# US 2016/0249869 A1 · Providing x-ray image data of an object

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- Number: US 2016/0249869 A1
- Document ID: US20160249869A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/030,749
- Filed: 2014-10-30
- Published: 2016-09-01
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-31
- Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
- Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
- Inventors: CHRYSI PAPALAZAROU; GEREON VOGTMEIER; KLAUS JUERGEN ENGEL; HERMAN STEGEHUIS
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160249869A1

## CPC

- A61B 6/027: {characterised by the use of a particular data acquisition trajectory, e.g. helical or spiral}
- A61B 6/0407: {Supports, e.g. tables or beds, for the body or parts of the body}
- A61B 6/4007: {characterised by using a plurality of source units}
- A61B 6/4266: {characterised by using a plurality of detector units (A61B6/4014 takes precedence)}
- A61B 6/4452: {the source unit and the detector unit being able to move relative to each other}
- A61B 6/4458: {the source unit or the detector unit being attached to robotic arms}
- A61B 6/4464: {the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to ceiling}
- A61B 6/107: {Protection against radiation, e.g. shielding}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

The present invention relates to providing X-ray image data of an object. In order to provide a medical X-ray imaging system with improved practicability, a medical X-ray imaging system (100) is provided, comprising at least one X-ray detector (110), an X-ray source arrangement (120), and a patient table (130). The patient table is configured to receive an object for imaging a region of interest (140) of the object. The at least one X-ray detector is movably mounted above the patient table; and the at least one X-ray detector and the X-ray source arrangement are movable independently. The X-ray source arrangement is configured to provide X-ray radiation to the region of interest from a number of positions (150) forming a concave open trajectory (160), wherein a middle portion (170) of the trajectory is located below the patient table; and wherein two end regions (180) of the trajectory are extending on the two lateral sides of the table and above the table. The positions are provided by a physical trajectory support structure (190).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A medical X-ray imaging system, comprising:
at least one X-ray detector;
an X-ray source arrangement; and
a patient table;
wherein the patient table is configured to receive an object for imaging a region of interest of the object;
wherein the at least one X-ray detector is movably mounted on a support arm extending from a ceiling;
wherein the X-ray source arrangement comprises a physical trajectory support structure extending at least partially below the patient table, the source arrangement being configured to provide X-ray radiation to the region of interest from a number of X-ray source positions being provided by the physical trajectory support structure, the X-ray source positions defining a concave open trajectory,
the physical trajectory support structure 490 being separate from the support arm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

System according to claim 1, wherein a middle portion of the trajectory is located below the patient table and two end regions of the trajectory extend on the two lateral sides of the table and above the table.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

System according to claim 1, wherein the patient table is provided with a longitudinal extension direction; and
wherein the trajectory is arranged transverse to the longitudinal extension direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

System according to claim 1, wherein the physical trajectory support structure is movably mounted in relation to the patient table.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

System according to claim 4, wherein the trajectory is obtained by two movable arm portions, each having a half C-arc geometry.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

System according to claim 5, wherein one arm of the two arm portions is placed at an offset position with respect to the other arm position of the two arm portions, the offset positions being measured along the longitudinal extension direction of the patient table.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

System according to claim 6, wherein the X-ray source arrangement is provided with at least one moveable X-ray source supported movably along a guiding rail following the trajectory.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

System according to claim 7, wherein the X-ray source arrangement is provided with a plurality of fixed X-ray sources distributed along the trajectory at the number of X-ray radiation positions; and
wherein a combination of, or all of, the X-ray sources can be activated successively or simultaneously, with a switching device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

System according to claim 1, wherein an additional X-ray source is provided:
i) below the patient table; and/or
ii) integrated into the patient table.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

System according to claim 9, wherein the support arm mounting the at least one X-ray detector is a robotic support arm being arranged for providing various X-ray detector positions in relation to the patient table and the X-ray source arrangement.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

System according to claim 10, wherein actuators are provided for moving the at least one X-ray detector; and
wherein a control unit is provided for enabling the at least one X-ray detector to make a corresponding movement in accordance with the change of the X-ray source positions along the trajectory.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

System according to claim 11, wherein at least one radiation protection shield is movably mounted on the outside of the X-ray source arrangement; and
wherein the radiation protection shield is movable between a parking position, in which the protection shield is arranged below the table or folded to the side of the X-ray source arrangement, and a protecting position, in which it is provided between the object and a staff member standing next to the patient table, at least in the leg region of the staff member.

### Claim 13

A method for providing X-ray image data of an object, comprising the following steps:
a) arranging an object comprising a region of interest on a patient table;
b) providing successively X-ray radiation to the region of interest by an X-ray source arrangement from a number of positions forming a concave open trajectory; wherein the middle portion of the trajectory is located below a patient table; and wherein the two end regions of the trajectory are extending on the two lateral sides of the table and above the table; and wherein the number of positions are provided by a physical trajectory support structure;
c) detecting the successive X-ray radiations provided in step b) respectively by at least one X-ray detector mounted movably above the patient table; and
d) generating X-ray image data from the successively detected X-ray radiations.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

Computer program element for controlling a medical X-ray imaging system according to claim 1, which, when being executed by a processing unit, is adapted to perform the method steps.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

Computer readable medium having stored the program element of claim 14.