoestroem; Lars Johan Johnson
Original assignee: Scanflex Healthcare AB
Priority date: 2012-09-05
Filing date: 2012-09-05
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Also published as: SE537422C2

Abstract

Sammanfattning Enligt utforingsformer tillhandahalls ett mobilt digital fluoroskopsystem innefattande: en mobil enhet (i) som har: ett stativ med en G-arm (18) upphangd pa en chassiram (7), en forsta rontgenapparat (19) monterad pa G-armen (18) for all alstra rontgenbilder i ett forsta plan (Pi), dar den forsta rontgenapparaten (19) har en forsta mottagare (22) monterad pa G-armen (18) och en forsta sandare (21) monterad pa G-armen (18) motsatt namnda forsta mottagare (22), en andra rontgenanordning (20) monterad pa G-armen (18) for att alstra rontgenbilder i ett andra plan (P2) som skar det forsta planet (Pi) hos den forsta rontgenapparaten, varvid den andra rontgenapparaten (20) har en andra mottagare (24) monterad pa G-armen (18) och en andra sandare (23) monterad pa G-armen (18) motsatt namnda andra mottagare (24), varvid namnda forsta och andra mottagare (22) och (24) är platta digitala rontgendetektorer monterade vid respektive andar av G-armen.

Description

20 25 30 US2C2123o8A1 US2C213338A1 US2oo7o255292 US7403591 Object of the Invention The general object of the invention is to provide improvements in a digital ﬂuoroscopy system for medical applications operating with an X-ray device mounted to generate X-ray images, in particular such a system operating with one X-ray device mounted on a G-arm to generate X-ray images in mutually intersecting planes.

Further more specific objects relate to the following partial problems. 1. Weight of the G-arm system.

Space requirements of the G-arm system in long distance transport.

Space requirement in transport within building.

Eliminate movable parts.

Space within the G-arm.

Operability in G-arm rotational displacement.

NQW-PWP Tilting displacement of G-arm.

Summary of the invention The object is fulfilled and the partial problems are solved by embodiments of the invention as described below and in the accompanying claims.

Embodiments of the invention comprise a mobile G-arm ﬂuoroscopy system provided with ﬂat digital X-ray detectors. According to embodiments, it would also be possible to use ﬂat X- ray detectors that are not digital.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a mobile digital ﬂuoroscopy system, comprising a mobile unit 1 having a stand having a G-arm 18 suspended on a chassis frame 7; a first X-ray device 19 mounted on the G-arm 18 to generate X-ray images in a first plane P1, the first X-ray device 19 having a first receiver 22 mounted on the G-arm 18 and a first transmitter 21 mounted on the G-arm 18 opposite said first receiver 22; a second X-ray device 20 mounted on the G-arm 18 to generate X-ray images in a second plane P2 intersecting the ﬁrst plane P1 of the first X-ray device, the second X-ray device 20 having a second receiver 24 mounted on the G-arm 18 and a second transmitter 23 mounted on the 10 15 20 25 30 arm 18 opposite said second receiver 24, wherein said first and second receivers 22 and 24 are ﬂat digital X-ray detectors mounted at respective ends of the G-arm.

In an embodiment, the ﬂat detectors are mounted at the respective ends 104 of the G-arm with a mounting element 102 that couples the detectors to the G-arm.

In an embodiment, the mounting is configured such that the ﬂat detectors are positioned as an extension of the G and within the outer contour of said extension of the G-arm.

In an embodiment, the mounting is configured such that it is fixed and provides a fixed non- displaceable mounting of the detector to the G-arm.

In an embodiment, the mounting of the ﬂat detectors is configured such that the X-ray receiving surfaces of the ﬂat detectors are positioned close to the inner contour of said extension of the G-arm.

In an embodiment, the system comprises a balance weight 106 positioned close to each of the ﬂat detectors, e.g. behind the detector or e.g. mounted to or integrated in or vvith the mounting element 102.

In an embodiment, the balance weights are selected and positioned such that the G-arm is statically balanced with regard to rotation about the rotational axis.

In an embodiment, the G-arm is made in one piece with a recess for mounting and integrating the detector in the respective end parts of the G-arm and shaped such that the G- arm with detectors mounted is statically balanced.

In an embodiment, the system comprises a suspension of the G-arm that enables a tilting or pivoting displacement of the G-arm about a horizontal axis.

In an embodiment, the weight of the G-arm components is adjusted to the weight of the chassis such that that the chassis frame balances the G-arm when tilted.

Brief description of the drawings The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 - Fig 8 show a schematic overview of an embodiment of the invention in a digital ﬂuoroscopy system configured on a G-arm, wherein Fig 1 shows a perspective view of the system seen from a first direction; Fig 2 shows a perspective view of the system seen from a second direction; 10 15 20 25 30 Fig 3 shows the system in a first side elevation; Fig 4 shows the system from a second side elevation; Fig 5 shows the system from a rear elevation; Fig 6 shows the system from a front elevation; Fig 7 shows the system from a top elevation; Fig 8 shows the system from a bottom elevation; Fig 9 shows a schematic view of details of the system according to an embodiment; Fig 1o shows a schematic view of a ﬂuoroscope system comprising a mobile unit and a control unit.

Detailed description of the invention System overview The present invention concerns an X-ray apparatus configured as a system of components illustrated in Fig 1 to F ig 8, adapted for use in connection with surgical orthopedic operations.

The apparatus shown in Fig 1 to Fig 8 comprises a mobile unit 1 provided with two X-ray systems 19, 20 mounted to operate and generate X-ray images in mutually intersecting planes P1, P2. The arm 18 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 is referred to as a G-arm.

An object, typically the body of a patient undergoing surgery, is placed inside the mobile unit 1 so that plane P1 and plane P2 of the two X-ray systems crosses the object. The first X-ray device 19 includes a first transmitter 21 (an X-ray tube or x-tube) for emitting X-rays and a first receiver 22 (e. g. image intensifier or semiconductor sensors) for receiving X-rays emitted by the first transmitter 21 and having passed through an object. The first transmitter 21 may be located down below on the arm 18 and the first receiver 22 at the top of the arm 18.

The second X-ray device 20 includes a second transmitter 23 (an X-ray tube or x-tube) for emitting X-rays and a second receiver 24 (e. g. image intensiﬁer or semiconductor sensors) for receiving X-rays emitted by the second transmitter 23 and having passed through said object. The receivers 22, 24 may each comprise image intensifying means and an image capturing device, typically a CCD camera, for converting X-rays into a visible image.

The system may further also comprise components such as a not shown foot switch for alternating between images taken in the respective planes, and also not shown high 10 15 20 25 30 resolution monitors for presenting images to a user. The system further typically comprises a control unit comprising at least one display for displaying image data, a control panel, and a data processor comprising image processing means adapted to receive images transmitted from said image capturing devices comprised in said receivers 22, 24. This is illustrated in the schematic view in Fig 10, wherein a system 100 comprises a mobile unit 1 and a control unit 2. The mobile unit 1 and the control unit 2 are communicatively coupled to each other, for instance by means of a cable or through wireless signal transmission, which is indicated by the dashed arrow in Fig 10.

Generally, in F igs. 1-10, the following reference numbers refer to the listed parts of the ﬂuoroscopy system, wherein any or all of the listed parts may be included according to different embodiments described herein: 1 Mobile unit 2 Control unit 7 Chassis frame 8, 9 Wheel units 10 Wheels 11, 12 Vertical columns, allowing vertical adjustments 18 G-arm 19 First X-ray device 20 Second X-ray device 21 First transmitter 22 First receiver 23 Second transmitter 24 Second receiver P1, P2 Intersecting planes 91 Handle 100 Fluoroscope system, or ﬂuoroscopy system 120 Foot pedal unit holder 160 Cable holder 102 Mounting element 104 Respective ends of the G-arm 106 Balance weight 10 15 20 25 30 Embodíments and features of the invention Flat detectors According to an embodiment of the invention schematically illustrated in Fig 9, the ﬂat detectors are mounted at the respective ends 104 of the G-arm with a mounting element 102 that couples the detectors to the G-arm. The ﬂat detectors reduce weight of the G-arm system. According to the embodiments described herein, the ﬂat detectors are digital detectors. However, it would also be possible to use ﬂat X-ray detectors that are not digital.

Detector within outer contour of G-arm The mounting is configured such that the ﬂat detectors are positioned as an extension of the G and within the outer contour of said extension of the G-arm. This has the effect that the space requirement of the G-arm system is reduced.

This is important for example in long distance transport for this kind of apparatus, which is generally large. In transport, the space allowed for goods is limited and confined to standard size boxes. This is a problem for prior art apparatus with X-ray detectors that extend outside and beyond the outer G-arm contour. Prior art apparatus usually require disassembling.

Fixed mounting of detectors The mounting element 102 is further preferably conﬁgured such that it is firm or ﬂxed, i.e. that it provides a fixed non-displaceable mounting of the detector to the G-arm. This has the effect to eliminate the need for a displaceable mounting element.

This is important in transport within buildings on the wheels of the apparatus, typically hospital buildings where this kind of apparatus is in use. Doors and ceiling height have dimensions that for prior art apparatus require that the detectors, particularly the top detector, is dismounted or displaced. Prior art apparatus have a displaceable detector with a displaceable mounting arrangement to the G-arm. The need for this displaceable element is eliminated by the solution according to the invention. The invention also simplifies and makes more efficient the work in hospitals since the need for adjusting the top detector out of operating settings for moving the apparatus is eliminated.

Detector along inner contour of G-arm The mounting of the ﬂat detectors is further preferably configured such that the X-ray receiving surfaces of the ﬂat detectors are positioned close to the inner contour of said extension of the G-arm. 10 15 20 25 This has the effect that the space within the G-arm is enlarged. In use, a patient on an operation table, a surgeon, various surgery staff and various equipment will be positioned within the G-arm. The ﬂat detectors and particularly the mounting close to the inner contour increase the available space and the accessibility to the patient within the G-arm significantly.

Fixed mounting and balanced G-arm In one embodiment, the system comprises a balance weight 106 (Cf. Fig 9) positioned close to each of the ﬂat detectors, e.g. behind the detector or e.g. mounted to or integrated in or with the mounting element 102. The G-arm is substantially a 3/4 circular arc that is supported on a chassis frame such that the G-arm can rotate about an axis through the center of the circular arc and thereby the position of the X-ray devices be adjusted. According to this embodiment of the invention, the balance weights are selected and positioned such that the G-arm is statically balanced with regard to rotation about the rotational axis. In order to adjust the rotational position of the G-arm, an operator only has to apply a small force to set the G-arm in motion, find the desired position and lock the G-arm with a locking mechanism also provided in the system. This solution has inter alia the effects that the operability of the G- arm is improved, the risk for squeeze injuries on operators is reduced and mechanisms for driving the adjustment motion of the G-arm as well as mechanisms for keeping the arm in position are reduced.

In another embodiment, the G-arm is made in one piece with a recess for mounting and integrating the detector in the respective end parts of the G-arm and shaped such that the G- arm with detectors mounted is statically balanced.

Tilting displacement of G-arm Embodiments of the invention comprise a suspension of the G-arm that enables a tilting or pivoting displacement of the G-arm about a horizontal axis. This is also enabled by the ﬂat detector giving the G-arm components a sufficiently low weight that is adjusted to the weight of the chassis such that that the chassis frame balances the G-arm when tilted.

Claims

1. 0 15 20 25 30 Claims 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) A mobile digital ﬂuoroscopy system, comprising a mobile unit (1) having: a stand having a G-arm (18) suspended on a chassis frame (7) ; a first X-ray device (19) mounted on the G-arm (18) to generate X-ray images in a first plane (P1), the first X-ray device (19) having a first receiver (22) mounted on the G-arm (18) and a first transmitter (21) mounted on the G-arm (18) opposite said first receiver (22); a second X-ray device (20) mounted on the G-arm (18) to generate X-ray images in a second plane (P2) intersecting the first plane (P1) of the first X-ray device, the second X-ray device (20) having a second receiver (24) mounted on the G-arm (18) and a second transmitter (23) mounted on the arm (18) opposite said second receiver (24), wherein said first and second receivers (22) and (24) are ﬂat digital X-ray detectors mounted at respective ends of the G-arm; wherein the mounting of the ﬂat detectors is conﬁgured such that the X-ray receiving surfaces of the ﬂat detectors are positioned close to the inner contour of said extension of the G-arm. The system of the preceding claim, wherein said ﬂat detectors are mounted at the respective ends (104) of the G-arm with a mounting element (102) that couples the detectors to the G-arm. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting is configured such that the ﬂat detectors are positioned as an extension of the G and within the outer contour of said extension of the G-arm. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting is configured such that it is fixed and provides a fixed non-displaceable mounting of the detector to the G-arm. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises a balance weight (106) positioned close to each of the ﬂat detectors, e. g. behind the detector or e.g. mounted to or integrated in or with the mounting element (102). The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the balance weights are selected and positioned such that the G-arm is statically balanced with regard to rotation about the rotational axis. 10 7) 8) 9) The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the G-arm is made in one piece with a recess for mounting and integrating the detector in the respective end parts of the G-arm and shaped such that the G-arm with detectors mounted is statically balanced. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises a suspension of the G-arm that enables a tilting or pivoting displacement of the G-arm about a horizontal axis. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight of the G-arm components is adjusted to the weight of the chassis such that that the chassis frame balances the G-arm when tilted.