Collision-sensitive housing unit, x-ray device, and method of collision detection

An X-ray device comprising:

• a collision-sensitive housing unit comprising:
• an outer housing layer that is deformable by an external application of force;
• a sensor board of an optical force sensor, wherein the outer housing layer and the sensor board are arranged at a predefined spacing from each other, such that a deformation of the outer housing layer causes a change in the spacing, wherein the sensor board has a number of sensor combinations, each comprising an emitter element and at least one associated receiver element, wherein the emitter elements are configured to emit at least one light beam of a specific wavelength, and wherein the at least one light beam is emitted at one or more predefined angles, such that the at least one light beam is reflected at the outer housing layer and the at least one reflected light beam is deflected onto an associated receiver element;
• an evaluation unit comprising at least one evaluation algorithm, the evaluation unit being configured to evaluate the reflected light beam, received in the receiver element, with regard to a change in spacing of the predefined spacing;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• interpret the evaluated change in spacing of the spacing, which overshoots a threshold value, as a collision;
• and
• as a consequence of the interpretation, initiate a countermeasure, trigger a warning signal, or initiate the countermeasure and trigger the warning signal.

A method of collision detection using a collision-sensitive housing unit for an at least partially movable, mobile, or movable and mobile medical device, the method comprising:

• emitting at least one light beam of at least one predefined wavelength by at least one emitter element of a number of emitter elements of a sensor board of an optical force sensor, the collision-sensitive housing unit comprising the sensor board;
• receiving an external application of force onto a deformable outer housing layer of the collision-sensitive housing unit, and consequently, deforming the deformable outer housing layer;
• receiving at least one light beam reflected at a reflector of the deformed housing layer by at least one receiver element;
• evaluating the reflected light beam with regard to a change in spacing;
• comparing the change in the spacing with a threshold value;
• and
• when the threshold value is overshot, initiating a countermeasure, triggering a warning signal, or a combination thereof.