Apparatus, systems and methods for producing x-ray images

Abstract

A mobile X-ray apparatus for medical examination includes an apparatus for producing X-ray images having a digital Radiography detector positioned at a first spatial position, an X-ray tube assembly positionable at a second spatial position relative to the first spatial position, sensor(s) for providing the first spatial position and/or the second spatial position, a control unit for receiving the first and/or the second spatial position(s) from the at least one sensor and for controlling the first or second spatial position for alignment of the X-ray tube assembly with the detector based on the first and second spatial positions, a drive wheel, a base, optionally an elevating column, and a telescopic arm which is rotatable into a direction perpendicular to a driving direction of the base. The apparatus is controllable to drive along a patient table and/or the X-ray tube assembly is height adjustable in front of a wall stand, for alignment.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A system for producing X-ray images, comprising:
 a track configured to provide position data, said track extending at least partly along a patient table or to a wall stand, the track comprising at least one of a magnetic track or an optical mark;   an apparatus configured to be moveable relative said track, comprising:   at least one drive wheel;   a read-out unit for said track; and   a control unit configured to control said at least one drive wheel such that said apparatus drives along said track relative said patient table and/or to said wall stand, based on position data retrieved from said read-out unit for said track, the control unit being configured to align an X-ray tube assembly of said apparatus with a digital radiography detector of said system using one or more position sensors.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein said system further comprises a marker at a predetermined entry position, and said moveable apparatus is configured for automatic guidance to said track based on said marker. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a digital radiography detector, positioned at a first spatial position, wherein the one or more position sensors comprise a first sensor configured to provide said first spatial position, said moveable apparatus further comprising:
 an X-ray tube assembly positionable at a second spatial position at a distance relative said first spatial position, wherein the one or more position sensors comprise a second sensor configured to provide said second spatial position; 
 wherein said control unit is configured for receiving said first spatial position and/or said second spatial position from said at least one first and second sensor; and 
 wherein said control unit is configured to control, based on the first and/or second spatial position and based on position data retrieved from said read-out unit for said track, said at least one drive wheel such that said apparatus drives along said track relative said patient table and/or to said wall stand, for aligning said X-ray tube assembly of said apparatus with said digital radiography detector of said system. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 14 , said moveable apparatus further comprises:
 a base;   an elevating column being rotationally fixed in the base along a longitudinally axis of said elevating column; and   a telescopic arm, said telescopic arm being rotatable around said elevating column and connected to said elevating column with a connecting element in a joint, and wherein said telescopic arm and said connecting element are located radially outside an outer segment of said elevating column for aligning said X-ray tube assembly of said apparatus with said digital radiography detector of said system.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said elevating column is provided with a motor for height adjustments and wherein said motor is utilized for positioning of said X-ray tube assembly, comprising an X-ray tube and a collimator, in relation to a desired image area. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said X-ray tube assembly is adapted for rotating and tilting motion around a center axis or an axis in parallel with said center axis of said telescopic arm and wherein said rotating and/or tilting motion is actuated by a motor. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a workstation, such as a wall stand or a patient table;   wherein said control unit is configured to align said X-ray tube assembly with said digital radiography detector and/or said workstation from data, comprising identification data, position data, and optionally angle data of said workstation, provided by said workstation.   
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 ,
 wherein said digital radiography detector is positioned at said workstation, and   wherein said control unit is configured to control at least one actuator of said apparatus for said alignment of said X-ray tube assembly with said digital radiography detector based on said first and second spatial positions.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein said digital radiography detector is detachable from said workstation and storable in a slot of said base. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein said digital radiography detector is storable inside a detachable grid unit in said slot of said base. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein said digital radiography detector and said grid unit are stored in said slot and wherein a user may select if said digital radiography detector is ejected with or without said grid unit mounted thereon. 
     
     
         25 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A system comprising:
 a track configured to provide position data, said track extending at least partly along a patient table or to a wall stand;   an apparatus configured to be moveable relative said track, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one drive wheel; 
 an X-ray tube assembly; 
 a read-out unit for the track; and 
 a control unit configured to control the at least one drive wheel such that said apparatus drives along said track based on position data retrieved from said read-out unit for said track, the control unit being configured to align the X-ray tube assembly with a digital radiography detector of said system using one or more position sensors. 
   
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein said system further comprises a marker at a predetermined entry position, and said moveable apparatus is configured for automatic guidance to said track based on said marker. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a digital radiography detector, positioned at a first spatial position, wherein the one or more position sensors comprise a first sensor configured to provide said first spatial position, said moveable apparatus further comprising:
 an X-ray tube assembly positionable at a second spatial position at a distance relative said first spatial position, wherein the one or more position sensors comprise a second sensor configured to provide said second spatial position; 
 wherein said control unit is configured for receiving said first spatial position and/or said second spatial position from said at least one first and second sensor; and 
 wherein said control unit is configured to control, based on the first and/or second spatial position and based on position data retrieved from said read-out unit for said track, said at least one drive wheel such that said apparatus drives along said track relative said patient table and/or to said wall stand, for aligning said X-ray tube assembly of said apparatus with said digital radiography detector of said system. 
   
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 27 , said moveable apparatus further comprises:
 a base;   an elevating column being rotationally fixed in the base along a longitudinally axis of said elevating column; and   a telescopic arm, said telescopic arm being rotatable around said elevating column and connected to said elevating column with a connecting element in a joint, and wherein said telescopic arm and said connecting element are located radially outside an outer segment of said elevating column for aligning said X-ray tube assembly of said apparatus with said digital radiography detector of said system.   
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 30 , wherein said elevating column is provided with a motor for height adjustments and wherein said motor is utilized for positioning of said X-ray tube assembly, comprising an X-ray tube and a collimator, in relation to a desired image area. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 30 , wherein said X-ray tube assembly is adapted for rotating and tilting motion around a center axis or an axis in parallel with said center axis of said telescopic arm and wherein said rotating and/or tilting motion is actuated by a motor. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 30 , further comprising:
 a workstation, such as a wall stand or a patient table;   wherein said control unit is configured to align said X-ray tube assembly with said digital radiography Radiography detector and/or said workstation from data, comprising identification data, position data, and optionally angle data of said workstation, provided by said workstation.   
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 33 ,
 wherein said digital radiography detector is positioned at said workstation, and   wherein said control unit is configured to control at least one actuator of said apparatus for said alignment of said X-ray tube assembly with said digital radiography detector based on said first and second spatial positions.   
     
     
         35 . A method comprising:
 receiving position data from a track, said track extending at least partly along a patient table or to a wall stand;   moving an apparatus relative to said track, the apparatus comprising at least one drive wheel, an X-ray tube assembly, and a read-out unit for the track;   controlling the at least one drive wheel such that said apparatus drives along said track based on position data retrieved from said read-out unit for said track; and   aligning the X-ray tube assembly with a digital radiography detector of said system using one or more position sensors.