Medical device with contactless data transmission

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical device having a base body (1) arranged on a boundary surface (2) of a space. It also has an additional body (3) which is mounted on the base body so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (4). Thus, the rotational position of the additional body relative to the base body is settable by pivoting the additional body about the pivot axis. The additional body directly or indirectly carries a radiation source (5) for emitting ionizing radiation. A data transmission element (8, 9) is arranged on each of the base body and the additional body. Data (D, D ') can be transmitted contactlessly from the base body to the additional body and / or from the additional body to the base body by means of the data transmission elements (8, 9), such that, with respect to the respective data transmission, a respective one of the data transmission elements (8, 9) is used as a transmitter and as a receiver, respectively. The data transmission elements (8, 9) are arranged on the base body and the additional body so as to be aligned with respect to the pivot axis and are spaced apart from each other when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention is based on a medical technology device,

[0002] wherein the medical device has a base body which is arranged at a boundary surface in the room,

[0003] wherein the medical device has an auxiliary body which is mounted on the base body so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, so that by pivoting the auxiliary body about the pivot axis the rotational position of the auxiliary body relative to the base body can be set,

[0004] - wherein the additional body directly or indirectly carries a radiation source for emitting ionizing radiation,

[0005] - wherein a data transmission element is respectively arranged on the base body and the additional body,

[0006] - wherein data can be transmitted contactlessly from the base body to the additional body and

[0007] and / or from the additional body to the base body, so that with regard to the corresponding data transmission a corresponding one of the data transmission elements serves as a transmitter and as a receiver, respectively. Background Art

[0008] Such medical technology devices are generally known. In particular, computed tomography scanners can be designed in this way. Reference can be made purely by way of example to DE 10 2021 213 027 A1. However, in computed tomography scanners, the pivoting movement is reduced to the fact that in computed tomography scanners, the attachment (gantry) usually performs a number of complete rotations around the "pivot axis", which is more of a rotation than a pivoting.

[0009] Computed tomography scanners are not the only medical technology devices in which the auxiliary body is supported on the base body in a rotatable manner. Examples of such other medical technology devices are C-arm systems, linear accelerators for radiation therapy and mammography devices. The present invention relates to medical technology devices of this type.

[0010] In such medical devices, it is also necessary to exchange data between a (more or less stationary) base body and a (pivotable) additional body. Usually, the data transmission takes place via a data line. If the data transmission takes place via a data line, the pivot angle by which the additional body can be pivoted relative to the base body is limited. In addition, wear occurs during each pivoting movement, even if the wear is very small during the corresponding pivoting movement.

[0011] It is also known to use standardized radio transmission, such as WiFi or Bluetooth, instead of wired data transmission. Although these approaches avoid the disadvantages of limited pivoting angles and the occurrence of wear, they are significantly more complex and must also meet legal requirements for radio connections. Therefore, they are not used in practice or at least are rarely used. Summary of the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to create a possibility by means of which the disadvantages of the prior art can be avoided.

[0013] This object is achieved by the medical device according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the medical device according to the invention are given in this document.

[0014] According to the invention, a medical device of the type mentioned in the introduction is designed in such a way that the data transmission elements are arranged on the base body and the auxiliary body in alignment with the pivot axis and are spaced apart from one another as viewed in the direction of the pivot axis.

[0015] Due to the manner in which the data transmission elements are arranged on the base body and the additional body, it is obvious that a computed tomography scanner cannot be the subject of the present invention. This is because the data transmission elements cannot be arranged aligned with respect to the pivot axis in a computed tomography scanner. This is because the patient is arranged in this area. Rather, as already mentioned, the subject of the present invention is medical technology devices, such as C-arm systems, linear accelerators for radiation therapy and mammography devices.

[0016] The boundary surfaces of a space are the walls, ceiling, and floor of the space. Since medical equipment cannot be suspended in a room, its installation location will naturally be related to the corresponding boundary surfaces.

[0017] The base body can be arranged at the corresponding boundary surface in a fixed position. This is usually the case, in particular, when it is arranged at the wall of the room. However, this is also feasible when it is arranged on the ceiling or floor of the room. Alternatively, the base body can be movably arranged at the corresponding boundary surface. For example, the base body can have rollers, by means of which the base body stands on the floor of the room, so that the medical technology device can be moved on the floor of the room. The base body can also be moved along a rail-like guide element, which is connected to the corresponding boundary surface on one side. In the case where the rail-like guide element is fastened to the wall of the room, height setting is particularly feasible in this case, and in the case of fastening to the ceiling of the room, positioning in the direction of the pivot axis is particularly feasible.

[0018] In particular in the case of C-arm systems and mammography devices, the medical technology device can alternatively be arranged in a stationary manner at the corresponding boundary surface or be mobile. Linear accelerators are usually arranged in a stationary manner.

[0019] The radiation source for emitting ionizing radiation is usually an X-ray source, but can also be a linear accelerator or a radiation source containing radioactive material.

[0020] The transmitted data can include, for example, control data for the radiation source. In this case, the data is transmitted from the base body to the auxiliary body. Alternatively or additionally, the transmitted data can include, for example, operating data detected by measurement technology of the radiation source or image data detected by means of an X-ray detector arranged at the auxiliary body. In this case, the data is transmitted from the auxiliary body to the base body.

[0021] The type of carrier signal used for data transmission can be as required. In individual cases, it is also conceivable to use ultrasonic signals. However, the data transmission element is usually designed so that it transmits data by modulating an electromagnetic carrier signal.

[0022] In some cases, it may be necessary to arrange a metal shield around the data transmission element. This reliably avoids possible problems that would otherwise occur due to the emission of carrier signals to the outside. However, in many cases, such a shield is not necessary.

[0023] In the case of an electromagnetic carrier signal, it is possible that the electromagnetic carrier signal is an optical signal. The optical signal can be visible light (wavelength of about 400 nm to about 750 nm), infrared light (wavelength of 750 nm to 1 mm) or in individual cases also ultraviolet light (wavelength of about 400 nm to about 100 nm) as required.

[0024] Alternatively and currently preferred, the electromagnetic carrier signal is an electromagnetic signal in a narrow sense, that is, the electromagnetic carrier signal has a wavelength of at least 3 mm, in particular about 5 mm. A wavelength of 3 mm corresponds to a frequency of about 100 GHz of the carrier signal, and a wavelength of about 5 mm corresponds to a frequency of about 60 GHz of the carrier signal.

[0025] On the other hand, the electromagnetic carrier signal preferably has a wavelength of at most 20 mm, in particular at most 10 mm. A wavelength of 20 mm corresponds to a frequency of the carrier signal of approximately 15 GHz, and a wavelength of approximately 10 mm corresponds to a frequency of the carrier signal of approximately 30 GHz.

[0026] It is particularly preferred that the electromagnetic carrier signal has a wavelength at which the carrier signal interacts with oxygen or nitrogen. At such a wavelength or frequency, oxygen and nitrogen have a significant attenuating effect. As a result, the carrier signal decays rapidly in air, so that the effective range in air is limited due to physical facts. When using such a carrier frequency, it is self-evident that the transmitted signal is very resistant to interference and very secure against eavesdropping. In particular, such a frequency (the so-called oxygen absorption line) is present at about 60 GHz.

[0027] The electromagnetic carrier signal is preferably circularly polarized. The circular polarization of the electromagnetic carrier signal has the effect, in particular, that the data transmission between the two data transmission elements is independent of the extent to which the auxiliary body is pivoted relative to the base body about the pivot axis.

[0028] In the case of optical signals, circular polarization can be achieved, for example, by first passing the optical signal through a polarization filter in a data transmission element acting as a transmitter, so that the optical signal is first linearly polarized after the polarization filter. In this case, a λ / 4 plate can be arranged downstream of the polarization filter, which converts the linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light. For electromagnetic signals, corresponding data transmission elements are available on the market, wherein the electromagnetic carrier signal has a wavelength of between 3 mm and 20 mm and radiates circularly polarized light. For example, corresponding transmitting and receiving devices are sold by Rosenberger Hochfequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG, postal code 83413, Fridolfing, Germany, under the product name RoProxCon.

[0029] A plurality of electrical energy consumers are usually arranged on the additional body. The energy consumer can include a radiation source in particular. However, additionally, alternatively, other energy consumers are also feasible. The energy consumer is connected to the energy transmission element on the additional body side via a line arranged in the additional body. In a similar manner, the energy supply device of the space is connected to the energy transmission element on the base side via a line arranged in the base. In order to transmit energy from the base to the additional body, the energy transmission elements are energy-coupled to each other. Preferably, the energy coupling of the energy transmission elements to each other is independent of the rotational position of the additional body relative to the base. The expression "independent of the rotational position of the additional body relative to the base" should not mean that the additional body can only pivot around the pivot axis in a determined and thus limited angle range relative to the base and provide energy coupling in each rotational position within the angle range. More precisely, the expression means that the additional body can be placed in any rotational position (i.e., over the entire 360°) relative to the base and thus also provide energy coupling in each rotational position within the angle range. The energy coupling is therefore not a limitation to the pivoting of the auxiliary body relative to the base body, so that the auxiliary body can in principle continue to pivot and can in principle also perform any number of complete rotations about the pivot axis.

[0030] As a result, there is complete freedom for pivoting the additional body relative to the base body. The pivoting movement is therefore no longer restricted compared to a connection via a cable. Advantages in the workflow are thus achieved.

[0031] In the simplest case, the interface is formed as a plurality of slip rings. Contactless transmission via magnetic coupling similar to a transformer is also possible. In the described case, the primary winding and the secondary winding of the "transformer" can be formed in annular shape and arranged concentrically with each other, so that the two windings are arranged at the same height in the direction of the pivot axis and one winding surrounds the other winding radially on the outside when viewed orthogonally to the pivot axis. Alternatively, the two windings can be formed in annular shape around the pivot axis at the same distance and have a small distance from each other when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis. In both cases, the magnetic coupling can be enhanced by an iron core. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention described above and the manner and method of achieving these characteristics, features and advantages can be more clearly understood in conjunction with the following description of the embodiments, which are explained in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Here, it is shown in a schematic diagram:

[0033] Figure 1 Shows medical technology equipment,

[0034] Figure 2 Shown in cross section Figure 1details in the transition area from the base body to the additional body of the medical device,

[0035] Figure 3 A top view of the data transmission element of the base body is shown, viewed from above from the additional body,

[0036] Figure 4 A top view of the data transmission element of the additional body viewed from the base body is shown,

[0037] Figure 5 The radiating lobes are shown,

[0038] Figure 6 A block diagram showing data transmission elements, and

[0039] Figure 7 Another block diagram of data transmission elements is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] according to Figure 1 , the medical technology device has a base body 1. The base body 1 is arranged at a boundary surface 2 of a space. At present, the boundary surface 2 is the floor of the space. However, alternatively, the boundary surface can also be a wall or a ceiling of the space. In addition, the base body 1 is currently arranged at the boundary surface 2 in a fixed position (stationary). However, the base body can also be arranged at the boundary surface 2 in a movable manner (movably, movably).

[0041] The medical device also has an additional body 3. The additional body 3 is pivotably mounted on the base body 1. The additional body 3 can thus be pivoted relative to the base body 1 about a pivot axis 4. Thus, by pivoting the additional body 3 about the pivot axis 4, the rotational position of the additional body 3 relative to the base body 1 can be set.

[0042] Whenever the terms axial, radial and tangential are used below, they always refer to the pivot axis 4. The axial direction is a direction parallel to the pivot axis 4. The radial direction is a direction orthogonal to the pivot axis 4 directly toward or away from the pivot axis. The tangential direction is a direction pointing circularly around the pivot axis 4 at a constant axial position and at a constant radial spacing.

[0043] The auxiliary body 3 directly or indirectly carries a radiation source 5 for emitting ionizing radiation. In the present case, the radiation source 5 is an X-ray source, which is a component of a C-arm 6. Therefore, the auxiliary body 3 indirectly carries the radiation source 5. The C-arm 6 also carries an X-ray detector 7. Therefore, the medical technology device is currently designed as a C-arm facility. However, other designs of the medical technology device are also possible, for example as a mammography device or as a radiotherapy device.

[0044] according to Figure 2, transmission elements 8, 9 are provided at the base body 1 and the additional body 3, respectively. With the aid of the transmission elements 8, 9, data D, D' can be transmitted contactlessly from the base body 1 to the additional body 3 and / or from the additional body 3 to the base body 1. Currently, data D is transmitted from the base body 1 to the additional body 3, and data D' is transmitted from the additional body 3 to the base body 1. Therefore, for the data D, the transmission element 8 acts as a transmitter, and the transmission element 9 acts as a receiver. For the data D', it is the opposite.

[0045] according to Figures 2 to 4 , the transmission elements 8, 9 are arranged on the base body 1 and the auxiliary body 3 in alignment with respect to the pivot axis 4. Therefore, the transmission elements 8, 9 are arranged directly on the pivot axis 4 when viewed in a plane orthogonal to the pivot axis 4. In addition, according to Figure 2 , the transmission elements 8, 9 are spaced apart from one another as viewed in the direction of the pivot axis 4. The spacing is usually quite small and lies in the single-digit or low double-digit millimeter range.

[0046] Figure 5 : shows a preferred transmission characteristic, with which the transmission elements 8, 9, each used as a transmitter, transmit a carrier signal, by means of which the data D, D' is transmitted. Figure 5 , the corresponding transmitter transmits essentially along the pivot axis 4 and therefore has a narrow radiation lobe. Specifically, the radiation intensity drops to 1 / 4 of the value emitted by the corresponding transmitter along the pivot axis 4 at an angle of 30° to the pivot axis 4 at the latest. However, it is also possible for the radiation lobe to have an emission characteristic with a larger opening angle. In any case, however, the transmission elements 8, 9, which are respectively used as receivers, generally have a corresponding sensitivity with respect to reception.

[0047] Preferably, according to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The transmission elements 8 , 9 are designed such that they transmit data D, D′ by modulating an electromagnetic carrier signal.

[0048] In accordance with Figure 6 In the design scheme, the electromagnetic carrier signal is an optical signal. Figure 6 In the following way, a value less than 1 mm is given as the wavelength λ of the carrier signal, and the speed of light c is given as the product of the wavelength λ of the carrier signal and the frequency f. 1 mm is usually regarded as the boundary between infrared on one side and "normal" electromagnetic waves on the other side.

[0049] exist Figure 7In the design of , the carrier signal is a "normal" electromagnetic carrier signal. Therefore, the carrier signal has a wavelength λ of at least 3 mm. On the other hand, the electromagnetic carrier signal is still very high frequency. Specifically, the electromagnetic carrier signal has a wavelength λ of a maximum of 20 mm, preferably a maximum of 10 mm. The electromagnetic carrier signal can in particular have a wavelength λ of approximately 5 mm. This corresponds to a frequency f of approximately 60 GHz in the case of an electromagnetic carrier signal. Specifically, the frequency f can be between 61 GHz and 61.5 GHz. In this case, the frequency f is in the ISM band. However, the frequency can also be at a frequency of approximately 60 GHz, at which oxygen interacts with the carrier signal.

[0050] The electromagnetic carrier signal is preferably circularly polarized. Feasibility for generating a circularly polarized electromagnetic carrier signal is known to a person skilled in the art.

[0051] A plurality of electrical energy consumers are arranged on the additional body 3. Usually, the radiation source 5 is such a consumer. If present, the X-ray detector 7 is also such a consumer. The energy consumers are connected via a line 10 (see Figure 2 ) is connected to the energy transmission element 11 on the auxiliary body side. In a similar manner, the energy supply device of the space is connected to the energy transmission element 13 on the base body side via the line 12 arranged in the base body 1. In order to transmit energy from the base body 1 to the auxiliary body 3, the energy transmission element 11 on the auxiliary body side and the energy transmission element 13 on the base body side are energy-coupled to each other. The energy coupling of the energy transmission elements 11 and 13 to each other is independent of the rotational position of the auxiliary body 3 relative to the base body 1. For example, corresponding to Figure 2 , the energy transmission element 13 on the base body side can be designed as a slip ring and the energy transmission element 11 on the additional body side can be designed as a pick-off element sliding on the slip ring.

[0052] Therefore, in summary, the present invention relates to the following facts:

[0053] The medical device has a base body 1, which is arranged at a boundary surface 2 in space. In addition, the medical device has an additional body 3, which is pivotably supported on the base body 1 about a pivot axis 4. Therefore, by pivoting the additional body 3 about the pivot axis 4, the rotational position of the additional body 3 relative to the base body 1 can be set. The additional body 3 directly or indirectly carries a radiation source 5 for emitting ionizing radiation. Data transmission elements 8, 9 are respectively arranged on the base body 1 and the additional body 3. With the help of the data transmission elements 8, 9, data D, D' can be transmitted contactlessly from the base body 1 to the additional body 3 and / or from the additional body 3 to the base body 1, so that with respect to the corresponding data transmission, the corresponding transmission element of the data transmission elements 8, 9 is used as a transmitter and as a receiver respectively. The data transmission elements 8, 9 are arranged on the base body 1 and the additional body 3 in an aligned manner with respect to the pivot axis 4 and are spaced apart from each other when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis 4.

[0054] The invention has many advantages. Data transmission can be realized cost-effectively, reliably and robustly. Data transmission is not a radio connection in the legal sense in the case of a suitable design, so that no radio technical license is required. High data rates of multiple gigabits per second can be achieved. Depending on the requirements, unidirectional or bidirectional data transmission is possible. The required adjustment accuracy of the data transmission elements 8, 9 is very small. In particular, when using electromagnetic carrier signals with a wavelength λ between 3mm and 20mm, if a partition or the like is arranged between the data transmission elements 8, 9, there will be no problem as long as the partition is not conductive. This can be important for tight sealing. Complete freedom is obtained during the pivoting movement. No wear will occur. Due to the short range of data transmission determined by the principle, data transmission is virtually not eavesdropped and virtually not disturbed, so that a very high data security is obtained.

[0055] Although the present invention has been shown and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the present invention is not restricted to the disclosed examples and a person skilled in the art can derive other variants therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a term, it includes people with either male or female identities.

Claims

1. A medical technology device, - wherein the medical device has a base body (1) which is arranged at a boundary surface (2) in space, - the medical device having an additional body (3) which is mounted on the base body (1) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (4) so ​​that the rotational position of the additional body (3) relative to the base body (1) can be adjusted by pivoting the additional body (3) about the pivot axis (4), - wherein the additional body (3) directly or indirectly carries a radiation source (5) for emitting ionizing radiation, - wherein data transmission elements (8, 9) are respectively arranged on the base body (1) and the additional body (3), - wherein data (D, D') can be transmitted contactlessly from the base body (1) to the additional body (3) and / or from the additional body (3) to the base body (1) by means of the data transmission elements (8, 9), so that with respect to the respective data transmission, a respective one of the data transmission elements (8, 9) acts as a transmitter and as a receiver, respectively, It is characterized in that The data transmission elements (8, 9) are arranged on the base body (1) and the auxiliary body (3) in an aligned manner with respect to the pivot axis (4) and are spaced apart from one another when viewed in the direction of the pivot axis (4).

2. The medical device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The data transmission element (8, 9) is designed such that it transmits the data (D, D') by modulating an electromagnetic carrier signal.

3. The medical device according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The electromagnetic carrier signal is an optical signal.

4. The medical device according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The electromagnetic carrier signal has a wavelength (λ) of at least 3 mm, in particular of approximately 5 mm.

5. The medical device according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The electromagnetic carrier signal has a wavelength (λ) of at most 20 mm, in particular at most 10 mm.

6. The medical device according to claim 4 or 5, It is characterized in that The electromagnetic carrier signal has a wavelength (λ) at which the carrier signal interacts with the oxygen or nitrogen.

7. The medical device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, It is characterized in that The electromagnetic carrier signal is circularly polarized.

8. The medical device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A plurality of electrical energy consumers are arranged on the additional body (3), and the energy consumers are connected to an energy transmission element (11) on the additional body side via a line (10) arranged in the additional body (3). The energy supply device of the space is connected to an energy transmission element (13) on the base body side via a line (12) arranged in the base body (1). In order to transmit energy from the base body (1) to the additional body (3), the energy transmission elements (11, 13) are energy-coupled to each other, and the energy coupling of the energy transmission elements (11, 13) to each other is independent of the rotational position of the additional body (3) relative to the base body (1).

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