# US 12,758,168 B2 · Method for operating an imaging X-ray facility and imaging X-ray facility > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,758,168 B2 - Document ID: US12758168B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/931,712 - Filed: 2024-10-30 - Published: 2025-05-15 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-11-14 - Assignees: Siemens Healthineers AG - Applicants: Siemens Healthineers AG - Inventors: Philipp Roser; Marcus Pfister - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12758168B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/107: {Protection against radiation, e.g. shielding} - A61B 6/08: Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams - A61B 6/54: {Control of apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method for operating an imaging X-ray facility is provided. The X-ray facility has an X-ray tube assembly for emitting an X-ray field, with which a fan of light facility for emitting a fan of light, whose extent matches that of the X-ray field, is associated. The method includes covering, by a covering device, an examination object to be exposed to the X-ray field for imaging, for ascertaining and/or representing a distribution of scattered radiation produced by the X-ray field. The method further includes activating the fan of light facility, wherein the covering device at least partially diffusely reflects light of the fan of light on a side of the covering device facing the X-ray tube assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating an imaging X-ray facility having an X-ray tube assembly for emitting an X-ray field, with which a fan of light facility for emitting a fan of light, whose extent matches that of the X-ray field, is associated, the method comprising: covering, by a covering device, an examination object to be exposed to the X-ray field for imaging, for ascertaining and/or representing a distribution of scattered radiation produced by the X-ray field; activating the fan of light facility, wherein the covering device at least partially diffusely reflects light of the fan of light on a side of the covering device facing the X-ray tube assembly; recording sensor data by at least one light sensor of a light sensor arrangement that is arranged at a measuring position outside of the X-ray field, wherein the sensor data describes the light of the fan of light reflected by the covering device; and ascertaining scattered radiation assessment information by evaluating the sensor data by an evaluation unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fan of light facility is activated before an examination by the X-ray field when the X-ray tube assembly is switched off. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fan of light facility emits visible light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a first light sensor of a light sensor arrangement worn by an individual is used as a light sensor of the at least one light sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the first light sensor is hung around a neck of the individual. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein a second light sensor of the light sensor arrangement is further used as an additional light sensor of the at least one light sensor, and wherein the second light sensor is configured to be detachably fixed at a position provided for possible attendance of the individual. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: checking, by a control unit, at least one condition for measures, which the scattered radiation assessment information evaluates, on a fulfilment of which at least one of scattered radiation protective measures and/or scattered radiation reduction measures associated with the condition for measures; and/or executing, by the control unit, at least one pointer output measure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the scattered radiation protective measures and/or the scattered radiation reduction measures comprise a positioning of radiation protection equipment, an adjustment of at least one radiation generation parameter of the X-ray tube assembly, an adjustment of the extent of the X-ray field, or a combination thereof, and/or wherein the pointer output measure comprises an acoustic output of a warning, a visual output of the warning, an output of a proposal for a procedure for scattered radiation protection, an output of a proposal for a procedure for scattered radiation reduction, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the radiation protection equipment comprises a protective plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the covering device comprises a reflective coating at least partially on a side remote from the examination object, and/or wherein the covering device comprises at least one reflective material that is integrated in the covering device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one reflective material is woven in the covering device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the covering device comprises a pattern of diffusely reflective partial areas on the side of the covering device facing the X-ray tube assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the covering device comprises a foil and/or a patient cover. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the covering device is at least partially stretched over the examination object and at least partially diffusely reflects the light of the fan of light at a smooth portion of the side of the covering device facing the X-ray tube assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: covering, by a diffusely reflective device, a region distant from the examination object that is illuminated by the X-ray field and not covered by the covering device, for the ascertaining and/or the representing of the distribution of scattered radiation produced by the X-ray field. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the region is covered by the diffusely reflective device in a same manner as the covering device. ### Claim 17 An imaging X-ray facility comprising: an X-ray tube assembly configured to emit an X-ray field; a fan of light facility associated with the X-ray tube assembly, wherein the fan of light facility is configured to emit a fan of light whose extent matches that of the X-ray field; a covering device configured to cover an examination object to be examined with the X-ray field; at least one light sensor arranged at a measuring position outside of the X-ray field; and an evaluation unit, wherein a side of the covering device facing the X-ray tube assembly is configured to at least partially diffusely reflect light of the fan of light, wherein the covering device is configured to ascertain and/or represent a distribution of scattered radiation produced by the X-ray field, wherein the at least one light sensor is configured to record sensor data, wherein the sensor data describes the light of the fan of light reflected by the covering device, and wherein the evaluation unit is configured to ascertain scattered radiation assessment information by evaluating the sensor data.