Auxiliary device for ankle joint and sole DR examination

Abstract

The utility model discloses an auxiliary device for ankle joint and sole DR examination, which comprises a platform, a groove is arranged on an upper bottom plate of the platform, and the groove divides the upper bottom plate of the platform into a platform for detecting sole parts and a platform for detecting ankle joints; the peripheral side surface of the platform for detecting the sole part is provided with an inlet through which the plate-shaped movable X-ray flat plate receiver enters an accommodating space below the platform, and an upper bottom plate of the platform for detecting the sole part is parallel to the plate surface of the X-ray flat plate receiver; the upper bottom plate is made of a non-developing material; a plate-shaped movable X-ray flat plate receiver can be vertically inserted into the groove, the foot stands on a platform used for detecting the ankle joint, and the ankle joint is located between the plate face of the opposite X-ray flat plate receiver and the external emitter. According to the utility model, the image of the load-bearing sole and the image of the load-bearing ankle joint can be detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical imaging technology, and in particular to an auxiliary device for DR examination of ankle joints and feet. Background Technology

[0002] Ankle pain is a common clinical symptom that may stem from bone destruction, soft tissue damage, or age-related degeneration. To determine the underlying cause of the pain, X-rays of the ankle joint (anteroposterior and lateral views) can be taken. With proper positioning, the joint components and joint spaces of the ankle can be clearly displayed on the X-ray images.

[0003] Walking on flat ground, climbing stairs, crossing obstacles, and turning all involve dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle joint. Orthopedic ankle examinations require X-rays of the patient's ankle to help doctors better understand the patient's condition.

[0004] Ankle images taken when the patient is supine or sitting on a radiographic table show a significantly larger joint space than when bearing weight, making it difficult to visualize the joint space during normal walking. To observe the joint space under weight-bearing conditions, the optimal imaging method is to have the patient stand with their weight evenly distributed across both legs or bearing weight on one leg for X-ray imaging.

[0005] DR examination is a commonly used imaging examination method in radiology. It is also known as digital radiography and is currently one of the better examination methods in radiology. It includes an X-ray generator and an image detector. The image detector is responsible for receiving the X-rays emitted by the X-ray generator and converting them into electrical signals. Then, the computer reconstructs the two-dimensional image for doctors to make judgments.

[0006] The image detector is a plate-shaped, movable X-ray flat panel receiver, usually placed under the examination table, and can only be used on one side. For weight-bearing examinations of the foot and ankle joint, the subject needs to stand on one leg for X-ray imaging. In this case, the receiver needs to be positioned upright on the side of the foot and ankle joint.

[0007] For weight-bearing examinations of the feet, the patient needs to stand above a movable detector, with the X-ray source tilted at a 15° angle from above. Having the patient stand on the examination table is inconvenient and carries a risk of falling. If a movable imaging detector is used, with the X-ray flat panel placed on the ground and the patient standing directly on it, the detector could easily be damaged. Utility Model Content

[0008] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides an auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and foot, which can detect images of the weight-bearing foot and the weight-bearing ankle joint.

[0009] An auxiliary device for DR examination of ankle joint and foot is characterized in that it includes a platform, on the bottom plate of the platform, a groove is provided, the groove dividing the bottom plate of the platform into a platform for detecting the foot and a platform for detecting the ankle joint.

[0010] The platform for detecting the sole of the foot has a plate-shaped movable X-ray flat panel receiver on its peripheral side, which enters the space below the platform. The upper base plate of the platform for detecting the sole of the foot is parallel to the plate surface of the X-ray flat panel receiver. The upper base plate is made of a non-radioactive material.

[0011] A plate-shaped, movable X-ray flat panel receiver can be vertically inserted into the groove, with the foot standing on a platform for detecting the ankle joint, which is located between the plate surface of the opposing X-ray flat panel receiver and the external emitter.

[0012] This method utilizes the normal standing posture of the human body. The patient stands on the base of a platform used for examining the sole of the foot, bearing the weight of the body. The radiation source is tilted at 15° above the patient, passing through a non-photographic material and received by an X-ray flat panel receiver below, acquiring a weight-bearing DR image of the sole from a top-down view. Alternatively, the patient stands in a straddling posture on a platform used for examining the ankle joint. The ankle joint is positioned between the vertically standing X-ray flat panel receiver and the external transmitter, acquiring a weight-bearing DR image of the ankle joint from a lateral view. This invention is primarily used for weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral DR examinations of the foot, aiming to meet clinical examination needs, make the examination easier for patients to cooperate with, reduce safety risks, and facilitate faster examinations for technicians.

[0013] Preferably, the non-developable material is wood, acrylic, or tempered glass. This design avoids interference from the load-bearing upper plate on the acquisition of images of the weight-bearing foot.

[0014] Optionally, the groove can be a long, narrow slot or several short grooves arranged in a straight line. This design ensures that the surface of the X-ray flat panel receiver is parallel to the person's ankle, which is more conducive to receiving X-rays emitted by the transmitter and provides better imaging results.

[0015] Optionally, the side plates of the inlet and the upper base plate of the platform form an inverted trapezoidal structure. This design allows the X-ray flat panel receiver to be suspended in the accommodating space, avoiding wear and tear on the receiver equipment, while ensuring adaptability to X-ray flat panel receivers of different sizes.

[0016] As an improvement to the above scheme, scale lines are set on both sides of the inlet plate. This scheme adjusts the horizontal level of the X-ray flat panel receiver.

[0017] Optionally, the two side panels of the inlet are perpendicular to the bottom plate of the platform, and are combined with a movable flat plate or a movable opening frame facing the bottom plate of the platform to form a pull-out drawer structure.

[0018] Optionally, it also includes a fixed base plate, which together with the base plate on the platform and the two side plates of the inlet form a receiving cavity with an opening facing the periphery of the platform.

[0019] As an improvement to the above solution, a spring rod is provided on one side wall of the groove. One end of the spring rod is a plate-like structure or a suction cup structure. The spring force of the spring rod pushes the plate-like structure or suction cup structure against the surface of the X-ray flat panel receiver and clamps it against the other side wall of the groove. This solution allows for quick installation of the X-ray flat panel receiver, which can stand vertically.

[0020] As an improvement to the above solution, a removable raised step is installed on the platform used for detecting the ankle joint. This solution takes advantage of the fact that existing transmitters cannot achieve a ground-level height by using a removable raised step to adjust the alignment between the transmitter center and the ankle center.

[0021] This invention allows for examination in a normal bipedal standing position, with even weight distribution on both feet, better meeting clinical needs for weight-bearing examinations and facilitating patient assessment. The patient stands on the assistive device at a low height for foot weight-bearing examinations, minimizing safety risks and making it easier for patients with mobility impairments to cooperate. The pulley-style drawer design secures the detector and prevents direct contact and friction with the ground. Isolating the detector from the load-bearing material at a certain height prevents the detector from directly bearing the patient's weight, protecting its safety. The assistive device simplifies weight-bearing examinations, and the drawer design facilitates technician access to the detector and helps determine its position, preventing incomplete imaging due to detector placement. The assistive device uses relatively simple and common materials, and its manufacturing method is straightforward, significantly solving the challenges of foot weight-bearing examinations. The device is lightweight and easy to use, with an overall design that facilitates technician operation, greatly reducing safety risks during imaging, improving examination efficiency, and facilitating the achievement of examination objectives. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an auxiliary device for DR examination of ankle joint and foot provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a top view of an auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and foot provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the space below the platform of this utility model for accommodating an X-ray flat panel receiver;

[0025] Figure 4 This is another structural schematic diagram of the space below the platform of this utility model for accommodating an X-ray flat panel receiver;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the platform for detecting the ankle joint and its usage status in weight-bearing ankle joints, which is a utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] See Figure 1-2 This is a schematic diagram of a DR (Digital Radiography) auxiliary device for ankle and foot examination provided in an embodiment of this utility model. The device includes a platform with a groove 1 on its bottom plate. The groove can be a long, narrow through-slot or a series of short grooves arranged in a straight line. The groove divides the upper bottom plate of the platform into two parts: a platform 2 for detecting the foot area and measuring the weight-bearing image of the foot, and a platform 3 for detecting the ankle joint and measuring the weight-bearing image of the ankle joint.

[0029] Platform 2, used for detecting the foot area, has a movable, plate-shaped X-ray flat panel receiver 4 on its periphery. An inlet 21 allows the receiver to enter the space beneath the platform. The upper base plate 22 of the platform is parallel to the surface of the X-ray flat panel receiver. The side plates 231 of the inlet and the upper base plate 22 form an inverted trapezoidal structure, allowing for the placement of X-ray flat panel receivers of different sizes in the space beneath the platform. Larger X-ray flat panel receivers are positioned closer to the upper base plate, while a gap is maintained between the receiver and the ground to prevent direct contact and wear. Gravity scales 24 are provided on the side plates of the inlet for the X-ray flat panel receiver. After insertion, the receiver can be adjusted to a horizontal position using the scales on both sides.

[0030] See Figure 3In another embodiment where the space beneath the platform accommodates the X-ray flat panel receiver 4, the side panels 232 of the inlet are perpendicular to the bottom plate 22 of the platform, forming a drawer structure with a movable plate 25. The X-ray flat panel receiver is placed on top of the plate, and rollers and other moving mechanisms are provided below the plate. The movable plate carrying the X-ray flat panel receiver slides into the space beneath the platform. This avoids wear and tear on the X-ray flat panel receiver from contact with the ground. The movable plate can also be an open frame with its opening facing the bottom plate of the platform.

[0031] See Figure 4 In another embodiment of the platform's inlet side plates, the inlet side plates 233, the platform bottom plate 22, and the fixed bottom plate 26 form a receiving cavity with an opening facing the platform's peripheral side. The X-ray flat panel receiver is parallel to the platform and is inserted into the receiving cavity through the inlet 21.

[0032] The platform used for examining the soles of the feet has both feet standing on it, supporting the body's weight to avoid damaging the X-ray flat panel receiver. The platform's base is made of non-photographic materials such as wood, acrylic, or tempered glass. This platform is used for weight-bearing examinations of the soles of the feet. The patient stands above the movable detector, and the X-ray generator's radiation source is tilted at a 15° angle from the top. The X-ray flat panel receiver receives the emitted X-rays and converts them into electrical signals, which are then reconstructed by a computer to form a two-dimensional image.

[0033] See Figure 5 The platform 3 is used for detecting the ankle joint, and the groove 1 next to it is used to vertically place a plate-shaped movable X-ray flat panel receiver. A spring rod 10 is fixedly installed on one side wall of the groove. One end of the spring rod is a plate-shaped structure 11 or a suction cup structure. The spring 12 of the spring rod pushes the plate-shaped structure or suction cup structure against the X-ray flat panel receiver plate surface and clamps it against the other side wall of the groove, realizing the rapid fixation of the X-ray flat panel receiver.

[0034] The person stands with one foot straddling the other on either side of a vertically placed X-ray flat panel receiver. One foot is on a platform for detecting the ankle joint, and the other foot is on a platform for detecting the sole of the foot. The X-ray generator 5 and the X-ray flat panel receiver 4 face each other, emitting X-rays that are absorbed from the outside of the ankle.

[0035] Preferably, both feet need to bear weight simultaneously and evenly, with the X-rays from the transmitter entering from the inside of the ankle. The feet are positioned in a staggered stance on the platform, with the inside of the ankles aligned with the transmitter's emission center and the outside of the ankles close to the X-ray flat panel receiver.

[0036] A removable raised step 31 is installed on the platform used for ankle joint examination. Since X-ray generators are typically not ground-level, the emission center of the X-ray generator, facing the vertically placed X-ray flat panel receiver, is at a certain height. The radiation center needs to be aligned with the center of the foot, at a height of ≥20cm from the ground. The user stands on the raised step with feet in a staggered stance. The raised step helps align the inner side of the weight-bearing ankle with the emission center of the X-ray generator, while the outer side of the ankle is close to the X-ray flat panel receiver. This provides a better image capture position and yields more accurate images.

[0037] The above description is the preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and the sole, characterized in that, It includes a platform with grooves on the bottom plate of the platform, which divide the upper bottom plate of the platform into a platform for detecting the ball of the foot and a platform for detecting the ankle joint; The platform for detecting the sole of the foot has a plate-shaped movable X-ray flat panel receiver on its peripheral side, which enters the space below the platform. The upper base plate of the platform for detecting the sole of the foot is parallel to the plate surface of the X-ray flat panel receiver. The upper base plate is made of a non-radioactive material. A plate-shaped, movable X-ray flat panel receiver can be vertically inserted into the groove, with the foot standing on a platform for detecting the ankle joint, which is located between the plate surface of the opposing X-ray flat panel receiver and the external emitter.

2. The auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and sole according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material that will not develop is wood, acrylic, or tempered glass.

3. The auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and sole according to claim 1, characterized in that, A groove is a long, narrow channel, or a series of short grooves arranged in a straight line.

4. The auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and sole according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side panels of the entrance and the upper bottom plate of the platform form an inverted trapezoidal structure.

5. The auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and sole according to claim 4, characterized in that, Gradient lines are set on both sides of the inlet.

6. The auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and sole according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two side panels of the inlet are perpendicular to the bottom plate of the platform, and together with a movable flat plate or a movable opening frame facing the bottom plate of the platform, they form a pull-out drawer structure.

7. The auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and sole according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a fixed base plate, which, together with the base plate on the platform and the two side plates of the inlet, forms a receiving cavity with an opening facing the periphery of the platform.

8. The auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and sole according to claim 1, characterized in that, A spring rod is fixedly installed on one side wall of the groove. One end of the spring rod is a plate-like structure or a suction cup structure. The spring force of the spring rod pushes the plate-like structure or suction cup structure against the X-ray flat plate receiver plate surface and clamps it against the other side wall of the groove.

9. The auxiliary device for DR examination of the ankle joint and sole according to claim 1, characterized in that, A removable raised step is installed on the platform used for ankle joint testing.

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