Radiographic imaging apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a radiographic imaging apparatus comprising: a C-arm frame; a radiation generator provided at one end of the C-arm frame; a radiation detector provided at the other end of the C-arm frame; an elevation unit configured to raise and lower the C-arm frame; a display connected to the elevation unit and configured to display images detected by the radiation detector; and a control unit configured to control the position of the display as the C-arm frame is raised or lowered.

Description

Radiation imaging device

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiation imaging device, and in particular, to a radiation imaging device equipped with a C-arm.

[0002]

[0003] The present invention was filed as a result of the following national research and development project.

[0004] [National R&D projects that supported this invention]

[0005] [Project ID] 1711194272

[0006] [Project No.] KD000016 (RS-2020-KD000016)

[0007] [Ministry Name] Multi-ministry (Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Health and Welfare,

[0008] Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

[0009] [Name of Project Management (Specialized) Agency] Pan-Governmental Medical Device Research & Development Foundation

[0010] [Research Project Name] Pan-Governmental Full-Cycle Medical Device R&D (Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Health and Welfare)

[0011] [Project Title] Development of a 3D Navigation Integrated Low-Dose C-Arm CT System

[0012] [Name of Project Performing Organization] Genoray Co., Ltd.

[0013] [Research Period] 2020.09.01 ~ 2024.12.31

[0014] A radiographic device is a device that projects radiation (X-rays) onto the human body and reconstructs images of various organs within the body based on differences in the degree of absorption.

[0015] Among these radiation imaging devices, computed tomography (CT) can acquire images of cross-sections of the human body, and it is also possible to combine these images into a three-dimensional (3D) image.

[0016] However, since these CT scanners are very bulky and fixed, and the patient must pass through the scanner to undergo the scan, there is a problem in that it is difficult to scan patients who are unable to move or have limited mobility.

[0017] To resolve these inconveniences, a C-arm radiography device with an arm shaped like the letter C has been introduced. While the C-arm device offers the advantage of freer access to the patient, it presents the problem that accurate imaging requires precise access to the patient's location and direct operation by the user.

[0018] In addition, conventionally, a display device for viewing images captured by a C-arm imaging device is provided at the procedure site separately from the C-arm imaging device; however, this presents problems such as space constraints for installation and inconvenience for the operator.

[0019]

[0020] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a radiation imaging device that minimizes installation space constraints and provides convenience to the operator by implementing the radiation imaging device and the display as a single device, compared to implementing the radiation imaging device and the display as separate devices.

[0021] In addition, according to the present invention, the purpose is to provide a radiographic device that provides convenience to a practitioner performing a procedure while viewing a patient's image through a display by maintaining the height of the display regardless of the lifting or lowering of the C-arm frame, improves the inconvenience of the practitioner manually adjusting the height of the display during the procedure, and reduces height manipulation errors.

[0022] However, the problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0023]

[0024] To solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides a radiation imaging device comprising a C-arm frame, a radiation generator provided at one end of the C-arm frame, a radiation detector provided at the other end of the C-arm frame, a lifting unit configured to raise and lower the C-arm frame, a display connected to the lifting unit and displaying an image detected by the radiation detector, and a control unit that controls the position of the display according to the raising and lowering of the C-arm frame.

[0025] The above control unit can maintain the position of the display when the C-arm frame is raised or lowered.

[0026] The control unit above can lower the display when the C-arm frame is raised, and raise the display when the C-arm frame is lowered.

[0027] The radiation imaging device of the present invention may further include a moving part provided on the upper part of the lifting part and moving the C-arm frame in the forward, backward, left, and right directions.

[0028] The radiation imaging device of the present invention may further include a support shaft connected to the moving part, a link shaft connected between the display and the support shaft, a first joint connected between the support shaft and the link shaft, and a second joint connected between the display and the link shaft.

[0029] The above control unit can move the link shaft to maintain the position of the display.

[0030] The above control unit can maintain the position of the display based on the height of the display set for each of the multiple operators.

[0031] The radiation imaging device of the present invention may further include an input unit for setting the height of the display for each of the plurality of operators and selecting one of the plurality of operators, and a memory for storing the height of the display set for each of the plurality of operators.

[0032]

[0033] According to the present invention, by implementing a radiation imaging device and a display as a single device, the constraints on installation space are minimized compared to implementing the radiation imaging device and the display as separate devices, and convenience can be provided to the operator.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by maintaining the height of the display regardless of the lifting or lowering of the C-arm frame, convenience can be provided to the operator performing the procedure while viewing the patient's image through the display. In addition, it can improve the inconvenience of the operator having to manually adjust the height of the display during the procedure, while simultaneously reducing errors in height adjustment.

[0035] The effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0036]

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device for a radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 are drawings for explaining the operation of a radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040]

[0041] The above-mentioned objectives, means, and resulting effects of the present invention will become clearer through the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings, and accordingly, a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0042] The terms used herein are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form as appropriate unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. In this specification, terms such as “comprising,” “providing,” “arranging,” or “having” do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the components mentioned.

[0043] In this specification, terms such as “or,” “at least one,” etc., may represent one of the words listed together or a combination of two or more. For example, “or B” and “at least one of B” may include only one of A or B, or may include both A and B.

[0044] In this specification, descriptions following “e.g.” should not limit the embodiments of the invention according to various embodiments of the invention, such as variations including tolerances, measurement errors, limits of measurement accuracy, and other commonly known factors, as the information presented, such as cited characteristics, variables, or values, may not exactly match.

[0045] In this specification, where it is stated that a component is 'connected' or 'connected' to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, or that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component is 'directly connected' or 'directly connected' to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0046] In this specification, where a component is described as being 'on' or 'in contact' with another component, it should be understood that it may be in direct contact with or connected to the other component, but that another component may exist in between. On the other hand, where a component is described as being 'immediately above' or 'in direct contact' with another component, it should be understood that no other component exists in between. Other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as 'between' and 'directly between', may be interpreted in the same way.

[0047] In this specification, terms such as 'first,' 'second,' etc., may be used to describe various components, but such components should not be limited by these terms. Furthermore, these terms should not be interpreted as limiting the order of each component, but may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, 'first component' may be named 'second component,' and similarly, 'second component' may be named 'first component.'

[0048] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0049]

[0050] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of a radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are drawings for explaining the operation of a radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention may be configured to include a main body (110), a C-arm (120), a radiation generator (123), a radiation detector (125), a lifting unit (111), a moving unit (135), an input unit (130), and a display (150).

[0053] Although not shown in the drawing, a power supply and a control device may be provided inside the main body (110). Here, the power supply supplies power to the C-arm (120), the radiation generator (123), the radiation detector (125), the lifting unit (111), the moving unit (135), the input unit (130), and the display (150). The control device can control the operation of the C-arm frame (121), the radiation generator (123), the radiation detector (125), the lifting unit (111), the moving unit (135), the input unit (130), and the display (150), and process data.

[0054] The main body (110) is supported by a base (113) provided at the bottom and can be moved by a plurality of wheels mounted on the bottom of the base (113).

[0055] The C-arm (120) may be configured to include a C-arm frame (121), a radiation generator (123), and a radiation detector (125).

[0056] The C-arm frame (121) is formed in the shape of the letter C, with an opening facing forward and the opposite side of the opening being connected to a moving part (135).

[0057] A radiation generator (123) is provided at one end (upper inner side) of the C-arm frame (121), and a radiation detector (125) may be provided at the other end (lower inner side) of the C-arm frame (121). That is, the radiation generator (123) and the radiation detector (125) are arranged facing each other at both ends of the C-arm frame (121).

[0058] Here, the radiation generator (123) and the radiation detector (125) may be installed to have mutually independent driving structures.

[0059] A patient table can be placed inside the C-arm frame (121).

[0060] A radiation generator (123) is a device for irradiating radiation (X-rays) toward a patient, and a radiation detector (125) is a device for obtaining a fluoroscopic image of the patient through radiation that has passed through the patient.

[0061] The radiation detector (125) converts radiation that has passed through the patient into visible light and generates a projected image of the patient. Additionally, the radiation detector (125) can convert the projected image of the patient into an electrical image signal and provide it to the display (150).

[0062] The C-arm frame (121) is connected to the moving part (135) and installed so that it can move in the forward, backward, left, and right directions.

[0063] The lifting unit (111) is connected between the main body (110) and the moving unit (135) and is configured to lift the C-arm frame (121). Here, the lifting unit (111) may be composed of an actuator or a hydraulic cylinder, etc.

[0064] The moving part (135) is provided on the upper part of the lifting part (111) and can move the C-arm frame (121) in the forward, backward, left, and right directions.

[0065] Accordingly, the radiation imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention can accurately and conveniently move the central axis of the radiation generator (123) and the radiation detector (125) to the imaging position of the affected area.

[0066] The input unit (130) may be provided on the upper part of the moving unit (135) and is used to receive input from the operator. That is, it is used to receive touch input or drag input from the operator and to control the movement of the radiation imaging device (100) and the C-arm (120).

[0067] The display (150) is indirectly connected to the lifting unit (111) and can display a projected image of the patient detected by the radiation detector (125).

[0068] Accordingly, the operator can perform the procedure on the patient while viewing the projected image of the patient displayed on the display (150).

[0069] Specifically, the display (150) can be connected to the moving part (135) via a support shaft (141) and a link shaft (142). Here, the support shaft (141) is connected to the moving part (135), and the link shaft (142) can be connected between the display (150) and the support shaft (141).

[0070] In particular, the height of the display (150) can be adjusted through a first joint (143) connected between the support shaft (141) and the link shaft (142), and a second joint (144) connected between the display (150) and the link shaft (142). A detailed explanation of the method for adjusting the height of the display (150) will be provided later.

[0071] A radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention implements the radiation imaging device (100) and the display (150) as a single device, thereby minimizing installation space constraints compared to implementing the radiation imaging device (100) and the display (150) as separate devices and providing convenience to the operator.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 2, a control device (200) of a radiation imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a communication unit (210), an input unit (120), a control unit (220), and a memory (230).

[0073] The communication unit (110) can receive sensor information for detecting the movement of the C-arm (120) and surrounding information of the C-arm (120) from the sensor (10) mounted on the C-arm (120).

[0074] The control unit (220) can control the movement of the radiation imaging device (100) and the C-arm (120) using sensor information received through the communication unit (210). At this time, the control unit (220) can control the moving unit (135) and the lifting unit (111).

[0075] The C-arm (120) can be driven by a moving part (135) and a lifting part (111). Specifically, the C-arm (120) can be moved up and down by the lifting part (111), and can be moved forward, backward, left, right, and rotated by the moving part (135).

[0076] The movement of such a C-arm (120) can be detected by a sensor (10), and the sensor information of the sensor (10) can be received through a communication unit (210).

[0077] The sensor (10) can detect not only the movement information of the C-arm (120) but also surrounding information of the C-arm (120), such as information related to the patient table or the patient on the patient table.

[0078] The sensor (10) may include, but is not limited to, a gyroscope sensor for detecting the movement of the C-arm (120), a motor position sensor for detecting the movement of the motor that is the driving part of the C-arm (120), and a distance sensor for measuring the distance between the C-arm (120) and the surrounding environment.

[0079] Additionally, the sensor (10) may include a camera, and in particular, may include a 3D camera to detect the distance between the C-arm (120) and the patient.

[0080] Such a sensor (10) may exist separately from the control device (200) according to the present invention or may be included in the control device (200).

[0081] The communication unit (210) can perform wireless communication such as 5G (5th generation communication), LTE-A (long term evolution-advanced), LTE (long term evolution), Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth low energy), NFC (near field communication), and WiFi communication, or wired communication such as cable communication, but is not limited thereto.

[0082] The input unit (130) may be a touchscreen display capable of displaying and inputting simultaneously.

[0083] When the input section (130) is configured as a touchscreen display, it displays the movement of the C-arm (120) and can be configured as a non-luminous panel or a luminous panel.

[0084] For example, the input unit (130) may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) display, or an electronic paper display, but is not limited thereto.

[0085] The input unit (130) is used to receive touch input or drag input from the operator, and to receive the movement of the C-arm (120).

[0086] The control unit (220) can control the movement of the C-arm (120) by receiving a control signal from the operator through the input unit (130) to control the radiation imaging device (100) and the C-arm (120).

[0087] In particular, the control unit (220) can control the position of the display (150) according to the lifting of the C-arm frame (121). A detailed explanation of this will be provided later.

[0088] The memory (230) stores various information necessary for the operation of the control unit (220). The information stored in the memory (230) may include various sensor information received through the communication unit (210), program information related to the control method of the C-arm (120) in the control unit (220), but is not limited thereto.

[0089] For example, the memory (230) may include, depending on its type, a hard disk type, a magnetic media type, a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory), an optical media type, a magneto-optical media type, a multimedia card micro type, a flash memory type, a ROM type (read only memory type), or a RAM type (random access memory type), but is not limited thereto. Additionally, depending on its use / location, the memory (154) may be a cache, a buffer, a main memory, or an auxiliary memory, or a separately provided storage system, but is not limited thereto.

[0090] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit (220) can control the position of the display (150) according to the lifting of the C-arm frame (121).

[0091] Accordingly, the control unit (220) can maintain the position of the display (150) when the C-arm frame (121) is raised or lowered.

[0092] Here, the control unit (220) can maintain the position of the display (150) by moving the link shaft (142) through the first joint (143) and the second joint (144).

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit (220) can lower the display (150) when the C-arm frame (121) rises to maintain the height of the display (150).

[0094] Specifically, the control unit (220) can rotate the C-arm frame (121) at a certain angle in the downward direction of the link shaft (142) through the first joint (143) when the C-arm frame (121) is raised. At this time, the display (150) can be rotated at a certain angle in the upward direction through the second joint (144) so ​​that the display (150) is positioned parallel to the main body (110).

[0095] Here, the rotation angles of the link shaft (142) and the display (150) may be the same and may be determined according to the upward length of the C-arm frame (120). That is, the greater the upward length of the C-arm frame (121), the greater the rotation angle of the link shaft (142), and the smaller the upward length of the C-arm frame (121), the smaller the rotation angle of the link shaft (142).

[0096] Accordingly, the height of the display (150) can be maintained at the same level before and after the C-arm frame (121) is raised.

[0097] Conversely, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the control unit (220) can raise the display (150) when the C-arm frame (121) is lowered to maintain the height of the display (150).

[0098] Specifically, the control unit (220) can rotate the C-arm frame (121) at a certain angle in the upward direction of the link shaft (142) through the first joint (143) when the C-arm frame (121) is lowered. At this time, the display (150) can be rotated at a certain angle in the downward direction through the second joint (144) so ​​that the display (150) is positioned parallel to the main body (110).

[0099] Here, the rotation angles of the link shaft (142) and the display (150) may be the same and may be determined according to the lowering length of the C-arm frame (121). That is, the greater the lowering length of the C-arm frame (121), the greater the rotation angle of the link shaft (142), and the smaller the lowering length of the C-arm frame (121), the smaller the rotation angle of the link shaft (142).

[0100] Accordingly, the height of the display (150) can be maintained at the same level before and after the lowering of the C-arm frame (120).

[0101] In this way, the radiation imaging device (100) of the present invention can provide convenience to the operator performing the procedure while viewing the patient's image through the display (150) by maintaining the height of the display (150) regardless of the raising or lowering of the C-arm frame (120). In addition, it can improve the inconvenience of the operator having to manually adjust the height of the display (150) during the procedure, while simultaneously reducing errors in height adjustment.

[0102] The control unit (220) can maintain the position of the display (150) based on the height of the display (150) set for each of the multiple operators.

[0103] In this way, the radiation imaging device (100) of the present invention can maintain the position of the display (150) at a height customized for the operator.

[0104] To this end, the input unit (130) sets the height of the display (150) for each of the multiple operators and provides an interface for selecting one of the multiple operators, and the memory (230) can store the height of the display (150) set for each of the multiple operators.

[0105] Accordingly, the operator can select the height of the display (150) that they have set through the input unit (130), and the control unit (220) can control the first joint (143) and the second joint (144) according to the selected height of the display (150) to maintain the position of the display (150) at the set height.

[0106]

[0107] Although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the present invention, it is understood that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments but should be defined by the claims set forth below and equivalents thereof.

[0108]

[0109] The radiation imaging device according to the present invention can be used in various fields, such as the medical field.

Claims

1. C-arm frame; A radiation generator provided at one end of a C-arm frame; Radiation detector provided at the other end of the C-arm frame; A lifting unit configured to raise and lower the above C-arm frame; A display connected to the lifting unit and displaying an image detected by the radiation detector; and A control unit that controls the position of the display according to the lifting and lowering of the above C-arm frame A radiographic device including 2. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit Maintaining the position of the display when the above C-arm frame is raised or lowered Radiation imaging device.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit Lowering the display when the above C-arm frame is raised, and raising the display when the above C-arm frame is lowered. Radiation imaging device.

4. In Paragraph 1, A moving part provided on the upper part of the above lifting section and moving the C-arm frame in the forward, backward, left, and right directions. A radiographic device further comprising 5. In Paragraph 4, A support shaft connected to the above-mentioned moving part; A link shaft connecting the above display and the above support shaft; A first joint connected between the support shaft and the link shaft; and A second joint connecting the above display and the above link shaft A radiographic device including additional 6. In Paragraph 5, The above control unit The above link shaft is moved to maintain the position of the display. Radiation imaging device.

7. In Paragraph 3, The above control unit Maintaining the position of the display based on the height of the display set for each of the multiple operators. Radiation imaging device.

8. In Paragraph 3, An input unit for setting the height of the display for each of the plurality of operators and selecting one of the plurality of operators; and A memory that stores the height of the display set for each of the plurality of operators. A radiographic device further comprising

Images