Capacitive type proximity sensor

Abstract

It is provided a capacitive type proximity sensor, comprising a sensing electrode, whereas the sensing electrode has a surface with electroconductive areas 113 and not-electroconductive areas 117, whereas the sensor is adapted for measuring an electrical field 110, 112 between the sensing electrode and an object 109, 111. Further it is described an apparatus for medical x-ray diagnosis and / or x-ray therapy and / or nuclear diagnosis / therapy, e.g. SPECT, a system for medical x-ray diagnosis and / or x- ray therapy and / or nuclear diagnosis / therapy, e.g. SPECT, a method for avoiding collision between an apparatus for medical x-ray diagnosis and / or x-ray therapy and / or nuclear diagnosis / therapy, e.g. SPECT, and an object, a programme element and a computer readable medium. It is disclosed a capacitance type proximity sensor whose sensitivity of approaching objects has an improved independence from the special geometry of the sensor itself.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to capacitive proximity sensors, devices for medical x-ray diagnosis and / or x-ray therapy and / or nuclear diagnosis / therapy (eg SPECT), for medical x-ray diagnosis and / or x-ray therapy and / or A system for nuclear diagnosis / therapy (eg SPECT), a method for avoiding collisions between a device for medical x-ray diagnosis and / or x-ray therapy and / or nuclear diagnosis / therapy (eg SPECT) and an object. Background technique [0002] Capacitive proximity sensors are used centrally for distance detection purposes and are characterized by a flat, mostly circular or square sensing electrode. A linear measurement range is obtained using a guard electrode, which is typically on the order of one-third the size of the sensor. The same sensing technology is used on Philips Medical devices for collision avoidance purposes, featuring a larger measurement range than the sensor size. [0003] To detect the approach of an object, this techno...

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