FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to computed tomography imaging apparatus. In par ticular, features of an apparatus according to the invention are applica ble for use in the context of dental and medical cone beam computed to mography (CBCT) imaging apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computed tomography (CT) is a kind of X-ray imaging in which a volume to be imaged is irradiated from different directions and, from the image in formation thus acquired, a desired two- or three-dimensional image can be reconstructed.

Traditional CT apparatus are large and massive, and they are typically mounted on a floor. A patient is positioned for imaging within an exami nation opening of the apparatus, typically on a horizontally extending and laterally movable examination platform.

Since development of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology in which, for one, slower rotational speeds of the imaging means are used, apparatus of less weight than that of the more traditional CT apparatus have been developed. Among the CBCT apparatus, there are also e.g. ones which are not floor mounted but constructed to be mobile. Also, construc tions comprising a vertically extending frame and a horizontally extend ing support for the imaging means have been designed.

Considering medical x-ray imaging apparatus in general, there are the kinds with no patient support construction in the apparatus itself at all, while those comprising a patient support construction are typically designed in view of imaging either a standing patient, a sitting patient or a lying patient . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention and of its preferable embodiments is a CT ap paratus, especially a CBCT apparatus, applicable for versatile use and enabling imaging various parts of an anatomy in various ways . The charac teristic features of the invention are defined in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is now described in more detail in reference to its prefer able embodiments and the attached drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic general side view showing certain components, as an example, of a part of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the in vention.

Figs. 2a and 2b show structural details applicable for use in the context of an elongated frame of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3a shows as an example some details of a patient support construc tion applicable for use in an apparatus as the one shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3b shows an example of a cross section of the patient support con struction applicable for use in an apparatus as the one shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic general side view showing certain components of an embodiment, as an example, of an apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic general side view of the apparatus of Fig. 4 show ing certain components of the construction as driven at an inclined posi tion.

Fig. 6 shows components of an arrangement that can be used as a displace ment and locking mechanism relating to the functionality of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a schematic general side view showing another embodiment of certain components, as an example, of a part of an apparatus according to the invention .

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of components which a con trol system of an apparatus according to the invention may be configured to control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a schematic general side view of certain components of one embodiment, as an example, of a part of an apparatus according to the in vention. The dental or medical CT imaging apparatus of Fig. 1 comprises an elongated frame part 11 extending in a first direction and having a first end and a second end. From this elongated frame part 11 extends in a second direction, which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction, a support construction 12 which supports an X-ray source 14 and an image detector 15 yet which as such are not visible in Fig. 1. The X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, which together form X- ray imaging means 14, 15, may be mounted to the support construction 12 essentially opposite to each other yet in embodiments, their mutual po sition may also be arranged to be adjustable.

Fig. 1 further shows a patient support 18 which is a structure mechani cally connected to the elongated frame part 11 and extending substan tially in parallel with the elongated frame part 11. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the patient support 18 is essentially of the same length as the elongated frame part 11.

According to one aspect, for example, the length of the elongated frame part 11 is of the order of 240 cm.

According one aspect, for example, the length of the elongated frame part 11 is between 220 cm and 260 cm. According one aspect, for example, the length of the patient support 18 is 80-90 % of the length of elongated frame part 11.

According to one aspect, for example, the patient support 18 has a longer dimension in a first direction and a shorter dimension in a sec ond direction orthogonal to the first direction.

According to one aspect, for example, the patient support 18 is at least in the first direction at least for its prevailing part radiolucent.

According to one aspect, for example, the radiolucent part of the pa tient support 18 is of essentially the same length as the elongated frame part 11.

According to one aspect, for example, the patient support 18 comprises at least at either of its ends in the first direction a section which is not radiolucent .

According one aspect, for example, the length of the radiolucent part of the patient support 18 in the first direction is 80-90 % of the length of the elongated frame part 11.

According to one aspect, for example, the support construction 12 sup porting the X-ray imaging means 14, 15 is a circular gantry having a central axis 13. The gantry may partially encircle or completely house the X-ray imaging means 14, 15.

According to one aspect not directly visible in Fig. 1, for example, the apparatus comprises a driving mechanism 16 arranged to drive the X- ray imaging means 14, 15 about a rotation axis. This rotation axis may coincide with the central axis 13 of the support construction 12 in form of the gantry and it may be a physical axis, or a virtual rotation axis as in the case of Fig. 1. According to one aspect, for example, the central axis 13 of the gantry coincides the center of rotation / the rotation axis of the X-ray imag ing means 14, 15 when they are driven along a curved path.

According to one aspect, the rotation axis is an instantaneous (virtu al) rotation axis and the location of the instantaneous rotation axis in relation to the central axis 13 can be arranged to be changed.

According to one aspect, at least either of the components the ray source 14 and the image detector 15 is arranged to be laterally movable from a location exactly opposite to the other component.

According to one aspect, the structure 12 supporting the X-ray imaging means 14, 15 comprises a gantry having a central axis and the struc tures of apparatus allows for at least either of: laterally moving the X-ray source 14 between positions at which a central ray it generates coincides with the central axis of the gantry and a position at which the central ray it generates does not coincide with the central axis of the gantry; laterally moving the image detector 15 between positions at which a vector which is normal to the detector surface at the center of the image detector 15 coincides the central axis of the gantry and a position at which the vector which is normal to the detector surface at the center of the image detector 15 does not coincide the central axis of the gantry. The lateral moving of the X-ray imaging means 14, 15 may include moving the X-ray imaging means 14, 15 to a position at which they face each other while the central ray the X-ray source 14 gener ates does not coincide the central axis of the gantry and the vector which is normal to the detector surface at the center of the image de tector 15 does not coincide the central axis of the gantry.

According to another aspect, another driving mechanism 17 is arranged to the apparatus to enable moving the support construction 12 back and forth in a direction which is substantially parallel with the direction in which the elongated frame part 11 extends. According to one aspect, that driving mechanism 17 may be arranged to move the support construc tion 12 along or alongside the elongated frame part 11.

In the example according to Fig 2a, the driving mechanism 17 of the support construction 12 discussed above comprises a motor 110 and a gearing 111 arranged to rotate a pulley 112. In the construction shown as one embodiment in Fig. 2a, while the motor 110 and the pulley 112 are located at the proximity of the second end of the elongated frame part 11 there is also another pulley 112' at the proximity of the first end of the elongated frame part 11 and around the pulleys 112, 112' goes a belt 113, or a correspondingly functioning component like a chain. This mechanism is then functionally connected to the support construction 12 to drive it along the elongated frame part 11, such as shown as an example in Fig. 2b where grooves 114 are arranged to the elongated frame part 11 and, to the support construction 12, projecting parts 121 which are fitted to slide along the grooves 114. In an embod iment, to minimize friction, roller type linear guide ways are used in which case the motion is rather rolling than sliding.

According to one aspect not shown in any of the Figs, for example, the driving mechanism to drive the support construction 12 comprises a mo tor arranged to the support construction 12 itself.

Regardless of the details of the construction of the driving mechanism 17 to drive the support construction 12 along or alongside the elongat ed frame part 11, in one embodiment the construction of the apparatus allows for driving the support construction 12 essentially the whole length between the first and second ends of the elongated frame part 11.

According to yet another aspect and as shown is Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises a connection construction 19, 20 which connects the patient support 18 to the elongated frame part 11. According to another aspect, an example of which is shown is Fig. 3a, the apparatus comprises a connection construction 19, 20 which mechani cally connects the patient support 18 to the elongated frame part 11.

The connection construction 19, 20 may comprise a patient support ad justment mechanism 19', 20' configured to enable displacing the patient support 18 closer and further away from the elongated frame part 11.

According to another aspect, a driving mechanism 19'', 20'' is arranged in functional connection with the patient support adjustment mechanism

19', 20'.

According to another aspect, the patient support adjustment mechanism 19', 20' may comprise a first adjustment mechanism 19' arranged togeth er with its driving mechanism 19'' comprised in the driving mechanism 19'', 20'' substantially at the first end of the elongated frame part 11, and a second adjustment mechanism 20' arranged together with its driving mechanism 20'' comprised in the driving mechanism 19'', 20'' substantially at the second end of the elongated frame part 11.

According to one aspect, for example, the patient support adjustment mechanisms 19', 20' is arranged in functional connection with the con trol system of the apparatus and the control system is configured to control the driving mechanism 19'', 20'' of the adjustment mechanism

19', 20'.

According to one aspect, for example, the control system is configured to control the connection construction 19, 20 comprising the first ad justment mechanism 19' with its driving mechanism 19'', arranged sub stantially at the first end of the elongated frame part 11, and the second adjustment mechanism 20' with its driving mechanism 20'', ar ranged substantially at the second end of the elongated frame part 11, to keep at the first and second ends of the elongated frame part 11 an identical distance between the elongated frame part 11 and the patient support 18 when adjusting the distance between the two. According to another aspect, the distance between the ends of the elon gated frame part 11 and the patient support 18 can be adjusted to be different. According to one aspect, the first and second adjustment mechanisms 19', 20' are arranged to be controlled independently.

According to one aspect, as shown in Fig. 3b, considering the above- discussed first direction of the patient support construction 18, its cross section as for its prevailing part is curved so as to better sup port a patient against the concave surface of the patient support con struction 18.

According to one other aspect, as shown in Fig. 3b, at the edges 181 of that cross section of the patient support construction 18 the shape of the cross section turns into being curved in the opposite direction.

According to one other aspect and as further shown in Fig. 3b, near the edges of the above-discussed cross section of the patient support con struction 18 and on the side opposite to the for its prevailing part concave surface is arranged a holding structure 182. The holding struc ture 182 may be e.g. an elongated handle or an attachment structure to receive a strap designed to extent on or over the concave side of the patient support construction 18, to be used to provide further support to the patient and thus to help keeping still during an imaging expo sure .

Turning to Fig. 4 which shows, as a schematic general side view, certain components of an embodiment, as an example, of an apparatus according to the invention in which, in addition to what can be referred to as a first elongated frame part 11 discussed above, there is a second elon gated frame part 21 mechanically connected to the first elongated frame part 11 of essentially the same length as the first elongated frame part 11.

According to one aspect and still referring to Fig. 4, at the proximity of the first end of the first elongated frame parts 11, 12 is arranged an articulated connection construction 22 to mechanically connect the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21, to allow for tilting of the first elongated frame part 11 about at least one tilt axis in rela tion to the second elongated frame part 21. The at least one tilt axis is orthogonal to both the abovementioned first and second directions in which the elongated frame part 11 and the support construction 12 ex tend. Or, in other words, the tilt axis may be an axis which is orthog onal to the direction in which the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 extend as well as to direction in which the support con struction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 extends - perpendic ularly from the first longitudinally extending frame part 11.

In the embodiments shown in the Figs, and discussed in more detail in this application, the at least one tilt axis is horizontal. This is not to be understood that the tilt axis needs to be horizontal.

According to another aspect, on the side of the second elongated frame part 21, a mounting structure 23 not directly visible in Fig. 4 is ar ranged in connection with the articulated connection construction 22. The mounting structure 23 is arranged movable along or alongside the second elongated frame part 21.

According to another aspect, for example, at the proximity of the sec ond end of the second elongated frame part 21 is arranged a locking mechanism 24 configured to enable connecting and disconnecting the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21. Particularly, a locking mechanism 24 may be arranged at the proximity of the second end of the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21, the locking mechanism being configured to enable connecting together and disconnecting the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 at the proximity of the second ends of the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21.

When the second elongated frame part 21 is mounted stable and the lock ing mechanism 24 is not connecting the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21, the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 is free to move laterally while the articulated connection 22 between the frame parts 11, 21 allows for turning of the first elongated frame part 11 about the horizontal tilt axis at the proximity of the first end of the first elongated frame part 11. In case of a vertical starting posi tion, such movably arranged mounting structure as discussed above al lows for descending and ascending of the first end of the first elon gated frame part 11.

Fig. 5 shows the apparatus according to Fig. 4 at a stage where the first end of the first elongated frame part 11 has moved downwards and the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 has moved horizon tally on a surface. The apparatus may be configured to allow for de scending of the first end of the first elongated frame part 11 all the way to the proximity of the second end of the second elongated frame part 21.

According to yet another aspect, not directly visible in Figs. 4 and 5, in functional connection with the second elongated frame part 21 is ar ranged a driving mechanism 27 to drive the mounting structure 23 along or alongside the second elongated frame part 21. When being in mechani cal connection with the first elongated frame part 11, at the proximity of the first end of it, the driving mechanism 27 can move the first end of the first elongated frame part 11 in a direction in which the second elongated frame part 21 extends.

The driving mechanism 27 to drive the mounting structure 23 may be a construction similar with the driving mechanism 17 driving the support construction 12 of the X-ray imaging means 14, 15 along or alongside the first elongated frame part 11.

According to one aspect, the driving mechanism 27 to drive the mounting structure 23 comprises a chain drive.

To describe some of the features discussed above in other words, in an embodiment in mechanical connection with the articulated connection construction 22, on the side of the second elongated frame part 21, is arranged a mounting structure 23 which is arranged movable along or alongside the second elongated frame part 21, such construction thereby providing a degree of freedom of movement along or alongside the second frame part 21 for the articulated connection construction 23 and for the first end of the first elongated frame part 11 mechanically con nected to the articulated connection construction 23.

In an embodiment, the mounting structure 23 is arranged movable along or alongside the second elongated frame part 21 at least essentially a distance corresponding to the length of the first elongated frame part11, and the articulated connection construction 22 is arranged to allow for tilting of the first elongated frame part 11 between orienta tions at which the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 extend essentially in parallel and at which the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 extend essential orthogonally.

According to yet another aspect, the locking mechanism 24 comprises a displacement mechanism 25 which is not directly visible in Figs, dis cussed so far to move the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 a distance away from the second elongated frame part 21 when the locking mechanism 24 disconnects the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21.

According to one aspect not shown in detail in the Figs . discussed so far, the locking mechanism 24 comprises a motor driven arrangement with mating components on the side of a motorized structure and the first elongated frame part 11, respectively.

The locking mechanism 24 may further comprise a guiding construction configured to guide the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 straight on the locking mechanism 24 when the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 is moving towards the locking mechanism 24. Or, to put it in other words, when the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 moves towards and approaches the second end of the second elongated frame part 21.

According to yet another aspect and, as shown as an example in Figs . 4 and 5, the first elongated frame part 11 comprises at the proximity of its second end at least one wheel or roller 26.

According to another aspect, instead of the wheel or roller, a struc ture designed to slide on a surface may be arranged at the second end of the first elongated frame part 11.

A more detailed embodiment concerning some of the features discussed above is presented in Fig. 6, which overall shows the second ends of the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 yet wherein the very end of the second end of the first elongated frame parts 11 is cut, partly completely cut and partly just one wall being cut so that what could be called a back wall 11' is still visible.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 includes a structure in which the dis placement mechanism 25 comprises two toothed bars 31 mounted at the proximity of the second end of the second elongated frame part 21, to extent essentially orthogonally to the direction at which the second elongated frame part 21 extends, and two toothed wheels 32 mounted at the proximity of the second end of the first elongated frame part 11. The toothed wheels 32 are configured compatible with the toothed bars 31. While two toothed bars and wheels are shown, the number of those could be just one, or more than two.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 further includes the displacement mecha nism 25 comprising a displacing motor 33 arranged in functional connec tion with toothed wheels 32.

According to one embodiment, to operate the displacement mechanism 25, the control system of the apparatus may be configured to, when the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 extend essentially in parallel and as a response to a control signal to alter the mutual ori entation of the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21, first operate the displacement mechanism 25 to move the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 a distance away from the second end of the second elongated frame part 21 and, second, operate said third driving mechanism 27 to drive the mounting structure 23 along or along side the second elongated frame part 21 towards the second end of the second elongated frame part 21, so as to move the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 a further distance away from the second end of the second elongated frame part 21.

The locking mechanism 24 shown in Fig. 6 further comprises a sensing element 29 configured to detect when the second end of the first elon gated frame part 11, when moving towards the second end of the second elongated frame part 21, has reached a predefined locking position.

The locking mechanism 24 shown in Fig. 6 further comprises a locking actuator 28 and the control system of the apparatus may be configured to, as a response to a control signal from the sensing element 29 that the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 when moving towards the second end of the second elongated frame part 21 has reached a pre defined locking position, send a control signal to the locking actuator 28 to lock the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 at said predefined locking position.

The guiding construction according the embodiment of Fig. 6 comprises two guide rails 30 mounted from their first end at the proximity of the second end of the second elongated frame part 21 and extending essen tially orthogonally to the direction at which the second elongated frame part 21 extends, to form two guide passages. While two guide rails 30 are shown in Fig. 6, the number of rails could be something else as well - yet, using just one rail it may be difficult to form a passage truly having a guiding function. While shown in Fig. 6 is the first elongated frame part 11 to comprise at the proximity of its second end two wheels, or rollers 26, at a first distance from each other, and the guiding construction to com prise two guide rails 30 to form two guide passages essentially at the same first distance from each other, the guide rails 30 further com prise at their second ends a beveling so as to make a distance between the guide passages smaller at that end of the passages than the first distance. Such construction aids in guiding the second end of the first elongated frame part 11 to find a designed passage to move towards the second elongated frame part 21.

According to one aspect, for example and as shown in Fig. 7, support construction 12 for the imaging means 15, 16 in a form of a gantry ba sically does not completely encircle the imaging means 14, 15 but func tions primarily or solely as a support structure for holding the imag ing means 14, 15, and structures arranged to the gantry to drive the imaging means 14, 15 about an axis. This kind of solution enables real izing the gantry as less heavy and as providing better access to the volume between the imaging means 14, 15, both physically and consider ing an area from where one may have a clear line of sight at that vol ume .

Fig. 8 shows as a block diagram an example of components of a control system applicable for use in an apparatus according to this disclosure. In various embodiments, not all those features are necessarily present in a control system of the apparatus. The control system according to Fig. 8 is configured to enable controlling, first of all, operation of the X-ray source and the image detector. Components controlling operation of the X- ray source and the image detector can include components physically ar ranged to the Xx-ray source and/or the image detector and/or elsewhere in the apparatus .

The control system of Fig. 8 further controls various driving means of the apparatus, such as those moving the imaging means supported by the support construction, the support construction itself and the adjustment mechanism of the patient support. The control system may also control e.g. driving of the mounting structure as discussed above. Further, in case of the apparatus comprising a motorized locking mechanism to con nect and disconnect the first and second elongated frame parts, the con- trol system may also control driving means of the locking mechanism, like the displacing motor and the locking actuator discussed above. Overall, the control system may be arranged to control all the above- discussed operations or any portion thereof. Inputs to the control system may be provided by the remote control. The structures and functionalities discussed above offer various possibilities for positioning and imaging a patient.