1347results about "Radiation safety means" patented technology

A x-ray diagnostic apparatus for mammography examinations has a support arm is supported in a bearing such that it can pivot around a substantially horizontal axis, and on which are arranged an arm provided with an x-ray source, a mounting provided with an x-ray receiver and a compression device. The arm, the mounting and the compression device can be mutually pivoted with the support arm around the horizontal axis. Additionally the arm and the mounting can be pivoted relative to the compression device around the horizontal axis and the arm can be pivoted relative to the mounting and the compression device around the horizontal axis.

A x-ray diagnostic apparatus for mammography examinations has a support arm is supported in a bearing such that it can pivot around a substantially horizontal axis, and on which are arranged an arm provided with an x-ray source, a mounting provided wit an x-ray receiver and a compression device. The arm, the mounting and the compression device can be mutually pivoted with the support arm around the horizontal axis. Additionally the arm and the mounting can be pivoted relative to the compression device around the horizontal axis and the arm can be pivoted relative to the mounting and the compression device around the horizontal axis.

A shielding arrangement for an x-ray apparatus, preferably for mammography examination is disclosed, and comprises at least an x-ray source, a collimator arrangement and a detector assembly, whereby the collimator is arranged between the x-ray source and the detector assembly and through which x-rays pass. The shielding arrangement, at least partly made of x-ray blocking material and provided for blocking, scattering and / or reflecting x-rays is arranged, at least partly, in a space between the x-ray source and collimator.

The invention relates to an X-ray device which includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector which are mounted at a respective end of a common holding device. The holding device being attached to the room by way of a supporting device. In order to realize a more flexible construction of such X-ray devices that are widely used and are usually provided with a holding device in the form of a C-arm and nevertheless maintain a high positioning accuracy. The invention further relates to a supporting device constructed with a plurality of hinged, serially interconnected supporting members. The supporting device is formed notably by a serial manipulator, for example, a conventional robot arm.

A digital, flat panel, two-dimensional x-ray detector moves reliably, safely and conveniently to a variety of positions for different x-ray protocols for a standing, sitting or recumbent patient. The system makes it practical to use the same detector for a number or protocols that otherwise may require different equipment, and takes advantage of desirable characteristics of flat panel digital detectors while alleviating the effects of less desirable characteristics such as high cost, weight and fragility of such detectors.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for aiding operation of an interventional x-ray imager during image acquisition, to a method of aiding operation of an x-ray imager, to an interventional x-ray imager, to a computer program element and to a computer readable medium. The X-ray imager is capable of varying X-ray dosages depending on differences in X-ray attenuation levels across an object of interest to be imaged and is capable of assuming any one of a plurality of imaging geometry positions when acquiring an image. An indication, visual, acoustic or haptic, to the operator of an X-ray imager is provided on the incurred change in X-ray dosage when changing from a current projection view to an updated projection view, provided that a given constant image quality is to be maintained throughout the different views.

A system for providing radiation protection is provided that includes a garment that contours to an operator's body. The garment protects the operator from radiation. The garment is supported by a suspension component that reduces a portion of weight of the garment for the operator, the garment including a belt, which includes a release mechanism that offers an entry into the garment. In more specific embodiments, the release mechanism is a quick release that allows the operator to disengage from the garment using a single hand movement. The belt can include at least one flexible joint. The belt opens to allow the operator to enter the garment, and the operator, in entering and exiting the garment, is able to limit his contact to components on or near a front of the garment such that the operator can operate the release mechanism for the garment without losing sterility.

A surgical scanning system includes a scanner supported on a carrier movable relative to an operating room table. The carrier engages a guide that is collinear with the long axis of an operating room table. The relative movement between an operating room table and a scanner along a guide decreases the likelihood of collision therebetween. The ability to collect a scan of a patient while on an operating room table increases the likelihood of a successful surgical outcome.

Articles, including fabrics and film layers, are disclosed which can protect against multiple hazards, including radiation, chemical, biological agents, metal projectiles and fire hazards. In some embodiments, the fabrics and films of the present invention are used to produce garments having protection against multiple hazards and superior heat dissipating properties. A radiation protective compound is preferably created by mixing a radiopaque material, such as barium, bismuth, tungsten or their compounds, with powdered polymer, pelletized polymer or a liquid solution, emulsion or suspension of a polymer in solvent or water. This radiation protective mixture can then be laminated or otherwise adhered to other types of protective films or fabric, such as the protective polymer films or fabrics used for chemical protective garments, biological protective garments, bullet proof vests or fire retardant garments. The principles of this invention can also be applied to a broad range of other articles including surgical hoods, hospital gowns, gloves, patient drapes, partitions, coverings, jumpsuits, ponchos, uniforms, fatigues, tents, probes, envelopes, pouches, wallpaper, liners, drywall, house sidings, house foundations, house roofings etc.

In a radiation imaging apparatus having a radiation generator, an imaging unit including a detecting unit for detecting radiation to generate a radiation image data, a carriage for carrying the radiation generator, and an operating unit for providing an interface to a user, it is decided whether the radiation imaging apparatus is in a moving state or not. When it is decided that the radiation imaging apparatus is in a moving state, the operation function of the operating unit for the radiation detector and the imaging unit is limited.

A method for gathering information relating to at least one object positioned on a patient positioning device of a medical imaging device is provided. The method includes the following steps:gathering by optical means of 3-D image data relating to the object positioned on the patient positioning device by means of a 3-D image data recording unit,transferring the gathered 3-D image data from the 3-D image data recording unit to an evaluating unit,determining information relating to the object positioned on the patient positioning device based on the 3-D image data by means of the evaluating unit,generating output information based on the determined information relating to the object positioned on the patient positioning device, andoutputting the output information relating to the object positioned on the patient positioning device.

A diagnostic table for a medical imaging apparatus includes a sliding command input device by which a sliding command is configured to be input to produce a sliding movement of a tabletop, a first detector configured to detect sliding movement of the tabletop, a second detector configured to detect input of the sliding command, a stopper coupled to the tabletop and configured to prevent the tabletop from sliding, and a controller coupled to the first and second detectors and the stopper, the controller configured to determine a fault condition when the first detector detects sliding movement of the tabletop inconsistent with the command detected by the second detector and to activate the stopper to prevent the sliding movement of the tabletop upon determining existence of the fault condition.

A mattress system is provided that is optimized for the hospital setting and includes a guiderail system that accepts a variety of accessories for attachment thereto. The guiderail system may have integrated data lines, power lines, gas lines, and / or fluid lines. Also provided are radioabsorbant shields, trays and other components designed for optimal use with the mattress system.

In continuous radiography, while a patient stands in front of an imaging support, a total image capture field is determined. The total image capture field is divided into small image capture fields. A map scaling section scales up or down a full spine irradiation area map in accordance with the size of the total image capture field. A map dividing section divides the scaled map into small maps corresponding to the small image capture fields. In each division exposure, a detection pixel selector selects one or more detection pixels belonging to an irradiation area defined by the small map, out of all detection pixels distributed in an imaging surface of an electronic cassette. If an integration value of a detection signal from the selected detection pixel reaches a threshold value, X-ray emission is stopped. Division X-ray images obtained by the division exposures are merged into a single continuous X-ray image.

Systems and methods for determining radiation exposure during an x-ray guided medical procedure are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes an x-ray equipment model that simulates the emission of radiation from x-ray equipment during the x-ray guided medical procedure, a human exposure model that simulates one or more human anatomies during the x-ray guided medical procedure, a radiation metric processor that calculates at least one radiation exposure metric, and a feedback system for outputting information based on the at least one radiation exposure metric. The radiation metric processor calculates radiation exposure metrics based on input parameters that correspond to operating settings as well as the location and structure of one or more human anatomies.

A radiation protection system for protecting medical personnel from radiation being applied from a radiation source to a patient positioned on a table that includes a radiation-shielding wall including, upper shield suspended by a gas spring lift arm, the upper shield consisting of translucent radiation resistance window, with a left and right side of flexible radiation shielding material, that telescopes down on each side of the table to form a complete radiation barrier. The shield is positioned above the table. The shield also has a radiation-shielding flexible interface attached to the radiation shielding window that covers a portion of the patient.

A method for sensing a level of ionizing radiation directed from a radiation source through a subject and toward a digital radiography detector, executed at least in part by a logic processor, obtains image data that relates the position of the subject to the digital radiography detector and assigns one or more radiant-energy sensing elements of the digital radiography detector as one or more exposure control sensing elements. The one or more exposure control sensing elements are sampled one or more times during exposure to measure the exposure directed to the subject. A signal is provided to terminate exposure according to exposure measurements obtained from the one or more exposure control sensing elements within the digital radiography detector.

A patient table for a common imaging system including Magnetic Resonance and X-Ray retains the patient stationary in position prior to, during and subsequent to the imaging and includes a base, a patient support portion cantilevered from the base and a mattress. A safety system is provided for controlling the operation of the magnet and MR system and the X-Ray systems to allow effective safe operation and controls the movement of the magnet to the table and the movement of the X-Ray imaging systems to and from the table to locations where they do not interfere with the MR imaging.

A system for shielding persons and objects from unwanted radiation including a radiation beam delivery device, and an in-room radiation shield capsule having an aperture for a radiation beam from the radiation beam delivery device to pass therethrough to a patient, the in-room radiation shield capsule attenuating radiation, which is scattered away from the radiation beam delivery device and from the patient, to a personnel-protection level.

An adjustable mount for positioning an x-ray source comprising a vertical member that can swivel around a yaw axis, a circular arc-shaped yoke having two ends and passing through the vertical member, a gantry attached to the two ends of the yoke, and an x-ray source attached to the gantry. The x-ray source can be rotated around the yaw axis by swiveling the vertical member, pitched around a pitch axis by pitching the gantry, and / or rotated around a roll axis by passing the yoke through the vertical member. A method for x-ray imaging that includes centering an x-ray source at an aiming position within an adjustable mount, and aiming the centered x-ray source at an x-ray sensor by rotating the x-ray source around a roll axis of the adjustable mount. An x-ray source mounting system comprising an x-ray source and an adjustable mount to which the x-ray source is attached.

A movable device holds a radiation protection drape for reducing exposure and protecting medical personnel from hazardous X-ray radiation scattered by the patient during fluoroscopy. The device enables positioning an X-ray opaque drape such that it covers the patient in an anatomically and procedurally compatible ways that reduces significantly the scattered radiation towards the operators. The device is capable of repositioning the X-ray opaque drape according to the C-arm movement to prevent interfering with the X-ray beam and the fluoroscopy image. The device is simple to use, reusable, and intended for the invasive, diagnostic and interventional procedure done in the catheterization laboratory.

The invention discloses an X ray real-time imaging device which comprises a second C-shaped arm and a first C-shaped arm which is arranged on the second C-shaped arm in a sliding mode. A first X ray generator and a first image receiving device are arranged on the first C-shaped arm so as to form a first imaging device. A second X ray generator and a second image receiving device are arranged on the second C-shaped arm to form a second imaging device. The rotation axis of the first C-shaped arm is identical with that of the second C-shaped arm. According to the X ray real-time imaging device, when the first C-shaped arm slides along the second C-shaped arm, the first imaging device and the second imaging device can form different angles. In addition, as the rotation axis of the first C-shaped arm is identical with that of the second C-shaped arm, the rotation axes of the first imaging device and the second imaging device are identical.

A mobile fluoroscopic imaging system having a portable radiation source capable of emitting radiation in both single and, alternatively, pulse emissions and adapted to move in all degrees of freedom; a portable detector operable to detect radiation from the radiation source, wherein the detector is adapted to move independently of the radiation source in all degrees of freedom; the radiation source and detector each comprises an alignment sensor in communication with a computer; the computer is in communication with the radiation source and the detector; the position, distance and orientation of the radiation source and the detector are established by the computer; and the computer sends an activation signal to the radiation source to indicate when radiation may be emitted. Preferably, the radiation source is prevented from emission of radiation until the detector and the radiation source have achieved predetermined alignment conditions.