COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY DEVICE WITH A BODY SUPPORT DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a computed tomography scanner with a body support device for supporting a human body. The invention further relates to a medical imaging system and a method for arranging a board of a body support device relative to a gantry of a computed tomography scanner.

[0002] During an examination using an imaging device, it may be necessary for one part of the patient's body to be temporarily supported by the imaging device, while a second part rests on a separate patient bed. For example, during a head CT scan, the patient positioning can be divided between the head CT scanner and a patient bed such that the head CT scanner supports the first part of the body, including the head and shoulders, and the patient bed supports the second part, including the pelvis and legs.To enable safe and stable positioning of the patient in split positions, as well as transitions between split positioning and positioning fully supported by the patient bed, a suitable body support device can be used. Both the imaging device and the patient bed may be mobile. Therefore, such a body support device should be compatible with the mobility of the imaging device and the patient bed, particularly relative to each other, at least in those parts of the clinical workflow that require such mobility.

[0003] The following are considered state of the art: DE 10 2020 206784 A1, WO 2020 / 106402 A1 and EP 2 600 770 B1.

[0004] The invention aims to provide an imaging device that is improved with regard to the handling of a board of a body support device for patient positioning, which is divided between the imaging device and a patient bed. Each subject matter of an independent claim achieves this objective. Further advantageous aspects of the invention are addressed in the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention relates to a computed tomography device comprising a gantry with an opening and a body support device for supporting a human body, wherein the body support device comprises a board and is arranged relative to the opening such that a shoulder area of ​​the human body rests on the board when the board is in an examination position relative to the gantry and a human head is inserted into the opening along a system axis of the gantry, wherein the body support device comprises a pivoting device and the board is pivotably mounted relative to the gantry about a pivot axis by means of the pivoting device such that a first pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis allows the board to be moved relative to the gantry from a preparation position to the examination position, wherein the board (7) extends planarly in a plane (7E) wherein the plane (7E) is substantially parallel to the pivot axis (7A), characterized in thatthat the board plane (7E) is substantially perpendicular to the system axis (SA) of the gantry (20) when the board (7) is in the preparation position, that the first pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis causes the board to lower from the preparation position to the examination position, and that the body support device further comprises a locking system, wherein the locking system is configured to lock the board in the preparation position relative to the gantry.

[0006] The computed tomography device can be designed in particular as a head computed tomography device and / or as a mobile computed tomography device.

[0007] In particular, it may be provided that the person can be moved along the system axis of the gantry relative to the gantry, in particular carried by medical personnel, in order to insert the person's head into the opening when the board is in the examination position of the board.

[0008] In particular, it can be provided that the board is mounted by means of the pivoting device so that it can pivot about the pivot axis relative to the gantry in such a way that a second pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis allows the board to be moved relative to the gantry from the examination position to the preparation position. Specifically, this second pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis can cause the board to be lifted from the examination position to the preparation position.

[0009] The board can be dimensionally stable and / or plate-shaped. The opening can, for example, be tunnel-shaped and / or extend along the system axis. The system axis can, for example, pass through the opening, particularly through a central area of ​​the opening. The system axis can, for example, pass through an isocenter of the computed tomography device. The pivoting device can, in particular, be a pivot bearing and / or be designed in the form of a folding mechanism.

[0010] One embodiment provides that the locking system is set up to lock the board in the examination position of the board relative to the gantry.

[0011] The locking system can be configured, in particular, to secure the board against lifting by positive locking and / or frictional locking when the board is in the preparation position. The locking system can be configured, in particular, to secure the board against lowering and / or lifting by positive locking and / or frictional locking when the board is in the examination position. The locking system can be configured, in particular, to secure the board against lowering and / or lifting by positive locking and / or frictional locking when the board is in the transport position.

[0012] One embodiment provides that the body support device further includes a damper for decelerating the initial pivoting movement of the board relative to the gantry. The damper can, for example, be integrated into the pivoting mechanism. The damper can be, for example, a rotary damper and / or a torsion spring.

[0013] One embodiment provides that the system axis is essentially horizontal, in particular horizontal, and / or that the pivot axis is essentially horizontal, in particular horizontal.

[0014] One embodiment provides that the pivot axis is located below the system axis with respect to a vertical direction. In particular, the pivot axis can be located at the level of a lower edge of the opening with respect to the vertical direction.

[0015] The invention provides that the board extends in a plane and that the plane of the board is substantially parallel to the pivot axis. In particular, the board can extend in a plane between a bed-side edge and a gantry-side edge, especially when the board is in the examination position. The gantry-side edge of the board can be located at the pivot axis. The bed-side edge of the board can be located on a side of the board facing away from the pivot axis.

[0016] The invention provides that the board plane is essentially perpendicular to the system axis when the board is in the board preparation position.

[0017] One embodiment provides that the board protrudes away from the opening when the board is in the board's examination position.

[0018] The invention provides that the first pivoting movement of the board around the pivot axis causes the board to lower, namely, to lower the board from the preparation position to the examination position.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that the board is mounted by means of the swivel device so as to be pivotable relative to the gantry about the pivot axis in such a way that, by means of a preparatory swiveling movement of the board about the pivot axis, the board can be moved relative to the gantry from a transport position of the board to the preparatory position of the board, wherein the preparatory swiveling movement of the board about the pivot axis causes the board to be lifted, in particular lifted from the transport position to the preparatory position.

[0020] Furthermore, the gantry may be designed to have an interior and a lining to separate the interior from its surroundings, and the board may rest against a section of the lining when in its transport position relative to the gantry. In particular, the plane of the board may be substantially perpendicular to the system axis when in its transport position relative to the gantry. This can reduce the space required by the gantry, especially for transporting it.

[0021] In particular, the board can be mounted by means of the pivoting device so that it can pivot about the pivot axis relative to the gantry in such a way that a third pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis allows the board to be moved relative to the gantry from its preparation position to its transport position. Specifically, this third pivoting movement can lower the board from its preparation position to its transport position. Furthermore, the damper can be configured to decelerate this third pivoting movement of the board relative to the gantry.

[0022] One embodiment provides that the body support device further comprises a holding device, wherein the pivoting device is connected to the gantry by means of the holding device, wherein the board is connected to the holding device by means of the pivoting device and is pivotably mounted relative to the holding device about the pivot axis, wherein the holding device is configured to adjust a distance between the pivot axis and the system axis in a variable manner, in particular to adjust it in steps or continuously.

[0023] The holding device can in particular be configured to adjust the distance between the pivot axis and the system axis by setting a height at which the pivot axis runs in relation to the vertical direction, while the height of the system axis in relation to the vertical direction remains unchanged.

[0024] The holding device can, for example, be telescopic. The holding device can, for example, have a locking mechanism to maintain the set distance between the swivel axis and the system axis.

[0025] In particular, it may be provided that the holding device is at rest relative to the gantry during the first pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis and / or that the holding device is at rest relative to the gantry during the preparatory pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis. In particular, it may be provided that the holding device is at rest relative to the gantry during the second pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis and / or that the holding device is at rest relative to the gantry during the third pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis.

[0026] One embodiment provides that the gantry has a first gantry part and a second gantry part, wherein the first gantry part has a rotatably mounted rotor with a projection data acquisition system, wherein the second gantry part has at least a section of the opening, wherein the board is connected to the second gantry part by means of the pivoting device and is pivotably mounted relative to the second gantry part about the pivot axis.

[0027] Furthermore, it may be provided that the first gantry part is mounted so that it can be moved relative to the second gantry part, allowing a translational movement of the first gantry part relative to the second gantry part to be carried out, while at the same time the second gantry part remains at rest relative to the head of the person and the body support device remains at rest relative to the head of the person and relative to at least one section of the opening when the head of the person is in the opening.

[0028] In particular, it may be provided that the first gantry part has a rotary bearing and a support structure and that the rotor is connected to the support structure by means of the rotary bearing and is rotatably mounted relative to the support structure about the system axis.

[0029] The invention further relates to a medical imaging system comprising the computed tomography device according to the invention and a patient bed for positioning the person, wherein the patient bed can be arranged in an examination position of the patient bed relative to the gantry.

[0030] In particular, it may be provided that a person's pelvic area rests on the patient bed and / or that a person's leg area rests on the patient bed when the patient bed is in the examination position relative to the gantry, the board is in the examination position relative to the gantry, the person's shoulder area rests on the board, and the person's head is inserted into the opening along a system axis of the gantry. The patient bed may, in particular, be a mobile intensive care bed and / or an examination table of a mobile stroke unit.

[0031] One embodiment provides that the board bridges a gap extending between the gantry and the patient bed substantially perpendicular to the system axis when the patient bed is in the examination position and the board is in the examination position.

[0032] One embodiment provides that the body support device is arranged relative to the gantry in such a way that a bedside edge of the board rests on the patient bed when the patient bed is in the examination position and the board is in the examination position.

[0033] The invention further relates to a method for arranging a board of a body support device relative to a gantry of a computed tomography device according to the invention, wherein the board is moved relative to the gantry from the preparation position of the board to the examination position of the board by means of the first pivoting movement about the pivot axis.

[0034] Furthermore, it may be provided that a preparatory pivoting movement of the board around the pivot axis moves the board relative to the gantry from a transport position to a preparation position. This preparatory pivoting movement can, for example, raise the board, specifically from its transport position to its preparation position. The first pivoting movement of the board around the pivot axis can, for example, lower the board, specifically from its preparation position to its examination position.

[0035] Each of the described pivoting movements of the board around the pivot axis can be carried out, for example, by manually pivoting the board around the pivot axis, in particular by medical personnel, or in particular by manually folding it up or down.

[0036] Furthermore, the body support device may also include a swivel drive for powering the first swivel movement and / or the second swivel movement. The swivel drive may, for example, be configured to exert a torque on the board with respect to the swivel axis.

[0037] In particular, it can be provided that the preparation swivel movement of the board about the pivot axis takes place while the patient bed is sufficiently far from the gantry that it does not interfere with the preparation swivel movement of the board about the pivot axis. Furthermore, it can be provided that an initial translational movement of the patient bed relative to the gantry takes place along the system axis to bring the patient bed into the examination position relative to the gantry, while the board is in its preparation position relative to the gantry.Furthermore, it may be provided that the first pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis takes place while the patient bed is in the examination position of the patient bed relative to the gantry, in particular such that the first pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis is limited by the bedside edge of the board striking the patient bed.

[0038] Folding the board down from an upwardly inclined preparation position onto the patient bed can be advantageously done without interference from the patient bed, even if the patient bed is close to the gantry.

[0039] Furthermore, the second pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis can be performed while the patient bed is in the examination position relative to the gantry. A second translational movement of the patient bed relative to the gantry along the system axis can also be performed to move the patient bed away from the gantry while the board is in the preparation position relative to the gantry. In particular, the third pivoting movement of the board about the pivot axis can be performed while the patient bed is sufficiently far from the gantry that it does not interfere with this third movement.

[0040] The solution according to the invention enables stable and safe split patient positioning, whereby patient-specific anatomical features and / or features of the patient bed, particularly regarding bed height, can be better accommodated compared to conventional solutions. Furthermore, to correct the examination position of the patient bed relative to the gantry, the board can be folded up around the pivot axis and then folded down again after the correction. This is less labor-intensive for the medical staff than completely detaching the board from the gantry and then reattaching it after the correction.

[0041] 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 articles "a" or "an" does not preclude the possibility that the feature in question may be present multiple times.

[0042] The invention is explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. The representation in the figures is schematic, greatly simplified, and not necessarily to scale.

[0043] The Fig. 1 shows a computed tomography scanner with a gantry and a body support device.

[0044] The Figuren 2 bis 7 The computed tomography device shows different positions of a board of the body support device relative to the gantry.

[0045] The Fig. 8 shows a medical imaging system with a computed tomography scanner and a patient bed.

[0046] The Fig. 1 shows a computed tomography device 1, comprising a gantry 20 with an opening 9 and a body support device 75 for supporting a body 15 of a human being 13.

[0047] The body support device 75 comprises a board 7 and is arranged relative to the opening 9 such that a shoulder area of ​​the body 15 of the person 13 rests on the board 7 when the board 7 is in an examination position relative to the gantry 20 and the head 14 of the person 13 is inserted into the opening 9 along a system axis SA of the gantry 20. The body support device 75 has a pivoting device 70, and the board 7 is pivotably mounted relative to the gantry 20 about a pivot axis 7A by means of the pivoting device 70 such that a first pivoting movement of the board 7 about the pivot axis 7A moves the board 7 relative to the gantry 20 from a preparation position to the examination position.

[0048] The body support device 75 further comprises a locking system 76, wherein the locking system 76 is configured to lock the board 7 in the preparation position relative to the gantry 20 and / or to lock the board 7 in the examination position relative to the gantry 20. The body support device 75 further comprises a damper integrated into the pivoting device 70 for decelerating the initial pivoting movement of the board 7.

[0049] The body support device 75 further comprises a holding device 72, wherein the pivoting device 70 is connected to the gantry 20 by means of the holding device 72, wherein the board 7 is connected to the holding device 72 by means of the pivoting device 70 and is pivotably mounted relative to the holding device 72 about the pivot axis 7A, wherein the holding device 72 is configured to adjust a distance between the pivot axis 7A and the system axis SA.

[0050] The gantry 20 has a first gantry part 21 and a second gantry part 22, wherein the first gantry part 21 has a rotatably mounted rotor 24 with a projection data acquisition system 27, wherein the second gantry part 22 has at least a section of the opening 9, wherein the board 7 is connected to the second gantry part 22 by means of the pivoting device 70 and is pivotably mounted relative to the second gantry part 22 about the pivot axis 7A.

[0051] The first gantry part 21 is mounted so as to be movable relative to the second gantry part 22 that a translational movement of the first gantry part 21 relative to the second gantry part 22 can be carried out, while at the same time the second gantry part 22 remains at rest relative to the head 14 of the person 13 and the body support device 75 remains at rest relative to the head 14 of the person 13 and relative to at least one section of the opening 9 when the head 14 of the person 13 is in the opening 9.

[0052] The first gantry part 21 has a rotary bearing 25 and a support structure 26, wherein the rotor 24 is connected to the support structure 26 by means of the rotary bearing 25 and is rotatably mounted relative to the support structure 26 about the system axis SA.

[0053] The Figuren 2 bis 7 The computed tomography device 1 shows different positions of a board 7 of the body support device 75 relative to the gantry 20.

[0054] The system axis SA is horizontal and parallel to the horizontal direction z. The pivot axis 7A is horizontal and perpendicular to the horizontal direction z. The pivot axis 7A is located below the system axis SA with respect to the vertical direction y. The board 7 extends over a planar plane 7E, the board plane 7E being substantially parallel to the pivot axis 7A. The board plane 7E is substantially perpendicular to the system axis SA, in particular, when the board 7 is in the position according to Fig. 2 or in the position according to Fig. 3 Board 7 protrudes away from opening 9, in particular, when board 7 is in the position according to Fig. 5 or in the position according to Fig. 7 is located.

[0055] The first pivoting movement of the board 7 about the pivot axis 7A causes the board 7 to lower if, by the first pivoting movement of the board 7 about the pivot axis 7A, the board 7 is moved from the position according to Fig. 3 up to the position according to Fig. 5 is moved or when the board 7 is moved from the position according to the first pivoting movement about the pivot axis 7A. Fig. 4 up to the position according to Fig. 5 is being moved.

[0056] According to the invention, the Fig. 3 The position of board 7 shown is the preparation position of board 7. According to one embodiment, the position shown in the Fig. 2 The position shown for board 7 is the transport position of board 7. and the position shown in the Fig. 5 The position shown for board 7 is the examination position of board 7.

[0057] According to another embodiment, the test position of board 7 is located between the one in the Fig. 5 shown position of board 7 and the one in the Fig. 6 shown position of board 7.

[0058] In the Fig. 7 Due to a height adjustment using the holding device 72, the distance between the swivel axis 7A and the system axis SA is smaller than in the Fig. 5 The height of the head shell remained unchanged by adjusting the height of the swivel device 70. According to another embodiment, the height of the head shell 19 is adjustable relative to the system axis SA and / or relative to the swivel axis 7A.

[0059] The Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a medical imaging system 2 comprising the computed tomography scanner 1 and a patient bed 10 for positioning the person 13, wherein the patient bed 10 is in an examination position relative to the gantry 20 and the board 7 is in the examination position. The computed tomography scanner 1 is a mobile head computed tomography scanner.

[0060] The computed tomography device 1 has a head tray 19 into which the head 14 of the person 13 is placed.

[0061] The board 7 bridges a gap that extends between the gantry 20 and the patient bed 10, essentially perpendicular to the system axis SA. The body support device 75 is arranged relative to the gantry 20 such that a bedside edge of the board 7 rests on the patient bed 10. The board 7 remains at rest relative to the patient bed 10 even when the translational movement of the first gantry section 21 relative to the second gantry section 22 is performed.

[0062] The gantry 20 has an interior compartment 4 and a cladding V for separating the interior compartment 4 from an environment U. The computed tomography scanner 1 has a radiation shield 81 which is detachably connected to the gantry 20 such that it covers one rear side of the opening 9. The computed tomography scanner 1 has a radiation shield 91 for covering one front side of the opening 9, for example, by means of a radiation shield curtain. The computed tomography scanner 1 also has a camera system 82 for patient observation and / or patient positioning and an acoustic system 83 for, in particular, bidirectional acoustic patient communication.

Claims

1. Computed tomography device (1) having a gantry (20) with an opening (9) and a body support apparatus (75) for supporting a body (15) of a person (13), - wherein the body support apparatus (75) has a board (7) and is arranged relative to the opening (9) such that a shoulder region of the body (15) of the person (13) rests on the board (7), when the board (7) is in an examination position of the board (7) relative to the gantry (20), and a head (14) of the person (13) is inserted into the opening (9) along a system axis (SA) of the gantry (20), - wherein the body support apparatus (75) has a pivoting apparatus (70) and the board (7) is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis (7A) relative to the gantry (20) by means of the pivoting apparatus (70) such that a first pivoting movement of the board (7) about the pivot axis (7A) can move the board (7) relative to the gantry (20) from a preparation position of the board (7) to the examination position of the board (7), - wherein the board (7) extends in a planar manner in a board plane (7E), wherein the board plane (7E) is substantially parallel to the pivot axis (7A), - characterised in that the board plane (7E) is substantially perpendicular to the system axis (SA) of the gantry (20) when the board (7) is in the preparation position of the board (7), that the first pivoting movement of the board (7) about the pivot axis (7A) causes the board (7) to be lowered from the preparation position to the examination position, and that the body support apparatus (75) further has a locking system (76), wherein the locking system (76) is configured to lock the board (7) in the preparation position of the board (7) relative to the gantry (20).

2. Computed tomography device (1) according to claim 1, - wherein the locking system (76) is configured to lock the board (7) in the examination position of the board (7) relative to the gantry (20).

3. Computed tomography device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, - wherein the body support apparatus (75) further has a damper for braking the first pivoting movement of the board (7).

4. Computed tomography device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, - wherein the system axis (SA) is substantially horizontal and wherein the pivot axis (7A) is substantially horizontal.

5. Computed tomography device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, - wherein the pivot axis (7A) is located below the system axis (SA) with respect to a vertical direction (y).

6. Computed tomography device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, - wherein the board (7) projects away from the opening (9) when the board (7) is in the examination position of the board (7).

7. Computed tomography device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, - wherein the locking system (76) is configured to secure the board (7) in a positive-fitting and / or non-positive-fitting manner against lowering when the board (7) is in the preparation position.

8. Computed tomography device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, - wherein the body support apparatus (75) further has a holding apparatus (72), wherein the pivoting apparatus (70) is connected to the gantry (20) by means of the holding apparatus (72), wherein the board (7) is connected to the holding apparatus (72) by means of the pivoting apparatus (70) and is mounted pivotably about the pivot axis (7A) relative to the holding apparatus (72), - wherein the holding apparatus (72) is configured to set a distance between the pivot axis (7A) and the system axis (SA) in an adjustable manner.

9. Computed tomography device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, - wherein the gantry (20) has a first gantry part (21) and a second gantry part (22), - wherein the first gantry part (21) has a rotatably mounted rotor (24) with a projection data acquisition system (27), - wherein the second gantry part (22) has at least one section of the opening (9), - wherein the board (7) is connected to the second gantry part (22) by means of the pivoting apparatus (70) and is mounted pivotably about the pivot axis (7A) relative to the second gantry part (22), - wherein the first gantry part (21) is mounted movably relative to the second gantry part (22) such that a translatory movement of the first gantry part (21) relative to the second gantry part (22) can be executed while at the same time the second gantry part (22) rests relative to the head (14) of the person (13) and the body support apparatus (75) rests relative to the head (14) of the person (13) and relative to the at least one section of the opening (9) when the head (14) of the person (13) is located in the opening (9).

10. Medical imaging system (2) having the computed tomography device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a patient bed (10) for supporting the person (13), wherein the patient bed (10) can be arranged in an examination position of the patient bed (10) relative to the gantry (20).

11. Medical imaging system (2) according to claim 10, - wherein the board (7) bridges a gap extending between the gantry (20) and the patient bed (10) substantially perpendicular to the system axis (SA) when the patient bed (10) is in the examination position of the patient bed (10) and the board (7) is in the examination position of the board (7).

12. Medical imaging system (2) according to claim 10 or 11, - wherein the body support apparatus (75) is arranged relative to the gantry (20) such that a bed-side edge of the board (7) rests on the patient bed (10) when the patient bed (10) is in the examination position of the patient bed (10) and the board (7) is in the examination position of the board (7).

13. Method for arranging a board (7) of a body support apparatus (75) relative to a gantry (20) of a computed tomography device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, - wherein the first pivoting movement of the board (7) about the pivot axis (7A) moves the board (7) relative to the gantry (20) from the preparation position of the board (7) to the examination position of the board (7).