Collimator system for x-ray system, x-ray system and device in form of module

Abstract

The utility model relates to a collimator system (5) used for an X-ray system (1), the collimator system (5) comprises a collimator (K), a light deflection unit (8), an illumination unit (6) and a camera (7), the illumination unit (6) is designed and arranged in a way that the illumination unit (6) emits a light cone (L) in an active state, and the camera (7) is arranged in a way that the illumination unit (6) emits the light cone (L) in a non-active state. The light cone (L) illuminates a region, which corresponds to a recording region (A) defined by the collimator (K), in a deflected manner by means of a light deflection unit (8), and wherein the camera (7) is arranged or at least positionable in such a way that it can record the recording region (A) by means of the light deflection unit (8) and the viewing direction thereof corresponds to the main emission direction of the illumination unit (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a collimator system for an X-ray system, an X-ray system, a method for operating an X-ray system, and an apparatus for a collimator system. More particularly, this invention relates to a pivotable beam-viewing camera. Background Technology

[0002] The X-ray system includes an X-ray source that irradiates a detector for image recording. To determine a suitable image locale, or "recording area," a collimator is positioned in the beam path. This collimator, using a movable, beam-impermeable collimator plate, determines areas that will not be irradiated during recording. The collimator plate can be properly positioned before each recording.

[0003] Because the X-ray beam is invisible and setting the collimator plate when the beam is connected is dangerous, the collimator includes an illumination unit configured to illuminate the recording area such that the visible light field corresponds precisely to the surface illuminated during recording. Therefore, the illumination unit is configured such that its light cone is confined to the desired recording area by the collimator plate. Thus, the light beam enables the collimator plate to be positioned as desired.

[0004] Some X-ray systems additionally use 2D or 3D cameras to display the recording area. These cameras are positioned outside the collimator and pointed laterally at the patient. This results in image distortion of the recording area, which is a drawback. Use within the beam is impossible because the beam would damage the camera. To date, there is no so-called "beam-view camera" capable of recording the recording area without distortion. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to describe a collimator system for an X-ray system, an X-ray system, a method for operating an X-ray system, and an apparatus for a collimator system, by which the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided. In particular, the purpose of this invention is to realize a beam angle camera.

[0006] The objective is achieved by the collimator system according to the present invention, the X-ray system according to the present invention, the method according to the present invention, and the device according to the present invention.

[0007] The collimator system for an X-ray system according to this invention includes a collimator, a light deflection unit, an illumination unit, and a camera. The illumination unit is designed and configured such that, in its active state, it emits a light cone that is deflected by the light deflection unit to illuminate an area corresponding to a recording area defined by the collimator. The camera is positioned, or at least able to be positioned, such that it can record the recording area through the light deflection unit, and its viewing direction corresponds to the main emission direction of the illumination unit, wherein, in particular, its field of view defined by the collimator corresponds to the deflected light cone (which is also defined by the collimator).

[0008] Suitable light deflection units are, for example, mirrors or prisms. Preferably, the light deflection unit is configured such that it does not alter the light beam except by deflecting its path.

[0009] Suitable lighting units are known in the prior art. The lighting unit can be, for example, a conventional lamp or a device composed of LED lighting mechanisms.

[0010] The arrangement of the illumination unit and the light deflection unit is crucial. These units must be configured such that the light cone of the activated illumination unit is deflected by the light deflection unit to illuminate an area corresponding to the recording area defined by the collimator. This is achieved, in particular, by positioning the light deflection unit within the beam path of the X-ray beam, and by having the illumination unit laterally radiate its light cone from outside the X-ray beam path onto the light deflection unit such that the main emission direction of the deflected light cone is concentric with the main emission direction of the X-ray cone, and that the light cone passes through the collimator after its deflection.

[0011] Particularly preferred is that the illumination unit is configured such that its beam cone has the same length as the X-ray cone, i.e., the straight segment from the illumination unit along its main radiation direction (with deflection) to the recording area has the same length as the distance between the X-ray source and the recording area. This is particularly advantageous in order to minimize the undesirable spread effect on the illuminated surface.

[0012] Therefore, the camera's viewing direction during image recording is concentric with the main radial direction of the illumination unit when illuminating the recording area (i.e., the main radial direction and the viewing direction are both on the same main axis when the corresponding components are in operation). Even if it is advantageous for the camera to be positioned at the location of the illumination unit during recording, this is not necessarily required. The camera can also move along the main axis.

[0013] The camera can be fixedly or movably positioned according to the desired implementation. However, the camera must be positioned, or at least able to be positioned, such that it can record the recording area through the light deflection unit and its viewing direction corresponds to the main radiating direction of the illumination unit, and in particular its field of view (defined by the collimator) corresponds to the deflected light cone (i.e., preferably having the position and shape as defined by the collimator). The field of view defined by the collimator refers to the area that is visible to the camera through the collimator. Basically, the angle of view of the camera through the collimator should correspond to the angle of the light cone of the illumination unit. This is achieved, for example, by the position and direction of illumination by the illumination unit corresponding to the position and orientation of the camera. However, the camera does not necessarily have to have the same optical distance from the recording area as the illumination unit (i.e., when the recording area is illuminated simultaneously) when it is recording.

[0014] The X-ray system according to this invention is preferably a fluorescence fluoroscopy system, a urological system, or a radiographic system. The X-ray system includes a collimator system according to this invention.

[0015] The method according to this invention is used to operate an X-ray system according to this invention. The method includes the following steps:

[0016] - The recording area is illuminated by a lighting unit.

[0017] - (Optional): Move the illumination unit and / or the camera so that the camera can record the recording area.

[0018] - Use a camera to record the recording area.

[0019] - (Optional): Move the illumination unit and / or camera so that the illumination unit can illuminate the recording area.

[0020] If the lighting unit and camera are rigidly mounted, for example in the form of a camera surrounded by a light source, then movement of the components is not necessary and the recording area can be simply illuminated and recorded.

[0021] If the illumination unit and camera are movably mounted, for example, rigidly mounted to each other on a movable or rotatable module, then the module should be positioned (i.e., moved) before recording by the camera so that the camera can record the recording area. Similarly, the illumination unit should be positioned (i.e., moved) before illumination so that it can illuminate the recording area.

[0022] The modular device according to this invention is designed for use in a collimator system according to this invention. The device includes a camera and an illumination unit rigidly disposed relative to each other. The illumination unit is preferably further designed such that it can be rotatably or movablely mounted at the X-ray system.

[0023] Other particularly advantageous designs and improvements of this invention are derived from the following description. Embodiments of one category may also be modified in a similar manner to those of other categories. In particular, features of different embodiments or variations may be combined to form new embodiments or variations.

[0024] Preferably, the lighting unit and the camera are rigidly mounted to each other, preferably in the form of movable modules. These modules are preferably driven by a motor, and more preferably by means of a stepper motor. This specifically means that the module can move or rotate by means of a motor. Stepper motors have the advantage of allowing for very precise movement. Therefore, for example, it is feasible to precisely travel a specific rotation angle.

[0025] Preferably, the module is rotatable between the camera and the illumination unit about a rotation axis, and the camera and the illumination unit are preferably positioned at an angle of 90° or 180° relative to each other about the rotation axis. With the aid of a module preferably rotatable about the rotation axis using a motor, the illumination unit can be positioned in an "illumination position" at once by a suitable rotation, in which the illumination unit illuminates the recording area according to the present invention, and the camera is positioned in a "recording position" at once, in which the camera records the recording position according to the present invention.

[0026] Preferably, the module is movable along the direction of movement, particularly orthogonal to the radial direction of the light cone, and the camera and illumination unit are arranged side-by-side along the direction of movement (with the light cone and field of view aligned parallel). With the help of a module that can move back and forth along the direction of movement, the illumination unit can be placed in the illumination position and the camera can be placed in the recording position at the same time through appropriate movement.

[0027] Preferably, the illumination unit is configured such that the optical path of its light cone extending to the recording area corresponds to the distance between the X-ray source of the X-ray system and the recording area. This avoids undesirable effects during illumination, such as excessive shadows.

[0028] The lighting unit preferably includes LEDs for illumination. These LEDs are cost-effective, robust, and energy-efficient.

[0029] Preferably, the camera is configured such that the optical path of its field of view extending to the recording area corresponds to the distance between the X-ray source of the X-ray system and the recording area. This avoids distortion between the recorded area and the actual recording area.

[0030] Preferably, a 3D camera is also used. If the 3D camera includes two cameras, the position of the thin film inside the camera's aperture should also be adjusted.

[0031] Preferably, the camera's field of view (which is not constrained by the collimator) and the illumination unit's light cone (which is not constrained by the collimator) have the same subtended angle. This ensures optimal comparability.

[0032] Preferably, the collimator system includes mechanical stops designed and positioned such that the illumination unit is correctly positioned in one stop position and the camera is correctly positioned in another stop position. This is particularly advantageous in modules as described above. The module can then be easily moved or rotated, and the stops ensure optimal positioning of the components being used. However, even when the camera and illumination unit move independently, such stops for positioning the separately used components are advantageous. The collimator system may, of course, have two or more mechanical stops.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the camera is capable of moving along the main axis (i.e., a straight line along its viewing direction). Preferably, the size of the recorded area is automatically adjusted according to the camera's position after movement, so that the recorded area is imaged at the same size at every position of the camera. Preferably, alternatively or additionally, the recorded area is automatically provided with a border, so that the recorded area is better visible.

[0034] This invention can also be achieved by modifying an existing collimator system. For this, the camera must be integrated into the optical module of the collimator system. This is best achieved by converting the optical module to a device according to this invention.

[0035] The focal points of the camera and illumination unit should have the same distance from the recording area when they are set in their respective "operating positions". When the camera and illumination unit are mounted on a rotatable module, the focal points of both components should have the same distance from the rotation point of the module.

[0036] In the module's basic state, for example, the illumination unit is oriented towards the collimator and the operator can set the size and position of the area to be inspected. Once the camera is activated, it preferably automatically pivots toward the aperture and is switched on.

[0037] If an additional camera is needed, it can be mounted in the same location where the camera would normally be.

[0038] Therefore, this invention can realize a beam-view camera. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Here, the same parts are given the same reference numerals in different drawings. The drawings are generally not to scale. The drawings show:

[0040] Figure 1 An example for an X-ray system is shown.

[0041] Figure 2 This illustrates a collimator system based on the prior art.

[0042] Figure 3 An example of a collimator system according to the present invention is shown.

[0043] Figure 4 A rotatable module with an illumination unit, a camera, and a stop is shown.

[0044] Figure 5 This demonstrates a movable configuration for the lighting unit and camera.

[0045] Figure 6 A movable module with an illumination unit, a camera, and a stop is shown.

[0046] Figure 7 This illustrates the rigid configuration of the lighting unit and the camera. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Figure 1 An X-ray system 1, in the form of a radiographic system, with control device 2, is roughly schematically shown. The X-ray system 1 typically has a radiation source 3, which is an X-ray source in this case, and transmits radiation through the patient P during radiographic recording, such that the radiation is collimated by a collimator system 5 onto detectors 4, which are respectively positioned opposite the radiation source 3. The size and shape of the recording area A are determined by the collimator system.

[0048] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a collimator system 5 according to the prior art, comprising an illumination unit 6 whose light cone L is deflected by a mirror 8, which serves as a light deflection unit 8, through a collimator K onto a recording area A. The optical path from the illumination unit 6 to the collimator K has the same length as the distance between the radiation source 3 and the collimator K. Therefore, the illuminated area precisely corresponds to the recording area. In the drawing, the light cone L and the X-ray beam R have a minimum distance. This is merely for better distinction. It can be imagined that the light cone L, after the collimator K, corresponds to the cone of the X-ray beam R.

[0049] Camera 7 is positioned on the outside of the housing of collimator system 5. The camera optically records the recording area A and, for example, makes the recording area visible on a display. By positioning camera 7 laterally, the recording area A is displayed with distortion.

[0050] Figure 3 An example of a collimator system 5 according to the present invention is shown. The example is related to... Figure 2 Similar to the collimator system 5 in the previous example, but with a key difference: in this example, the illumination unit 6 and the camera 7 are rigidly mounted on the rotatable module M. In the position shown in the collimator system 5 of module M, the illumination unit 6 is positioned as follows: Figure 2 The beam is directed onto the recording area A in the same way as in the example.

[0051] The dashed line indicates another location of module M, in which camera 7 is positioned and recording in recording area A. The field of view S of the camera, defined by collimator K, corresponds to the light cone L of illumination unit 6 (defined by collimator K).

[0052] Figure 4 A rotatable module M is shown, which has an illumination unit 6, a camera 7, and a stop 9. Figure 4 Modules in Figure 3 Similar to module M, except that in this module, camera 7 and illumination unit 6 rotate 90° relative to each other and are not like in... Figure 3 It rotates 180° as shown in the example. In the free region of module M, the stop 9 is disposed in a curved elongated hole. In the example described, the stop 9 is fixedly mounted on the housing of the collimator system 5, and the elongated hole is disposed in module M, such that the stop 9 can be material-fitted and slide within the elongated hole. However, the stop 9 can also be disposed on module M, and the elongated hole can be formed within the housing of the collimator system 5.

[0053] If module M is in the illumination position (left), the stop 9 collides with one end of the elongated hole; if module M is in the recording position (right), the stop 9 collides with the other end of the elongated hole. During rotation from one position to another (middle), the stop 9 slides within the elongated hole.

[0054] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a movable arrangement of the illumination unit 6 and the camera 7. The illumination unit and camera are not housed within module M but are capable of moving independently of each other. On the left, the illumination unit 6 is in the illumination position, and on the right, the camera 7 is in the recording position. This embodiment has a minor drawback: the optical paths from the camera 7 and the illumination unit 6 to the recording area A are not of equal length. Therefore, the recording area shown by the camera is slightly smaller than the illuminated recording area A. This embodiment can be chosen for recordings where this point is not critical.

[0055] Figure 6 A movable module M is shown, which has an illumination unit 6, a camera 7, and two stops 9 fixedly mounted on the housing of the collimator system 5. (Compared to...) Figure 5 Unlike other devices, the illumination unit 6 and camera 7 cannot move independently of each other, but for this reason, they are both equidistant from the recording area A in their respective "operating positions." On the left, the illumination unit 6 is in the illumination position and the module M collidees with the upper stop 9; on the right, the camera 7 is in the recording position and the module M collidees with the lower stop 9. This embodiment has the advantage that the optical paths from the camera 7 and the illumination unit 6 to the recording area A are of equal length. Therefore, the recording area A shown by the camera 7 is imaged precisely as if the recording area A were illuminated.

[0056] Figure 7 The rigid arrangement of the illumination unit 6 and camera 7 is shown. In this example, an LED ring surrounds the camera 7 as the illumination unit 6. It should be noted that the collimated light cone L of the LEDs of the entire illumination unit 6 corresponds to the field of view S defined by the collimator of the camera 7. In this example, the light cones of the LEDs overlap on the recording area A. However, this is not necessarily required. The light cones can, of course, also form a frame.

[0057] Finally, it should be reiterated that the utility model described in detail hereof is merely an example, and such examples can be modified in different ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this utility model. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not preclude the existence of related features in multiple forms. Similarly, the term "unit" does not preclude the component being composed of multiple interacting sub-components that are spatially distributed if necessary. The term "a certain number" should be interpreted as "at least one."

Claims

1. A collimator system (5) for an X-ray system (1). Its features are, The collimator system (5) includes a collimator (K), an optical deflection unit (8), an illumination unit (6), and a camera (7). The illumination unit (6) is designed and configured such that, in the active state, it emits a light cone (L), which, through the light deflection unit (8), illuminates an area corresponding to the recording area (A) defined by the collimator (K). The camera (7) is configured or at least positioned such that it can record the recording area (A) via the light deflection unit (8) and its viewing direction corresponds to the main radiation direction of the illumination unit (6).

2. The collimator system (5) according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit (6) and the camera (7) are rigidly disposed relative to each other.

3. The collimator system (5) according to claim 2, wherein the illumination unit and the camera are arranged in the form of a movable module (M).

4. The collimator system (5) according to claim 3, wherein the module is motor-driven.

5. The collimator system (5) according to claim 4, wherein the module can be driven by a stepper motor.

6. The collimator system (5) according to claim 3, wherein the module (M) is rotatable about a rotation axis (D) between the camera (7) and the illumination unit (6), and the camera (7) and the illumination unit (6) are angularly positioned relative to each other about the rotation axis (D) and / or wherein the module (M) is movable along a movement direction and the camera (7) and the illumination unit (6) are arranged side by side along the movement direction.

7. The collimator system (5) according to claim 6, wherein the angle is 90° or 180°.

8. The collimator system (5) according to claim 6, wherein the module (M) is capable of moving orthogonally to the radial direction of the light cone (L).

9. The collimator system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the illumination unit (6) is configured such that the optical path of its light cone (L) up to the recording area (A) corresponds to the distance between the X-ray source (3) of the X-ray system (1) and the recording area (A).

10. The collimator system (5) according to claim 9, wherein the illumination unit (6) includes LEDs for illumination.

11. The collimator system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the camera (7) is configured such that its field of view (S) up to the optical path of the recording area (A) corresponds to the distance between the X-ray source (3) of the X-ray system (1) and the recording area (A).

12. The collimator system (5) according to claim 11, wherein the camera (7) is a 3D camera.

13. The collimator system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the field of view (S) of the camera (7) and the light cone (L) of the illumination unit (6) have the same angle.

14. The collimator system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the collimator system (5) includes a mechanical stop (9) designed and positioned such that the illumination unit (6) is correctly positioned in a stop position and the camera (7) is correctly positioned in another stop position.

15. The collimator system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the camera (7) is capable of moving in a straight line along its observation direction.

16. The collimator system (5) according to claim 15, wherein the size of the recorded recording area (A) is automatically adjusted according to the position of the camera (7) after movement and / or wherein the recorded area (A) is automatically provided with a border.

17. An X-ray system (1), Its features are, The X-ray system (1) includes a collimator system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The X-ray system (1) according to claim 17, wherein the X-ray system is a fluorescence fluoroscopy system, a urological system, or a radiographic system.

19. A device in the form of a module (M), Its features are, The device is designed for use in a collimator system (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the device comprising a camera (7) and an illumination unit (6) rigidly disposed from each other.

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