DE102016203493A1 - Compact X-ray device with large Film Focus Distance - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to achieve the minimum distance necessary for parallel exposures even in small receiving spaces with a compact X-ray machine as possible, an X-ray machine (1) with an X-ray source (2) attached to a floor stand (5) and with a radiation receiver (4) assigned to the X-ray source (2) is provided. proposed for receiving X-ray images, wherein the floor stand (5) in a fixed spatial relationship to a receiving table (6), characterized in that the X-ray source (2) in a receiving position next to the receiving table (6) is positionable in which receiving position of X-ray source (2) next to the receiving table (6) laterally and arbitrarily in height can be moved.

Description

The invention relates to an X-ray machine with an X-ray source mounted on a floor stand and with a radiation receiver associated with the X-ray source for taking X-ray images. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for recording x-ray images with such an x-ray device.

X-rays are used for example for orthopedic diagnostics. In this way, u.a. the spine of a patient with x-rays are displayed. Because of the limited size of the radiation receiver (image receiver) typically several X-ray images are performed. The X-ray images can then be combined to form a complete image.

From the prior art, several ways are known to perform such recording series. On the one hand, it is possible to move the X-ray source vertically relative to a radiation receiver. The X-ray emitter must be adjusted around a horizontal pivot axis. In the support arm of the X-ray source therefore a rotary drive may be required.

Alternatively, it is known from the prior art to carry out parallel recordings in which the X-ray source and the radiation receiver can be moved up and down in a coordinated manner so that the central beam of the X-ray source is always perpendicular to the image plane of the radiation receiver. A complex rotary drive in the arm of the spotlight is then not necessary. Overall, X-ray devices for parallel recordings are therefore more cost-effective than those for swivel recordings.

In parallel recordings, however, a minimum distance of the X-ray source to the radiation receiver is required. Typically, this film-to-focus distance (FFA) is three meters.

When using X-ray equipment for parallel exposures, there is often the problem that the X-ray source in the receiving space must be arranged so that a 3-meter distance to the radiation receiver is achieved.

While the radiation receiver is usually a wall device in skeletal images, which can be positioned more or less freely in the recording room, the X-ray source is always arranged in the immediate vicinity of the recording table (patient table). This is particularly the case when, for cost reasons, no ceiling stand is used, but the X-ray source is in a fixed spatial relationship to a floor stand. Floor stands are usually either attached to the base of the shooting table, so that shooting table and floor stand form a structural unit, or the ground stand is, for example via a Verfahrschiene, connected to the bottom of the receiving space and thus indirectly with the receiving table, which also on the Floor of the recording room is. Floor stand and shooting table thus always form a functional unit. The floor stand with the X-ray source can therefore not be positioned freely in the room. Instead, the X-ray source in such ground-based systems either permanently above the shooting table or on the table top or the table top of the shooting table must be moved from a first position in a second, often extremely outer position, so that the X-ray without the table top of it be disturbed, can be driven down towards the bottom of the receiving space. Since the X-ray emitter is thus not arbitrarily positionable due to the table top of the shooting table, especially with small receiving spaces required for parallel shots minimum distance (FFA) often can not be achieved.

An object of the present invention is therefore to achieve the minimum distance necessary for parallel exposures even in small receiving spaces with a compact x-ray machine.

This object is achieved by an X-ray apparatus according to claim 1 or by a method according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. The advantages and embodiments explained below in connection with the x-ray device also apply mutatis mutandis to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

A basic idea of the invention is to assign at least one further degree of freedom to the X-ray source compared with the solutions known from the prior art. By this further degree of freedom of the X-ray source, the necessary minimum distances (FFA) for parallel shots can be realized even in small and smallest receiving spaces, especially when the radiation receiver is arranged to the receiving table, that the X-ray source must be positioned next to the shooting table to a vertical Alignment of the central beam to reach the detector level. According to the invention, the X-ray emitter can be positioned next to the receiving table, in particular by rotating, pivoting and / or tilting the X-ray emitter and / or the support arm or the floor stand about one or more rotating, swiveling and / or tilting axes the X-ray emitter there is both laterally to the receiving table, ie in particular parallel to a table side or perpendicular to a table side, as well as arbitrarily in height movable. Now, not only the necessary minimum distance between X-ray emitter and radiation receiver can be produced by a lateral method next to the recording table. The fact that the X-ray emitter next to the shooting table can be moved in height, especially to directly to the ground, the desired parallel shots can be done, ie X-ray and radiation receiver are suitable positionable in opposition, without the shooting table or its table is in this case in the way , In this case, the X-ray emitter is preferably arranged in its receiving position next to the receiving table relative to the radiation receiver so that the central beam is perpendicular to the image plane (detector plane). In other words, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the X-ray emitter is positionable, in particular pivotable, so that it can be suitably aligned with respect to a radiation receiver arranged remotely from the X-ray emitter, while maintaining a minimum distance required for parallel imaging. In this case, the radiation receiver is preferably placed such that its image plane is arranged vertically in the room.

According to the basic idea of the invention, in other words, the X-ray emitter is no longer above the receiving table or above the receiving table or its tabletop, but next to the receiving table and can there be moved to reach the desired minimum distance (FFA) at a sufficient distance to the X-ray wall unit and - without being hampered by the receiving table - be moved down to the floor. Typically, for this purpose, the radiation receiver is also arranged next to the receiving table, and preferably such that the image plane of the radiation receiver is perpendicular to the travel line of the ground stand, regardless of whether a separate bottom rail is used, where the ground stand next to the receiving table is moved laterally, or whether the bottom rail forms a structural unit with the receiving table. In this case, the necessary minimum distance, if this is not yet established in a starting position due to the limited space size of the receiving space, by a method of the ground stand along the bottom rail can be made. However, assuming the necessary degrees of freedom of the X-ray source, the radiation receiver can also be placed offset from the bottom rail, in particular also such that the image plane of the radiation receiver is not perpendicular to the travel line of the floor stand. Positioning of the radiation receiver in the alignment of the receiving table, as was the case in previous X-ray machines, in which the X-ray source was always in certain positions above the shooting table, however, is no longer necessary.

The at least one additional degree of freedom of the X-ray emitter is preferably realized by a new rotational mobility of the X-ray emitter, that is to say an additional rotational degree of freedom. It can be realized with the aid of suitable positioning means, for example, in such a way that a rotation of the X-ray source about an additional axis of rotation is made possible, preferably about a vertical axis of rotation. Typically, at least one additional rotation of the X-ray source about such a vertical axis of rotation is required to position X-ray emitters and radiation receivers in the desired confrontation.

The X-ray source comprises the X-ray tube with its protective housing (spotlight housing). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the X-ray source is rotated about its center axis. More specifically, the X-ray source is rotated in the radiator fixing rings. For such a rotation of the X-ray source in the radiator mounting rings only a comparatively simple electric motor drive and a simple motor control are necessary. However, a rotation of the X-ray source in its radiator mounting rings can also be done manually.

If the X-ray source is connected to the floor stand (radiator tripod) via a radiating support arm, then this support arm is preferably not only height-adjustable on the floor stand, but also pivotable in a horizontal pivot plane, such that the X-ray emitter is moved from a first position above the table top of the reception table into a reception position the table top of the receiving table can be pivoted. There, the X-ray emitter can then be moved together with the Strahlertragarm on the radiator tripod in height, in particular to the bottom of the receiving space without the receiving table, more precisely its table top, must be moved. The implementation of the X-ray recordings next to the recording table has the consequence that the recordings can also be made independently of the position of the recording table or its table top. It is therefore immaterial to the invention, whether a shooting table with a movable (floating) table top or a receiving table is used with a fixed table top. However, the invention is particularly advantageous if the table top of the receiving table is not moved, for example to minimize the workload associated with the recording or else because in the respective receiving space no there is enough space to move the tabletop.

Thus, while in the solutions known from the prior art, the table top of the receiving table must be moved to move the X-ray source in the direction of floor down, since the table top of the receiving table would otherwise such movement of the radiator in the way, must in the present invention the table top of the receiving table are not moved, as by a suitable placement of the image receptor in conjunction with at least one additional degree of freedom of the X-ray source, and optionally a corresponding additional degree of freedom of the Strahlertragarmes, a positioning of the X-ray source at a distance from the radiation receiver is possible for Parallel recording is sufficient. For recordings that require a greater focus-film distance, for example in thorax recordings, preferably a radiation receiver is used, which is mounted on the wall side, in particular a raster wall unit. However, the invention can also be implemented with other types of radiation receivers.

Both X-ray and radiation receivers can be equipped with motor drives. The additionally combinable with position detection devices drives the X-ray source and the radiation receiver can be coupled to each other via a setting software. In particular, in combination with a current position detection of all coordinates and angles and in conjunction with appropriate software can be done depending on the application, a coupling or a wake of the systems.

With the aid of the present invention, the minimum distance (FFA) necessary for parallel shots is made possible even in small and smallest receiving spaces by means of a compact X-ray machine, which preferably remains within the installation space of known installations, without having to move the receiving table or its table top. Thus, parallel shots with low-cost ground-based X-ray equipment can be performed even in tight spaces; the use of elaborate ceiling suspended systems is not required. The invention is particularly suitable for the cost-effective production of X-ray images of orthopedic diagnostics in ground-based X-ray systems.

The above-described characteristics, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they will be achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of the embodiments, which will be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings. Showing:

1 a top view of an X-ray apparatus (prior art) in an upper receiving position,

2 a side view of the X-ray device 1 in the upper pickup position,

3 a side view of the X-ray device 1 in a lower receiving position,

4 an inventive X-ray device with a first radiation receiver position in a plan view,

5 an inventive X-ray device with a second radiation receiver position in a plan view,

6 an inventive X-ray device with a third radiation receiver position in a plan view,

7 a perspective view of a rotatable in the radiator mounting rings X-ray source.

All figures show the invention only schematically and with its essential components. The same reference numerals correspond to elements of the same or comparable function.

The schematically illustrated X-ray device 1 . 100 includes an X-ray source 2 with upstream depth stop 3 , as well as a radiation receiver 4 , which is a digital flat panel detector in the form of a raster wall mounted device. To hold the X-ray source 2 includes the X-ray machine 1 . 100 a floor stand 5 , The floor stand 5 is right next to a shooting table 6 arranged. The floor stand 5 is at one on the ground 8th parallel to the shooting table 6 attached ground rail 9 in the table longitudinal direction 11 slidably attached. The travel rail for the floor stand 5 but also with the shooting table 6 be connected. On the ground stand 5 is a vertically projecting Strahlertragarm 12 provided at which free end the X-ray source 2 is attached.

In the in the 1 to 3 illustrated x-ray machines 100 According to the prior art comes a shooting table 6 used, which is a fixed table with floating table top 7 , At the shooting table 6 but it could also be a lift table.

As in the 1 and 2 can be in known from the prior art, conventional X-ray devices 100 the above the table top 7 of the shooting table 6 placed X-ray source 2 on the Strahlertragarm 12 or with the Strahlertragarm 12 around a horizontal pivot axis 13 be pivoted from a first receiving position to a second receiving position, wherein the central beam 14 of the X-ray source 2 in its first receiving position (not shown) is oriented vertically downwards, towards an in 2 merely indicated table detector 15 below the table top 7 , the central rays 14 in this case, perpendicular to the image plane of the table detector 15 stands. From this first recording position, the X-ray source 2 by pivoting about the pivot axis 13 by 90 ° in the in 2 shown second receiving position to be pivoted, in which the central steel 14 on the grid wall unit 4 aligned, which is in the flight of the shooting table 6 is placed. To carry out parallel shots must then, as in 3 Illustrated, the tabletop 7 of the shooting table 6 in the table longitudinal direction 11 be moved so that the X-ray source 2 , together with the grid wall unit 4 , in a lower pickup position near the ground 8th can be moved. The necessary for parallel shots film-focus distance can often not be achieved in these cases.

With the help of the invention, however, can in an X-ray device according to the invention 1 the X-ray source 2 be placed in a position in which he a raster wall device 4 in a beam direction of the X-ray source 2 seen emitted radiation, centered facing, see 4 , Here is the raster wall unit 4 in the example shown there, arranged so that it is in flight of the bottom rail 9 is placed and its picture plane 16 perpendicular to the rail longitudinal direction 17 stands. Because the bottom rail 9 here always parallel to the shooting table 6 runs, agree table longitudinal direction 11 and rail longitudinal direction 17 match. The central beam 14 the X-radiation is parallel to the rail longitudinal direction 17 , The grid wall unit 4 can be moved in this, as well as in the other embodiments, for example, on rails (not shown).

For alignment of the X-ray source 2 on the grid wall unit 4 can the Strahlertragarm 12 and / or the ground stand 5 in such a way pivot in a horizontal pivoting plane, in this example by 90 ° relative to the in 1 shown position that at the end of the Strahlertragarms 12 attached X-ray source 2 next to the shooting table 6 is placed, for example, such that the Strahlertragarm 12 parallel to the bottom rail 9 of the floor stand 5 lies, here in the rail longitudinal direction 17 , please refer 4 , Then, a rotation of the X-ray source 2 90 ° around a vertical axis of rotation 18 , the X-ray source can 2 on the grid wall unit 4 be aligned so that the central beam 14 perpendicular to the picture plane 16 stands. The floor stand 5 can along the bottom rail 9 be brought into a displacement position in which the necessary minimum distance (FFA) 19 between X-ray source 2 and grid wall unit 4 is made. Subsequently, X-rays can 2 and grid wall unit 4 be moved to perform the parallel shots up and down, especially in a lowermost, low-level receiving position. Whether it is an upper or a lower starting point is used, is also subordinate, as the number of shots or whether the images are triggered manually or automatically.

At the horizontal pivoting plane, in which the Strahlertragarm 12 and / or the ground stand 5 let it pivot, it is the drawing plane of the 4 to 6 , For better illustration is in the 4 and 5 the pivoting movement of the Strahlertragarms 12 or the floor stand 5 in the swivel plane with arrows 20 indicated.

For rotation of the X-ray source 2 can this in his attachment rings 21 be rotatable, which are designed as part of a clamping device, see 7 , The fastening rings 21 In this case, for example, by means of an actuating lever (not shown) from a release position into a statement can be transferred, wherein the mounting rings 21 in the loose position have an inner diameter which is greater than the diameter of the radiator housing 22 , In this state, the X-ray source 2 in the fastening rings 21 around its center axis 18 to be turned around. If the lever is in the detection, the X-ray source can 2 not be turned, because of the fastening rings 21 a pressure is exerted on the radiator housing when the mounting rings 21 are contracted. The rotation of the X-ray source 2 For example, it can be adjusted manually or by motor or via an end stop via an angle scale.

Is the raster wall unit 4 not in the flight of the bottom rail 9 arranged but offset, but also so that the image plane 16 perpendicular to the rail longitudinal direction 17 stands, see 5 , becomes the Strahlertragarm 12 or the floor stand 5 in the horizontal pivoting plane 180 ° opposite the in 1 pivoted position shown. The central beam 14 The X-radiation here also runs parallel to the rail longitudinal direction 17 , For aligning the X-ray source 2 on the grid wall unit 4 in a position in which the central beam 14 perpendicular to the picture plane 16 stands, there is a rotation of the X-ray source 2 180 ° around the vertical axis of rotation 18 ,

Is the raster wall unit 4 arranged so that the picture plane 16 parallel to the rail longitudinal direction 17 is, so is the grid wall unit 4 at an angle of 90 ° to the receiving table 6 , then the Strahlertragarm 12 or the floor stand 5 either in the 90 ° position, as in 6 represented, or in the already in 5 shown 180 ° position are pivoted, as long as a corresponding rotation of the X-ray source 2 around the vertical axis of rotation 18 such that the central ray indicating the beam direction of the x-ray radiation takes place 14 also perpendicular to the rail longitudinal direction 17 runs so that again the desired mutual centered orientation is present, in which the central beam 14 perpendicular to the image plane 16 stands.

In further embodiments of the invention can also be arranged at different positions of a single receiving space raster wall devices 4 be used. The X-ray source 2 can then with the help of the invention particularly easy on these raster wall units 4 be aligned.

The floor stand 5 or the Strahlertragarm 12 as well as the X-ray source 2 can be rotated or swiveled manually or by motor in all embodiments. The stroke of the floor stand 5 and the raster wall unit 4 can also be driven manually or by motor. It can also be provided a tracking control. Preferably, the ground stand 5 Caster to grid wall unit 4 , Both can also have an organ program of the X-ray machine 1 be controlled, with the next recording program is preferably selected automatically. Alternatively, an adjustment of the positions via a camera is possible, for example, in the depth diaphragm 3 can be located.

Whether it is the in the 4 to 6 shown shooting tables 6 also around fixed tables with floating table top 7 or shooting tables 6 with fixed table top, plays no role for the invention.

When to position the parts of the X-ray machine 1 The means used are, moreover, measures and configurations for rotating, swiveling and / or tilting the X-ray source which are basically known to the person skilled in the art 2 and / or the Strahlertragarms 12 or the floor stand 5 to one or more rotating, swiveling and / or tilting axes, to realize the desired number of translational and rotational degrees of freedom, such as simple pivot bearings.

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

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

X-ray machine

2

X-ray

3

collimator

4

Radiation receiver, Rasterwandgerät

5

floor stand

6

Shooting table

7

tabletop

8th

ground

9

bottom track

10

(free)

11

Table longitudinal direction

12

Strahlertragarm

13

horizontal swivel axis

14

central beam

15

table detector

16

image plane

17

Rail longitudinal direction

18

vertical axis of rotation, center axis

19

Minimum distance (FFA)

20

pivotal movement

21

Radiator mounting ring

22

spotlight housing

100

X-ray machine (prior art)

Claims (9)

X-ray machine ( 1 ), with one on a floor stand ( 5 ) mounted X-ray source ( 2 ) and with an X-ray source ( 2 ) associated radiation receiver ( 4 ) for taking X-ray images, wherein the floor stand ( 5 ) in a fixed spatial relationship to a receiving table ( 6 ), characterized in that the X-ray source ( 2 ) in a pick-up position next to the pick-up table ( 6 ), in which position the X-ray source ( 2 ) next to the shooting table ( 6 ) is laterally and arbitrarily in height movable. X-ray machine ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein in the of the X-ray source ( 2 ) ingestible position of the central beam ( 14 ) of the X-ray source ( 2 ) perpendicular to an image plane ( 16 ) of the radiation receiver ( 4 ) stands. X-ray machine ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the X-ray source ( 2 ) about a vertical axis of rotation ( 18 ) is rotatable, in particular about its center axis. X-ray machine ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the X-ray source ( 2 ) is pivotable in a horizontal pivot plane. X-ray machine ( 1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the X-ray source ( 2 ) on a beam carrier arm ( 12 ), which beam carrier arm ( 12 ) on the ground stand ( 5 ) is height-adjustable and pivotable in the horizontal pivot plane. X-ray machine ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the radiation receiver ( 4 ) is an X-ray wall device. X-ray machine ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the radiation receiver ( 4 ) independent of the ground stand ( 5 ) and / or freely positionable in the receiving space. X-ray machine ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the radiation receiver ( 4 ) to the receiving table ( 6 ) is arranged such that the X-ray source ( 2 ) for a vertical alignment of the central beam ( 14 ) on the image plane ( 16 ) of the radiation receiver ( 4 ) next to the shooting table ( 6 ) must be positioned. Method for recording x-ray images with an x-ray device ( 1 ), which X-ray machine ( 1 ) on a floor stand ( 5 ) mounted X-ray source ( 2 ) and an X-ray source ( 2 ) associated radiation receiver ( 4 ) for receiving the X-ray images, wherein the floor stand ( 5 ) in a fixed spatial relationship to a receiving table ( 6 ), characterized in that the X-ray source ( 2 ) in a receiving position next to the receiving table ( 6 ), in which position the X-ray source ( 2 ) next to the shooting table ( 6 ) is laterally and arbitrarily in height movable.

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