System for a medical imaging examination with a projector and a projection structure

Abstract

System (1) for a medical imaging examination,- wherein the system (1) comprises a gantry (20) of a medical imaging device, a patient positioning structure (10), a projector (5) and a projection structure (6),- wherein the patient positioning structure (10) is configured for the supine positioning of a person (13) relative to the gantry (20),- wherein the projector (5) is arranged on the gantry (20) and is configured for projecting a projection image onto the projection structure (6),- wherein the projection structure (6) extends like a screen above the patient positioning structure (10) from a gantry-near area of ​​an examination room (8) to a gantry-distant area of ​​the examination room (8) such that the projection image on the projection structure (6) is visible from the patient positioning structure (10) in a viewing direction directed towards a ceiling (88) of the examination room (8).

Description

The invention relates to a system for medical imaging examinations comprising a projector and a projection structure. The following are considered state of the art: US 2002 / 0 071 101 A1 , DE 10 2008 032 298 A1 , US 2012 / 0 051 520 A1 , DE 10 2013 210 536 A1 , DE 10 2014 219 584 A1 , US 2015 / 0 272 505 A1 and US 2016 / 0 074 004 A1. The invention aims to provide an alternative to known solutions for displaying an image to a person who is lying down for a medical imaging examination. The independent claims relate to solutions to this problem. The dependent claims relate to particular embodiments of these solutions. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a given term, persons of male, female, or other gender identities are included. The invention relates to a system for a medical imaging examination, wherein the system comprises a gantry of a medical imaging device, a patient positioning structure, a projector and a projection structure, wherein the patient positioning structure is configured for the supine positioning of a person relative to the gantry, wherein the projector is arranged, in particular attached, to the gantry and is configured for projecting a projection image onto the projection structure, wherein the projection structure extends like an umbrella above the patient positioning structure from a gantry-adjacent area of ​​an examination room to a gantry-distant area of ​​the examination room such that the projection image on the projection structure is visible from the patient positioning structure in a viewing direction directed towards a ceiling of the examination room. In particular, it may be provided that the projected image on the projection structure is visible to the person lying on the patient positioning structure when looking towards the ceiling of the examination room. The projection structure may be, in particular, planar and / or essentially flat. For example, the projection structure may be the ceiling of the examination room. The projection structure may, for example, be a stretched, flexible surface, in particular a cloth and / or a screen. The projection structure may, for example, be rigid and / or made of plastic. The projection structure may, for example, be white and / or gray. The projected image can include visual information specifically intended for humans, for example, in relation to medical imaging examinations and / or to support patient self-positioning for medical imaging examinations. Support for patient self-positioning can be based on feedback, in particular, to align the patient's actual position with a target position. The patient's actual position can be calculated, for example, based on camera image data. This can support autonomous execution of the medical imaging examination. One embodiment provides that the gantry has an opening for receiving the person for medical imaging examinations, wherein the patient positioning structure is designed for inserting the person into the opening when the person is lying down on the patient positioning structure, with the projector being arranged above the opening on the gantry. In particular, it may be provided that a radiological interaction area of ​​the medical imaging device is located within the opening. One embodiment provides that the projection structure has a reflective surface, the reflective surface facing the projector and the patient positioning structure and configured to reflect the projected image from the projector towards the patient positioning structure. In particular, it can be provided that the projector is configured to project the image onto the reflective surface. The reflective surface can, for example, be diffuse or non-diffuse. One embodiment provides that the projection structure has a diffuser structure, wherein a rear side of the diffuser structure faces the projector, and a front side of the diffuser structure faces the patient positioning structure, wherein the projector is configured to project the projection image onto the rear side of the diffuser structure, and wherein the diffuser structure is translucent and configured to diffusely emit the projection image such that the projection image on the front side of the diffuser structure is visible from the patient positioning structure in the direction of view towards the ceiling of the examination room. One embodiment provides that the system includes a camera for capturing camera image data, the camera being directed towards the patient positioning structure. The camera can, in particular, be an optical camera. The camera image data can, for example, be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. One embodiment provides that the camera is attached to the gantry, in particular attached above the opening on the gantry. One embodiment provides that the camera is attached to the ceiling of the examination room by means of a ceiling-mounted camera bracket and is located between the patient positioning structure and the projection structure, wherein the projection structure has a recess, and the ceiling-mounted camera bracket extends through the recess. One embodiment provides that the camera is attached to the projection structure, in particular by means of a projection-structure-supported mount. One embodiment provides that the system has a ceiling-supported support structure for the projection structure, wherein the projection structure is connected to the ceiling of the examination room by means of the ceiling-supported support structure and is fixed relative to the ceiling of the examination room. One embodiment provides that the system has a gantry-supported holding structure for the projection structure, wherein the projection structure is connected to the gantry by means of the gantry-supported holding structure and is fixed relative to the gantry. The gantry-supported support structure is designed to fix the projection structure relative to the gantry, specifically such that the projection structure is fixed relative to the gantry independently of the ceiling and / or walls of the examination room. The gantry can be secured against tipping relative to the floor of the examination room, for example, by anchoring it to the floor and / or by bolting it to the floor. Specifically, it can be provided that a side of the projection structure near the gantry is connected to and fixed relative to the gantry, and that a side of the projection structure farther from the gantry is connected to the ceiling of the examination room and / or supported on the floor of the examination room by means of a floor-mounted bracket. One embodiment provides that the system has a data processing system, wherein the data processing system is set up to calculate projection control data, in particular based on the camera image data, in order to adapt the projection of the projection image to a position of the person relative to the projection structure and / or to the viewing direction based on the projection control data and / or to adapt the projection of the projection image to a position of the gantry relative to the projection structure based on the projection control data. In particular, it may be provided that the data processing system is set up to calculate projection control data based on the camera image data. In particular, the projection of the image can be adjusted to the position of a person's head relative to the projection structure based on the projection control data. The person's position, head position, and / or gaze direction can be calculated, for example, based on camera image data. Alternatively or additionally, the person's position and / or head position can be determined based on examination protocol data from medical imaging studies. The examination protocol data may, for example, contain information relating to the position of a headrest on the patient positioning structure and / or the orientation of the person relative to the gantry and / or the position of the patient positioning structure relative to the gantry. The orientation of the person relative to the gantry may, for example, indicate whether the person's head or feet are positioned close to the gantry. One embodiment provides that the system includes a calibration sensor for acquiring optical calibration data relating to the projection image and / or the projection structure, with the calculation of the projection control data being based on the optical calibration data. The calculation of projection control data can be achieved, for example, by applying a static and / or dynamic rectification algorithm to the camera image data and / or the optical calibration data. The calibration sensor can, for example, be integrated into the projector and / or be configured to acquire the optical calibration data based on structured light projection, particularly without physical markers, and / or based on physical markers integrated into the projection structure. One embodiment provides that the system has a chassis, wherein the gantry is mounted so as to be movable relative to the patient positioning structure by means of the chassis. In particular, the system may be provided with a linear guide, for example in the form of a rail system, for the chassis. One embodiment provides that during a movement of the gantry relative to the patient positioning structure, the projection structure remains stationary relative to the patient positioning structure, wherein the projection of the projection image is adapted to the position of the gantry relative to the projection structure based on the projection control data such that a position of the projection image relative to the projection structure remains stable during the movement of the gantry relative to the patient positioning structure. One embodiment provides that the projection structure is attached to the gantry in such a way that the projection structure follows a movement of the gantry relative to the patient positioning structure, wherein the projection of the projection image is adapted to the position of the gantry relative to the patient positioning structure based on the projection control data in such a way that a position of the projection image relative to the patient positioning structure remains stable during the movement of the gantry relative to the patient positioning structure. The proposed solution reduces cabling and saves space. In particular, if the projector is mounted on the gantry rather than the ceiling, the complex cabling to the ceiling is eliminated. The projection structure and / or image can be customized to specific clinic, examination, and / or patient needs, especially regarding the size of the projection area. A single projector can replace multiple monitors, thus reducing overall costs. Projectors can display high-resolution and / or scalable images that can be optimized for different room sizes and / or examination scenarios. The medical imaging device could be, for example, a computed tomography (CT) scanner. The medical imaging device could be, for example, an X-ray machine, in particular a computed tomography (CT) scanner, a C-arm X-ray machine, or a fluoroscopy X-ray machine. The medical imaging device could be, for example, a molecular imaging (MI) machine, a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) machine, a positron emission tomography (PET) machine, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, or a combination thereof, in particular a PET-CT machine or a PET-MR machine. The medical imaging device can further comprise a combination of an imaging modality, selected, for example, from the group of imaging modalities, and a radiation modality. The radiation modality can, for example, include a radiation unit for therapeutic irradiation. Without limiting the general concept of the invention, a computed tomography scanner is cited as an example of a medical imaging device in some of the embodiments. Within the scope of the invention, features described in relation to different embodiments of the invention and / or different claim categories (method, use, device, system, arrangement, etc.) can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention. For example, a claim relating to a device can also be further developed with features described or claimed in connection with a method, and vice versa. Functional features of a method can be implemented by appropriately designed physical components. The use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not preclude the possibility that the feature in question may be present multiple times. The following section explains features of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures and examples. The representation in the figures is schematic, highly simplified, and not necessarily to scale. The following examples, which may be helpful for understanding the invention and / or the technical problem to be solved, are explained with reference to the attached figures. Fig. 1 shows a system for medical imaging examination using a projector. Each of Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9 shows a system for a medical imaging examination with a projector and a projection structure. Figure 1 shows system 1 for a medical imaging examination. Each of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 to 8Figure 9 shows an exemplary system 1 for a medical imaging examination, wherein the system 1 comprises a gantry 20 of a medical imaging device, a patient positioning structure 10, a projector 5 and a projection structure 6, wherein the patient positioning structure 10 is configured for the reclining position of a person 13 relative to the gantry 20, wherein the projector 5 is arranged, in particular attached, to the gantry 20 and is configured for projecting a projection image onto the projection structure 6, wherein the projection structure 6 extends like a screen above the patient positioning structure 10 from a gantry-near area of ​​an examination room 8 to a gantry-distant area of ​​the examination room 8 such that the projection image on the projection structure 6 is visible from the patient positioning structure 10 in a viewing direction directed towards a ceiling 88 of the examination room 8. At least one example shown provides that the gantry 20 has an opening 21 for receiving the person 13 for medical imaging examination, wherein the patient positioning structure 10 is set up for inserting the person 13 into the opening 21 when the person 13 is positioned lying down on the patient positioning structure 10, with the projector 5 being arranged above the opening 21 on the gantry 20. The gantry 20 comprises the support structure 23 and the rotor 24, which is rotatably mounted relative to the support structure about the system axis 1A. The X-ray source 44 for generating the X-ray radiation 47 and the X-ray detector 48 for detecting the X-ray radiation 47 are arranged on the rotor. The patient positioning structure 10 comprises the base 11, the patient positioning plate 12, and the headrest 121. The patient positioning plate 12 is slidably mounted relative to the base 11 along the system axis 1A and can be inserted into the opening 21 of the gantry 20. The data processing system 3 has the computing unit P with the interface PI for receiving and / or providing data and the processor PC for calculating data. Projector 5 can be, for example, projector 51 configured to project the projection image onto the reflective surface 61, or projector 52 configured to project the projection image onto the back of the diffuser structure 62. Camera 9 can be, for example, camera 92 attached to the gantry 20, camera 98 attached to the ceiling 88, or camera 96 ​​attached to the projection structure 6. At least one example shown provides that the projection structure 6 has a reflective surface 61, wherein the reflective surface 61 is directed towards the projector 5 and the patient positioning structure 10 and is set up to reflect the projection image from the projector 5 towards the patient positioning structure 10. At least one example shown provides that the projection structure 6 has a diffuser structure 62, - wherein a rear side of the diffuser structure 62 faces the projector 5, - wherein a front side of the diffuser structure 62 faces the patient positioning structure 10, - wherein the projector 5 is configured to project the projection image onto the rear side of the diffuser structure 62, - wherein the diffuser structure 62 is translucent and configured to diffusely emit the projection image such that the projection image on the front side of the diffuser structure 62 is visible from the patient positioning structure 10 in the direction of view towards the ceiling 88 of the examination room 8. At least one example shown provides that the system 1 has a camera 9 for capturing camera image data, with the camera 9 being directed towards the patient positioning structure 10. At least one example shown provides that the camera 9 is attached to the gantry 20, in particular above the opening 21 on the gantry 20. At least one example shown provides that the camera 9 is attached to the ceiling 88 of the examination room 8 by means of a ceiling-mounted camera bracket 89 and is located between the patient positioning structure 10 and the projection structure 6,- wherein the projection structure 6 has a recess 60,- wherein the ceiling-mounted camera bracket 89 extends through the recess 60. At least one example shown provides that the camera 9 is attached to the projection structure 6, in particular by means of a projection structure-supported bracket 69. At least one example shown provides that the system 1 has a ceiling-supported support structure 68 for the projection structure 6, wherein the projection structure 6 is connected to the ceiling 88 of the examination room 8 by means of the ceiling-supported support structure 68 and is fixed relative to the ceiling 88 of the examination room 8. At least one example shown provides that the system 1 has a gantry-supported holding structure 26 for the projection structure 6, wherein the projection structure 6 is connected to the gantry 20 by means of the gantry-supported holding structure 26 and is fixed relative to the gantry 20. At least one example shown provides that the system 1 has a data processing system 3, wherein the data processing system 3 is set up to calculate projection control data, in particular based on the camera image data, in order to adapt the projection of the projection image to a position of the person 13 relative to the projection structure 6 and / or to the viewing direction based on the projection control data and / or to adapt the projection of the projection image to a position of the gantry 20 relative to the projection structure 6 based on the projection control data. At least one example shown provides that the system 1 includes a calibration sensor 59 for acquiring optical calibration data relating to the projection image and / or the projection structure 6, wherein the calculation of the projection control data is based on the optical calibration data. The calibration sensor can, for example, be integrated into the projector and / or be configured to acquire the optical calibration data based on structured light projection, in particular without physical markers, and / or based on physical markers 63 integrated into the projection structure. At least one example shown provides that the system 1 has a chassis 28, wherein the gantry 20 is mounted so as to be movable relative to the patient positioning structure 10 by means of the chassis 28. In particular, it can be provided that the system 1 has a linear guide 82, for example in the form of a rail system integrated into the floor 80 of the examination room 8, for the chassis 28. The examples shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 provide that during a movement of the gantry 20 relative to the patient positioning structure 10, the projection structure 6 remains stationary relative to the patient positioning structure 10, wherein the projection of the projection image is adapted to the position of the gantry 20 relative to the projection structure 6 based on the projection control data such that a position of the projection image relative to the projection structure 6 remains stable during the movement of the gantry 20 relative to the patient positioning structure 10. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature US 2002 / 0 071 101 A1

[0002] DE 10 2008 032 298 A1

[0002] US 2012 / 0 051 520 A1

[0002] DE 10 2013 210 536 A1

[0002] DE 10 2014 219 584 A1

[0002] US 2015 / 0 272 505 A1

[0002] US 2016 / 0 074 004 A1

[0002]

Claims

System (1) for a medical imaging examination,- wherein the system (1) comprises a gantry (20) of a medical imaging device, a patient positioning structure (10), a projector (5) and a projection structure (6),- wherein the patient positioning structure (10) is configured for the supine positioning of a person (13) relative to the gantry (20),- wherein the projector (5) is arranged on the gantry (20) and is configured for projecting a projection image onto the projection structure (6),- wherein the projection structure (6) extends like a screen above the patient positioning structure (10) from a gantry-near area of ​​an examination room (8) to a gantry-distant area of ​​the examination room (8) such that the projection image on the projection structure (6) is visible from the patient positioning structure (10) in a viewing direction directed towards a ceiling (88) of the examination room (8). System (1) according to claim 1, - wherein the gantry (20) has an opening (21) for receiving the human (13) for the medical imaging examination, - wherein the patient positioning structure (10) is arranged for inserting the human (13) into the opening (21) when the human (13) is positioned lying on the patient positioning structure (10), - wherein the projector (5) is arranged above the opening (21) on the gantry (20). System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the projection structure (6) has a reflective surface (61), wherein the reflective surface (61) is directed towards the projector (5) and the patient positioning structure (10) and is configured to reflect the projection image from the projector (5) towards the patient positioning structure (10). System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, - wherein the projection structure (6) has a diffuser structure (62), - wherein a rear side of the diffuser structure (62) faces the projector (5), - wherein a front side of the diffuser structure (62) faces the patient positioning structure (10), - wherein the projector (5) is configured to project the projection image onto the rear side of the diffuser structure (62), - wherein the diffuser structure (62) is translucent and configured to diffusely emit the projection image such that the projection image on the front side of the diffuser structure (62) is visible from the patient positioning structure (10) in the direction of view towards the ceiling (88) of the examination room (8). System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4,- wherein the system (1) has a camera (9) for capturing camera image data,- wherein the camera (9) is directed towards the patient positioning structure (10). System (1) according to claim 5, wherein the camera (9) is attached to the gantry (20). System (1) according to claim 5, - wherein the camera (9) is attached to the ceiling (88) of the examination room (8) by means of a ceiling-mounted camera bracket (89) and is located between the patient positioning structure (10) and the projection structure (6), - wherein the projection structure (6) has a recess (60), - wherein the ceiling-mounted camera bracket (89) extends through the recess (60). System (1) according to claim 5, wherein the camera (9) is attached to the projection structure (6). System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a ceiling-supported support structure (68) for the projection structure (6), wherein the projection structure (6) is connected to the ceiling (88) of the examination room (8) by means of the ceiling-supported support structure (68) and is fixed relative to the ceiling (88) of the examination room (8). System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a gantry-supported holding structure (26) for the projection structure (6), wherein the projection structure (6) is connected to the gantry (20) by means of the gantry-supported holding structure (26) and is fixed relative to the gantry (20). System (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10,- wherein the system (1) comprises a data processing system (3),- wherein the data processing system (3) is configured to calculate projection control data, in particular based on the camera image data, in order to adapt the projection of the projection image based on the projection control data to a position of the person (13) relative to the projection structure (6) and / or to the viewing direction and / or to adapt the projection of the projection image based on the projection control data to a position of the gantry (20) relative to the projection structure (6). System (1) according to claim 11, - wherein the system (1) comprises a calibration sensor (59) for acquiring optical calibration data relating to the projection image and / or the projection structure (6), - wherein the calculation of the projection control data is based on the optical calibration data. System (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the system (1) has a chassis (28), wherein the gantry (20) is mounted so as to be movable relative to the patient support structure (10) by means of the chassis (28). System (1) according to claim 13, - wherein during a movement of the gantry (20) relative to the patient positioning structure (10) the projection structure (6) remains stationary relative to the patient positioning structure (10), - wherein the projection of the projection image is adapted to the position of the gantry (20) relative to the projection structure (6) based on the projection control data such that during the movement of the gantry (20) relative to the patient positioning structure (10) a position of the projection image relative to the projection structure (6) remains stable. System (1) according to claim 13, - wherein the projection structure (6) is attached to the gantry (20) in such a way that the projection structure (6) follows a movement of the gantry (20) relative to the patient positioning structure (10), - wherein the projection of the projection image is adapted to the position of the gantry (20) relative to the patient positioning structure (10) based on the projection control data in such a way that during the movement of the gantry (20) relative to the patient positioning structure (10) a position of the projection image relative to the patient positioning structure (10) remains stable.

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