Triggering of x-ray-images based on surface measurements

A program logic stored in a memory device of a computer that when running on the computer or when loaded onto the computer, causes the computer to perform a method comprising:

• acquiring surface data describing a spatial position of at least a surface section of the patient's body part;
• acquiring deviation data based on the surface data, describing that the spatial position of the surface section deviates from a target spatial position for the surface section;
• determining deviation direction data based on the surface data and the deviation data, describing a spatial direction in which the spatial position of the surface section deviates from the target spatial position for the surface section;
• and
• determining check direction data based on the deviation direction data, describing at least one optimum spatial direction for a line of sight of a check x-ray-image that qualifies for quantifying a deviation of the spatial position of the patient's body part from a target spatial position for the patient's body part, the at least one optimum spatial direction being substantially perpendicular to the spatial direction in which the spatial position of the surface section deviates from the target spatial position.

A medical system, comprising:

• a) at least one computer configured to perform a method including:
• acquiring surface data describing a spatial position of at least a surface section of the patient's body part;
• acquiring deviation data based on the surface data, describing that the spatial position of the surface section deviates from a target spatial position for the surface section;
• determining deviation direction data based on the surface data and the deviation data, describing a spatial direction in which the spatial position of the surface section deviates from the target spatial position for the surface section;
• and
• determining check direction data based on the deviation direction data, describing at least one optimum spatial direction for a line of sight of a check x-ray-image that qualifies for quantifying a deviation of the spatial position of the patient's body part from a target spatial position for the patient's body part, the at least one optimum spatial direction being substantially perpendicular to the spatial direction in which the spatial position of the surface section deviates from the target spatial position;
• b) a camera adapted for optical surface measurements;
• and
• c) a x-ray imaging device for providing at least one x-ray-check image of the patient's body part,
• wherein the at least one computer is operably coupled to
• the camera for determining check direction data;
• and
• the x-ray imaging device for issuing a control signal to the x-ray imaging device for controlling the operation of the x-ray imaging device on the basis of the check direction data.