Multiple examination arrangement with a number of imaging...

Details Multiple examination arrangement with a number of imaging... Multiple examination arrangement with a number of imaging...

1999-11-16

2001-10-16

Porta, David P. (Department: 2882)

X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices

Source support

Including object support or positioning

C378S195000, C378S020000, C600S411000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302579

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a multiple examination arrangement with a number different of imaging systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Different imaging modalities, such as MR examinations, CT examinations or angiography examinations, can be carried out at a patient in order to diagnose pathological conditions. Usually, these different systems are accommodated in different rooms, or even different departments of a hospital. This makes the examination of a patient more difficult and complicated when, for example after a radiographic examination, a magnetic resonance examination or a computed tomography examination is also necessary for a more exact diagnosis.
It has been proposed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,772 to combine an X-ray device with a computed tomography device arranged next to it such that the patient can be moved through both systems on a patient support table. This known system, however, is not appropriate for multiple examinations with three or more devices. Moreover, when a patient is being examined in one of these imaging systems, all other systems are blocked and cannot be utilized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a multiple examination arrangement of the type described above wherein a patient can be more rapidly subjected to different examination modalities and wherein the examination systems thus are more optimally employed loaded to capacity.
The above object is achieved in a multiple examination arrangement wherein all imaging systems, including at least an angiography system, a CT system and an MR system, are arranged in a room on a carrier so that a patient lying on a patient support table can be selectively examined in any one of the imaging systems without repositioning the patient, by a relative movement of the carrier of the imaging systems and the patient support table.
In an embodiment of the inventive multiple examination arrangement, the imaging systems each have an insertion axis that is radially outwardly directed and are arranged on a common, movable carrier, which is opposite a patient support table that is stationarily arranged, and wherein the carrier is a rotary table or a longitudinal carriage or a displacement platform.
Due to the usually strong mechanical loads and oscillations of the imaging systems, it can thereby be provided in a further embodiment of the invention these imaging systems in the different orientation positions relative to the stationary patient support table, can be additionally braced and locked relative to the fixed floor of the room by releasable interlock elements. This means that lower requirements exist concerning the fashioning and the oscillation damping of the movable carrier, since the actual holding device for the imaging system currently in use is effected by the additional stationary detents in the examination positions.
It is also possible in accordance with the invention to arrange, along the displacement path of the carrier, a number of patient support tables for use by the imaging systems at the same time.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the imaging systems that are stationarily arranged on a circular arc each having an inwardly radially directed insertion axis and a patient support table is rotatable around the center of the circular arc, preferably on a rotary annular table. In this embodiment, the imaging systems can be connected to the floor of the examination room in a rigid and oscillation-damped manner. The rotary table for the selective positioning of the patient support table in front of the insertion opening of one of the imaging systems can be fashioned far more simply than the rotary table or the displacement platform with the imaging systems arranged thereon. There is the possibility, by means of a patient support table that can be moved on rollers, to use the remaining imaging systems so that, in a manner conforming to conventional imaging systems, the patient can be inserted from the outside into the imaging system.
In all embodiments, it has been proven to be expedient to group the imaging systems such that a displacement of their carrier or the rotatable patient support table into a selected position is possible in which the patient support table is freely accessible as a treatment table, particularly as an operation table.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5133338 (1992-07-01), Wess et al.
patent: 5329567 (1994-07-01), Ikebe
patent: 5661772 (1997-08-01), Bär et al.
patent: 5818901 (1998-10-01), Schulz
patent: 0 205 689 (1986-12-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Multiple examination arrangement with a number of imaging... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Multiple examination arrangement with a number of imaging..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multiple examination arrangement with a number of imaging... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2600460