# US 8,542,160 B2 · Medical image diagnosis apparatus having a plurality of monitors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,542,160 B2 - Document ID: US8542160B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/677,385 - Filed: 2007-02-21 - Published: 2007-06-21 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2002-01-22 - Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba - Applicants: Hiroshi Sakaniwa - Inventors: Hiroshi Sakaniwa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542160B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/4464: {the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to ceiling} - A61B 6/462: {characterised by constructional features of the display} - A61B 6/463: {characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display} - A61B 6/464: {involving a plurality of displays} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A medical image diagnosis apparatus, comprises an image generator, a display, and a mechanism. The image generator is configured to generate a medical image. The display comprises a plurality of monitors and is configured to display the medical image. The mechanism is configured to change an arrangement of the plurality of monitors with respect to each of the monitors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical image diagnosis apparatus, comprising: at least one medical X-ray imaging device configured to perform medical X-ray imaging and to generate a medical image; a display, comprising a plurality of monitors, configured to display the medical image; and a mechanism configured to change, based on movement of one of the at least one medical X-ray imaging device away from a patient bed to a predetermined position, as detected by at least one sensor of the medical image diagnosis apparatus, a physical arrangement of the plurality of monitors with respect to each of the monitors so that a first monitor is positioned to superpose a second monitor, thereby rendering the second monitor at least partially unviewable from any viewing angle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of monitors are arranged adjacent to one another. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is configured to slide at least one of the plurality of monitors behind at least one other of the plurality of monitors. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is configured to fold at least one of the plurality of monitors behind at least one other of the plurality of monitors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is configured to slide at least one of the plurality of monitors in front of at least one other of the plurality of monitors. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is configured to fold at least one of the plurality of monitors in front of at least one other of the plurality of monitors. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one medical X-ray imaging device comprises a plurality of medical X-ray imaging devices, each comprising a generation device and a detection device detecting a generated part of the medical image and wherein the mechanism is configured to change the physical arrangement based on how many of the plurality of medical X-ray imaging devices are used. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the mechanism is configured to change the physical arrangement based on a required number of monitors in each of the plurality of medical X-ray imaging devices to be used. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one unused monitor of the plurality of monitors, which is not being used by the plurality of medical X-ray imaging devices, is changed its placement relative to the physical arrangement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one unused monitor is behind at least one other of the monitors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the other monitor is at least one of the plurality of monitors, which is used in a use of one or more of the plurality of medical X-ray imaging devices. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one medical X-ray imaging device comprises a single medical X-ray imaging device which further comprises a generation device and a detection device detecting a generated part of the medical image, and wherein the mechanism is configured to change the physical arrangement of the plurality of monitors based on a use of the apparatus with the single medical X-ray imaging device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position controller configured to adjust a center of the display to be constant at least either vertically or horizontally, regardless of the arrangement. ### Claim 14 A display apparatus for a use in a medical image diagnosis apparatus that generates a medical image, comprising: a plurality of monitors configured to display the medical image, and a mechanism configured to change, based on movement of one of a plurality of medical X-ray imaging devices away from a patient bed to a predetermined position, as detected by at least one sensor of the medical image diagnosis apparatus, a physical arrangement of the plurality of monitors with respect to each of the monitors so that a first monitor is positioned to superpose a second monitor, thereby rendering the second monitor at least partially unviewable from any viewing angle. ### Claim 15 A method of arranging a plurality of monitors which display a medical image in a medical image diagnosis apparatus, comprising: detecting movement of one of a plurality of medical X-ray imaging devices away from a patient bed to a predetermined position, using at least one sensor of the medical image diagnosis apparatus; and automatically placing a first monitor, based on the detected movement of the one of the medical imaging devices, behind a second monitor, thereby rendering the first monitor at least partially unviewable from any viewing angle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The medical image diagnostic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the at least one sensor, the at least one sensor being a rail sensor configured to detect the movement of the one of the at least one medical X-ray imaging device to the predetermined position, the rail sensor being located at the predetermined position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The medical image diagnosis apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a controller configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor indicating the movement of the one of the at least one medical X-ray imaging device to the predetermined position, and, in response, to control the mechanism to change the physical arrangement of the plurality of monitors. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The medical image diagnosis apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one medical X-ray imaging device includes a first X-ray imaging device and a second X-ray imaging device wherein the at least one sensor is a rail sensor that detects movement of the second X-ray imaging device away from or towards the patient bed.