Method and system for monitoring a room having medical devices

Abstract

In order to monitor a room having a medical device (4), a light projection is generated with light having a predetermined wavelength characteristic, said light projection determining a surface region (13) in the room. At least one detector signal is generated by means of a plurality of optical detectors (9), which are each mounted in the surface region (13) and are provided for detecting light having the wavelength characteristic. It is identified that at least a portion of the plurality of optical detectors (9) is covered by the object on the basis of the at least one detector signal. And starting a safety and / or warning measure according to the identified cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for monitoring a room having a medical device and a corresponding system for monitoring a room. Background Art

[0002] When using medical equipment that is particularly used for medical imaging and / or for performing medical operations, particularly minimally invasive operations, for example, with imaging support, complex sequences and movements of medical equipment or other objects in a room are sometimes required. For example, if a person is located in the movement area of ​​the medical equipment, collisions, accidents and injuries may occur. Therefore, it is desirable that the person working in the room avoids the corresponding area when necessary. The same situation is also applicable to predefined sterile areas or areas with potential increased radiation loads. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a reliable possibility for monitoring a room containing medical equipment.

[0004] This technical problem is solved by corresponding technical solutions according to various aspects of the present invention. Advantageous further developments and preferred embodiments are apparent from the description.

[0005] The invention is based on the idea of ​​determining a surface area in a room by light projection with light of a predetermined wavelength characteristic (or predetermined wavelength property), and detecting whether it is covered by an object by a plurality of optical detectors for detecting light with the wavelength characteristic in the surface area. Safety and / or warning measures are initiated according to the detected covering.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for monitoring a room is provided, wherein the room has a medical device or the medical device is arranged in the room. In particular, a light projection is generated by a light projection device installed in the room with light of a preset wavelength characteristic, and the light projection determines a surface area in the room. At least one detector signal is generated by a plurality of optical detectors, which are respectively installed in the surface area and are configured to detect light with the wavelength characteristic. Covering of at least a portion of the plurality of optical detectors by an object is detected based on the at least one detector signal, in particular by at least one computing unit, and safety and / or warning measures are initiated based on the detected covering.

[0007] In particular, safety and / or warning measures are initiated and executed as a function of the detected covering.

[0008] A medical device may be any technical device for carrying out, in particular at least partially automatically, a diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical and / or imaging method. However, the carrying out of a diagnostic, therapeutic and / or surgical method cannot be regarded as a component of the method according to the invention.

[0009] The medical device may include, for example, an imaging modality, such as an ultrasound imaging system, an X-ray-based imaging system (in particular a C-arm angiography system or a CT system), or a magnetic resonance tomography system. The medical device may also include a device for performing a therapeutic method, such as a HIFU system (HIFU is the abbreviation for "Hochintensiver fokussierter Ultraschall", high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy) or a tissue destruction system, etc. The medical device may also include accessories for such a system, such as measuring devices, electrical wires or hoses, etc.

[0010] Here and below, the term "light" can be understood to include electromagnetic waves in the visible range, electromagnetic waves in the infrared range and / or electromagnetic waves in the ultraviolet range. Therefore, the term "optical" can also be understood as it relates to light according to this understanding.

[0011] Preferably, the light is generated at least partially in the visible spectral range. Thus, people who are located in the room or who are moving in the room can visually recognize the light projections and avoid the surface area if necessary.

[0012] The light projection can determine the surface area in different ways. For example, the light projection can completely illuminate the surface area or illuminate one or more contours of the surface area. It is also feasible that a planar sub-area of ​​the surface area is illuminated by the light projection in order to determine the surface area. The planar sub-area can, for example, correspond to a preset area around one or more contours of the surface area.

[0013] The wavelength characteristic is defined in particular by the wavelength spectrum of the light generated by the light projection device. The wavelength characteristic may be equal to the wavelength spectrum or include one or more characteristics of the wavelength spectrum, such as a maximum position or the like. If the light projection device is, for example, a laser projection device, the wavelength characteristic may, for example, correspond to the emission wavelength of one or more corresponding laser light sources of the laser projection device.

[0014] The wavelength characteristic can also be given by a wavelength range or by a plurality of wavelength ranges, within which the relative amplitude of the emitted light is greater than a preset threshold value. It is also possible that the light projection device is provided with one or more filters in order to filter the light generated by one or more corresponding light sources of the light projection device. In this case, the wavelength characteristic is in particular the wavelength characteristic of the filtered light. For example, the wavelength band of a corresponding bandpass filter or a similar filter can be used as the wavelength characteristic.

[0015] The optical detectors of the plurality of optical detectors are respectively arranged to detect light having the wavelength characteristic. In other words, the optical detectors are matched to the wavelength characteristic, for example. This can be achieved, for example, by correspondingly selecting the material of the optical detector used (for example when the optical detector is a photodiode or a similar optical detector) and / or by correspondingly filtering the light falling on the plurality of optical detectors.

[0016] In particular, the sensitivity of the optical detector to light that does not conform to the wavelength characteristic can be lower than the sensitivity to light that conforms to the wavelength characteristic. It can therefore be achieved in particular that the optical detector only detects light with the wavelength characteristic, or that the optical detector is more sensitive to light with the wavelength characteristic than to other light.

[0017] For example, the wavelength characteristic and the optical detector can be designed accordingly so that, in addition to the light projection device, other light sources in the room that can in principle illuminate the surface area do not generate light with the wavelength characteristic. This makes it possible to achieve with greater reliability that the optical detector can actually detect the light projection and can accordingly reliably detect the obstruction.

[0018] By correspondingly adjusting the wavelength characteristic relative to the other light sources as described above, it is achieved in particular that obstruction is detected as obstruction in relation to the light projection of the light projection device even if further light sources may illuminate the surface area with a different wavelength characteristic.

[0019] For example, each optical detector generates one of the at least one detector signal based on the light detected by the optical detector, i.e., based on the light falling on the active surface of the corresponding optical detector, in particular based on the light energy input by the light. The number of detector signals in the at least one detector signal corresponds to the number of optical detectors in the plurality of optical detectors.

[0020] Therefore, the obstruction by the object can not only be identified in principle, but also can be located by identifying the individual obstructed optical detectors in the surface area. In other words, the part of the surface area obstructed by the object can be determined. For example, in some embodiments, safety and / or warning measures can be initiated based on which part of the surface area is obstructed by the object.

[0021] For example, the safety and / or warning measures can be initiated only when, for example, a cover is detected or when a cover is detected in a predefined part of the surface area and / or when additional conditions are met. The additional conditions can include, for example, changes in the cover or the cover position over time. For example, the safety and / or warning measures can be initiated depending on whether the object moves in accordance with the detected cover and / or in which direction the object moves.

[0022] It is also possible to initiate safety and / or warning measures even if a cover is not detected or is not detected in a specific part of the surface area if a cover is expected there, for example according to a preset room model (for example because medical equipment or other objects in the room are to be positioned in such a way that a corresponding cover is formed).

[0023] The corresponding conditions for starting the safety and / or warning measures can also change over time. For example, it is possible that different conditions are required to start the safety and / or warning measures at different time points. Accordingly, different time points or time periods during the imaging method or medical intervention can react differently. This is advantageous, for example, in the following situation, that the increased radiation load in the surface area can only be expected within a specific time period and cannot be expected outside these time periods. Accordingly, the safety and / or warning measures can, for example, only be started within the corresponding time range or time period, etc.

[0024] The method according to the invention makes it possible to monitor the room in such a way that safety and / or warning measures can be initiated in the event of an object being undesirably present in the surface area or being undesirably absent from the surface area. The safety and / or warning measures, if necessary, reduce the risk of collision of the object with parts of medical equipment or other objects in the room, in particular movable parts, and / or reduce the radiation exposure of people (when the objects are people) and / or avoid entering sterile areas, etc. By adapting the optical detector to the wavelength characteristics, on the one hand, the reliability of the method can be increased, and on the other hand, false positive detection results due to masking can be avoided.

[0025] Compared to camera monitoring of a room, for example, the method according to the invention does not necessarily require the acquisition or processing of person-specific data. This can be advantageous from a data protection perspective.

[0026] In some embodiments, the surface area is the ground of the room or the area on the floor or the floor surface. In some embodiments, the light projection device is installed on the ceiling or side wall of the room.

[0027] According to at least one embodiment, the safety and / or warning measures include stopping or slowing down the movement of a component of the medical device.

[0028] The surface area is therefore, for example, the movement area of ​​the component, ie, the area in which a collision between the component and the object is potentially imminent when the object is located in the surface area or covers the surface area.

[0029] By stopping or slowing down the movement of the components, the risk of collision can be reduced accordingly.

[0030] According to at least one embodiment, the safety and / or warning measures include ceasing the generation of ionizing radiation by the medical device.

[0031] In normal operation, ionizing radiation is generated, for example, by the medical device in order in particular to carry out an imaging method. In such an embodiment, the medical device comprises, for example, an X-ray source, by which ionizing radiation, in this case X-ray radiation, is generated.

[0032] The surface area is in particular an area where the radiation exposure caused by the ionizing radiation is increased. Therefore, by stopping the generation of ionizing radiation, the risk of increased radiation exposure to a person can be reduced.

[0033] According to at least one embodiment, the safety and / or warning measures include bringing the component or a further component of the medical device to a predefined safe location or safe area.

[0034] Here and below, position is to be understood to mean in particular a combination of a position and a corresponding orientation or alignment in three-dimensional space.

[0035] The risk of collision with an object can also be reduced by bringing the component to a predefined safe position or orientation.

[0036] In various embodiments, in particular, the movement of the component can first be stopped or slowed down and then the component can be brought into a safe position or orientation.

[0037] According to at least one embodiment, the safety and / or warning measure comprises the output of an acoustic warning message and / or a visual warning message.

[0038] The acoustic warning message can be generated and outputted by a loudspeaker device installed in the room, for example. For example, the loudspeaker device can also include a plurality of loudspeakers, which are controlled by at least one computing unit in such a way that the acoustic warning message is generated in a spatially restricted manner in a target area or is suppressed outside the target area. The target area can correspond to the surface area or to a part of the surface area or to an area surrounding the surface area or to an area including a predetermined surrounding environment.

[0039] The audible warning message can also be generated and output by a mobile electronic device worn or carried by a person representing the object in this case, for example. For example, the audible warning message can be generated by a smart phone or a pager or other receiver that communicates wirelessly with at least one computing unit.

[0040] Visual warning messages can also be similarly generated and output by lighting devices and / or mobile electronic devices arranged in the room and / or displays or monitors in the room.

[0041] This makes it possible to provide flexible and varied information and warnings to the respective person or other persons in the room who have entered or are about to enter the surface area in an undesirable manner.

[0042] In particular, by means of an audible and / or visual warning message on a mobile electronic device, a person-specific warning can be issued only for specific groups of people or persons. For example, it may be desirable or necessary that a specific group of people enter a specific area, although this may lead to an increased radiation dose or similar results.

[0043] According to at least one embodiment, the shape and / or size and / or position of the surface area in the room is changed, in particular tracked, as a function of the state of the medical device.

[0044] The state may in particular be a movement state of a movable component of the medical device, for example a current position or orientation of the movable component.

[0045] When the state of the medical device changes, the position and / or shape and / or size of the area where there is an increased risk of collision and / or an increased radiation exposure is to be feared may also change. By correspondingly adjusting the surface area, in particular by means of a light projection device, the surface area can be tracked accordingly. As a result, the size of the surface area can be reduced.

[0046] In such an embodiment, the optical detectors of the plurality of optical detectors are distributed in the room in particular such that a corresponding portion of the plurality of optical detectors is always arranged in the surface area before and after a change in position and / or shape and / or size of the surface area.

[0047] According to at least one specific embodiment, a movement of the object is detected based on at least one detector signal, in particular by at least one computing unit. Safety and / or warning measures are initiated based on the detected movement.

[0048] In particular, the movement is detected by analyzing the temporal sequence of the optical detectors of the plurality of optical detectors that are covered by the object. In this way, it is possible to determine in particular whether the object is moving in the area and, if necessary, also in which direction it is moving. For example, safety and / or warning measures can be initiated only when the object is moving, so that stationary objects can be classified as non-critical.

[0049] It is also possible to initiate safety and / or warning measures only when the object moves in a certain direction or only when the object does not move in a certain direction. Thus, for example, the initiation of safety and / or warning measures can be limited to relevant scenarios in which the object has not yet left the critical area or the object is about to move in the direction of a particularly critical area, etc.

[0050] According to at least one specific embodiment, the safety and / or warning measure is initiated if, in particular only if, it is determined based on the detected movement that the object is moving in the direction of a predefined critical area.

[0051] The critical area can be inside the surface area or outside the surface area or can be partially located in the surface area. In this way, unnecessary warnings or safety measures can be avoided.

[0052] According to at least one embodiment, a room model, in particular a virtual room model, of the room is provided, in particular to at least one computing unit, for example by storing the room model on a computer-readable storage medium. Safety and / or warning measures are initiated as a function of the room model.

[0053] The room model can contain, for example, information about where medical devices or individual parts of medical devices or other devices and objects including room walls etc. are located in the room. The room model can also contain information about dynamic processes, such as the movement of one or more parts of medical devices or other devices in the room, or a corresponding description of these movements. The room model can also contain typical movements or movement sequences of people in the room, including medical staff and, if necessary, patients.

[0054] In this way, when initiating safety and / or warning measures, in particular the target state and / or non-critical state in the room can be taken into account, so that safety and / or warning measures etc. are not initiated if covering of the surface area or a partial surface area is foreseeable and / or desired if necessary according to the room model.

[0055] According to at least one embodiment, the room model includes the position or orientation of the medical device and / or another object in the room. Safety and / or warning measures are initiated depending on the position or orientation of the medical device and / or at least one other object.

[0056] According to at least one embodiment, the room model includes the movement range of the medical device, in particular movable parts of the medical device and / or the at least one further object. Safety and / or warning measures are initiated depending on the movement range of the medical device and / or the at least one further object.

[0057] According to at least one embodiment, a sensor is activated in response to the detected covering, which is arranged in the room in a surface area or in a predetermined further surface area. A sensor signal is generated by the sensor in response to the presence of an object in the acquisition area (or detection area) of the further sensor. Safety and / or warning measures are initiated in response to the sensor signal.

[0058] For example, the safety and / or warning measure can be initiated only when the presence of an object in the detection range is determined based on the sensor signal.

[0059] The sensor can be, for example, a pressure sensor integrated into the floor or ground of the room. The sensor can also be an inductive sensor or a magnetic field sensor, etc. It is also possible to provide one or more additional sensors of the same or different types and to initiate safety and / or warning measures as a function of the corresponding sensor signals of the individual sensors.

[0060] In this way, the presence of an object can first be detected based on the covering of one or more optical detectors, and in a second step, the presence of the object in the detection area can also be detected by the sensor. Thus, for example, a more reliable detection of the object can be achieved and / or the risk of false positive detection results of the object in the surface area can be reduced. The position of the object can also be determined more accurately based on the sensor signal, so that safety and / or warning measures can be initiated based on the position determined in this way.

[0061] According to at least one embodiment, the light impinging on the plurality of optical detectors is filtered according to a wavelength characteristic, in particular by a filtering device arranged in the room.

[0062] The filter device can be arranged in the surface area, for example, so that the light reaching the active surface of each optical detector is first forced to pass through the filter device. Each optical detector can have its own filter element, or several optical detectors, for example all optical detectors of the plurality of optical detectors, can each have a common filter element.

[0063] In this way, as described above, the adaptation of the optical detector or the detected light component to the wavelength characteristic can be improved.

[0064] The filter device may be designed, for example, in such a way that it allows at least a portion of the light having the wavelength characteristic to pass through and / or only allows light that matches the wavelength characteristic to pass through.

[0065] According to at least one embodiment, the surface area corresponds to a movement area of ​​the medical device, in particular a component of the medical device, or to the movement area thereof.

[0066] This reduces the risk of collision with objects.

[0067] According to at least one embodiment, the surface area corresponds to a region of increased radiation exposure, in particular caused by the medical device.

[0068] In this way, the risk of persons in the room being exposed to increased radiation exposure can be reduced.

[0069] According to at least one embodiment, the surface area corresponds to a predefined sterile area in the room.

[0070] In this way, the sterility of the sterile area can be ensured more reliably.

[0071] According to at least one specific embodiment, the identity of the object is determined, in particular by at least one computing unit, and safety and / or warning measures are initiated as a function of the determined identity.

[0072] For determining the identity, for example, a camera system can be arranged in the room, which can monitor the room and thus the people and other objects in the room. Based on the corresponding camera images or videos of the camera system, at least one computing unit can determine the identity of the object, in this case, for example, the identity of a person, using known algorithms, such as facial recognition algorithms.

[0073] In other embodiments, in addition or as an alternative thereto, the identity of the object can be determined by reading corresponding identity information from the RFID trace of the object by means of a corresponding RFID reader.

[0074] In this way, in particular, safety and / or warning measures can be initiated only when the object is of a specific identity or a specific group, such as a specific population. This can further reduce unnecessary initiations of safety and / or warning measures.

[0075] For application scenarios or application cases that may arise in the method according to the invention and are not explicitly described here, provision may be made for outputting a fault message and / or a request for input of user feedback and / or adjusting standard settings and / or a predetermined initial state according to the method.

[0076] According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for monitoring a room with at least one medical device is provided. The system has a light projection device for installation in the room, wherein the light projection device is configured to generate a light projection with light of a preset wavelength characteristic, and the light projection determines a surface area in the room. The system has a plurality of optical detectors for installation in the surface area, the plurality of optical detectors being configured to detect light with the wavelength characteristic and to generate at least one detector signal based on the detection result, i.e. based on the detected light. The system has at least one computing unit, which is configured to detect, based on the at least one detector signal, that at least a portion of the plurality of optical detectors is covered by an object and to initiate safety and / or warning measures based on the detected covering.

[0077] A computing unit can be understood in particular as a data processing device comprising a processing circuit. A computing unit can in particular process data for performing computing operations. The computing operations may also include operations for performing search accesses to data structures, such as a look-up table LUT (English: "look-up table").

[0078] The computing unit may include, in particular, one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers and / or one or more integrated circuits, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits, i.e., ASICs (English: “application-specific integrated circuits”), one or more field programmable gate arrays, i.e., FPGAs and / or one or more single-chip systems, i.e., SOCs (English: “system on a chip”). The computing unit may also include one or more processors, such as one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units CPUs (English: “central processing units”), one or more graphics processing units GPUs (English: “graphics processing units”) and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors DSPs. The computing unit may also include a physical or virtual complex of a computer or the other mentioned units.

[0079] In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more storage units.

[0080] The memory cell can be designed as a volatile data memory, for example a dynamic random access memory DRAM (English: dynamic random access memory) or a static random access memory SRAM (English: static random access memory), or as a non-volatile data memory, for example a read-only memory ROM (English: read-only memory), a programmable read-only memory PROM (English: programmable read-only memory), an erasable programmable read-only memory EPROM (English: erasable programmable read-only memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory EEPROM (English: electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), a flash memory or a flash EEPROM, a ferroelectric random access memory FRAM (English: ferroelectric random access memory), a magnetoresistive random access memory MRAM (English: magnetoresistive random access memory) or a phase change random access memory PCRAM (English: phase-change random access memory).

[0081] In some embodiments of the system, the room or part of the room and / or the medical device can be considered as part of the system. For example, the light projection device is installed in the room, for example on the ceiling or side walls of the room or on an object in the room or on the medical device itself. In particular, the optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors is installed in the surface area, in particular integrated in the floor.

[0082] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the light projection device is designed as a laser projection device, ie has one or more laser light sources, in particular laser diodes, in order to generate light and accordingly generate a light projection.

[0083] This allows a particularly simple definition of the wavelength characteristic, since the wavelength characteristic can be given by one or more emission wavelengths of the laser light source. The selectivity of the optical detector can also be achieved more easily by a corresponding adjustment of the optical detector.

[0084] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the light projection device is configured to generate light at least partially in the visible spectral range.

[0085] This makes it possible for people in the room to intuitively identify where a surface area that should be avoided is located. It is also possible to illuminate different parts of a surface area or different surface areas with light of different colors, in order to, for example, highlight or define different criticality levels.

[0086] In accordance with at least one embodiment, each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors includes one or more photodiodes or includes an array of photodiodes.

[0087] Other embodiments of the system for monitoring a room according to the invention are directly derived from different embodiments of the method for monitoring a room according to the invention, and vice versa. The individual features and corresponding explanations and advantages associated with the different embodiments of the method according to the invention can in particular be transferred analogously to the corresponding embodiments of the system according to the invention. The system according to the invention is in particular designed or programmed to carry out the method according to the invention. The system according to the invention in particular implements the method according to the invention.

[0088] Other features of the invention are apparent from the drawings and the description of the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the specification and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown in the drawings can be included by the invention not only in the respectively given combination, but also in other different combinations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on specific embodiments and the associated schematic diagrams. In the drawings, identical or functionally identical elements may be provided with identical reference numerals. It is not necessary to repeat the description of identical or functionally identical elements with respect to different drawings when necessary.

[0090] In the attached picture:

[0091] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a room together with an exemplary embodiment of a system for monitoring a room according to the present invention; and

[0092] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart shows an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for monitoring a room with a medical device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] exist Figure 1 Schematically shows a room with a medical device 4 and an exemplary embodiment of a system 1 according to the invention for monitoring a room. The system 1 is configured to carry out the method according to the invention. Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of such a method is shown in FIG.

[0094] Medical equipment 4 Figure 1 In the figure, as a C-arm X-ray system, there is, by way of example, a stand 5, a C-arm 6, an X-ray detector 7 arranged on the C-arm 6, and an X-ray source 8 arranged on the C-arm 6 opposite the X-ray detector 7. In addition, a patient table 10 with a patient 11 is shown by way of example, who can be examined and / or treated, for example, by the medical device 4. However, the system 1 and the method according to the invention are not limited to a specific design of the medical device 4.

[0095] The system 1 has at least one computing unit 12, which can be arranged in the room, but can also be located outside the room or partially outside the room. The system has a light projection device 14, which is arranged in the room, for example on the ceiling 3 of the room. The light projection device 14 can be designed as a laser projector, for example.

[0096] In method step 200 , light projection device 14 can generate a light projection, for example using light of a predetermined wavelength characteristic, for example light of a predetermined wavelength or color, which determines surface area 13 in a room, for example on floor 2 of the room.

[0097] The system 1 has a plurality of optical detectors 9, for example photodiodes, which are arranged in a surface area 13, for example integrated in the floor 2 or arranged on the floor 2. The optical detectors 9 are provided for detecting light having the characteristic wavelength.

[0098] In method step 220 , as long as the respective optical detectors 9 are not covered, these optical detectors 9 each generate a detector signal, for example as a function of the light falling on the respective active surface, in particular the light generated by the light projection device 14 .

[0099] In method step 240, at least one computing unit 12 can detect, based on the detector signals, that at least some of the plurality of optical detectors 9 are covered by an object. In particular, the amplitude of one of the detector signals indicates the energy of the light falling on the active surface of the respective optical detector 9. If this energy is less than a certain threshold value, it can therefore be assumed that the optical detector is covered.

[0100] In method step 260 , at least one computing unit initiates safety and / or warning measures as a function of the detected covering.

[0101] Safety and / or warning measures may include, for example, slowing down or stopping a movable part of the medical device 4 or other movable object. Figure 1 In the example, for example, a C-arm 6 or a bracket 5, other movable objects are Figure 1 In the example of the patient table 10, for example. Alternatively or additionally, an acoustic warning message and / or a visual warning message can also be output.

[0102] For example, if a covered surface area is determined based on at least one detector signal, safety and / or warning measures can be initiated. The surface area can represent, for example, a movable area of ​​the medical device 4, in particular a movable part of the medical device 4, Figure 1 In the example of , for example, the movement area of ​​the C-arm 6 or the support 5, that is, the area with increased collision risk. The surface area can also represent the area where the radiation load is expected to increase. The surface area can also represent the sterile area. In these cases, the risk of collision, the risk of increased radiation load and / or the risk of contamination of the sterile area can be reduced by safety and / or warning measures.

[0103] It is also possible to initiate safety and / or warning measures when no surface area is detected as being covered based on at least one detector signal, for example when such covering, for example by stationary objects in the room, is normally to be expected according to a preset room model of the room.

[0104] In various embodiments, it is also possible that the surface area, in particular the position and / or shape of the surface area, is changed dynamically, i.e. over time, or tracks the movement of components of the medical device 4, controlled by the light projection device 14, for example by at least one computing unit 12. In this way, it is possible to take into account the fact that, when components of the medical device 4 are moved, regions with a particularly high risk of collision or a particularly high radiation load may also change.

[0105] It should be pointed out that the invention can also be extended in an analogous manner for a plurality of light projections, surface areas, etc., wherein different surface areas or corresponding coverings thereof can also be treated differently.

[0106] In various embodiments, the present invention can improve safety in rooms, such as operating rooms. For this purpose, light markers, especially light markers on the floor, can be used to reliably monitor violations of the surface area defined by the light markers and warn personnel when necessary.

[0107] In various embodiments, a spectral laser projector is used to generate the light projection, and a correspondingly wavelength-sensitive sensor is used as optical detector.

[0108] By integrating the optical detector into the floor 2 of the room, cracks and gaps etc. which could lead to contamination of the sterile field can also be avoided.

[0109] In various embodiments, the invention also makes it possible to implement monitoring, in particular the detection of coverings, independently of devices that need to be carried by a person.

[0110] In various embodiments, a ceiling mounted projector can be used to indicate areas on the laboratory floor with different risk levels, such as green for low risk of collision or corresponding radiation risk, yellow for medium risk, and red for high risk. Optical detectors that adaptively respond to the expected wavelength of the projector can be installed in the floor. If a person or other object obstructs the path of the light, safety and / or warning measures are triggered.

[0111] In various embodiments, safety and / or warning measures are triggered only when an object or person entering the danger zone moves. This can be determined by analyzing the sequence and / or number of covered optical detectors. In this way, in particular, stationary objects in the risk zone can be considered as non-problematic.

[0112] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with either male or female gender identities are included.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a room having a medical device (4), wherein: - generating a light projection with light of a predetermined wavelength characteristic, which light projection defines a surface area (13) in the room; - generating at least one detector signal by means of a plurality of optical detectors (9), which are each mounted in the surface area (13) and are configured to detect light having the wavelength characteristic; - identifying, based on at least one detector signal, that at least a portion of the plurality of optical detectors (9) is covered by an object; and - Initiating safety and / or warning measures based on the detected obstruction.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Safety and / or warning measures - comprising stopping or slowing down the movement of a component (5, 6, 7, 8) of the medical device (4); and / or - comprising ceasing the generation of ionizing radiation by the medical device (4).

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Safety and / or warning measures - comprising bringing the components (5, 6, 7, 8) of the medical device (4) to a predefined safe position or location; and / or - includes outputting an audible warning message and / or a visual warning message.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The shape and / or size and / or position of the surface area in the room is changed depending on the status of the medical device (4).

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - detecting movement of the object based on at least one detector signal; and - Initiate safety and / or warning measures based on detected movement.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: When it is determined based on the detected movement that the object is moving in the direction of a preset critical area, safety and / or warning measures are initiated.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A room model of the room is provided, and safety and / or warning measures are initiated based on the room model.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: - the room model comprises the position of the medical device (4) and / or at least one further object (10) in the room; and - Initiating safety and / or warning measures as a function of the position of the medical device (4) and / or at least one further object (10).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: - the room model includes a movement area of ​​the medical device (4) and / or at least one further object (10); and - Initiating safety and / or warning measures as a function of the movement range of the medical device (4) and / or at least one further object (10).

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - activating a sensor, which is arranged in the surface area (13) or in a predetermined further surface area, in response to the detected covering; - generating a sensor signal by the sensor in dependence on the presence of an object in a detection range of a further sensor; and - Initiating safety and / or warning measures based on said sensor signals.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The light impinging on the plurality of optical detectors (9) is filtered according to wavelength characteristics.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Area(13) - corresponds to the area of ​​movement of the medical device (4); and / or - corresponds to a pre-determined area of ​​increased radiation exposure; and / or -Complies with the pre-defined sterile field.

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The identity of the subject is determined, and safety and / or warning measures are initiated based on the determined identity.

14. A system (1) for monitoring a room having at least one medical device (4), the system (1) having a light projection device (14) for installation in a room, the light projection device being configured to generate a light projection with light of a predetermined wavelength characteristic, the light projection defining a surface area (13) in the room; - a plurality of optical detectors (9) for mounting in the surface area (13), the plurality of optical detectors being arranged to detect light having the wavelength characteristic and to generate at least one detector signal therefrom; and at least one computing unit (12) which is configured to detect, based on at least one detector signal, that at least some of the plurality of optical detectors (9) are covered by an object and to initiate safety and / or warning measures based on the detected covering.

15. The system (1) according to claim 14, wherein: - the light projection device (14) is designed to be mounted on the ceiling (3) or on a side wall of the room; and / or - a plurality of optical detectors (9) designed to be mounted on the floor (2) of the room; and / or - the light projection device (14) is designed as a laser projection device; and / or The light projection device (14) is configured to generate light at least partially in the visible spectral range.

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