X-ray imaging apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016166222-A1
Application number	US-201514957824-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 3, 2015
Priority date	Dec 12, 2014
Publication date	Jun 16, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An X-ray imaging apparatus according to the disclosure guides the patient posture using a visual and/or audible interaction device during execution of an X-ray imaging procedure such as mammography, and provides the patient with information about the procedure during the procedure's execution, thereby improving the patient experience while reducing the workload of an operator. The X-ray imaging apparatus may include an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, and an arm including an upper end within which the X-ray tube is disposed, and a lower end within which the X-ray detector is disposed. An illumination unit may be configured to provide an indication of a movement direction of the arm, responsive to a user input for moving the arm in the movement direction. A controller may control the illumination unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
an X-ray tube; an X-ray detector; an arm including an upper end within which the X-ray tube is disposed, and a lower end within which the X-ray detector is disposed; an illumination unit configured to provide an indication of a movement direction of the arm, responsive to a user input for moving the arm in the movement direction; and a controller configured to control the illumination unit.

2 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination unit changes a lighting state or blinking position thereof in response to the movement direction of the arm.

3 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination unit includes a headlamp formed in the upper end of the arm, and wherein the headlamp includes:
a front headlamp formed at a front surface of the arm; a left headlamp formed at a left side surface of the arm; and a right headlamp formed at a right side surface of the arm.

4 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the controller lights or blinks the front headlamp when the movement direction of the arm is an upward direction.

5 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the controller causes the left headlamp to turn on or blink when the movement direction of the arm is a left direction.

6 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the controller causes the right headlamp to turn on or blink when the movement direction of the arm is a right direction.

7 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the controller commands the arm to move in response to an input command confirming the movement direction.

8 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the illumination unit includes:
a headlamp formed in the upper end of the arm; and: a handle lamp formed in a handle mounted to the arm.

9 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the controller lights or blinks the handle lamp in a stage in which maintenance of a patient posture is needed for X-ray imaging.

10 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein if the arm movement is completed, the controller causes the handle lamp to be illuminated steadily or to blink.

11 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the illumination unit includes a headlamp formed in the upper end of the arm, and a gantry lamp formed in a gantry configured to support the arm; and the controller lights the gantry lamp in an initial stage of a procedure used for X-ray imaging, sufficient to guide a patient position.

12 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the controller controls at least one color of the headlamp and the handle lamp in different ways according to a procedural stage in X-ray imaging.

13 . An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
a tube head to which an X-ray tube is mounted; a detector mounting unit to which an X-ray detector is mounted; an arm including an upper end to which the tube head is mounted, and a lower end to which the detector mounting unit is mounted; a sub-display unit detachably mounted to at least one of the arm and a gantry supporting the arm; and a controller configured to control the sub-display unit.

14 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the sub-display unit includes a mobile display device.

15 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the sub-display unit is configured to display a currently-captured X-ray image and at least one previously-captured X-ray image.

16 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the sub-display unit is configured to display information regarding a procedure of X-ray imaging.

17 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the sub-display unit is configured to display information regarding a current stage from among a plurality of stages of the procedure.

18 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the sub-display unit is configured to display at least one of a movement direction of the arm, a movement distance of the arm, a rotation angle of the arm, and pressure of a compression paddle.

19 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein:
the sub-display unit is configured to display an X-ray image of a target object and graduations; and the controller is configured to determine a position of a specific region contained in the target object on the basis of the displayed graduations.

20 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 19 , further comprising:
a targeting light source mounted to the tube head, and configured to emit light to the position of the specific region of the target object.

21 . The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising:
a sound output unit configured to audibly output information regarding the procedure of X-ray imaging.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Kim Eui Sik

Classifications

• A61B6/0492

  using markers or indicia for aiding patient positioning · CPC title

• A61B6/0414

  with compression means · CPC title

• A61B6/025

  Tomosynthesis · CPC title

• A61B6/4233

  using matrix detectors · CPC title

• A61B6/08

  Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams · CPC title