System and procedure for aligning a medical object according to a target positioning

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for assisting in the alignment of a medical object according to a target positioning, comprising a light guidance device, a reflector element and a projection surface, wherein the light guidance device is designed to emit a predefined light distribution, wherein the reflector element is designed to be attached to the medical object in a defined arrangement or wherein the reflector element is integrated into the medical object in the defined arrangement, wherein the reflector element is designed to reflect at least a part of the light distribution defined with respect to the medical object (MO) when illuminated with the light distribution, the projection surface has a marking, wherein the projection surface and the light guidance device are arranged in a defined positional relationship to each other, where the projection surface can be illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution, the reflected part of the light distribution illuminates the marker precisely when the medical object is aligned according to the target positioning. The invention further relates to a medical device and a method for aligning a medical object according to a target positioning.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for assisting in aligning a medical object according to a target positioning, a medical object and a method for aligning a medical object according to a target positioning.

[0002] In minimally invasive interventions, particularly bone interventions such as vertebroplasties and / or kyphoplasties, a bone trocar, a K-wire, a stiff needle, and / or a screw-like tool are frequently inserted into the bone structure of an examination subject as an interventional instrument, particularly by hammering and / or drilling. The interventional instrument is frequently guided to a target object via an entry point on the examination subject. For this purpose, monitoring of the positioning, particularly the orientation and / or position, of the interventional instrument relative to the examination subject is often essential. Fluoroscopy is often used for intraprocedural navigation and / or guidance of the interventional instrument, for example, using a C-arm X-ray device. In most cases, no planning imaging and / or 3D imaging is performed pre-interventionally.

[0003] Using fluoroscopic imaging, for example, the positioning of the interventional instrument and / or the angulation of the C-arm X-ray device can be adjusted as needed. Alternatively or additionally, the interventional instrument, in particular the longitudinal extension of the interventional instrument, can be detected in the fluoroscopic images and displayed graphically by superimposing a straight line using a display unit. By iteratively repositioning the interventional instrument under fluoroscopic imaging, the superimposed straight line can be aligned with the target object. The known methods disadvantageously lead to increased radiation exposure of the examination subject. Furthermore, the methods are often time-consuming. The 2D imaging used has the disadvantage that the angulation of the C-arm must be changed regularly in order to rule out off-plane tilting of the trocar."Off-plane" refers to a component of the change in a direction vector and / or orientation vector of the instrument shaft that is collinear or parallel to the projection direction of the C-arm. This off-plane change in direction is not detectable or very difficult to detect in a 2D X-ray projection with thin instruments, especially needle- or screw-like instruments. For example, during a progression view, a change in direction of the interventional instrument outside the plane in the projection direction should be detected, which cannot be detected on the C-arm without switching to a second, particularly orthogonal, progression view with a different angulation of the C-arm. An overly frequent change in angulation is a major disadvantage for a surgical workflow.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to enable a low X-ray dose and time-efficient alignment of a medical object with respect to an examination object.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments with useful further developments are the subject matter of the subclaims. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female, or other gender identities are included.

[0006] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a system for assisting in aligning a medical object according to a target positioning. The system comprises a light-guiding device, a reflector element, and a projection surface. The light-guiding device is designed to emit a predefined light distribution. The reflector element is designed to be attached to the medical object in a defined arrangement. Alternatively, the reflector element is integrated into the medical object in the defined arrangement. Furthermore, the reflector element is designed to reflect at least a portion of the light distribution in a defined manner with respect to the medical object when illuminated with the light distribution. The projection surface has a marking. Furthermore, the projection surface and the light-guiding device are arranged in a defined positional relationship to one another.The projection surface can be illuminated by the reflected portion of the light distribution. Furthermore, the reflected portion of the light distribution illuminates the marker precisely when the medical object is aligned according to the target positioning.

[0007] The medical object can be a surgical instrument, for example a needle, in particular a puncture needle, and / or a drill, and / or a diagnostic instrument, for example an endoscope, in particular a laparoscope, and / or a catheter, and / or a trocar. Advantageously, the medical object can be at least partially, in particular completely, rigid and elongated, in particular rod-shaped and / or needle-shaped. Advantageously, the medical object, in particular a distal section of the medical object, can be arranged on or in the examination object in the operating state of the device. In particular, the medical object can be at least partially arranged on or in the examination object in the operating state of the device.

[0008] The light-guiding device can advantageously comprise a light source, for example a laser light source, which is designed to emit the predefined light distribution. For this purpose, the light-guiding device can, for example, comprise an optical aperture. Advantageously, the light-guiding device can emit the light distribution in an operating state of the device.

[0009] The reflector element can be fastened, in particular arranged, on the medical object, in particular a proximal section of the medical object, in a defined positional relationship, in particular in a defined spatial relative position and / or relative orientation and / or relative pose. In particular, the reflector element can be releasably fastened to the medical object in the defined positional relationship. For this purpose, the reflector element and / or the medical object can have a fastening element, for example a clamping device and / or a plug-in device and / or a magnetic holder. Alternatively, the reflector element can be integrated into the medical object, in particular on a proximal section of the medical object, for example on a surface of the medical object. The reflector element can have an optical reflector, for example a mirror.The reflector can be flat or curved, for example, concave or convex. Advantageously, the reflector element can be arranged on the medical object in such a way that the reflector element, in particular the reflector, can be illuminated by the light distribution.

[0010] Advantageously, the reflector element, in particular the reflector, can be designed to reflect at least a portion of the light distribution in a defined manner relative to the medical object when illuminated with the light distribution. Advantageously, the arrangement of medical object and reflector element can be positioned in the operating state of the system such that the defined light distribution illuminates the reflector element, in particular the reflector. Advantageously, the light distribution can illuminate the reflector element in the operating state of the system at an angle of incidence relative to a mirror axis of the reflector. The reflector can be designed to reflect at least a portion of the predefined light distribution at an angle of reflection relative to the mirror axis.Due to the defined arrangement of the reflector element with respect to the medical object, the mirror axis of the reflector can have a defined positional relationship with respect to the medical object, in particular a longitudinal axis of the medical object.

[0011] Advantageously, the system can further comprise a flat or curved projection surface. The projection surface can, for example, comprise a surface, in particular a housing surface, of a medical device and / or the examination object. Advantageously, the projection surface can comprise at least one marking. The at least one marking can be formed as a structural and / or anatomical element, for example, a protrusion or recess, and / or as a graphic element, for example, a print, on the projection surface.

[0012] Advantageously, the projection surface, in particular the at least one marking, and the light-guiding device can be arranged in a defined positional relationship to one another, in particular in a defined spatial relative position and / or relative orientation and / or relative pose. This advantageously ensures that the reflected part of the light distribution illuminates the marking on the projection surface corresponding to the target positioning precisely when the medical object, in particular with the reflector element, is aligned according to the target positioning. The target positioning can comprise a spatial target position and / or target orientation and / or target pose of the medical object.

[0013] The proposed system can advantageously enable low-X-ray dose and time-efficient alignment of the medical object with respect to the object under examination. In particular, an off-plane change in the medical object's direction can be visually detected.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed system, the system may further comprise a medical imaging device. The light-guiding device and the projection surface may be arranged in a defined positional relationship to one another on the medical imaging device and / or at least partially integrated into the medical imaging device.

[0015] The medical imaging device may comprise a medical X-ray device, in particular a medical C-arm X-ray device and / or a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system, and / or a computed tomography (CT) system, and / or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, and / or a positron emission tomography (PET) system, and / or an ultrasound device. Advantageously, the imaging device can be configured to acquire and provide image data of the examination object and the medical object.

[0016] Advantageously, the light-guiding device can be arranged on the medical imaging device, for example, a source or a detector, and / or integrated into the imaging device. Furthermore, the projection surface can be arranged on the medical imaging device and / or at least partially integrated into the imaging device, for example, a housing of the imaging device.

[0017] This advantageously allows for an inherent registration between a coordinate system of the light guiding device and a coordinate system of the imaging device, whereby a combination of an image-guided alignment and alignment by means of the projected light distribution can be carried out particularly intuitively.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed system, the medical imaging device can comprise an X-ray source and an X-ray detector that are movably mounted. The projection surface can be a surface of the X-ray detector facing the X-ray source.

[0019] Advantageously, the imaging device, in particular the medical X-ray device, can have the X-ray source and the X-ray detector arranged in a defined arrangement relative to one another, for example, on a C-arm. The defined arrangement of X-ray source and X-ray detector can be mounted in a movable manner, for example, rotatably and / or translatably.

[0020] The X-ray detector can have an X-ray-sensitive surface for detecting X-rays, in particular for detecting X-ray radiation emitted by the X-ray source. Advantageously, the projection surface can be arranged on the same side, in particular the same area and / or surface, of the X-ray detector as the X-ray-sensitive surface. In particular, the projection surface can be a housing surface of the X-ray detector, which is arranged in front of the X-ray-sensitive surface of the X-ray detector along a beam path from the X-ray source to the X-ray detector. In particular, the projection surface can be a surface of the X-ray detector facing the X-ray source, in particular the housing surface.

[0021] The proposed embodiment can advantageously enable the detection of an off-plane change in direction of the medical object without a change in angulation, in particular without a change in the projection direction between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector. This may require an image acquisition with a rotated angulation, in particular a rotated projection direction, in the case of an off-plane change in direction detected, in particular visually. Alternatively, the off-plane change in direction can be identified directly in image data acquired using the X-ray device at the original angulation.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed system, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector can be mounted so that they can move around a common isocenter. Furthermore, the predefined light distribution can illuminate the isocenter.

[0023] Advantageously, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, in particular the defined arrangement of X-ray source and X-ray detector, can be mounted so as to be movable, in particular rotatable, around the isocenter, in particular a center of rotation. Furthermore, the light-guiding device can be configured to emit the defined light distribution such that the isocenter of the medical imaging device can be illuminated by the light distribution. In particular, the light-guiding device can emit the light distribution in an operating state of the system such that the isocenter would be illuminated with the light distribution in the case of uncovered illumination.

[0024] This can advantageously ensure that at least a section of the medical object is arranged at the isocenter. This can advantageously enable the section of the medical object to be imaged by the X-ray device from a plurality of projection directions, in particular angulations. The section of the medical object arranged in the isocenter can furthermore be imaged in a center of the 2D X-ray image recorded by the X-ray device. This makes it possible to determine a spatial distance between the medical object, in particular the section of the medical object arranged in the isocenter, and the X-ray detector and / or the X-ray source. This makes it possible, for example, to make an improved assumption about a position of a center of rotation of a tilt of the medical object during alignment according to the target positioning.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed system, the predefined light distribution can project a geometric shape.

[0026] Advantageously, the light-guiding device can be configured to project a light pattern having the geometric shape using the predefined light distribution. When illuminated with the light distribution, the reflector element can reflect at least a portion of the projected light pattern in a defined manner with respect to the medical object. The reflector element can project the reflected portion of the light pattern onto the projection surface. The geometric shape can, for example, comprise a line and / or a point and / or a point cloud and / or a cross and / or a circle and / or a polygon.

[0027] This advantageously enables improved identification of whether the reflected portion of the light distribution illuminates the specified marking. Furthermore, it can be improved to identify whether the medical object is aligned according to the target positioning.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed system, the light-guiding device can be configured to emit a further predefined light distribution for illuminating the projection surface, which, in an operating state of the system, projects a further light pattern onto the projection surface. The projection of the further light pattern onto the projection surface can at least partially, in particular completely, form the marking.

[0029] The further predefined light distribution can, in particular, have all the properties and features of the predefined light distribution, and vice versa. The further light pattern can advantageously comprise a further geometric shape, for example a line and / or a point and / or a point cloud and / or a cross and / or a circle and / or a polygon. Advantageously, the projection of the light pattern, in particular the geometric shape, on the projection surface can partially form the marking, in particular in addition to a marking designed as a structural and / or anatomical and / or graphic element, or completely.

[0030] The proposed embodiment can advantageously enable flexible adjustment of the positioning and / or characteristics, in particular the shape, of the marking on the projection surface. This allows for flexible alignment of the medical object according to the respective specified target positioning.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed system, the projection surface can have multiple markers, each for a potential target positioning of the medical object. The reflected portion of the light distribution can precisely illuminate the corresponding marker when the medical object is aligned according to the respective target positioning.

[0032] The multiple markings can be configured differently or similarly. Furthermore, the multiple markings can each have an optically distinguishable property, for example, a color coding and / or black-and-white coding and / or a surface quality, for example, reflectivity and / or fluorescence and / or contour. Advantageously, the multiple markings can be uniquely identifiable based on the optically distinguishable property. Advantageously, each of the markings can correspond to exactly one potential, in particular predefined, target positioning, in particular target position and / or target orientation and / or target pose, of the medical object.The correspondence advantageously consists in that the respective marking of the plurality of markings is illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution exactly when the medical object is aligned according to the respective target positioning.

[0033] The proposed embodiment can enable a flexible alignment of the medical object according to the respective predetermined target positioning.

[0034] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed system, the plurality of markings can form a scale.

[0035] Advantageously, the multiple markings can be arranged in a defined arrangement on the projection surface, for example, equidistantly or at different distances from one another. Furthermore, the multiple markings can have a coding, for example, a color coding, and / or labeling, for example, angle information. If the markings are designed as straight lines, the markings can advantageously be arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, the multiple markings can have a reference marking relative to which the remaining markings form a scale of deviations.

[0036] The proposed embodiment can enable intuitive alignment of the medical object according to the respective target positioning and qualitative and / or quantitative detection of a deviation from a reference positioning, in particular corresponding to the reference marking.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed system, the reflector element can be designed to be moved along a longitudinal extension direction of the medical object and to be releasably fastened to the medical object in the defined arrangement.

[0038] Advantageously, the reflector element can be translatable along the longitudinal direction of the medical object and / or rotatable about the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the reflector element and / or the medical object can have a locking element that enables releasable attachment of the reflector element in the defined arrangement to the medical object.

[0039] This enables a simple, particularly subsequent, and situation-adapted arrangement of the reflector element on the medical object in the defined arrangement.

[0040] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a medical device comprising a medical object and a reflector element. The reflector element is arranged in a defined arrangement on the medical object or integrated into the medical object in the defined arrangement. When illuminated with a light distribution, the reflector element is designed to reflect at least a portion of the light distribution in a defined manner with respect to the medical object.

[0041] The advantages of the proposed medical object essentially correspond to the advantages of the proposed system. Features, advantages, or alternative embodiments mentioned herein may also be applied to the other claimed subject matter, and vice versa.

[0042] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed medical device, the medical object can have a distal and a proximal section. The distal section can be configured to be arranged at least partially within an examination object. Furthermore, the proximal section can be configured to be arranged outside the examination object when the distal section is arranged within the examination object. Furthermore, the reflector element can be arranged on the proximal section.

[0043] The proximal section can comprise a spatial section of the medical object that is arranged facing away from the examination object, in particular facing a medical operator for manipulating the medical object, in particular along a longitudinal direction of the medical object. Furthermore, the distal section can comprise a spatial section of the medical object that is arranged facing away from the examination object, in particular facing away from a medical operator for manipulating the medical object, in particular along a longitudinal direction of the medical object.

[0044] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed medical device, the reflector element can be designed to be moved along a longitudinal extension direction of the medical object and to be releasably fastened to the medical object in the defined arrangement.

[0045] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for aligning a medical object according to a target positioning. In a first step a), a predefined light distribution is emitted by means of a light guiding device. The light distribution illuminates a reflector element which is attached to the medical object in a defined arrangement or is integrated into the medical object in the defined arrangement. The reflector element reflects at least a portion of the light distribution in a defined manner with respect to the medical object. In a second step b), it is checked whether a predetermined marking on a projection surface is illuminated by the reflected portion of the light distribution. The projection surface and the light guiding device are arranged in a defined positional relationship to one another. If not, the medical object is repositioned and step b) is repeated.

[0046] The check in step b) can be carried out manually, for example by a medical operator, or automatically, for example by means of an optical sensor and / or a camera. If it is determined during the check in step b) that the predetermined marking on the projection surface is illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution, the method can end at this point. If it is determined during the check in step b) that the predetermined marking on the projection surface is not illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution, the medical object can advantageously be repositioned, in particular rotated and / or translated, and step b) can be carried out repeatedly. By repositioning the medical object, the relative positioning of the reflector element with respect to the projection surface and the light-guiding device can change.Advantageously, the repositioning of the medical object and step b) can be carried out repeatedly until the predetermined mark on the projection surface is illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution.

[0047] The advantages of the proposed method essentially correspond to the advantages of the proposed system. Features, advantages, or alternative embodiments mentioned herein can also be applied to the other claimed subject matter, and vice versa.

[0048] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed method, the predefined light distribution can project a geometric shape.

[0049] In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed method, the light-guiding device emits a further predefined light distribution for illuminating the projection surface, which projects a further light pattern onto the projection surface. Furthermore, the projection of the further light pattern onto the projection surface can at least partially, in particular completely, form the marking.

[0050] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below. In different figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same features. They show: Fig. 1 to 3 are schematic representations of various embodiments of a proposed system, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 schematic representations of various embodiments of markings on a projection surface, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a proposed medical object, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 schematic representations of various embodiments of a proposed method for aligning a medical object according to a target positioning.

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of a proposed system for assisting in aligning a medical object MO according to a target positioning. The system can comprise a light-guiding device LFE, a reflector element RE, and a projection surface PF. The light-guiding device LFE can be designed to emit a predefined light distribution LV. The reflector element RE can be designed to be attached to the medical object MO in a defined arrangement. Alternatively, the reflector element RE can be integrated into the medical object MO in the defined positional relationship. Furthermore, the reflector element RE can be designed to reflect at least a portion of the light distribution RLV in a defined manner with respect to the medical object MO when illuminated with the light distribution LV. The projection surface PF can have a marking MK.Furthermore, the projection surface PF and the light guide device LFE can be arranged in a defined positional relationship to each other. The projection surface PF can be illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution RLV. The reflected part of the light distribution RLV can illuminate the marking MK precisely when the medical object MO is aligned according to the target positioning.

[0052] The medical object MO, in particular a distal portion of the medical object MO, can be arranged at least partially on or in an examination object 31 in an operating state of the system. Advantageously, the target positioning can specify a spatial target position and / or target orientation and / or target pose of the medical object MO with respect to the examination object 31.

[0053] Advantageously, the predefined light distribution LV can project a geometric shape.

[0054] Advantageously, the reflector element RE can be designed to be moved along a longitudinal direction of the medical object MO and to be releasably fastened to the medical object MO in the defined arrangement.

[0055] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a further advantageous embodiment of a proposed system for assisting in aligning a medical object MO according to a target positioning. The system may further comprise a medical imaging device, in particular a medical C-arm X-ray device. The X-ray device may have an X-ray source 33 and an X-ray detector 34, which are mounted in a defined arrangement on a common C-arm 38 so as to be movable around an isocenter IZ. Advantageously, the light-guiding device LFE and the projection surface PF can be arranged in a defined positional relationship to one another on the medical imaging device and / or at least partially integrated into the medical imaging device. In particular, the light-guiding device LFE can be arranged on the X-ray detector 34.Furthermore, the projection surface PF can be a surface of the X-ray detector 34 facing the X-ray source 33. Furthermore, the predefined light distribution LV can illuminate the isocenter IZ.

[0056] To acquire image data of the examination object 31, the PRVS provision unit can send a signal 24 to the X-ray source 33. The X-ray source 33 can then emit an X-ray beam. When the X-ray beam strikes a surface of the detector 34 after interacting with the examination object 31, the detector 34 can send a signal 21 to the PRVS provision unit. The PRVS provision unit can acquire the image data set based on the signal 21.

[0057] Advantageously, the system can further comprise an input unit 42 and a display unit 41. The input unit 42 can, for example, comprise a keyboard and / or a pointing device and / or a detection unit, for example a speech detection unit and / or gesture detection unit. Furthermore, the display unit 41 can, for example, comprise a monitor and / or a display and / or a projector. The input unit 42 can preferably be integrated into the display unit 41, for example in the case of a capacitive and / or resistive input display. The input unit 42 can advantageously be designed to detect a user input. For this purpose, the input unit 42 can, for example, send a signal 26 to the provision unit PRVS. The provision unit PRVS can be designed to control the emission of the light distribution LV, in particular based on the user input, for example by means of a signal CS.Furthermore, the provision unit PRVS can be designed to control the X-ray device for recording the image data based on the user input.

[0058] The display unit 41 can advantageously be configured to display a graphical representation of the target positioning and / or a workflow hint and / or the medical image data. For this purpose, the provision unit PRVS can send a signal 25 to the display unit 41.

[0059] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a further advantageous embodiment of a proposed system for assisting in aligning a medical object MO according to a target positioning. The light guiding device LFE can be configured to emit a further predefined light distribution FLV for illuminating the projection surface PF, which, in an operating state of the system, projects a further light pattern onto the projection surface PF. The projection of the further light pattern on the projection surface can at least partially, in particular completely, form the marking MK.

[0060] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a marking MK formed by means of the further light pattern FLV on the projection surface PF.

[0061] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of several markers MKR, MK1, and MK2 on the projection surface PF, each for a potential target positioning of the medical object MO. The reflected part of the light distribution RLV can precisely illuminate the corresponding marker if the medical object MO is aligned according to the respective target positioning. As shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 5, the light-guiding device LFE can be arranged on the projection surface PF, in particular the X-ray detector 34. The light-guiding device LFE can comprise a deflection element AE, for example a mirror, which is designed to deflect the predefined light distribution LV in a defined manner.

[0062] The multiple markings MKR, MK1, and MK2 can be configured differently or similarly. Furthermore, the multiple markings MKR, MK1, and MK2 can each have an optically distinguishable property, for example, color coding. Advantageously, the multiple markings MKR, MK1, and MK2 can be uniquely identifiable based on the optically distinguishable property. Advantageously, each of the markings MKR, MK1, and MK2 can correspond to exactly one potential, in particular predefined, target positioning of the medical object MO. The correspondence advantageously consists in the respective marking of the multiple markings MKR, MK1, and MK2 being illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution RLV precisely when the medical object MO is aligned according to the respective target positioning.Advantageously, the multiple markings MKR, MK1, and MK2 can be arranged in a defined arrangement on the projection surface PF, for example, equidistantly or at different distances from one another. If the markings MKR, MK1, and MK2 are formed as straight lines, the markings can advantageously be arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, the multiple markings can have a reference marking MKR, relative to which the remaining markings MK1 and MK2 form a scale of deviations.

[0063] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a proposed medical device, comprising a medical object MO and the reflector element RE. The reflector element RE can be integrated into the medical object in a defined arrangement or arranged in the defined arrangement on the medical object MO. Furthermore, the reflector element RE can be designed to reflect at least part of the light distribution in a defined manner with respect to the medical object MO when illuminated with a light distribution LV. The medical object can advantageously have a distal and a proximal section. The distal section can be designed to be arranged at least partially within an examination object 31. Furthermore, the proximal section can be designed to be arranged outside the examination object 31 when the distal section is arranged within the examination object 31.The reflection element RE can be arranged on the proximal section. In particular, the reflector element RE can be designed to be moved along a longitudinal direction of the medical object MO and to be releasably attached to the medical object MO in the defined arrangement, for example, by means of a locking element FE.

[0064] Fig.7 shows a schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of a proposed method for aligning a medical object MO according to a target positioning. In a first step, the predefined light distribution LV can be emitted by means of the light guiding device LFE PROJ-LV. The light distribution LV can illuminate the reflector element RE, which is attached to the medical object MO in a defined arrangement or is integrated into the medical object MO in the defined arrangement. Furthermore, the reflector element RE can reflect at least a portion of the light distribution RLV in a defined manner with respect to the medical object MO. In a further step, a check CHK can be made as to whether a predetermined marking on the projection surface PF is illuminated by the reflected portion of the light distribution RLV.The projection surface PF and the light guide device LFE can be arranged in a defined positional relationship to each other. If N is negative, the medical object MO can be repositioned (RPOS-MO) and the CHK check can be repeated.

[0065] The schematic representations contained in the figures described do not represent any scale or proportions.

[0066] Finally, it should be noted once again that the methods described in detail above, as well as the devices illustrated, are merely exemplary embodiments that can be modified in a variety of ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the respective features may be present in multiple instances. Likewise, the terms "unit" and "element" do not exclude the possibility that the respective components consist of several interacting subcomponents, which may also be spatially distributed.

[0067] In the context of the present application, the expression "based on" can be understood in particular in the sense of the expression "using." In particular, a formulation according to which a first feature is generated (alternatively: determined, determined, etc.) based on a second feature does not exclude the possibility that the first feature can be generated (alternatively: determined, determined, etc.) based on a third feature.

Claims

[1] System for assisting in aligning a medical object (MO) according to a target positioning, comprising a light guiding device (LFE), a reflector element (RE) and a projection surface (PF), wherein the light guiding device (LFE) is designed to emit a predefined light distribution (LV) (PROJ-LV), wherein the reflector element (RE) is designed to be attached to the medical object (MO) in a defined arrangement or wherein the reflector element (RE) is integrated into the medical object (MO) in the defined arrangement, wherein the reflector element (RE) is designed to reflect at least a part of the light distribution in a defined manner with respect to the medical object (MO) when illuminated with the light distribution (LV), wherein the projection surface (PF) has a marking (MK), wherein the projection surface (PF) and the light guiding device (LFE) are arranged in a defined positional relationship to each other, whereby the projection surface (PF) can be illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution (RLV), wherein the reflected part of the light distribution (RLV) illuminates the marker (MK) exactly when the medical object (MO) is aligned according to the target positioning. [2] System according to claim 1, further comprising a medical imaging device, wherein the light guiding device (LFE) and the projection surface (PF) are arranged in a defined positional relationship to one another on the medical imaging device and / or are at least partially integrated into the medical imaging device. [3] System according to claim 2, wherein the medical imaging device comprises an X-ray source (33) and an X-ray detector (34) which are movably mounted, wherein the projection surface (PF) is a surface of the X-ray detector (34) facing the X-ray source (33). [4] System according to claim 3, wherein the X-ray source (33) and the X-ray detector (34) are movably mounted around a common isocenter (IZ), the predefined light distribution (LV) illuminating the isocenter (IZ). [5] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predefined light distribution (LV) projects a geometric shape. [6] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guiding device (LFE) is designed to emit a further predefined light distribution (FLV) for illuminating the projection surface (PF), which in an operating state of the system projects a further light pattern onto the projection surface (PF) (PROJ-FLV), wherein the projection of the further light pattern on the projection surface (PF) at least partially, in particular completely, forms the marking (MK). [7] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projection surface (PF) has several markings (MK1, MK2, MKR) for each potential target positioning of the medical object (MO), wherein the reflected part of the light distribution (RLV) exactly illuminates the corresponding marker when the medical object (MO) is aligned according to the respective target positioning. [8] The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of markings (MK1, MK2, MKR) form a scale. [9] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector element (RE) is designed to be moved along a longitudinal direction of the medical object (MO) and to be releasably fastened to the medical object (MO) in the defined arrangement. [10] Medical device comprising a medical object (MO) and a reflector element (RE), wherein the reflector element (RE) is arranged in a defined arrangement on the medical object (MO) or is integrated into the medical object (MO) in the defined arrangement, wherein the reflector element (RE) is designed to reflect at least a part of the light distribution in a defined manner with respect to the medical object when illuminated with a light distribution (LV). [11] Medical device according to claim 10, wherein the medical object (MO) has a distal and a proximal section, wherein the distal portion is designed to be arranged at least partially in an examination object (31), wherein the proximal section is designed to be arranged outside the examination object (31) when the distal section is arranged inside the examination object (31), wherein the reflector element (RE) is arranged on the proximal portion. [12] Medical device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the reflector element (RE) is designed to be moved along a longitudinal direction of the medical object (MO) and to be releasably attached to the medical object (MO) in the defined arrangement. [13] A method for aligning a medical object (MO) according to a target positioning, comprising: a) emitting (PROJ-LV) a predefined light distribution (LV) by means of a light guiding device (LFE), wherein the light distribution (LV) illuminates a reflector element (RE) which is attached to the medical object (MO) in a defined arrangement or is integrated into the medical object (MO) in the defined arrangement, wherein the reflector element (RE) reflects at least part of the light distribution in a defined manner with respect to the medical object (MO), b) Checking (CHK) whether a predetermined marking (MK) on a projection surface (PF) is illuminated by the reflected part of the light distribution (RLV), wherein the projection surface (PF) and the light guiding device (LFE) are arranged in a defined positional relationship to one another, wherein if negative (N) the medical object (MO) is repositioned (RPOS-MO) and step b) is carried out repeatedly. [14] The method of claim 13, wherein the predefined light distribution (LV) projects a geometric shape. [15] Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the light guiding device (LFE) emits a further predefined light distribution (FLV) for illuminating the projection surface (PF), which projects a further light pattern onto the projection surface (PF), wherein the projection of the further light pattern on the projection surface (PF) at least partially, in particular completely, forms the marking (MK).

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