A vertical-scanning radiographic imaging method and radiographic apparatus having two radiation sources

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radiological device, which comprises: a gantry (10) encapsulated in a cover (11); a patient table (40); two radiation sources (20, 30) having imaging directions (D1, d2) orthogonal to each other, which slide vertically to perform a vertical scan on a patient standing on the table (40), wherein: the top view of the gantry cover (11) is L-shaped, and each of the two radiation sources (20, 30) is located: outside the L-shaped gantry cover (11) and inside the angular sector (AS) of the L, and is encapsulated in covers (21, 31), the covers (21, 31) slide vertically along with the radiation sources (20, 30) they encapsulate, and wherein the radiological device further comprises: a first safety device (51, 52) that stops the vertical scan when it detects a patient body part outside a first predetermined area, so as to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31); and a second safety device (61, 62) that stops the vertical scan when it detects an object or a person outside the radiological device within a second predetermined area, so as to avoid a collision between the object or the person and the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical scanning radiographic imaging method and a radiographic apparatus having two radiation sources. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a radiographic apparatus is known, which includes: a gantry encapsulated in a cover; a patient table; two radiation sources having imaging directions orthogonal to each other, which slide vertically to perform vertical scanning on a patient standing on the table, wherein these two radiation sources are also encapsulated together with the gantry in a single and identical cover, and the cover is a single and sole cover for the entire radiographic apparatus.

[0003] However, this radiographic apparatus presents the following drawbacks: a rather large volume and at the same time a small accessibility of the standard patient to the table, not to mention overweight or obese patients.

[0004] To ensure the safety of the radiographic apparatus and especially the safety of the patient, all moving parts including the two radiation sources are encapsulated in a single and large cover. When imaging a patient standing on the patient table, these two radiation sources slide vertically to perform vertical scanning on the patient, which makes the moving parts and especially the radiation sources that do not slide vertically not collide with the patient or with other objects such as a chair or a box. This single and large cover is used for the entire radiographic apparatus. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to at least partly alleviate the above drawbacks.

[0006] More specifically, the present invention aims to improve the trade-off between the compactness of the apparatus and the accessibility of the patient, while maintaining a sufficiently good safety level.

[0007] In fact, the technical problem covered by the present invention is how to improve the trade-off between the global compactness of the radiographic apparatus on the one hand and the accessibility of the patient (especially the accessibility of overweight or even obese patients) on the other hand, while still maintaining a good safety level, at least a reasonable safety level, especially with respect to the safety of the patient during the imaging execution.

[0008] The present invention proposes a solution in which the global shape of the gantry cover is completely different from that of the prior art, having two radiation sources outside the gantry cover, and the two radiation sources themselves respectively have covers that slide vertically, while including safety means for protecting the patient from colliding with the sliding radiation sources and protecting the sliding radiation sources from colliding with objects outside the radiographic apparatus.

[0009] This objective is achieved by a radiography method, which includes: performing a vertical scan on a patient standing on a patient platform through two radiation sources attached to a gantry. The gantry is encapsulated in a cover. These two radiation sources have imaging directions orthogonal to each other and slide vertically to perform the vertical scan, where: the top view of the gantry cover is L-shaped, and each of the two radiation sources: is located outside the L-shaped gantry cover and inside the angular sector of the L, and is encapsulated in the cover. The cover slides vertically along with the radiation source it encapsulates, and the method further includes: a first safety device that stops the vertical scan when it detects a patient body part outside a first predetermined area to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source cover; and a second safety device that stops the vertical scan when it detects an object or person outside the radiology device within a second predetermined area to avoid a collision between the object or person and the vertically sliding radiation source cover.

[0010] Preferably, the two safety devices emit electromagnetic radiation beams, and: the first safety device stops the vertical scan when one or more of the radiation beams it emits are crossed by a patient body part outside the first predetermined area to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source cover; and the second safety device stops the vertical scan when one or more of the radiation beams it emits are crossed by an object or person existing outside the radiology device within the second predetermined area to avoid a collision between the object or person and the vertically sliding radiation source cover. Therefore, crossing the emitted radiation beam is a simple and efficient way to detect the presence of unwanted bodies or objects, allowing a high safety standard to be maintained without making the safety system too complex, even though the radiation source slides vertically outside the gantry cover.

[0011] Preferably, the first predetermined area is different from the second predetermined area. Advantageously, the first predetermined area does not intersect with the second predetermined area at all, meaning the intersection of the first predetermined area and the second predetermined area is empty.

[0012] This objective is also achieved by a radiological device, which includes: a gantry, encapsulated within a cover; a patient platform; two radiation sources, having imaging directions orthogonal to each other, which slide vertically to perform a vertical scan on a patient standing on the platform, wherein: the top view of the gantry cover is L-shaped, and each of the two radiation sources: is located outside the L-shaped gantry cover and inside the angular sector of the L, and is encapsulated within the cover, and the cover slides vertically with the radiation source it encapsulates, and wherein the radiological device further includes: a first safety device that stops the vertical scan when it detects a patient body part moving outside a first predetermined area to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source cover; and a second safety device that stops the vertical scan when it detects an object or a person outside the radiological device within a second predetermined area to avoid a collision between the object or the person and the vertically sliding radiation source cover.

[0013] More generally, the objective of improving the compromise between equipment compactness and patient accessibility without having to worry about the safety level can be met by a radiological device, which includes: a gantry, encapsulated within a cover; a patient platform; two radiation sources, having imaging directions orthogonal to each other, which slide vertically to perform a vertical scan on a patient standing on the platform, wherein: the top view of the gantry cover is L-shaped, and each of the two radiation sources: is located outside the L-shaped gantry cover and inside the angular sector of the L, and is encapsulated within the cover, and the cover slides vertically with the radiation source it encapsulates.

[0014] The preferred embodiments include one or more of the following features, which can be obtained separately or together with one or another of the aforementioned objectives of the present invention, partially combined or fully combined.

[0015] Preferably, in a square array having three rows from A to C and three columns from 1 to 3: the top view of the L-shaped gantry cover obtains squares C1, C2, C3, B3, A3, the two radiation source covers are respectively located within squares B1 and A2, the patient platform obtains square B2, and square A1 remains completely free and vacant.

[0016] Therefore, without sacrificing safety and the safety level, the compromise between the global compactness of the radiological device on the one hand and patient accessibility (especially for overweight or even obese patients) on the other hand is still improved.

[0017] Preferably, the two safety devices emit electromagnetic radiation beams, and: the first safety device stops the vertical scanning when one or more of the radiation beams emitted by it are passed through by a patient body part that has moved outside the first predetermined area, so as to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source cover; and the second safety device stops the vertical scanning when one or more of the radiation beams emitted by it are passed through by an object or a person existing outside the radiological device within a second predetermined area, so as to avoid a collision between the object or the person and the vertically sliding radiation source cover.

[0018] Therefore, passing through the emitted radiation beam is a simple and efficient way to detect the presence of unwanted bodies or objects, thus allowing a high safety standard to be maintained without over-complicating the safety system, even though the radiation source slides vertically outside the gantry cover.

[0019] Preferably, the first predetermined area covers the space located above the platform or only covers the space located above the platform.

[0020] Therefore, for a given compromise between the overall compactness of the radiological device on the one hand and the patient accessibility (especially for overweight or even obese patients) on the other hand, the safety and the safety level are still improved.

[0021] Preferably, the first safety device includes two vertical fan beam sensors, preferably radar or lidar, preferably located in the middle of the inner surfaces of the branches of the L respectively.

[0022] Therefore, for a given compromise between the overall compactness of the radiological device on the one hand and the patient accessibility (especially for overweight or even obese patients) on the other hand, the safety and the safety level are still improved.

[0023] Preferably, the second predetermined area covers the vicinity of the path of the vertically sliding radiation source cover or covers the space located below the lower end of the path of the vertically sliding radiation source cover and above the ground on which the radiological device is placed.

[0024] Therefore, for a given compromise between the overall compactness of the radiological device on the one hand and the patient accessibility (especially for overweight or even obese patients) on the other hand, the safety and the safety level are still improved.

[0025] Preferably, the second safety device includes two horizontal fan beam sensors, preferably radar or lidar, preferably located at the lower ends of the inner surfaces of the branches of the L respectively.

[0026] Thus, for a given compromise between on the one hand the global compactness of the radiological equipment and on the other hand the patient accessibility, in particular for overweight or even obese patients, the safety and the safety level are still improved.

[0027] Preferably, the platform is supported by a lift that vertically raises the patient standing on the platform.

[0028] Thus, without sacrificing the achievements made in terms of the global compactness of the radiological equipment, the patient accessibility, in particular for overweight or even obese patients, is still improved. In fact, the platform is at a lower level height to help the patient step on it, and then the platform is brought to a higher level height sufficient to perform the radiological imaging of the patient.

[0029] Preferably, the ratio between the width on one side of the branch of the L-shaped gantry cover in top view and the length of the branch of the L-shaped gantry cover on the other side in top view is in the range of 30% to 40%.

[0030] Thus, the achievements made in terms of the global compactness of the radiological equipment are still improved.

[0031] Preferably, each radiation source cover has an inclined portion pointing towards the platform.

[0032] Thus, the safety and in particular the patient safety are still improved, because on the one hand, even in the case of insufficient safety devices, the collision between the vertically sliding radiation source and the moving patient will be gentler, and because on the other hand, the mass of the radiation source close to the patient's face is smaller, thereby exerting less pressure on the patient, and thus reducing the risk of the patient not moving in time. Even when managed by a safety device that stops the vertical scanning of the radiation source, the patient not moving in time is still harmful because they need to restart the vertical scanning of the patient.

[0033] Preferably, the top end position along the path of the vertically sliding radiation source cover is more than 1.90 m or more than 2.00 m above the lowest part of the radiological equipment.

[0034] Preferably, the bottom end position along the path of the vertically sliding radiation source cover is between 20 mm and 70 mm or between 30 mm and 60 mm above the lowest part of the radiological equipment.

[0035] Thus, without having an adverse impact on the global surface of the ground occupied by the radiological equipment, the patient accessibility, in particular for overweight or even obese patients, as well as the accessibility for taller or very large patients, is still improved, thereby improving the patient accessibility at no real cost with respect to the compactness of the radiological equipment.

[0036] Preferably, on the inner face of each branch of the L, there are grooves obtained by vertical strips having sliding openings and interdependent with a radiation source cover sliding vertically accordingly.

[0037] Thus, safety and patient safety (e.g., in the case where a patient will attempt and place a hand or finger inside these grooves) are improved without reducing the achievements in terms of the overall compactness of the radiological equipment.

[0038] Advantageously, the first predetermined area is different from the second predetermined area. Advantageously, the first predetermined area does not intersect with the second predetermined area at all, meaning that the intersection of the first predetermined area and the second predetermined area is empty.

[0039] These radiation sources are advantageously X-ray sources and / or two-dimensional (2D) radiation sources, and more advantageously 2D X-ray sources. The 2D source is a planar source. One of these radiation sources advantageously gives a front view of a standing patient body or a part of the standing patient body, while the other of these radiation sources advantageously gives a side view or a lateral view of a standing patient body or a part of the standing patient body.

[0040] As an alternative to the foregoing solution, instead of a vertically scanned X-ray source, a vertically scanned optical camera can be used, or a hybrid system having both a vertically scanned X-ray source and a vertically scanned optical camera. This can be used for both frontal imaging and lateral imaging.

[0041] Advantageously, the patient platform is located at the junction of the two branches of the L, meaning in the corner at the junction of the inner faces of the branches of the L.

[0042] Advantageously, inside the back of the gantry cover, opposite the angular sector of the L shape, there is a door directly accessing the electrical cabinet of the gantry.

[0043] As an alternative to or as a supplementary aspect of all the foregoing solutions, mainly focusing on improving the trade-off between equipment compactness and patient accessibility while particularly favoring the goal of patient accessibility, the goal can be achieved by a radiological equipment including:

[0044] A gantry, encapsulated in a cover; a patient platform; two radiation sources, having imaging directions orthogonal to each other, sliding vertically to perform vertical scanning on a patient standing on the platform, wherein: the top view of the gantry cover is L-shaped, and each of the two radiation sources: is located outside the L-shaped gantry cover and inside the angular sector of the L, and is encapsulated in a cover, and the cover slides vertically as the radiation source encapsulated therein slides vertically.

[0045] and / or a patient platform, the height of which can be adjusted by a lift located below the patient platform, preferably at the intersection of the two branches of the L.

[0046] and / or a patient horizontal holding bar, the height of which can be adjusted by sliding along a vertical track,

[0047] and / or a patient vertical holding bar, which is fixed.

[0048] This compromise is most preferably achieved by:

[0049] A radiological device, which includes: a gantry, which is encapsulated in a cover; a patient platform; two radiation sources, having imaging directions orthogonal to each other and vertically sliding to perform a vertical scan on a patient standing on the platform, wherein: the top view of the gantry cover is L-shaped, each of the two radiation sources: is located outside the L-shaped gantry cover and inside the angular sector of the L, and is encapsulated in the cover, and the cover slides vertically along with the radiation source it encapsulates; and a patient platform, the height of which can be adjusted by a lift located below the patient platform, preferably at the intersection of the two branches of the L; and a patient horizontal holding bar, the height of which can be adjusted by sliding along a vertical track.

[0050] Alternatively, it also encompasses:

[0051] A radiological device, which includes: a gantry, which is encapsulated in a cover; a patient platform, wherein: the top view of the gantry cover is L-shaped; and a patient platform, the height of which can be adjusted by a lift located below the patient platform, at the intersection of the two branches of the L, and a patient horizontal holding bar, the height of which can be adjusted by sliding along a vertical track.

[0052] The following description of the embodiments of the present invention given as non-limiting examples will illustrate more features and advantages of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Figure 1 A perspective front view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 2 A perspective rear view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 3 A side view or lateral view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Figure 4Top view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the top cover of the gantry has been removed.

[0057] Figure 5 Top view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the top cover of the gantry has been removed and where the inner part of the gantry cover is visible.

[0058] Figure 6 Schematically shows a top view of an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows the floor occupation within an array having rows A / B / C and columns 1 / 2 / 3. Detailed description

[0059] Figure 1 Perspective front view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] The radiological device includes: a gantry 10, which is encapsulated in a cover 11; a patient table 40; two radiation sources 20 and 30, having imaging directions D1 and D2 orthogonal to each other, which slide vertically (in the direction V) to perform a vertical scan on a patient standing on the table 40. The patient standing on the table 40 is scanned vertically, from top to bottom or from bottom to top, by the two radiation sources 20 and 30.

[0061] The top view of the gantry cover 11 is L-shaped, as best visible in Figures 4 to 6 above.

[0062] The radiation source 20 is located outside the L-shaped gantry cover 11 and inside the angular sector AS of the L, which means that the radiation source 20 is located between the inner faces 12 and 13 of the L-shape of the gantry cover 11, and the radiation source 20 is encapsulated in a cover 21, which slides vertically with the radiation source it encapsulates. On the inner face 12 of one of the branches of the L-shape of the gantry cover 11, there is a groove obtained by a vertical strip having a sliding opening and interdependent with the corresponding vertically sliding radiation source cover 21, which means that depending on whether the radiation source cover 21 moves up or down, the strip 14 opens to allow the radiation source cover 21 to slide and closes just after the radiation source cover 21 has passed. The angular sector AS is located in the region between the two planes corresponding to the inner faces 12 and 13, which region includes the table 40, which region does not include the gantry cover 11 and all the space behind this gantry cover 11, and which region corresponds to a quarter of the space starting at the right angle where the inner faces 12 and 13 intersect.

[0063] The radiation source 30 is located outside the L-shaped gantry cover 11 and inside the angular sector AS of the L, which means that the radiation source 30 is located between the inner faces 12 and 13 of the L-shaped of the gantry cover 11, and the radiation source 30 is encapsulated in the cover 31, and the cover 31 slides vertically with the encapsulated radiation source 30. On the inner face 13 of one of the branches of the L-shaped of the gantry cover 11, there is a groove obtained by a vertical strip 15 having a sliding opening and interdependent with the corresponding vertically sliding radiation source cover 31, which means that depending on whether the radiation source cover 31 moves up or down, the strip 15 opens to enable the sliding of the radiation source cover 31 and closes just after the radiation source cover 31 passes.

[0064] The radiological device further includes 2 safety devices that both emit electromagnetic radiation beams.

[0065] There is a first safety device that stops the vertical scanning when a patient body part outside the first predetermined area passes through at least the emitted radiation beam 51 or the emitted radiation beam 52, so as to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source covers 21 and 31. The first predetermined area covers the space above the platform 40 or only covers the space above the platform 40. The first safety device includes 2 vertical sector beam sensors 51 and 52 that are radar or lidar, and are respectively located in the middle of the inner faces 12 and 13 of the branches of the L-shaped of the gantry cover 11.

[0066] There is also a second safety device that stops the vertical scanning when an object or person existing outside the radiological device in the second predetermined area passes through at least the emitted radiation beam 61 or the emitted radiation beam 62, so as to avoid a collision between this object or person and the vertically sliding radiation source covers 21 and 31. The second predetermined area covers the vicinity of the paths of the vertically sliding radiation source covers 21 and 31 or covers the space below the lower ends of the paths of the vertically sliding radiation source covers 21 and 31 and above the ground where the radiological device is placed. The second safety device includes 2 horizontal sector beam sensors 61 and 62 that are radar or lidar, and are respectively located at the lower ends of the inner faces 12 and 13 of the L-shaped branches of the gantry cover 11.

[0067] The platform 40 is supported by a lift 41 that vertically lifts a patient standing on this platform 41. At Figure 1 this time, the platform 40 is at a higher position and the lift 41 has extended.

[0068] The radiation source cover 21 has an inclined portion 22 pointing to the platform 40. The radiation source cover 31 has an inclined portion 32 pointing to the platform 40.

[0069] The top end position along the path of the vertically sliding radiation source cover 21 or 31 is more than 1.90 m or more than 2.00 m above the lowest part of the radiological device, which means that a patient with a height of less than 1.90 m or 2.00 m respectively can walk under these radiation source covers 21 or 31 without hitting or injuring his or her head.

[0070] The bottom end position along the path of the vertically sliding radiation source cover 21 or 31 is between 20 mm and 70 mm or between 30 mm and 60 mm above the lowest part of the radiological device, and thus between 20 mm and 70 mm or between 30 mm and 60 mm above the ground on which the radiological device is located.

[0071] On the inner face 13 of the gantry cover 11, there is a vertical holding bar 16 which is used to help the patient stand and also to help the patient board the platform 40, which requires a step of 10 cm to board even when the elevator 41 is fully retracted, and to help the patient stand on the platform 40 to ensure his or her position when the elevator 41 extends to the upper position of the platform 40. This vertical holding bar 16 is fixed and is only located above one corner of the platform 40. This corner is the corner adjacent to the inner face 13 but not the corner intersecting the inner face 12. There is also a vertical track 18 on the inner face 12 of the gantry cover 11 along which a horizontal holding bar 17, also used to help the patient stand, can slide and be fixed at any desired height within a predetermined range in order to accommodate the different possible heights of the patient standing on the platform 40, which itself can be fixed at any desired height within a predetermined range by means of the elevator 41. This vertical track 18 is fixed and is only located above one corner of the platform 40. This corner is the corner adjacent to the inner face 12 but not the corner intersecting the inner face 13.

[0072] Figure 2 Perspective rear view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] On the back side of the gantry cover 11, there is a rear door 19 which, when opened, will give direct access to the electrical cabinet 70 in which all the electrical connections of the gantry 10 are collected together.

[0074] Figure 3 Side view or side elevation showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] In Figure 3 , the platform 40 is in the lower position and the elevator 41 is retracted.

[0076] We can see that the patient can easily step onto the platform 40 before the elevator 41 extends and the platform 40 is raised to the desired level. All the space above the platform 40 can be used for the standing patient. The patient can hold the vertical holding rod 16 and / or the horizontal holding rod 17, the height of which can be adjusted by sliding the horizontal holding rod 17 along the vertical track 18, and the height of the platform 40 can be adjusted by extending or retracting the elevator 41.

[0077] Figure 4 Top view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the top cover of the gantry removed.

[0078] At the top of the gantry cover 11, there is a central reinforcement plate 71 that reinforces the inner faces 12 and 13 together. This central reinforcement plate 71 has a global L-shape and is located within the angular sector AS formed by the two branches of the L-shaped gantry cover 11, at the level of the junction of these inner faces 12 and 13.

[0079] Figure 5 Top view showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the top cover of the gantry removed and the inner part of the gantry cover visible.

[0080] Near the electrical cabinet 70, there is an electrical cable interface 71 where power from the outside can be introduced.

[0081] Along the first imaging direction D1, we can successively see: the first radiation source 20 encapsulated in the first radiation source cover 21, the X-ray beam 22 emitted and reaching the first detector 23 within the gantry cover 11, and the arm of the gantry 10. The first radiation source cover 21 slides vertically along the first column 25 connected to and fixed to the arm of the gantry 10. The unit 34 is a generator for the radiation source 20. The translation stage of the column 25 also holds the radiation source 20, the radiation source cover 21, and the strip 14. The first detector 23 is directly supported by the arm of the gantry 10.

[0082] Along the second imaging direction D2, we can successively see: the second radiation source 30 encapsulated in the second radiation source cover 31, the X-ray beam 32 emitted and reaching the second detector 33 within the gantry cover 11, and the other arm of the gantry 10. The second radiation source cover 31 slides vertically along the second column 35 connected to and fixed to the other arm of the gantry 10. The second detector 33 is directly supported by the other arm of the gantry 10.

[0083] The two arms of the gantry 10 can be fixed together, or more preferably they can be separated and independent from each other, thus forming two separate and independent arms of the gantry 10, each arm being advantageously C-shaped. The unit 24 is a generator for the radiation source 30. The translation stage of the column 35 also holds the radiation source 30, the radiation source cover 31, and the strip 15.

[0084] The central reinforcement plate 71 (visible Figure 4 therein) is fixed on top of two columns 25 and 35 so as to reinforce the two vertical columns 25 and 35 together.

[0085] The X-ray emission beams 22 and 32 that are orthogonal to each other cross each other in the area above the platform 40 where the patient will stand. Thus, the first X-ray emission beam 22 will produce a frontal image of the patient standing on the sensitive surface of the first detector 23, while the second X-ray emission beam 32 will produce a side view image of the patient standing on the sensitive surface of the second detector 33. The frontal image and the side (or side view) image are acquired along directions D1 and D2 that are orthogonal to each other.

[0086] Figure 6 A top view schematically showing an example of a radiological device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows the floor occupancy within an array having rows A / B / C and columns 1 / 2 / 3.

[0087] In a square array having three rows from A to C and three columns from 1 to 3, a top view of the L-shaped gantry cover 11 obtains squares C1, C2, C3, B3, A3, two radiation source covers 21 and 31 are respectively located within squares B1 and A2, and the platform 40 obtains square B2, while square A1 remains completely free and vacant.

[0088] The ratio between the width L1 of the branch of the L-shaped gantry cover 11 on one side in a top view and the length L2 of the branch of the L-shaped gantry cover on the other side in a top view is in the range of 30% to 40%. In Figure 6 this case, this ratio value is approximately 33% (850 mm / 2580 mm).

[0089] All the values of the dimensions are given in millimeters (mm): for example, the length (L2) of the branch of the L-shaped gantry cover 11 is 2580 mm, and for example, the length of the radiation source cover 21 or 31 is 863 mm, and for example, the width of the radiation source cover 21 or 31 is 573 mm, and for example, the width (L1) of the branch of the L-shaped gantry cover 11 is 850 mm.

[0090] The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, within the scope of the present invention, many variations are possible.

Claims

1. A radiological imaging method, comprising: Performing a vertical scan on a patient standing on a patient platform (40) by two radiation sources (20, 30), the two radiation sources belonging to a gantry (10), the gantry being encapsulated in a gantry cover (11), the two radiation sources having imaging directions (D1, D2) orthogonal to each other and vertically sliding to perform the vertical scan, Wherein: The top view of the gantry cover (11) is L-shaped, Each of the two radiation sources (20, 30): Is located at: Outside the L-shaped gantry cover (11), Inside the angular sector (AS) of the L, And encapsulated in a radiation source cover (21, 31), the radiation source cover (21, 31) vertically sliding along with the radiation source (20, 30) it encapsulates, And wherein, the method further includes: A first safety device (51, 52) that stops the vertical scan when it detects a patient body part outside a first predetermined area to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source cover (21, 31), And a second safety device (61, 62) that stops the vertical scan when it detects an object or a person outside the radiological device within a second predetermined area to avoid a collision between the object or the person and the vertically sliding radiation source cover (21, 31).

2. The radiological imaging method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two safety devices (51, 52, 61, 62) emit electromagnetic radiation beams, and: The first safety device (51, 52) stops the vertical scan when a patient body part outside the first predetermined area passes through one or more of the radiation beams it emits to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source cover (21, 31), And the second safety device (61, 62) stops the vertical scan when an object or a person existing outside the radiological device within the second predetermined area passes through one or more of the radiation beams it emits to avoid a collision between the object or the person and the vertically sliding radiation source cover (21, 31).

3. A radiological device, comprising: A gantry (10), which is encapsulated in a gantry cover (11), A patient platform (40), Two radiation sources (20, 30), having imaging directions (D1, D2) orthogonal to each other, which vertically slide to perform a vertical scan on a patient standing on the platform (40), Wherein: The top view of the gantry cover (11) is L-shaped, Each of the two radiation sources (20, 30): Is located at: Outside the L-shaped gantry cover (11), Inside the angular sector (AS) of the L, And encapsulated in a radiation source cover (21, 31), the radiation source cover (21, 31) vertically sliding along with the radiation source (20, 30) it encapsulates, And wherein, the radiological device further includes: The first safety devices (51, 52) stop the vertical scanning when detecting a patient body part outside the first predetermined area, so as to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31). And the second safety devices (61, 62) stop the vertical scanning when detecting an object or a person outside the radiology device within the second predetermined area, so as to avoid a collision between the object or the person and the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31).

4. The radiology device according to claim 3, characterized in that: In a square array having three rows from A to C and three columns from 1 to 3: The top view of the L-shaped gantry cover (11) obtains squares C1, C2, C3, B3, A3, Two radiation source covers (21, 31) are respectively located within squares B1 and A2, The patient platform (40) obtains square B2, Square A1 remains completely free and vacant.

5. The radiology device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: Two safety devices (51, 52, 61, 62) emit electromagnetic radiation beams, and: The first safety devices (51, 52) stop the vertical scanning when one or more of the radiation beams emitted by them are crossed by a patient body part outside the first predetermined area, so as to avoid a collision between the patient body part and the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31), And the second safety devices (61, 62) stop the vertical scanning when one or more of the radiation beams emitted by them are crossed by an object or a person existing outside the radiology device within the second predetermined area, so as to avoid a collision between the object or the person and the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31).

6. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first predetermined area covers the space above the platform (40).

7. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first predetermined area only covers the space above the platform (40).

8. The radiation device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first safety devices (51, 52) include two vertical fan beam sensors (51, 52).

9. The radiation device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The two vertical fan beam sensors (51, 52) are radars.

10. The radiation device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The radar is a lidar.

11. The radiation device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The two vertical fan beam sensors (51, 52) are respectively located in the middle of the inner surfaces (12, 13) of the branches of the L.

12. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The second predetermined area covers the vicinity of the path of the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31).

13. The radiation device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second safety devices (61, 62) include two horizontal fan beam sensors.

14. The radiation device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The two horizontal fan beam sensors are radars.

15. The radiation device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The radar is a lidar.

16. The radiation device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The two horizontal fan beam sensors are respectively located at the lower ends of the inner surfaces (12, 13) of the branches of the L.

17. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The platform (40) is supported by a lift (41) that vertically lifts a patient standing on the platform (40).

18. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The ratio between the width (L1) of the branch of the L-shaped gantry cover (11) on one side in a top view and the length (L2) of the branch of the L-shaped gantry cover (11) on the other side in a top view is in the range of 30% to 40%.

19. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, Each radiation source cover (21, 31) has an inclined portion (22, 32) pointing towards the platform (40).

20. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The top end position of the path of the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31) is more than 1.90 m above the lowest part of the radiological device.

21. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The bottom end position of the path of the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31) is included between 20 mm and 70 mm above the lowest part of the radiological device.

22. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, On the inner faces (12, 13) of each branch of the L, there are grooves obtained by vertical strips (14, 15) having sliding openings and interdependent with the corresponding vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31).

23. A radiological device, comprising: A gantry (10) encapsulated within a gantry cover (11), A patient platform (40), 2 radiation sources (20, 30) having imaging directions (D1, D2) orthogonal to each other, which slide vertically to perform a vertical scan of a patient standing on the platform (40), Wherein: The gantry cover (11) has an L-shaped top view, Each of the 2 radiation sources (20, 30): Is located: Outside the L-shaped gantry cover (11), Inside the angular sector (AS) of the L, And is encapsulated within a radiation source cover (21, 31), which slides vertically with the radiation source (20, 30) it encapsulates.

24. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The second predetermined area covers the space below the lower end of the path of the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31) and above the ground on which the radiological device is placed.

25. The radiological device according to claim 24, characterized in that, The second safety devices (61, 62) comprise 2 horizontal fan beam sensors.

26. The radiation device according to claim 25, characterized in that, The 2 horizontal fan beam sensors are radars.

27. The radiation device according to claim 26, characterized in that, The radar is a lidar.

28. The radiation device according to claim 25, wherein, The 2 horizontal fan beam sensors are respectively located at the lower ends of the inner faces (12, 13) of the branches of the L.

29. The radiation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The top end position of the path of the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31) is more than 2.00 m above the lowest part of the radiological device.

30. The radiological device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The bottom end position of the path of the vertically sliding radiation source covers (21, 31) is included between 30 mm and 60 mm above the lowest part of the radiological device.

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