Patient support device with a patient table, a driving unit and a user interface

Abstract

A patient support device adapted to support a patient for a medical imaging examination, comprising: - a base unit, - a patient table with a couch table, wherein the couch table is designed to be movable in at least one direction with respect to the base unit, - a driving unit with several rolling elements, wherein the driving unit is designed to move the patient support device in the room, - a docking unit for docking the patient support device to a medical imaging device, and - a user interface for interaction of a user with the patient support device, characterized in that the user interface has an operating unit with two separately formed operating rods, wherein the two operating rods are arranged in the transverse direction of the patient table at opposite edge regions on the patient table.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient support device designed to support a patient for a medical imaging examination, wherein the patient support device comprises a base unit, a patient table, a driving unit, a docking unit and a user interface.

[0002] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0003] For medical imaging examinations, such as a magnetic resonance examination, a CT examination, or a PET examination, etc., the patient is first positioned on a patient support device, in particular on a patient table of the patient support device, and prepared for the medical imaging examination. The patient is then moved into a patient receiving area of ​​a medical imaging device by means of the patient table, in particular a movable support board of the patient table, and positioned there for the medical imaging examination in a field of view (FoV) or isocenter of the medical imaging device. Such patient support devices can be designed as stationary patient support devices, in which a base unit of the patient support device is fixedly positioned relative to a scanner unit of the medical imaging device.In addition, the patient support device can also be designed as a mobile patient support device.

[0004] A mobile patient support device comprises a driving unit by means of which the patient support device can be moved, in particular displaced, within the room. In particular, the patient support device can be moved, in particular displaced, relative to the scanner unit of the medical imaging device. For this purpose, the patient support device also has a handle unit and / or control unit by means of which a user can control and steer the patient support device.

[0005] Previous handle units and / or control units have a cross-handle and / or handle bar that extends essentially across the entire width of the patient table. Furthermore, the cross-handle and / or handle bar protrudes backward beyond the patient table, increasing the likelihood of collision with other objects when moving within the room. On the other hand, cross-handles and / or handle bar are known that extend into a storage area of ​​the patient table, thus restricting the area for patient storage. This can lead to restrictions during patient positioning and preparation, especially with tall patients.

[0006] The present invention is based, in particular, on the object of providing a patient support device with an operating unit and / or handle unit, by means of which a restriction of a patient support area can be avoided and the probability of collision of the patient support device can be reduced. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0007] The invention relates to a patient support device which is designed to support a patient for a medical imaging examination, comprising: - a base unit, - a patient table with a couch table, wherein the couch table is designed to be movable in at least one direction with respect to the base unit, - a driving unit with several rolling elements, wherein the driving unit is designed to move the patient support device in the room, - a docking unit for docking the patient support device to a medical imaging device, and - a user interface for a user's interaction with the patient support device.

[0008] According to the invention, the user interface has an operating unit with two separately designed operating rods, wherein the two operating rods are arranged in the transverse direction of the patient table at opposite edge areas on the patient table.

[0009] The patient support device preferably comprises the base unit and the patient table. The patient table is designed to support the patient, in particular a region of the patient to be examined, for a medical imaging examination. For supporting the patient, the patient table has the support board. Furthermore, the patient table has a substructure with two side rails, wherein the two side rails are each arranged laterally next to the support board. The opposite edge regions of the patient table preferably comprise the two side rails of the substructure of the patient table. The two side rails extend in the longitudinal direction of the patient table. The two side rails preferably have a length that corresponds to a length of the patient table.

[0010] The support board is designed to be movable in at least one direction relative to the base unit. In particular, the support board is designed to be movable and / or displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table relative to the base unit in order to enable the support board to be retracted into a patient receiving area of ​​a medical imaging device. The support board is also designed to be movable and / or displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table relative to the substructure of the patient table. The base unit of the patient support device preferably has a horizontal adjustment unit that generates a movement moment for moving the support board in the horizontal direction, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the patient table. For this purpose, the horizontal adjustment unit preferably has a motor.In particular, the bed board is designed to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table and can be moved into a patient receiving area of ​​the medical imaging device for a medical imaging examination.

[0011] Using the patient table's support board, the patient, in particular a region of the patient to be examined, can be positioned within the patient receiving area of ​​the medical imaging device. The longitudinal direction of the patient table and thus the retraction direction of the support board are parallel to a longitudinal extent of the patient receiving area. For example, if the medical imaging device is configured as a magnetic resonance device, the longitudinal direction of the patient table is aligned parallel to a z-direction and / or a direction of a basic magnetic field of a magnet unit of the magnetic resonance device.

[0012] The base unit can also comprise a vertical adjustment unit, by means of which the patient table can be moved vertically, in particular lowered or raised, to facilitate the patient's seating on or dismounting from the patient table. The vertical adjustment unit preferably comprises a motor for this purpose.

[0013] The patient support device further comprises the driving unit with a plurality of rolling elements. The plurality of rolling elements can comprise, for example, wheels, in particular at least partially steerable wheels. By means of the driving unit, the patient support device can be moved, in particular displaced, in space relative to the medical imaging device. Preferably, the driving unit further comprises a motor configured to provide motorized support for a movement of the patient support device.

[0014] The patient support device further comprises the docking unit for docking the patient support device to the medical imaging device, in particular to a scanner unit of the medical imaging device. The docking unit is designed such that, after docking the patient support device to the scanner unit of the medical imaging device, both a coupling with regard to a data exchange between the patient support device and the medical imaging device can take place, as well as a mechanical coupling that includes securing the position of the patient support device in order to enable the bed board of the patient table to be retracted into the patient receiving area. For this purpose, the medical imaging device preferably also comprises a docking unit corresponding to the docking unit of the patient support device.

[0015] The user interface is designed for interaction between a user, in particular a medical operator, and the patient support device. For this purpose, the user interface comprises the control unit with two separately designed control rods. Interaction between a user, in particular a medical operator, via the user interface is preferably designed to change the position of the patient support device. For example, exerting a pushing or pulling force causes the patient support device to be pushed forward or pulled backward.In addition, an interaction of a user, in particular a medical operator, by means of the user interface can also be designed so that the patient table experiences a change in position with respect to the base unit, such as raising or lowering the patient table in order to facilitate a patient sitting on the patient table or a patient getting off the patient table.

[0016] The two separately designed control rods are permanently mounted on the patient table. In particular, the two control rods are arranged at opposite edge areas of the patient table in the transverse direction. Each of the two separately designed control rods is located on one of the two edge areas of the patient table. In particular, there is no direct mechanical connection between the two separately designed control rods. The two control rods can be designed as handle bars and / or bar ends.

[0017] The two control rods can preferably be used to control a movement of the patient support device. For example, the patient support device can be pushed or pulled. Furthermore, the two control rods can also be designed such that the two control rods can also at least partially control a movement of the patient table relative to the base unit, such as raising or lowering the patient table.

[0018] The medical imaging device is designed and / or configured to acquire medical and / or diagnostic image data of a patient. By means of a medical imaging examination on a patient, medical and / or diagnostic image data of the patient are acquired and made available for diagnosis and / or reporting. For this purpose, the medical imaging device comprises a scanner unit for acquiring the medical and / or diagnostic image data. The medical imaging device can be any medical imaging device deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art, such as a magnetic resonance imaging device, a computed tomography device, a PET device (positron emission tomography device), etc.

[0019] The invention has the advantage that a particularly space-saving arrangement of the control unit can be achieved, thus providing a patient support device with a high level of safety. In particular, the two separately designed control rods are arranged outside a patient support area, thus avoiding an undesirable restriction of a patient support area. Furthermore, the space-saving arrangement of the two separately designed control rods also reduces the likelihood of collision of the patient support device.

[0020] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the opposite edge regions of the patient table each comprise a side member of the patient table, with an operating rod being arranged on each of the two side members. This enables a stable arrangement of the operating unit and thus of the two operating rods. In particular, the arrangement of the operating unit can be independent of the bed board of the patient table. In particular, an advantageous transmission of force from the operating rods via the side members to the base unit and the driving unit can take place in this way, for example when the patient support device is pushed or pulled by a user, in particular by medical personnel.

[0021] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the two control rods are arranged in a rear region of the patient table. The rear region of the patient table comprises that region of the patient table which is arranged at the rear of the patient table in a retraction direction of the support board, wherein the retraction direction is determined by the direction in which the support board is retracted into a patient receiving area of ​​a medical imaging device. Each of the two separately designed control rods is arranged individually in the rear region of the patient table. In particular, each of the two control rods is arranged in a rear region of one of the two side rails. In this way, good accessibility of the two control rods can be provided for a user, in particular medical personnel.In particular, the two control rods can be operated and / or used simultaneously by a user who is in a position near the rear of the patient table.

[0022] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the two operating rods have a substantially vertical orientation with an inclination in the longitudinal direction of the patient table of 5° to 25°, wherein the longitudinal direction of the patient table extends from a rear region to a front region of the patient table. The longitudinal direction of the patient table extends in the direction of a length of the patient table from the rear region of the patient table to the front region of the patient table. The front region of the patient table comprises that region of the patient table that is arranged at the front of the patient table in a retraction direction of the bed board.

[0023] A substantially vertical alignment of the two separately formed control rods should be understood in particular to mean that the alignments of the two control rods, relative to a coordinate system of in particular the patient table, have a main component and / or a main extension in the vertical direction. The vertical direction is parallel to a weight force acting on the patient support device. In particular, the vertical direction comprises a y-direction of the coordinate system of the patient table, while the x-direction and the z-direction of the coordinate system of the patient table define a horizontal plane in the coordinate system of the patient table. Furthermore, the x-direction defines a transverse direction of the patient table and the z-direction is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the patient table.

[0024] This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that ergonomically good operability for a user of the two control rods can be achieved in a simple design.

[0025] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the two operating rods each have two end regions in the longitudinal direction of the operating rods, wherein the two operating rods are each arranged on the patient table at a first end region and the second end region of the two operating rods each comprises a free end. This enables a particularly space-saving and compact arrangement of the two operating rods, which prevents any obstruction to the patient and / or impairment of the support area intended for the patient. A free end of an operating rod should be understood in particular to mean that no further component is mechanically connected to the operating rod at this end or end region of the operating rod.

[0026] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, the two operating rods can each have a length of at least 10 cm and a maximum of 20 cm. This embodiment of the invention allows the operating rods to be particularly compact and stable, so that advantageous force transmission, in particular a pushing force or a pulling force, can take place when the patient support device is operated, in particular when the patient support device is pushed or pulled, by a user, in particular a medical operator. Furthermore, the compactness of the two operating rods can prevent obstruction of the patient or reduce the likelihood of collision when moving the patient support device.

[0027] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the two operating rods each have a grip area.

[0028] This design allows for easy interaction of a user with the patient support device.

[0029] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, the operating unit can be provided with a sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is arranged integrated into at least one gripping area of ​​the operating rods. For example, the sensor unit can be used to activate a motorized support when moving the patient support device and / or when vertically positioning the patient table.

[0030] This embodiment of the invention enables simple operation of the patient support device for a user. In particular, this provides a simple and time-saving workflow for operating the patient support device for a user. In particular, when the user actuates the handle areas, the sensor unit can simultaneously detect the user's operating actions. Preferably, the sensor unit is designed such that, during normal use of the handle areas, for example, when the user presses or pulls on the two operating rods, a user action is recognized and recorded by the sensor unit, which triggers motor support for moving the patient table and / or the patient support device.A further advantage is that no additional control panel is required on the control unit, for example, to adjust motorized assistance when moving the patient support device. This also allows for easy cleaning of the patient support device, thus ensuring a high standard of hygiene.

[0031] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, the sensor unit can comprise at least one touch sensor and / or a force sensor. A touch sensor can, for example, comprise a temperature sensor and / or a capacitive sensor. Furthermore, the touch sensor can comprise other sensors deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art. For example, a control unit of the patient support device can be activated by means of the touch sensor and be available for controlling the patient support device. In this way, accidental operation of the patient support device can be advantageously prevented.

[0032] A force sensor is designed to detect and / or measure a force acting on the sensor and thus on the gripping area. In particular, the force sensor is designed to detect a force exerted by a user on at least one gripping area. The force sensor can preferably detect a strength and / or a direction of the force exerted on the gripping area. The force sensor can therefore be used to provide control parameters for simple and preferably at least partially automatic control of the patient support device. In particular, a desired direction of movement for a movement of the patient support device can be determined based on a direction of a force acting on the sensor.For example, a forward push or a backward pull exerted by a user on at least one of the two control rods can be detected and / or recognized by the force sensor and this information can be used to move the patient support device. For example, a forward push on at least one of the two control rods can trigger motor-assisted driving and / or moving of the patient support device forwards by means of the sensor unit. In addition, a backward pull on at least one of the two control rods can trigger motor-assisted driving and / or moving of the patient support device backwards by means of the sensor unit. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that a downward push on at least one of the two control rods can trigger lowering of the patient table by means of the sensor unit.Furthermore, it is also conceivable that pulling upwards on at least one of the two control rods triggers the lifting of the patient table by means of the sensor unit.

[0033] This embodiment has the advantage that a simple and intuitive operation of the patient support device, in particular for moving the patient support device and / or moving the patient table, can be provided for a user.

[0034] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the user interface has an interaction field, wherein the interaction field is arranged at least partially in at least one of the two control rods. The interaction field can have at least one additional input field, for example an input key. Alternatively or additionally, the interaction field can also comprise an output field. The output field can be designed for a visual output, for example by illuminating status lights, or also a haptic output, for example by generating a vibration in the output field. By illuminating a status light or generating a vibration, simple and direct information can be transmitted to the user. The interaction field can be at least partially integrated into a handle area of ​​a control rod.In addition, it is also conceivable that the interaction field is arranged in one end of the operating rod, in particular in a free end of the operating rod.

[0035] This configuration has the advantage of enabling simple communication and / or information exchange between the user and the patient support device during operation of the patient support device. Furthermore, the interaction field can be used to activate and / or deactivate additional functions during operation of the patient support device. For example, a button for a brake function for immediately stopping a movement of the patient support device or for immediately stopping a movement of the patient table's support board can be integrated into the interaction field.

[0036] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, the user interface can be provided with an interaction field, wherein the interaction field is arranged in an edge region of the patient table. This ensures good visibility of the interaction field for a user while simultaneously operating it using the control rods.

[0037] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the patient support device has a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to generate control commands for controlling the driving unit based on sensor data acquired by the sensor unit. This allows a user to easily operate the patient support device, in particular to easily move and / or position the patient support device.

[0038] The control unit according to the invention comprises at least one computing module and / or a processor. Thus, in particular, the control unit is designed to execute computer-readable instructions to execute a movement of the patient support device, in particular to generate control commands for the driving unit. In particular, the control unit comprises a memory unit, wherein computer-readable information is stored on the memory unit, wherein the control unit is designed to load the computer-readable information from the memory unit and to execute the computer-readable information. Thus, the control unit according to the invention is designed to execute a movement of the patient support device, in particular to generate control commands for the driving unit.

[0039] The components of the control unit can predominantly be implemented as software components. In principle, however, these components can also be partially implemented as software-supported hardware components, such as FPGAs or the like, particularly when particularly fast calculations are required. Likewise, the required interfaces, for example when only transferring data from other software components, can be implemented as software interfaces. However, they can also be implemented as hardware interfaces controlled by suitable software. Of course, it is also conceivable for several of the aforementioned components to be implemented together in the form of a single software component or software-supported hardware component.

[0040] The sensor data acquired by the sensor unit, in particular by the individual sensors of the sensor unit, is transmitted to the control unit via a data transmission unit. Based on the sensor data, the control unit generates corresponding control commands for moving the patient support device or stopping the patient support device and transmits them to the drive unit. If, for example, a user exerts forward pressure on the grip areas of the control rods, in particular by exerting a pushing force on the control rods in the longitudinal direction of the patient table, this is detected by the sensor unit, and the control unit generates a control command for moving the patient support device in a forward direction.If, however, a user exerts backward pressure on the handle areas of the control rods, in particular by exerting a pulling force on the control rods in the longitudinal direction of the patient table, this is detected by the sensor unit, and the control unit generates a control command to move the patient support device in the backward direction. For example, a control command remains active until the sensor unit no longer detects any pressure and / or force exerted on the handle elements of the control rods.

[0041] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, the control unit can be configured to generate control commands for adjusting the vertical position of the patient table based on sensor data acquired by the sensor unit. This allows a user to easily operate the patient support device, in particular to easily raise or lower the patient table.

[0042] If, for example, a user exerts downward pressure on the handle areas of the control rods, in particular by exerting a downward pushing force on the control rods, this is detected by the sensor unit, and the control unit generates a control command to lower the patient table downwards and transmits it to the vertical adjustment unit of the base unit. If, on the other hand, a user exerts upward pressure on the handle areas of the control rods, in particular by exerting an upward pulling force on the control rods, this is detected by the sensor unit, and the control unit generates a control command to raise the patient table upwards and transmits it to the vertical adjustment unit of the base unit.

[0043] Furthermore, the invention is based on a medical imaging device, in particular a magnetic resonance device, with a patient support device, wherein the patient support device is designed according to the embodiments described above.

[0044] The advantages of the medical imaging device according to the invention essentially correspond to the advantages of the patient support device according to the invention, which have been described in detail above. Features, advantages, or alternative embodiments mentioned herein can also be applied to the other claimed subject matter, and vice versa.

[0045] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below and from the drawings.

[0046] They show: Fig. 1 a medical imaging device according to the invention with a patient support device in a schematic representation, Fig. 2 a section of a side view of the patient support device, and Fig. 3 a plan view of a portion of the patient support device.

[0047] In the Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a medical imaging device 10. In the present exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging device 10 is formed by a magnetic resonance device 11, wherein the present invention is explained using the magnetic resonance device 11 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the medical imaging device 10 as a magnetic resonance device 11, and further configurations of the medical imaging device 10 are conceivable at any time, such as, for example, a configuration of the medical imaging device as a PET device or as a CT device, etc.

[0048] The magnetic resonance device 11 comprises a scanner unit formed by a magnet unit 12. The scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit 12, has a base magnet, a gradient coil unit and a radio-frequency antenna unit, which, however, are arranged in Fig. 1 are not explicitly shown. The base magnet of the magnet unit 12 is designed to generate a strong and, in particular, constant base magnetic field 13. The base magnet can be designed, for example, as a superconducting base magnet or as a permanent magnet. The gradient coil unit of the magnet unit 12 is designed to generate magnetic field gradients that are used for spatial coding during imaging. The radio-frequency antenna unit of the magnet unit 12 is designed to excite a polarization that arises in the base magnetic field generated by the base magnet. For this purpose, the radio-frequency antenna unit radiates radio-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into a patient receiving area 14 of the magnetic resonance device 12.

[0049] If the medical imaging device 10 comprises a CT device, the scanner unit may, for example, comprise an X-ray detector. If the medical imaging device 10 comprises a PET device, the scanner unit may, for example, comprise a PET detector.

[0050] In addition, the medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11, has the patient receiving area 14 for receiving a patient 15 for a medical imaging examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination. The patient receiving area 14 in the present exemplary embodiment is cylindrical and is surrounded in a circumferential direction by the scanner unit embodied as a magnet unit 12. In principle, however, a different design of the patient receiving area 14 is conceivable at any time.

[0051] The illustrated medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11, can of course comprise further components that medical imaging devices 10, in particular magnetic resonance devices 11, typically have. A general mode of operation of a medical imaging device 10, in particular a magnetic resonance device 11, is also known to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description of the further components is omitted.

[0052] For positioning the patient 15, in particular a region of the patient 15 to be examined, within the patient receiving area 14, the medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 11, has a patient support device 16. The patient support device 16 has a base unit 17 and a patient table 18. The patient table 18 is designed to position the patient 15 within the patient receiving area 14 and, for this purpose, has a support board 19 that is movable in at least one direction relative to the base unit 17. The support board 19 is designed to be movable within the patient receiving area 14 for positioning the patient 15, in particular the region of the patient 15 to be examined. In particular, the support board 19 is mounted so as to be movable in the direction of a longitudinal extent of the patient receiving area 14 and / or in the z-direction.

[0053] For the movable mounting of the bed board 19, the base unit 17 has a horizontal adjustment unit 20. Furthermore, the base unit 17 also has a vertical adjustment unit 21, which is designed to adjust a vertical position of the patient table 18 relative to the base unit 17, for example, raising or lowering the patient table 18.

[0054] The patient table 18 further comprises a substructure with two lateral edge regions 22. The two lateral edge regions 22 each comprise a side member 23 of the substructure of the patient table 18. When the bed board 19 moves into or out of the patient receiving area 14, the bed board 19 performs a relative movement with respect to the substructure of the patient table 18.

[0055] The patient support device 16 further comprises a driving unit 24 and a docking unit 25. The driving unit 24 is designed to move, in particular drive, the patient support device 16 in space or relative to the scanner unit and, for this purpose, comprises a plurality of rolling elements 26. The individual rolling elements 26 each comprise a wheel or a roller. In addition, the driving unit 24 also comprises a drive unit 27 for generating a drive torque for the rolling elements 26. The docking unit 25 is designed to dock the patient support device 16 to the medical imaging device 10, in particular to the scanner unit of the medical imaging device 10. For this purpose, the medical imaging device 10, in particular the scanner unit, preferably also comprises a docking unit 27 corresponding to the docking unit 25 of the patient support device 16.

[0056] Furthermore, the patient support device 16 has a user interface 28. The user interface 28 is designed for interaction between a user, in particular a medical operator, and the patient support device 16. Interaction between a user, in particular a medical operator, via the user interface 28 is preferably designed to change the position of the patient support device 16. For example, by exerting a pushing or pulling force, the patient support device 16 is moved or displaced forwards or backwards.In addition, an interaction of a user, in particular a medical operator, by means of the user interface 28 can also be designed so that the patient table 18 experiences a change in position with respect to the base unit 17, such as raising or lowering the patient table 18 in order to facilitate a patient 15 sitting on the patient table 18 or a patient 15 dismounting from the patient table 18.

[0057] For this purpose, the user interface 28 has an operating unit 29 with two separately designed operating rods 30. The two operating rods 30 can be designed as handlebars and / or bar ends. The two operating rods 30 are arranged in the transverse direction 31 of the patient table 18 on the opposite edge regions 22 of the patient table 18, in particular on the two side rails 23 of the patient table 18. One of the two operating rods 30 is arranged on each side rail 23. In addition, the two operating rods 30 are arranged in a rear region 32 of the patient table 18 on the two side rails 23 of the patient table 18 ( Fig. 1 to 3).

[0058] The two operating rods 30 each have two end regions 34, 35 in a longitudinal direction 33 of the operating rods 30. At a first end region 34, the two operating rods 30 are each arranged on the patient table 18, in particular on the side members 23 of the patient table 18, and the second end region 35 of the two operating rods 30 comprises a free end. In particular, no further component is mechanically connected to the operating rods 30 at this free end of the two operating rods 30. Furthermore, the two operating rods 30 have a length of at least 10 cm and a maximum of 20 cm.

[0059] The two operating rods 30 are essentially vertically oriented. Furthermore, the two operating rods 30 each have an inclination in the longitudinal direction 33 of the patient table 18 of 5° to 25°, wherein the longitudinal direction 33 of the patient table 18 extends in the direction of a length of the patient table 18 from the rear region 32 of the patient table 18 to a front region 36 of the patient table 18.

[0060] The two operating rods 30 each have a gripping area 37. In addition, the operating unit 29 has a sensor unit 38, wherein the sensor unit 38 is arranged integrated in the gripping areas 37 of the two operating rods 30. The sensor unit 38 comprises at least one force sensor 39 and / or at least one touch sensor 40. Preferably, the sensor unit 38 has a force sensor 39 and / or a touch sensor 40 for each of the two operating rods 30 and thus for the two gripping areas 37.

[0061] By means of the touch sensor 40, for example, a control unit 41 of the patient support device 16 can be activated and made available for controlling the patient support device 16. In this way, accidental operation of the patient support device 16 can be prevented.

[0062] The force sensor 39 is designed to detect and / or measure a force acting on the force sensor 39 and thus on the handle area 37 and the operating rod 30. In particular, a strength and / or a direction of a force can be detected in this way. Preferably, a direction of movement of the patient support device 16 can be determined based on a direction of a force acting on the force sensor 39. For example, a forward push or a backward pull exerted by a user on at least one of the two operating rods 30 can be detected and / or recognized by the force sensor 39, and this information can be used to move the patient support device 16. For example, a forward push on at least one of the two operating rods 30 can trigger a forward travel and / or movement of the patient support device 16.In addition, pulling backward on at least one of the two operating rods 30 can trigger a rearward travel and / or movement of the patient support device 16. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that pressing downward on at least one of the two operating rods 30 can trigger a lowering of the patient table 16. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that pulling upward on at least one of the two operating rods 30 can trigger a raising of the patient table 16.

[0063] Furthermore, the user interface 28 has an interaction field 42, which in the present embodiment is arranged in at least one of the two control rods 30. In the present embodiment, the interaction field 42 comprises an output field for optical and / or haptic output of information. The interaction field 42 has an optical output means, for example, an LED. Furthermore, the interaction field 42 has a vibration element that can indicate the status of the control unit 29 and / or the patient support device 16 to the user.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment of the interaction field 42, it can also have an additional input field, for example an input key. For example, such an input key can comprise a stop button for moving the patient table 18. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the interaction field 42, it is also conceivable for it to be arranged at the free end of the control rod 30. In a further alternative embodiment of the interaction field 42, it can also be arranged in a lateral edge region 22 of the patient table 18, as shown in Fig. 3 is indicated by dashed lines. The interaction field 42 can be integrated into the rear area 32 of the side member 23 of the patient table 18.

[0065] The patient support device 18 has a control unit 41 for controlling the movement unit 24 depending on the sensor data acquired by the sensor unit 38. Furthermore, the control unit 41 is also designed to control the vertical adjustment unit 21 of the base unit 17 to adjust a vertical position of the patient table 18 depending on the sensor data acquired by the sensor unit 38. For this purpose, the control unit 41 has a processor and corresponding software and / or computer programs.

[0066] If, for example, a user exerts forward pressure on the operating rods 30, in particular on the gripping areas 37 of the operating rods 30, this is detected by the sensor unit 38, in particular the force sensor 39, and the control unit 41 generates a control command for moving the patient support device 16 in the forward direction and transmits it to the travel unit 24. If, on the other hand, a user exerts backward pressure on the operating rods 30, in particular on the gripping areas 37 of the operating rods 30, this is detected by the sensor unit 38, in particular the force sensor 39, and the control unit 41 generates a control command for moving the patient support device 16 in the reverse direction and transmits it to the travel unit 24. For example, a control command remains active until the sensor unit 38, in particular the force sensor 39, no longer detects any pressure.

[0067] If, for example, a user exerts downward pressure on the operating rods 30, in particular on the grip areas 37 of the operating rods 30, this is detected by the sensor unit 38, in particular the force sensor 39, and the control unit 41 generates a control command for lowering the patient table 18 downwards and transmits it to the vertical adjustment unit 21 of the base unit 17. If, on the other hand, a user exerts upward pressure on the operating rods 30, in particular on the grip areas 37 of the operating rods 30, this is detected by the sensor unit 38, in particular the force sensor 39, and the control unit 41 generates a control command for raising the patient table 18 upwards and transmits it to the vertical adjustment unit 21 of the base unit 17.

[0068] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] A patient support device adapted to support a patient for a medical imaging examination, comprising: - a base unit, - a patient table with a couch table, wherein the couch table is designed to be movable in at least one direction with respect to the base unit, - a driving unit with several rolling elements, wherein the driving unit is designed to move the patient support device in the room, - a docking unit for docking the patient support device to a medical imaging device, and - a user interface for a user's interaction with the patient support device, characterized bythat the user interface has an operating unit with two separately designed operating rods, wherein the two operating rods are arranged in the transverse direction of the patient table at opposite edge areas on the patient table. [2] Patient support device according to claim 1, characterized by that the opposite edge regions of the patient table each comprise a side member of the patient table, with an operating rod being arranged on each of the two side members. [3] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the two control rods are arranged in a rear area of ​​the patient table. [4] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the two operating rods have a substantially vertical orientation with an inclination in the longitudinal direction of the patient table of 5° to 25°, wherein the longitudinal direction of the patient table extends from a rear area to a front area of ​​the patient table. [5] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the two operating rods each have two end regions in the longitudinal direction of the operating rods, wherein at a first end region the two operating rods are each arranged on the patient table and the second end region of the two operating rods each comprises a free end. [6] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the two operating rods each have a length of at least 10 cm and a maximum of 20 cm. [7] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the two operating rods each have a grip area. [8] Patient support device according to claim 7, characterized by that the operating unit has a sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is arranged integrated in at least one grip area of ​​the operating rods. [9] Patient support device according to claim 8, characterized by that the sensor unit comprises at least one touch sensor and / or a force sensor. [10] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the user interface has an interaction field, wherein the interaction field is at least partially arranged in at least one of the two control rods. [11] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the user interface has an interaction field, wherein the interaction field is arranged in an edge area of ​​the patient table. [12] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control unit which is designed to generate control commands for controlling the driving unit on the basis of sensor data acquired by the sensor unit. [13] Patient support device according to claim 12, characterized by that the control unit is designed to generate control commands for adjusting a vertical position of the patient table on the basis of sensor data acquired by the sensor unit. [14] Medical imaging device, in particular a magnetic resonance device, with a patient support device according to one of the preceding claims.

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