A radiographic system having a carrier unit mounted to the ground

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical radiography system (1) for recording an examination area, having an X-ray source (10) and an X-ray detector (11), wherein the X-ray source is fixed to a carrier unit (2) mounted on the ground and carrying, and the carrier unit is designed such that the position of the X-ray source is adjustable in three spatial directions (x, y, z) and the orientation of the X-ray tube with respect to the X-ray detector can be adjusted by means of a rotatable or pivotable orientation element (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical radiography system having an X-ray source mounted on a carrier unit that is installed on the ground and provides support. Background Art

[0002] Known radiography systems have an overhead rail system mounted on the roof, on which at least an X-ray detector is fixed by means of an overhead carriage. The overhead rail system for the overhead carriage must be installed or anchored to the ceiling of the examination room or therein. The installation is usually carried out individually for each examination room and requires more or less effort depending on the ceiling structure of the building in order to carry the load of the mobile overhead carriage. The introduction and installation of the overhead rail system requires construction effort and must be prepared before installing the radiology / or radiography system. Each room requires individual preparation, which additionally requires a specifically produced and statician-designed and weight-reduced substructure. Additionally, the overhead rail system must be oriented straight and additionally parallel to the floor of the examination room in the horizontal plane to ensure the precise function of the radiography system.

[0003] Furthermore, the installation of common radiography systems requires additional effort for laying cables. Since the generator cabinet usually cannot be directly in the examination room, a part of the system cables must be pulled into other rooms, which do not necessarily have to be on the same floor. This requires construction preparation, which causes time and economic costs.

[0004] Common radiography systems typically include an examination table, a floor stand (also known as a wall-mounted grid ) and an overhead carriage that carries the X-ray source. In order to be able to movably arrange an X-ray detector in the examination table and in the wall-mounted grid for known recording processes in radiography and fluoroscopy, the overhead carriage must be movable in the horizontal plane in the x and y directions. The movement can usually be achieved by an overhead rail system arranged at 90 degrees to each other, in which the top slider of the overhead carriage is movably accommodated. The height position of the X-ray source can be moved along the z direction by the telescopic tube drive mechanism of the overhead carriage. Depending on the setting and spacing of the examination table and the wall-mounted grid in the examination room, a correspondingly large movement path of the overhead carriage in the x and y directions is required. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a medical radiography system that enables simple installation of the radiography system with reduced construction measures in the preparation stage of installation.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by a medical radiography system.

[0007] The present invention relates to a medical radiography system for recording an examination area, the medical radiography system having an X-ray source and an X-ray detector. The X-ray source is fixed on a carrier unit that is mounted on the ground and provides support. The carrier element is designed such that the position of the X-ray source is adjustable in three spatial directions, particularly in the spatial directions of a Cartesian coordinate system, and the orientation of the X-ray tube with respect to the X-ray detector is adjustable by means of a rotatable or pivotable orientation element.

[0008] The radiography system can in particular be a so-called fluoroscopy system, which is suitable for radiographic and fluoroscopic examinations. The X-ray detector and the X-ray source are preferably mechanically separated, i.e., not connected to each other via a C-arm or U-arm, for example. The X-ray source can move mechanically separately from the X-ray detector. Mounted on the ground means that the carrier unit is fixedly mounted on the ground and immovable along the ground.

[0009] By means of the design of the carrier unit, an adjustable height range or movement range of the X-ray source in the vertical direction can be achieved, such that it is specified substantially independently of the room height. Independently of the room height, which only has to have a minimum height, the medical radiography system can be installed and set up on the ground substantially without structural changes to the ceiling in the examination room. Particularly in the case of an unusually high ceiling, the radiography system according to the invention can be set up simply without increasing the matching cost and / or the construction cost of the size of the medical radiography system. Advantageously, installing the radiography system only requires the floor mounting of the individual components and does not require a roof or walls.

[0010] The orientation element is designed such that the X-ray source is rotatably supported, so that the orientation of the X-ray source can be matched to the detection area of the X-ray detector. This is particularly advantageous because the medical device allows the use of different or multiple X-ray detectors or multiple X-ray detector positions. The standard configuration of the radiography system can include optimized detector coverage in the examination table or on the examination table and in or on a wall-mounted grid.

[0011] The overhead gantry can be carried by upright elements, i.e., by table legs or columns located in the treatment room next to the examination table in combination with position elements. Advantageously, the ceiling construction that is currently required for the overhead gantry is no longer needed, and the radiography system includes the carrier unit as a replacement for a common ceiling construction or for a ceiling-side suspension for moving and positioning the X-ray detector.

[0012] The effective range of the z movement of the X-ray tube along the room height is independent of the room height because the radiography system can be mounted above the installation surface substantially identically at all times. The radiography system advantageously has a carrier unit similar to a common ceiling construction, which replaces the common ceiling construction with a load-bearing anchoring in the roof. Advantageously, the radiography system according to the invention is installed in a container for mobile use on a lorry or a ship.

[0013] Only the floor mounting of the individual components of the radiography system can be required, i.e., no roof or wall is needed for installation, and the radiography system can be installed, for example, in a room that is too large for a common radiography system without having to make structural changes to the walls or the roof. Advantageously, the radiography system can be connected via a socket system without additional room preparation and cabling. In addition, the radiography system can be based on a modular system, for example, with different carrier elements.

[0014] Advantageously, the invention enables an integrated carrier unit or an integrated ceiling frame in a fluoroscopy system, which consists of a plurality of individual components. The standard configuration of a radiography system with optimized detector coverage can be designed for the minimum required room size. Advantageously, the entire radiography system can be introduced into the treatment room or examination room in parts and assembled, cabled, and calibrated there. The assembly and commissioning can advantageously be carried out quickly and without affecting the previously required building installations.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the carrier unit further includes a first upright element and a positioning element. The carrier unit includes a vertical first upright element mounted to the ground. The carrier unit includes a positioning element that is longitudinally adjustable in a horizontal plane and is mechanically connected to the first upright element.

[0016] The vertical upright element extends with its longitudinal axis along the z direction, or along the room height, or along the surface normal to the ground. Advantageously, the ceiling mounting of the X-ray source can be dispensed with.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the first upright element is height-adjustable. With the height-adjustable first upright element, it is advantageously possible to dispense with a ceiling frame or a height element. The orientation element can be mounted directly on the positioning element in this case.

[0018] With the height-adjustable first upright element, alternatively, the ceiling frame or the height element can have a smaller movement area or height area, such that weight savings can be achieved for the ceiling frame and thus also for the positioning element.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, the examination table is arranged on the first upright element. The examination table is in particular height-adjustable and, if necessary, rotatably or tiltably arranged on the first upright element.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the longitudinally adjustable positioning element comprises a telescopic tube movement mechanism or a bending joint movement mechanism. The so-called table leg in the form of the first upright element with the examination table arranged thereon can comprise a cantilever in the form of a positioning element rotatably supported thereon. The positioning element has a movement mechanism. One embodiment is a telescopic tube movement mechanism, which is longitudinally adjustable. Another embodiment of the longitudinally adjustable cantilever can be a bending joint movement mechanism. Preferably, the first upright element is height-adjustable, wherein advantageously the height element can be dispensed with if necessary.

[0021] Another movement mechanism in the form of a height element or a top frame is arranged longitudinally displaceably or longitudinally adjustably on the positioning element, for example configured as a telescopic movement mechanism, i.e. a telescopic tube movement mechanism, or other movement mechanisms enabling vertical positioning of the X-ray source.

[0022] By additional rotation of the X-ray tube or its shutter, longitudinal movement of the X-ray tube along the same longitudinal axis as the detector longitudinally movable in the examination table is possible. Depending on the size of the required movement area of the top frame, one or more alternative upright elements to the table legs can also be considered.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, a top rail element is fixed on at least one upright element as a positioning element. The X-ray source is movable in a plane parallel to the ground by means of the top rail element.

[0024] An optional movement space extension for the top frame can be considered, for which an extension rail can be constructed according to the embodiment. In the rail extension for the top frame, other upright elements for support can again be used. The top rail element can be fixed on the upright element. By means of the top rail system, the top frame can be moved in the x and y directions. In particular, an examination table can be arranged on the first upright element.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, the radiographic system has a second upright element connected to the positioning element, the second upright element having a wall-mounted grid integrated on the second upright element. Here, the connection between the first upright unit and the second upright element can jointly be a support part of the top rail system. An extension device in the form of a wall-mounted grid can use the second upright element or a carrier column. The second upright element can be provided with a guide part and a drive unit on which a detector slider of the X-ray detector is mounted.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the carrier unit further includes a height element and / or an orientation element. The carrier unit includes a vertical, height-adjustable height element connected to the position element and / or an orientation element connected to the height element or the position element, on which an X-ray source is provided. Advantageously, the function of a common ceiling-mounted top rail system can be mimicked in the form of a carrier unit mounted to the ground.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the height element is a top frame. By means of the top frame, the spacing between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector can be adjusted. The top frame is carried by a carrier element. As small as possible x and y movements are advantageous for a carrier unit mounted to the ground.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, additional fixation of the carrier unit is formed on a wall or a ceiling, in particular for stabilizing the carrier unit. Additional support at a fixing point in a room corner or a room wall can advantageously be used to save a second upright unit or other upright units.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the associated components of the generator or / and the X-ray tube are integrated in the carrier unit, in particular in the first upright element. The generator and possible other (hardware) components can for example be housed or integrated in particular in the first upright element. If the generator is arranged on the first upright element, then an especially short HV cable connection can advantageously be used for the X-ray source. The entire cable connection, in particular between the individual components, extends above the carrier unit. Advantageously, a socket system can be realized without room preparation and cabling. The components can be hardware components, electronic components, an image computer, a cooling device, etc.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the carrier unit includes a radiation protection wall. The radiation protection wall can form a radiation protection cabin. A monitor and an operation panel can be arranged behind the radiation protection wall, and the monitor and the operation panel are radiation-proof through the radiation protection wall. Advantageously, a separate control room can be redundant.

[0031] Furthermore, a ceiling lighting device, a lighting effect, a monitor carrier, a suspension device solution for a patient, an operation assistance device, such as a patient lift, can be included by the radiography system in a suspended manner at the upper part.

[0032] According to one aspect of the present invention, the X-ray detector is included by another carrier unit or another positioning element. The X-ray detector can also be mounted on the carrier unit or another carrier unit. The X-ray detector can be mounted within the carrier unit via a second top rail system, where two top rail systems are arranged one above the other. Alternatively, two positioning elements with a movement mechanism can be arranged one above the other on the first upright element. Alternatively, a positioning element in the form of a top rail system can be combined with a positioning element with a movement mechanism. Description of the Drawings

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Shown herein are:

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a radiographic system according to the present invention according to a first embodiment;

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a radiographic system according to the present invention according to a second embodiment; and

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a carrier unit of another embodiment. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0037] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a radiographic system 1 according to the present invention according to a first embodiment is shown. The medical radiographic system 1 for recording an examination area has an X-ray source 10 and an X-ray detector 11. The X-ray source 10 is fixed to a carrier unit 2 that is mounted to the ground and provides support. The carrier unit 2 is designed such that the position of the X-ray source 10 is adjustable in three spatial directions x, y, z, and the orientation of the X-ray tube 10 with respect to the X-ray detector 11 is adjustable by means of a tilting or rotatable orientation element 6. The carrier unit 2 also includes a fixed-to-the-ground, vertical first upright element 3 and a longitudinally adjustable positioning element 4, 4' in the horizontal plane that is mechanically connected to the first upright element 4. The longitudinally adjustable positioning element 4, 4' includes a frame element 4 that is mechanically fixed to the first upright element 3. A carriage element 4' can move within the frame element 4 such that the position of the X-ray source 10 is longitudinally adjustable along the y direction. Another carriage element 4'' is movably mounted within the carriage element 4' such that the position of the X-ray source 10 is longitudinally adjustable along the x direction. So-called top rail elements 4, 4', 4'' are fixed as positioning elements on the first upright element 3. An examination table 12 is provided on the first upright element. The examination table has an X-ray detector 11.

[0038] The radiographic system 1 also has a second upright element 3", which is connected to a positioning element, in particular a frame element 4. The second upright element 3" has a wall-mounted grid 13 with an X-ray detector 11 integrated therein.

[0039] The carrier unit 2 also has a vertical, height-adjustable height element 5 connected to the positioning elements 4, 4', 4". The height element 4 is in particular fixed to another slide element 4". The height element 5 is a top frame. The carrier unit 2 also has an orientation element 6 connected to the height element, on which an X-ray source 10 is arranged. Additional fixings 14, 14' for the carrier unit can be formed on a wall or ceiling in order to increase stability. The additional fixings 14, 14' do not in particular carry (alone).

[0040] The associated components 16 of the generator 15 and the X-ray tube 10 are integrated in the carrier unit 2, in particular in the first upright element 3. The carrier unit 2 includes a radiation protection wall 17. The radiation protection wall 17 is in particular arranged between the frame element 4 and the floor. Another X-ray detector can be included (not shown) by another carrier unit of the same type or another positioning element of the same type.

[0041] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of the radiographic system 1 according to the invention according to a second embodiment is shown. The longitudinally adjustable positioning element 4 replaces the top rail system and includes a telescopic tube motion mechanism. The height element 5 can include a telescopic tube kit with an X-ray source 10 and its orientation element 6 fixed thereon.

[0042] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of a carrier unit of another embodiment is shown. The longitudinally adjustable positioning element 4 replaces the telescopic tube motion mechanism and includes a swivel joint motion mechanism.

[0043] Although the details of the invention are illustrated in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variant forms can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A medical radiography system (1) for recording an examination area, having an X-ray source (10) and an X-ray detector (11), wherein - the X-ray source is fixed on a carrier unit (2) which is mounted on the ground and bears the weight, and - the carrier unit is designed such that the position of the X-ray source can be adjusted in three spatial directions (x, y, z), and the orientation of the X-ray source towards the X-ray detector can be adjusted by means of a flippable or rotatable orientation element (6), wherein the carrier unit includes a vertical first upright element (3, 3') mounted on the ground, wherein an examination table (12) is provided on the first upright element, and wherein the examination table is height-adjustable and is rotatably or tiltably arranged on the first upright element, wherein the carrier unit includes a position element (4, 4', 4") which is mechanically connected to the first upright element and is longitudinally adjustable in a horizontal plane, and wherein the first upright element is height-adjustable.

2. The radiography system according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinally adjustable position element includes a telescopic tube motion mechanism or a flexible joint motion mechanism.

3. The radiography system according to claim 1, wherein a top rail element is fixed on the first upright element as a position element.

4. The radiography system according to claim 3, further having a wall-mounted grid (13) integrated into a second upright element connected to the position element.

5. The radiography system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier unit further includes the following elements: - a vertical, height-adjustable height element (5) connected to the position element, and / or - an orientation element connected to the height element or the position element, on which the X-ray source is provided.

6. The radiography system according to claim 5, wherein the height element is a top frame.

7. The radiography system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein additional fixing devices (14, 14') of the carrier unit on a wall or a ceiling are provided.

8. The radiography system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the generator (15) and / or the associated components (16) of the X-ray source are integrated in the carrier unit.

9. The radiographic system according to claim 8, wherein the generator (15) and / or the associated components (16) of the X-ray source are integrated in the first upright element.

10. The radiographic system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier unit includes a radiation protection wall (17).

11. The radiographic system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the X-ray detector is included by another carrier unit or another positioning element.

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