# US 9,872,659 B2 · Independently rotatable detector plate for medical imaging device

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- Number: US 9,872,659 B2
- Document ID: US9872659B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/884,934
- Filed: 2015-10-16
- Published: 2016-05-05
- Granted: 2018-01-23
- Earliest claimed: 2011-09-01
- Assignees: Hologic, Inc.
- Applicants: Hologic, Inc.
- Inventors: John Jenkins; Mark Guetersloh; Aleksey Danilkin; Tri Pham
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872659B2

## CPC

- A61B 6/4441: {the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm}
- A61B 6/06: Diaphragms
- A61B 6/4452: {the source unit and the detector unit being able to move relative to each other}
- A61B 6/461: {Displaying means of special interest}
- A61B 6/487: {involving fluoroscopy}
- G21K 1/04: using variable diaphragms, shutters, choppers
- A61B 6/4233: {using matrix detectors}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G21K: HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES

## Abstract

A real-time fluoroscopic imaging system includes a collimator and a detector which are rotationally movable independent of the support assembly, e.g., c-arm, to which they are mounted. Rotational movement of the collimator and the detector are coordinated such that the orientation of the detector with respect to the collimator does not change. The collimator may include a geared flange member to facilitate rotation, and may be a single molded piece formed of a plastic such as tungsten polymer material. The system may also include a plurality of interchangeable collimators characterized by different shapes. A display is provided to present an image to an operator, and image orientation logic displays a target anatomy in a selected orientation regardless of orientation of the target anatomy relative to the detector, and regardless of rotation of the detector.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluoroscopic imaging device comprising:
a c-arm support assembly;
an x-ray source assembly mounted at a first distal end of the c-arm support assembly;
a detector assembly rotatably mounted to a second distal end of the c-arm support assembly, wherein the detector assembly is configured to rotate independently of the c-arm support assembly; and
a collimator assembly rotatably mounted to the first distal end of the c-arm support assembly, wherein a plane of rotation of the collimator assembly matches a plane of rotation of the detector assembly, and the collimator assembly is configured to automatically match a manual rotation of the detector assembly to maintain an orientation of the collimator assembly with the detector assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fluoroscopic imaging device of claim 1 wherein the x-ray source assembly and the detector assembly are respectively mounted in facing relation such that an x-ray beam from the x-ray source assembly impinges on an input end of the detector assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fluoroscopic imaging device of claim 2 wherein an axis of rotation of the collimator assembly matches an axis of rotation of the detector assembly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fluoroscopic imaging device of claim 1 wherein the collimator assembly is rotatably mounted inside the x-ray source assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fluoroscopic imaging device of claim 1 wherein the collimator assembly is manually rotatable.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fluoroscopic imaging device of claim 1 further comprising a display configured to display a substantially real time x-ray image.

### Claim 7

A method for manufacturing a fluoroscopic imaging device comprising:
providing a medical imaging device including an x-ray source assembly and a c-arm support assembly;
mounting a rotatable detector assembly on the c-arm support assembly; and
mounting a rotatable collimator assembly on the c-arm support assembly wherein a plane of rotation of the collimator assembly matches a plane of rotation of the detector assembly, the collimator assembly and the detector assembly are rotatable on the same axis of rotation, and the collimator assembly is configured to automatically match a manual rotation of the detector assembly to maintain an orientation of the collimator assembly with the detector assembly.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 further comprising mounting, in facing relationship, the x-ray source assembly and the rotatable detector assembly such that an x-ray beam from the x-ray source assembly impinges on an input end of the rotatable detector assembly.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8 wherein an axis of rotation of the rotatable collimator assembly matches an axis of rotation of the rotatable detector assembly.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 further comprising mounting the rotatable collimator assembly inside the x-ray source assembly.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein the rotatable collimator assembly is manually rotatable.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 further comprising providing a display configured to display a substantially real time x-ray image.

### Claim 13

A fluoroscopic imaging system comprising:
a c-arm support assembly;
an x-ray source assembly mounted at a first distal end of the c-arm support assembly;
a detector assembly rotatably mounted to a second distal end c-arm support assembly, wherein the detector assembly is rotatable independent of the c-arm support assembly;
a collimator assembly rotatably mounted to the first distal end of the c-arm support assembly, wherein a plane of rotation of the collimator assembly matches a plane of rotation of the detector assembly, and the collimator assembly is configured to automatically match a manual rotation of the detector assembly to maintain an orientation of the collimator assembly with the detector assembly;
a computer configured to process a plurality of data generated by the detector assembly; and
a display configured to present at least a substantially real time image of a target anatomy placed between the x-ray source assembly, the collimator assembly, and the detector assembly.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The fluoroscopic imaging system of claim 13 wherein the x-ray source assembly and the detector assembly are respectively mounted in facing relation such that an x-ray beam from the x-ray source assembly impinges on an input end of the detector assembly.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The fluoroscopic imaging device of claim 14 wherein an axis of rotation of the collimator assembly matches an axis of rotation of the detector assembly.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The fluoroscopic imaging system of claim 13 wherein the collimator assembly is rotatably mounted inside the x-ray source assembly.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The fluoroscopic imaging device of claim 13 wherein the collimator assembly is manually rotatable.