X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Source support – Including movable source
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-13
2001-10-30
Kim, Robert H. (Department: 2882)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Source support
Including movable source
C378S193000, C378S195000, C378S196000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309102
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an x-ray examination positioning apparatus of the type having a base and an arm with a first end which is rotatable around a first shaft or axle attached in the base and a second end which is connected to a holder in which a curved carrier is displaceably arranged, with an x-ray source mounted at one end of the carrier opposite an x-ray receptor mounted at the other end of the carrier.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An examination table that is displaceable at least in its longitudinal direction is employed in conjunction with x-ray examinations with a positioning apparatus of the aforementioned type. Given, for example, cardiac examinations, it is a great advantage that the curved carrier of the positioner, maintaining its isocenter, can be brought from a position wherein the carrier is in a vertical position behind the head and of the table and wherein the head end is placed between the x-ray tube and the receptor, into a lateral position wherein the carrier is perpendicularly arranged in a vertical position compared to the imaginary center axis of the examination table. Another important advantage is that the carrier, in the described lateral position, can be displaced into another lateral position wherein the central ray of the x-ray tube or of the receptor proceeds in a horizontal plane. Another advantage is that the positioner is fashioned such that the team of physicians has good access to the patient.
An x-ray examination positioning apparatus of the type initially cited is described in the brochure “Advantx L/C” of the GE Medical Systems. The base of the positioner is connected to an L-shaped arm having one leg proceeding along the floor. The axis of the fastening device, around which the arm and the base are rotatable, is attached to the floor below the head end of the examination table. The holder, wherein the carrier for the x-ray tube and the receptor is displaceably arranged, is rigidly connected to an upright leg of the arm. As a result of the leg that extends under the table and as a result of the fastening means, the positioner together with the carrier for the x-ray tube and the receptor can be rotated from a position wherein the carrier is attached to the head end of the table into a further position wherein the carrier is arranged at an angle of 90° relative to the longitudinal direction of the table. The positioner is also constructed such that the center line between the x-ray tube and the receptor is in axial alignment with the axis of the fastening means given a vertical setting. This is achieved by the x-ray tube and the receptor being connected to the carrier via a boom. As a result, the x-ray tube and the receptor are always rotated around the same point when rotating the positioner around the axis of the fastening device. Since the arm at the floor in the area of the axis of the fastening device is comparatively wide and high, however, the physician may accidentally hit the floor arm with his or her feet during the examination, this being potentially disturbing. Due to the position and thickness of the arm, the carrier for the x-ray tube and the receptor cannot be lowered down to the floor given a vertical attitude. Given such a vertical attitude, the lowering of the x-ray tube and of the receptor by 4 through 5 cm, which is approximately the thickness of the arm, can be critical in order to obtain a good working height for the team of physicians. A further disadvantage is that the carrier can be turned into a lateral position only ±45°. A lateral position is achieved only in combination with a head position. The inside dimension of the curved carrier determines how far the x-ray tube can sweep when the head end of the table is placed within the carrier maximally close to the holder. This is a limitation of the setting possibilities of the x-ray tube and of the receptor. This known positioner, moreover, is relative complicated in terms of structure and the floor arm, the fastening device and the boom of the x-ray tube and of the receptor limit access to the patient.
European Application 0 386 842 discloses an x-ray examination positioner having a base firmly connected to the floor, an L-shaped arm arranged at the base and rotatable around a shaft, and a carrier for an x-ray tube and a receptor arranged at the free end of the arm. The carrier is rotatably secured directly to the arm via an axle. As a result of this structure, the imaginary axle extensions as well as the central ray between the x-ray tube and the receptor intersect in a common point. Because the carrier for the x-ray tube and the receptor, however, is rotatably attached directly to the arm, the positioner exhibits certain limitations in terms of its motion pattern. Thus, for example, the carrier cannot be shifted into what is referred to as a head-placed attitude that has just been described. In an exemplary embodiment described in said European Application, a holder for an arcuate carrier is provided that is firmly connected to the free end side of the arm such that the holder and the carrier form an extension of the arm. In order to compensate the L-shaped arm such that the imaginary extension of the base axle intersects the central ray of the x-ray tube and of the receptor, the x-ray tube and the receptor are connected to the carrier via booms. As a result of this structure, the carrier cannot undertake a spherical movement around a desired point. The carrier also cannot assume a lateral position that is perpendicular in relationship to the examination table, since the arm together with the carrier proceeds parallel to the examination table in all attitudes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an x-ray examination positioning apparatus of the type initially described that is comparatively simple in structure and wherein, in conjunction with an examination table, the carrier can be brought from what is referred to as a head-positioned attitude, i.e. a position wherein the carrier is placed in a vertical position behind the head end of the table, into a vertical lateral position and/or into a lateral position while retaining the imaginary isocenter. Moreover, the physician should have very good access to the patient.
This object is inventively achieved in a positioning apparatus wherein an arm is rotatably attached to a base via a first axle and the holder of the carrier is rotatably connected to the arm via a second axle, and wherein the center axis of the first axle (imaginarily extending beyond the end of the first axle) and a center axis of the second axle (imaginarily extending beyond an end of the second axle), as well as a central ray proceeding between the x-ray tube or and the receptor intersect a common point in all positions of the arm and the carrier. Because the holder for the carrier is rotatably connected to the arm and as a result of the mutual arrangement of the axles, a positioner is achieved that is very simple in structure, the arcuate carrier thereof enabling a spherical movement around a point in space without having to displace the base. This means that the carrier of the positioner, in conjunction with an examination table, can be brought—while retaining the isocenter—from a head-placed attitude into a vertical side attitude and/or into a lateral position.
In an embodiment of the invention, the imaginary extension of the first axle describes an angle with a horizontal plane, for example a floor. This allows the carrier, particularly in conjunction with a lateral attitude, to be lowered down to the floor, providing the advantage that the working height (the table height) can be lowered to a position that is optimum for the team of physicians. A further advantage is that the radius of the carrier can be comparatively large.
The first axle can also proceed parallel to a horizontal plane, for example a floor.
According to the invention, the base is firmly attached to the floor or to the ceiling.
In another embodiment of the inve
Ho Allen C.
Kim Robert H.
Schiff & Hardin & Waite
Siemens-Elema AB
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