Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/08—Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/44—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis
  • A61B6/4405—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/44—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis
  • A61B6/4411—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis the apparatus being modular
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/44—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis
  • A61B6/4429—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis related to the mounting of source units and detector units
  • A61B6/4435—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis related to the mounting of source units and detector units the source unit and the detector unit being coupled by a rigid structure
  • A61B6/4441—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis related to the mounting of source units and detector units the source unit and the detector unit being coupled by a rigid structure the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/54—Control of apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis
  • A61B6/547—Control of apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis involving tracking of position of the device or parts of the device
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
  • A61B6/58—Testing, adjusting or calibrating thereof
  • A61B6/587—Alignment of source unit to detector unit

Definitions

• the present invention is related to X-ray apparatuses, and more specifically to X-ray apparatuses suitable for obtaining an X-ray image of an object.
• X-ray apparatuses comprising an X-ray source and a digital detector which are attached by means of an arm, which is usually C-shaped, such that said X-ray source and said digital detector are arranged facing one another, are known.
• the object to be analyzed is arranged between the X-ray source and the digital detector such that a real-time fluoroscopic image is obtained.
• X-ray apparatuses for medical use where said digital detector rotates with respect to a rotation axis, are also known.
• WO2012098949 A1 discloses an X-ray apparatus for medical use comprising an X-ray source and a digital detector which are attached through a C- shaped arm, such that said X-ray source and said digital detector are arranged facing one another.
• the digital detector rotates according to an angle which the user of the apparatus defines through a button arranged in the control panel of the apparatus.
• the object of the invention is to provide an X-ray apparatus as described below.
• the X-ray apparatus of the invention comprises an X-ray source and a digital detector, both arranged such that they are facing and aligned with one another. Said X-ray apparatus is suitable for obtaining an X-ray image of an object which is arranged between the X-ray source and the digital detector.
• the digital detector is arranged such that it can rotate with respect to a rotation axis.
• the X-ray apparatus of the invention also comprises projection means, external to the X-ray, indicating the orientation of the digital detector.
• the digital detector is usually concealed below a protective element, but when using the apparatus, the digital detector may also be arranged below or behind the support where the object to be inspected is placed (for example a stretcher, a pallet, etc.); it is therefore difficult to predict the actual orientation of the digital detector.
• the X-ray apparatus of the invention indicates the orientation and position of the digital detector in a simple, quick and economic manner. Therefore, the digital detector is positioned depending on the desired orientation of the image of the object to be captured without the need to emit X-rays, whereby also considerably reducing the X-ray exposure time.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the X-ray apparatus according to the invention but without the control unit.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the receiving head of the X-ray apparatus of Figure 1 but without the top protection for the digital detector.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the cross-section of the emitting head of Figure 1 and of the receiving head of Figure 2.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the X-ray apparatus of Figure 1 with the object to be inspected.
• Figure 1 shows the X-ray apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the control unit is not depicted as it is understood that it is well-known in the state of the art.
• the X-ray apparatus 1 is for medical use, although there are also other possible uses such as the inspection of electronic components, aluminum parts or iron parts, etc.
• Said X- ray apparatus 1 is arranged on a movable structure (not depicted) to facilitate transporting and handling said apparatus 1 such that it can be used as a portable equipment.
• the X-ray apparatus 1 of the embodiment is suitable for use in trauma clinics, podiatry clinics, etc., and in outpatient centers, rehabilitation centers, sports medicine centers, etc., as well as in operating rooms and/or emergency rooms.
• the X-ray apparatus of the embodiment comprises an X-ray source (not shown in the drawings) and a digital detector 3, both arranged such that they are facing and aligned with one another, as shown in Figure 1 (in Figure 1 the X-ray source is located inside the emitting head 9 and the digital detector 3 is located inside the receiving head 10).
• the X-ray source and the digital detector 3 are attached through a rigid arm 8 which is usually C-shaped, although any shape is acceptable provided that it assures that the X-ray source and the digital detector are facing and aligned with one another.
• the X-ray apparatus 1 is suitable for obtaining an X-ray image of an object 2 which is arranged between the X-ray source and the digital detector 3.
• the object 2 is the patient or parts of the patient's body that are to be examined by X-ray.
• the image captured by means of X-ray technology (in real time), also called fluoroscopic image, is recorded and reproduced on a monitor. Said image may also be processed before and/or after being reproduced on the monitor by means that are well-known in the art.
• the digital detector 3 is arranged such that it can rotate with respect to a rotation axis 5, as shown in Figure 2.
• Figure 2 shows the receiving head 10 of Figure 1 but without the top protection 1 1.
• the digital detector 3 of the embodiment of the invention is a flat panel detector, rectangular-shaped, which rotates in an interval between about 0° and about + 90°, and in an interval between about 0° and about -90°, said detector 3 being able to be stopped in any angular position between about 0° and about +90°, and between about 0° and about -90°.
• the flat panel detector comprises an active area 3', which is also rectangular- shaped, being this area what actually receives the X-rays emitted by the X-ray source, as it is known by the skilled person.
• the geometric center of said active rectangle 3' defines the position of said rotation axis 5.
• the X-ray apparatus 1 according to the invention also comprises projection means 4 (depicted in Figure 3), external to the X-ray, which visually indicate the orientation of the digital detector 3.
• the digital detector 3 is concealed below the top protection 1 1 ; therefore, it is not possible to know the position and orientation of the digital detector 3.
• the X- ray apparatus 1 of the invention it is possible to indicate to the user of the X-ray apparatus 1 , usually a doctor, the position and orientation of the digital detector 3.
• the doctor can therefore position the digital detector depending on the orientation of the image of the object 2 to be captured without bothering the patient in a simple, quick and economic manner and without emitting X-rays, whereby considerably reducing the patient X-ray exposure time.
• the service life of the digital detector 3 is also prolonged.
• the digital detector 3 is a rectangular-shaped flat panel detector and comprises a longitudinal axis 3a and a transverse axis 3b, as can be seen in Figure 3.
• the projection means 4 of the invention project a graphical depiction on the digital detector 3, on the top protection 1 1 if it has one, or on the object (2) itself arranged between the X-ray source and the digital detector 3.
• said graphical depiction comprises a longitudinal axis 4a and a transverse axis 4b such that they simulate the longitudinal axis 3a and transverse axis 3b of the active area 3' of the digital detector 3, said longitudinal axis 4a and transverse axis 4b of the graphical depiction being a geometric translation of the longitudinal axis 3a and transverse axis 3b of the digital detector 3, i.e., the longitudinal axis 4a and the transverse axis 4b of the graphical depiction maintain the same orientation as the longitudinal axis 3a and transverse axis 3b of the digital detector 3 but being displaced according to a vector that can slide along the rotation axis 5 of the digital detector.
• the graphical depiction comprises a rectangle, with a solid line or a dotted line, simulating the rectangular shape of the active area 3' of the digital detector 3.
• geometric translation means that the projected rectangle maintains the same orientation as the digital detector but being displaced according to a vector that can slide along the rotation axis 5 of the digital detector 3.
• the projection means 4 of the X-ray apparatus 1 emit a light signal directed towards the rotation axis 5 of the digital detector 3, such that the graphical depiction is visually indicated.
• the projection means 4 comprise a laser emitter, although more than one emitter could be used to be able to draw the desired graphical depiction.
• the X-ray source comprises an X-ray tube where the X-rays to be emitted are generated, and a collimator 6 suitable for directing said X-ray towards the digital detector 3.
• the collimator 6 comprises a rectangular-shaped window 7 through which the X-rays emitted by the X-ray tube pass, such that said X-rays are inside a rectangular cross section prism where the base of said prism approximately corresponds with the active area 3 ' of the digital detector 3.
• the axis of said prism corresponds with the rotation axis 5 of the digital detector 3.
• the collimator 6 and the digital detector 3 are synchronized such that the digital detector 3 and the collimator 6 rotate by the same angle.
• the projection means 4 are attached to the collimator 6.
• the collimator 6 is coaxially mounted on a sleeve 6', the collimator 6 and said sleeve 6' being attached such that they both rotate integrally.
• the projection means 4 are mounted in said sleeve 6' such that the rotation of the digital detector 3 performs the same rotation as the graphical depiction projected by the projection means 4.
• the axis of the graphical depiction is made to match up with the rotation axis 5 of the digital detector 3.
• the projection means 4 are therefore able to indicate the orientation of the digital detector 3 in real time, i.e., while the digital detector 3 rotates it is possible to visually observe how the graphical depiction projected by the projection means 4 changes orientation.
• the image is viewed on said object 2.
• the sleeve 6' and the collimator 6 optionally form a single part; therefore, in this case, the projection means 4 are mounted directly on a side of the collimator 6 itself.
• the X-ray apparatus 1 of the invention comprises a position "0" where the position of rotation of both the digital detector 3 and the collimator 6 is synchronized. In other words, every time the digital detector 3 passes through position "0", it is verified that the collimator 6 is also in position "0", and if it is not, its position is automatically corrected, thereby avoiding errors due to lack of synchronization.
• This adjustment can be performed when turning the X-ray apparatus 1 on and/or off, every time the detector 3 passes through position 0° in its rotation of +90° and -90°, when the data of a new object 2 to be inspected is entered, or when the user manually gives the adjustment command through means arranged in the control unit for such purpose.
• Figure 4 shows an object, a patient's hand 2 in the example of said drawing, arranged on the top protection 11 of the receiving head 10, such that the patient and the user of the X-ray apparatus 1 do not know the position and orientation of the digital detector 3 because said digital detector 3 is concealed.
• the patient can be lying down or sitting on a stretcher, predicting the position and orientation of the digital detector being even worse in this case because the digital detector will be located below the stretcher. Going back to the example of Figure 4, once the patient has placed his/her hand 2 on the top protection 1 1 , the doctor can activate the projection means 4 in order to make the graphical depiction visible, which in the example of the drawing corresponds with the longitudinal axis 4a and transverse axis 4b representing the longitudinal axis 3a and transverse axis 3b of the digital detector 3. The graphical depiction will be viewed on the patient's hand 2.
• the projection means 4 can also be activated before the patient places his/her hand 2 in order to thus guide the patient as to where to place his/her hand 2.
• the user the doctor
• the collimator 6 By rotating the digital detector 3, the collimator 6 also rotates, and therefore also the projection means 4 which make the graphical depiction change orientation as the digital detector 3 rotates.
• the user can thus intuitively decide which orientation is ideal (without the need to guess about said position as occurs in WO2012098949 A1) before activating the X-rays to capture the desired image.
• the ideal position for capturing the image of the hand 2 is the direction in which the transverse axis 4b is aligned with the patient's arm. Since the projection means 4 indicate the orientation of the digital detector 3 in real time, the user of the X-ray apparatus 1 of the invention, who is usually a doctor, can more accurately determine, without emitting X-rays and without bothering the patient, the ideal position and orientation of the digital detector 3 for capturing the desired X- ray image, which is particularly advantageous when the patient has mobility issues given that the position of the digital detector 3 is adapted to the object 2 and not the other way around.
• X-ray exposure time is considerably reduced, and therefore it contributes to prolonging the service life of the digital detector 3 and of the X-ray tube.
• the X-rays are emitted when the user, e.g., the doctor, has selected the best orientation of the digital detector 3 to capture the image.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)

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Citations (2)

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• 2013
  • 2013-03-01 ES ES201330286A patent/ES2490394B2/es not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2014
  • 2014-02-11 WO PCT/EP2014/052609 patent/WO2014131612A1/en active Application Filing

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