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 are constructed to be mobile. Also, con structions comprising a vertically extending frame and a horizontally ex tending support for the imaging means have been designed.

Considering medical X-ray imaging apparatus in general, those comprising a patient support construction are typically designed in view of imaging either a standing patient, a sitting patient or a lying patient.

Some of the CT apparatus designed in recent times are multipurpose appa ratus supporting more than one imaging modality, which on the other hand tends to increase complexity of the apparatus, e.g. as a consequence of a new kind of freedom of movement having been arranged to one or more com ponents of the apparatus. Also, the weight of the apparatus may then in crease, while some modifications may e.g. generate new challenges relat ing to getting a patient positioned for an exposure . Regarding the prob lem of the patient unintentionally moving during imaging, various sup ports have been developed to keep or help the patient be still.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a CT apparatus, especially a CBCT appa ratus, including features relating supporting a patient. These features include, particularly, those defined in the accompanying claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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

Fig. 1 is a schematic general side view showing components, as an exam ple, of an imaging apparatus applicable to comprise features of the pre sent disclosure.

Figs. 2a-2c show some structural details, as an example, of an embodiment comprising a motorized guiding construction arranged in functional con nection with the imaging assembly of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 shows a guiding construction as shown in Figs. 2a-2c as partially covered by a housing of a support construction of the imaging assembly of the apparatus .

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which the imaging assembly of the apparatus is located and extend outside of the housing of the support construction of the imaging assembly. Fig. 5 is a schematic general illustration of how certain elements of the apparatus may be moved to various locations within their defined ranges of movements .

Fig. 6 shows a schematic general side view of an embodiment like the one shown in Fig. 1, arranged with elements enabling changing orientation.

Fig. 7 is a schematic general presentation of an apparatus in horizontal position with certain components driven to locations corresponding to those shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 8a-c show, as an example, some details of patient supports suitable for use in an apparatus of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of the apparatus .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A more complete understanding of the components, processes and apparatus es disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings. These figures are merely schematic representations based on convenience and the ease of demonstrating the present disclosure, and are, therefore, not intended to indicate relative size and dimensions of the devices or components thereof and/or to define or limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments .

Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings and the following description below, it is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms about, generally and substantially are intended to encompass structural or numerical modifications which do not signifi cantly affect the purpose of the element or number modified by such term. For example, the term substantially may include a range of variance such as 25%, or 10%, or 0% from the stated relationship.

As used in the specification and in the claims, the term "comprising" may include the embodiments "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of." The terms "comprise (s) , " "include (s) , " "having," "has," "can," "con- tain(s)," and variants thereof, as used herein, are intended to be open- ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that require the presence of the named elements/steps and permit the presence of other elements/steps.

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending frame part 11 extending in a first direction and having a first end and a second end. From this longitudinally extending frame part 11, or "an elongated frame part 11", extends in a second direction a support con struction 12 which supports an X-ray source 14 and an image detector 15 (not as such visible in Fig. 1), the second direction being substan tially orthogonal to the first direction. The X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, which together form X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15, may be mounted to the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging as sembly 14, 15 essentially opposite to each other yet in embodiments of the invention, their position is also arranged to be adjustable.

While apparatus like the ones discussed above often include a patient support, Fig. 1 shows one specific kind patient support 18 structure mechanically connected to the elongated frame part 11. This patient support 18, applicable for use in various embodiments of the invention to be discussed in some more detail further below, comprises a surface which extends substantially in parallel with the elongated frame part 11. And while such patient support 18 is optional concerning some em- bodiments, in the embodiment of Fig. 1 the patient support 18 is essen tially 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.

Examples on how the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 may be mounted to the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 are presented when discussing some of the other Figs, of this disclosure further below while Fig. 1 shows, in general, how the sup- port construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 may comprise a housing 121 which covers a ring-shaped rotatable gantry 122, to which the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 are mounted. In one embodiment, the housing 121 may extend to cover the X-ray source 14 and the image de tector 15, in another the gantry housing 121 may cover the construction by which the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 are connected to the gantry 122 while not the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 themselves .

The X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 may be arranged to be rotatable about a rotation axis 13. In the particular construction shown in Fig. 1, showing the schematic general side view as discussed above, this rotation axis 13 coincides or can be made to coincide with the central axis of the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15, of the housing 121 and of the rotatable gantry 122 as discussed above.

Thus, according to one aspect not directly visible in Fig. 1, for exam ple, the apparatus comprises a driving mechanism 16 arranged to drive the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 about a rotation axis 13. The rota tion axis 13 may be a physical axis, or a virtual rotation axis as in the case of Fig. 1.

According to one aspect, for example, the rotation axis 13, or the cen ter of rotation of the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 when being driven along a curved path and thus defining a location of the virtual rota tion axis 13, coincides with the central axis 13 of the gantry 122.

According to one aspect, the rotation axis 13 is an instantaneous (vir tual) rotation axis and the location of the instantaneous rotation axis in relation to the central axis of the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15, of the housing 121 and/or of the rotata ble gantry 122 as discussed above 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 support construction 12 for the X-ray im aging assembly 14, 15 comprises a gantry 122 having a central axis and the structures of apparatus allow 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 122 and a posi tion at which the central ray it generates does not coincide with the central axis of the gantry 122; 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 with the cen tral axis of the gantry 122 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 with the central axis of the gantry 122. The lateral moving of the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 may include moving the X- ray imaging assembly 14, 15 to a position at which they face each other while the central ray the X-ray source 14 generates does not coincide with the central axis of the gantry 122 and the vector which is normal to the detector surface at the center of the image detector 15 does not coincide with the central axis of the gantry 122.

Rotation of the rotatable gantry 122 may be arranged to be performed by any conventional mechanism known to those skilled in art. In one embodi ment, a driving belt driven by at least one pulley is arranged to extend around a ring-shaped rotatable gantry 122. Such construction can enable implementing rotating the gantry 122 over an angle even exceeding 360 de grees .

According to another aspect of the invention, another driving mechanism 17 is arranged to the apparatus to enable moving the support construc tion 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 back and forth in a di rection which is substantially parallel with the direction in which the elongated frame part 11 extends. According to one aspect, the driving mechanism 17 may be arranged to move the support construction 12 along or alongside the elongated frame part 11.

According to one aspect, the driving mechanism 17 to drive the support construction 12 in a direction which is substantially parallel with the direction in which the elongated frame part 11 extends can comprise a motor arranged to the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging as sembly 14, 15 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.

While details of the driving mechanism 17 for moving the support con struction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 back and forth in a direction which is substantially parallel with the direction in which the elongated frame part 11 extends may vary, one preferable example of such mechanism is disclosed in a patent application FI 20190054, which is herein incorporated by reference.

The apparatus of this disclosure can be described as a dental or medi cal CT imaging apparatus which comprises:

- a first longitudinally extending frame part 11 comprising a first end and a second end;

- a support construction 12 extending from the longitudinally extending frame part 11 in a second direction substantially at right angles to the first direction;

- an X-ray source 14 and an image detector 15 which together form an X- ray imaging assembly 14, 15 mounted to the support construction 12;

- a first driving mechanism 16 arranged to move the X-ray imaging as sembly 14, 15 about a virtual or physical rotation axis 13. A control system of the apparatus may comprise at least one operation mode to operate the first driving mechanism 16 as defined above and to simultaneously operate the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15.

Turning to Figs. 2a - 2c they show, as an example, some structural de tails of one possible embodiment of the invention. In Figs. 2a - 2c, a part of the housing 121 of the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 is removed, which makes visible e.g. a guiding construction 50 which can be arranged in functional connection with at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15. Accord ing to one embodiment, the guiding construction 50 is motorized.

While Figs. 2a-2c show two guiding constructions 50, which are config ured to enable laterally moving the X-ray source 14 and the image de tector 15 in relation to their support construction 12, or in relation to the gantry 122, according to one embodiment only for either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 is arranged a guiding con struction 50.

The lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15 in relation to the support construction 12, or the gantry 122, can be implemented to take place on a plane which is orthogonal to the ro tation axis 13 about which the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 are ar ranged to rotate.

According to one aspect, for example, the at least one guiding con struction 50 as discussed herein is mounted to a ring-shaped gantry 122 arranged to the support construction 12 supporting the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15.

The range of lateral movement of at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, provided by the guiding construction 50, may comprise a base position and a first and a second extreme position which locate in opposite directions from the base position. While Figs . 2a - 2c show an embodiment in which structurally identical guiding constructions 50 are arranged for both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, and show the guiding construction 50 in differ ent details, for clarity of the Figs, while not all the components are not even visible in all of those, not each and every component is pre sented in each of the Figs . 2a - 2c with a related reference number .

According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises a guiding construction

50 for at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, the guiding construction 50 comprising a carriage 51 (visible in Fig. 2c) mounted to the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15, to enable lateral moving of at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15. A range of the lateral movement of the carriage

51 may include a base position and a first and a second extreme posi tion locating in opposite directions from the base position.

Further, according to one aspect, the at least one guiding construction 50 comprises at least one guiding groove or rail 52 on the side of the support construction 12, or of the gantry 122, and a mating construc tion 52' on the side of the carriage 51 (again, visible in Fig. 2c) .

According to one aspect, the at least one guiding construction 50 can comprise a motorized construction 53 in functional connection with the carriage 51, the motorized construction 53 providing the lateral moving of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15 within the range comprising the first and second extreme positions of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15.

According to one aspect, the motorized construction 53 can comprise a driving screw 54 which is aligned parallel with the at least one guid ing groove or rail 52 and arranged in functional connection with the carriage 51. According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 2a - 2c, the driving screw 54 is arranged to be rotated via a belt 531 driven by a motor 532 yet another construction to rotate the driving screw 54 may be used instead. According to yet another aspect, the guiding construction 50 can in clude a position sensor arrangement 55 configured to acquire infor mation relating to a position of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15, within the range of the lateral movement of at least ei ther of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15.

According to one aspect, the position sensor arrangement 55 can be con figured to detect a position of the carriage 51 within the range of the lateral movement of the carriage 51.

According to one further aspect, a signal path can be arranged between the at least one guiding construction 50 and the control system of the apparatus .

According to one aspect, the signal path can comprise a signal path be tween the position sensor arrangement 55 and the control system of the apparatus .

According to one aspect, the position sensor arrangement 55 is an abso lute position sensor arrangement 55.

According to one aspect, the absolute position sensor arrangement 55 can comprise a magnetic component 56 structurally connected to the car riage 51 and movably connected to a rod 57 extending in parallel with the at least one guiding groove or rail 52 and the driving screw 54.

According to one aspect, the first longitudinally extending frame part 11 extends horizontally or is arranged to be moved so as to extend hor izontally and the motorized construction 53 of the guiding construction 50 is arranged as self-holding regarding all i) positions of at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 within the range of their lateral movement and ii) rotational positions at which the first driving mechanism 16 is configured to move the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 about the virtual or physical rotation ax In reference to Figs. 3 and 4, according to one aspect, the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 comprises a ring- shaped gantry housing 121 which houses i) the at least one guiding con struction 50 and optionally also ii) the first driving mechanism 16 ar ranged to move the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 about the virtual or physical rotation axis 13, whereas the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 are arranged to locate or extend outside the ring-shaped gantry housing 121.

According to one embodiment, the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 extend from one same side of the ring-shaped gantry housing 121 and that side of the ring-shaped gantry housing 121 can comprise an other wise closed surface but on which surface there is an opening 59 for at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15. The opening 59 can be dimensioned to allow for the range of lateral move ment of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15 as guided by the at least one guiding construction 50.

Figs. 2c and 3 show an embodiment including a mounting bracket 58 con figured to extend through the opening 59 in the gantry housing 121. The mounting bracket 58 can be fixed to the carriage 51 at one side and, to the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15 at the other. As shown in Figs. 2c and 3, differently dimensioned mounting brackets 58 can be used.

According to one embodiment, the X-ray source 14 and/or the image de tector 15 can include a housing for the X-ray source 14 and/or the im age detector 15 which is so designed and dimensioned that in all posi tions within the range of the lateral movement of at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, the housing covers the opening 59 through which the mounting bracket 58 extends.

According to one aspect, the apparatus can comprise two guiding con structions 50, a first for the X-ray source 14 and a second for the im age detector 15. The guiding constructions 50 can comprise the same number of components having the same functions so as to form similarly functioning assemblies. The first and second guiding constructions may be identical, while optionally the mounting bracket 58 is different as adapted specifically for the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15.

According to one aspect and referring to Fig. 4, the housing 121 of the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 15, 16 does not encase the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 but functions primarily or solely as a housing for e.g. the ring-shaped gantry 122, to which the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 are mounted, and for the structures ar ranged to the apparatus to drive the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 about the rotation axis 13. Such solution enables realizing the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 to be lighter and provides a possibility for better access for patients and personnel to the imaging volume between the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 and also makes it easier for the personnel to have a clear line of sight at the imaging volume inside the housing 121, whereto the patient is to be po sitioned for an exposure.

Regarding the aspect of access to the volume between the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15, Fig. 5 illustrates how certain components of the appa ratus may be moved to various locations within ranges of movements ar ranged for them. According to that embodiment, while the embodiments of the invention discussed above to laterally move at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 can be used to ease access of a patient inside the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging as sembly 14, 15, another similarly constructed construction or another similarly functioning construction may be arranged in the apparatus to also laterally move the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 itself, in relation to the elongated frame part 11. By incorporating such linear movement mechanism 50' to the apparatus, e.g. even more room may be provided for the patient to enter the imaging ar ea and then get properly positioned for an exposure. More room in the proximity of the imaging volume may also be arranged by certain features arranged to the patient support 18, to be discussed further below.

Thus, according to one aspect, the apparatus further comprises a linear movement mechanism 50' arranged to enable moving the support construc tion 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly in relation to the longitudinal ly extending frame part 11 in a direction which is at right angles to the direction in which the longitudinally extending frame part 11 ex tends, wherein a range of the linear movement of the support construc tion 12 comprises a base position in relation to the first longitudi nally extending frame part 11 and a first and a second extreme posi tion .

When the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 extends in a direction at right angles to the longitudinally extending frame part 11, the direction in which the linear movement mechanism 50' moves the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 in relation to the longitudinally extending frame part 11 is also at right angles to that direction.

Concerning the base position provided by the linear movement mechanism 50' for the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 as well as that provided by the guiding construction 50 for an X-ray imaging assembly, in embodiments either of the first and second extreme positions may be the base position.

In the following, various examples are given relating to how to utilize the degrees of freedom of movement of various components of the appa ratus the various embodiment of the apparatus provide.

According to one aspect and referring to Fig. 5, a light emitting com ponent 141 is arranged in connection with the X-ray source 14. This light emitting component 141 may be configured to be able to project a light beam of the same shape as is the shape of an X-ray beam the X-ray source 14 is configured to emit or can be adjusted to emit. Such light emitting component 141 may be mounted to the same guiding construction 50 as the X-ray source 14 has, e.g. as a component separate from the X- ray source 14, so as to be movably mounted in relation to the rest of the components of the apparatus . The range of lateral movement of the guiding construction 50 is then preferably so configured that the X-ray source 14 and the light emitting component 141 can be positioned at the same location within the range of movement the guiding construction 50 provides, which configuration provides a novel arrangement by which one is able to cast a positioning light on the object to be imaged from the very same location at which the actual X-ray imaging exposure is to take place, or begin.

According to another aspect, the control system of the apparatus com prises an input for a patient entry mode, the patient entry mode com prising operating the at least one guiding construction 50 so as to drive at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 to a position closer to the first extreme position than the second ex treme position within the range of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15.

According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises the guiding construc tion 50 for both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 and the control system of the apparatus comprises an input for a patient entry mode according to which the guiding constructions 50 are driven so as to position both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 closer to the first extreme position than the second extreme position within the ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image de tector 15.

According to another aspect, the apparatus comprises a guiding con struction 50 for both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 and the control system of the apparatus comprises an input for a patient entry mode which comprises operating the guiding constructions 50 to move the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 in the same direc- tion so as to position them closer to the first extreme position than the second extreme position within the ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15.

According to another aspect, the control system of the apparatus com prises an input for a patient entry mode which includes driving the linear movement mechanism 50' so as to position the support construc tion 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly closer to the first extreme po sition than the second extreme position within the range of the linear movement of the support construction 12.

According to one aspect, the control system of the apparatus comprises an input for a patient entry mode, the patient entry mode comprising a combination of the two above-described or also other patient entry modes, like to position the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 and their support construction 12 in the same direction or in opposite directions from their base positions.

According to one aspect, the control system of the apparatus comprises an input for a patient entry mode according to which the at least one guiding construction 50 is operated so as to drive at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 to a position closer to the first extreme position than the second extreme position within the range of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image de tector 15, and the linear movement mechanism 50' so as to drive the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 to a po sition closer to that of the extreme positions within the range of the linear movement of the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 which in closer to the position where the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15 are driven to, within the range of lat eral movement of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15.

According to one aspect, the patient entry mode comprises the control system controlling the first driving mechanism 16 to move the X-ray im aging assembly 14, 15 about the rotation axis 13 to drive the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 to a rotational position at which the at least one guiding construction 50 is so positioned that the di rection of movement enabled by the at least one guiding construction 50 is perpendicular to the direction in which the first longitudinally ex tending frame part 11 extends.

The above patient entry modes are suitable to be implemented when the construction of the apparatus comprises the X-ray source 14 and the im age detector 15 extending outside the gantry housing 121.

Turning to Fig. 6 which shows, as an example and as a schematic general side view, certain components of an embodiment in which, in addition to what can be referred to as a first elongated frame part 11 discussed above, there is a second elongated 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. 6, at the proximity of the first end of the elongated frame parts 11, 12 is arranged an ar ticulated 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 relation to the second elongated frame part 21. The at least one tilt axis may be an axis which is orthogonal to the direction in which the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 extend as well as to direction in which the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 extends - perpendicularly from the first longitudinally extending frame part 11.

In the embodiments shown in Fig. 6, the at least one tilt axis is hori zontal. 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. 6 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, in 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, the lock ing mechanism 24 may be arranged in the proximity of the second end of the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 and as configured to enable connecting together and disconnecting the first and second elon gated 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.

While the construction allowing for tilting of the first elongated frame part 11 and descending and ascending of the first end of the first elongated frame part 11, as well as that of the locking mechanism 24 discussed above may vary, examples of such are disclosed in more de tail in a co-pending patent application FI 20190054, which is incorpo rated herein by reference.

Fig. 6 shows the apparatus according to Fig. 1 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 of Fig. 6 may be configured to allow for descending 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 Fig. 6, 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 assembly 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 of the invention, in mechanical connection with the articu lated 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 con struction 23 and for the first end of the first elongated frame part 11 mechanically connected 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 part 11, and the articulated connection construction 22 is arranged to allow for tilting of the first elongated frame part 11 between orientations at which the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 extend es sentially 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 Fig. 6, 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 another aspect not shown in detail in the Fig. 6, 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 Fig. 6, 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.

Fig. 7 is a schematic general presentation of an apparatus, as an exam ple, extending in horizontal direction. While not shown in Fig. 7, the apparatus may comprise constructions as discussed in connection with Fig. 6, which allow for changing the direction in which the elongated frame part 11 extends. The support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assem bly 14, 15 in Fig. 7 is not similar with that of Fig. 6, but Fig. 7 ra ther shows certain components of the apparatus as driven to locations corresponding to those shown in Fig. 5 and discussed above in the context of the patient entry modes .

According to yet another aspect and as shown in Fig. 8a, a connection construction 19, 20 which mechanically connects the patient support 18 to the elongated frame part 11 may comprise a patient support adjust ment mechanism 19', 20' configured to enable displacing the patient support 18 closer and further away from the (first) elongated frame part 11.

According to another aspect, a patient support driving mechanism 19'', 20'' is arranged in functional connection with the patient support ad justment 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 patient support 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 patient sup port 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 patient support driving mechanism 19'', 20'' of the patient support 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 (first) elongated frame part 11, and the second adjustment mechanism 20' with its driving mechanism 20'', arranged substantially at the second end of the (first) elongated frame part 11, to keep at the first and second ends of the elongated frame part 11 an identical distance between the (first) 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 (first) elongated frame part 11 and the patient support 18 can be ad justed to be different.

According to one aspect, as shown in Fig. 8b, considering the above- discussed first direction of the patient support 18, its cross section as for its prevailing part is curved so as to better support a patient against the concave surface of the patient support 18.

According to one other aspect, as shown in Fig. 8b, at the edges 181 of that cross section of the patient support 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 Figs. 8b and 8c, near the edges of the above-discussed cross section of the patient sup port 18 and on the side opposite to the for its prevailing part concave surface, is arranged a holding structure, or a support element 183. The holding structure 183 may be e.g. an elongated handle, while the con struction may include a connection construction 182 to receive e.g. a strap designed to extent on or over the concave side of the patient support 18, to be used to provide further support to the patient and thus to help keeping still during an imaging exposure. According to one aspect, and as already generally mentioned above, the various degrees of freedoms of movement of the components of apparatus can be taken advantage of when positioning a patient, or to be more ex act, an anatomy for an exposure. As an example, considering a situation of a patient's shoulder to be examined while lying on a patient support 18 like the one discussed above, one can first drive the patient sup port 18 to be located at a height position which is easiest for the pa tient to get on the patient support 18. Then, when the patient is lying on the patient support 18, at least one of i) the height position of the patient support 18, ii) horizontal position of the support con struction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15, and iii) position of at least either of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 within the range of the lateral movement provided therefor can be ad justed so that the desired anatomy will locate at the field of view of the apparatus. This, obviously, within the limits of the degrees of freedoms of movement of the components of apparatus arranged therefor.

Referring again to Fig. 8c and partially presenting the disclosure of the above in other words, according to one aspect, the apparatus com prises a patient support 18 mechanically connected to the first sub stantially longitudinally extending frame part 11 and comprising a pa tient support surface 184, which extends substantially in parallel with the first longitudinally extending frame part 11 and having at, or at the proximity of its two edges 181 which extend in the first direction, i) at least one support element 183 or ii) at least one connecting con struction 182 for at least one support element 183, the support element 183 being an accessory designed for a patient to hold on or help the patient to be still during an imaging exposure, or to help keeping a patient be still.

According to another aspect, the two edges 181 of the patient support 18 which extend in the first direction comprise, for at least a part of a distance the edge 181 extends in the first direction, a thin struc ture which extends from the patient support surface in a direction per pendicular to the first direction and which is curved in a direction away from the patient support surface 184, to form a curved edge por tion .

According to yet another aspect, an angle between the direction perpen dicular to the first direction in which the curved edge portion extends from the patient support surface 184 and a direction in which an end edge of the curved edge portion points at its periphery, is between 90 and 100 degrees. According to one aspect, an overall curvature of the curved edge portion is less than 90 degrees.

In an embodiment, a radius of curvature of the curved edge portion com prises no abrupt changes yet in preferable embodiments, at the periph ery of the curved edge portion there is a section ending at the end edge of the curved edge portion which is not curved. In further embodi ment, the section ending at the end edge of the curved edge portion which is not curved is a part of or itself constitutes the connecting construction 182 for the at least one support element 183. In the em bodiment of Fig. 8c, the support element 183 comprises a structure which is designed to clamp on the edge 181 of the patient support 18.

While Fig. 8c is a schematic presentation of one embodiment, the func tional part of the support element 183 is drawn merely as rectangle like component, yet one may still consider it representing e.g. one knob out of several arranged along that edge of the patient support 18 shown in the Fig. or a handle bar extending alongside the patient sup port 18.

According to a further aspect, the two edges of the patient support 18 which extend in the first direction comprise, for at least a part of a distance the edge 181 extends in the first direction, a thin structure which extends from the patient support surface 184 in a direction per pendicular to the first direction and, on the surface of the thin structure which is opposite to the surface which extends from the pa tient support surface 184, the connecting construction 182 for the at least one support element 183. In one embodiment, as an example, the connecting construction 182 comprises a self-adhesive surface, while regarding the area between the two edges 181 of the patient support 18 which extends in the first direction, the patient support surface 184 is concave .

As discussed, the patient support 18 may be mechanically connected to the first substantially longitudinally extending frame part 11 by a connection construction 19, 20 comprising a patient support adjustment mechanism 19', 20' configured to enable displacing the patient support 18 closer and further away from the first longitudinally extending frame part 11. And further, the patient support adjustment mechanism 19', 20' may comprise a first adjustment mechanism 19' and a driving mechanism 19' ' for the first adjustment mechanism 19' comprised in a patient support driving mechanism 19'', 20'' and a second adjustment mechanism 20' and a driving mechanism 20'' for the second adjustment mechanism 20' comprised in the patient support driving mechanism 19'', 20'', while the first adjustment mechanism 19' may locate substantially at the first end of the elongated frame part 11 and the second adjust ment mechanism 20' locate substantially at the second end of the elon gated frame part 11, and the patient support adjustment mechanisms 19', 20' be arranged in functional connection with the control system and the control system configured to control the patient support driving mechanism 19'', 20''.

In an embodiment, the control system is configured to enable driving the driving mechanism 19'' for the first adjustment mechanism 19' and the driving mechanism 20'' for the second adjustment mechanism 20' in dependently of each other .

In another embodiment, as discussed e.g. when referring to Fig. 6 above, the apparatus comprises a mechanism to drive the first longitu dinally extending frame part 11 between positions in which it extends vertically and in which it extends horizontally. According to one aspect, the control system of the apparatus comprises an imaging mode position of the patient support 18 and a patient entry position of the patient support 18, wherein in the patient entry posi tion the patient support 18 has been driven to a position closer to the first longitudinally extending frame part 11 than in the imaging mode position, and an input for a patient entry mode to drive the patient support to the patient entry position.

According to one aspect, the control system comprises an input for a patient entry mode according to which

- the at least one guiding construction 50 is operated so as to drive either or both of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 to a position closer to the first extreme posi tion than the second extreme position within the range of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and/or the image de tector 15,

and/or

- the patient entry mode includes driving the linear movement mechanism 50' so as to position the support construction 12 for the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 closer to the first ex treme position than the second extreme position within the range of the linear movement of the support construction 12, and wherein the patient support 18 is driven to its patient entry posi tion .

Features of the above two patient entry modes may be included, in part or in their entirety, in any of the patient entry modes discussed fur ther above .

According to yet another aspect, the apparatus comprises a remote con trol configured to transmit at least one control signal to the control system. The control signal may relate to operating the apparatus ac cording to a patient entry mode and the control system be configured to enter into a patient entry mode as a response to recognizing the con trol signal sent from the remote control. In addition to the structures according to embodiments of the invention enabling patient entry and positioning operations as discussed above, they can also be taken advantage of to perform e.g. other than tradi tional kind CT imaging and, in addition to CT imaging, also imaging modes with no rotation but mere linear movement of the X-ray imaging assembly may be deployed.

Thus, according to one aspect, the apparatus comprises the guiding con struction 50 for both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 and the control system of the apparatus comprises an operation mode to drive the motorized construction 53 of the guiding construction 50 to move the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, starting from the base positions, a distance in the same direction within said ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, and perform an imaging exposure while rotating the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 about an axis.

According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises the guiding construc tion 50 for both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 and the control system comprises an operating mode to drive the guiding con structions 50 to move the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 to a position other than the base position within said ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, and perform an imaging exposure .

According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises the guiding construc tion 50 for both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 and the control system comprises an operating mode to drive the guiding con structions 50 to move the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 to positions which are at an identical distance in the same direction from the base position, within said ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, and perform an imaging exposure.

According to one aspect, an operating mode of the apparatus comprises that prior to the imaging exposure, both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 are driven to locate at the extreme ends in the same direction from their base positions within said ranges of lateral move ment of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15.

According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises the guiding construc tion 50 for both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 and the control system comprises an operating mode to drive the guiding con structions 50 to move the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 within said ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 during an imaging exposure.

The imaging exposure of the operation modes as of above may comprise the control system controlling driving the first driving mechanism 16 arranged to move the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 about the rotation axis 13.

According to one aspect, the control system comprises at least two im aging modes of the apparatus to operate the first driving mechanism 16 to rotate the X-ray imaging assembly about an axis and simultaneously operate the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 to image an object, out of which in the first imaging mode the X-ray source 14 and the image de tector 15 are located at their base positions within the ranges of lat eral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 and, in the second imaging mode, both the X-ray source 14 and the image detec tor 15 have been moved along the guiding construction 50 within the ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detec tor 15 to locate at an identical distance in the same direction from the base positions.

According to one aspect, the apparatus comprises the guiding construc tion 50 for both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 and the control system comprises an operating mode comprising a first and a second imaging exposure, wherein the first imaging exposure comprises the control system controlling driving the first driving mechanism 16 arranged to move the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 about the rotation axis 13 in a first rotation direction while both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 have been driven to locate at or at the prox imity of the first extreme ends in the same direction from the base po sition within said ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, the second imaging exposure comprises the control system controlling driving the first driving mechanism 16 ar ranged to move the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 about the rotation ax is 13 in a rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction after both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 have been driven to locate at or at the proximity of the second extreme ends in the same direction from a center position within said ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15.

According to one aspect, the control system of the apparatus comprises an imaging mode comprising two imaging scan rotations wherein the first scan comprises moving the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 by the first driving mechanism 16 in a first rotation direction when both the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 have been driven, prior to the ex posure, in the same direction to locate a distance from their base po sitions towards the first extreme ends within the ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15, and wherein the second scan comprises moving the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 by the first driving mechanism 16 in a second rotation direction opposite to the first direction when both the X-ray source 14 and the image de tector 15 have been driven, prior to the exposure, the same distance to locate a distance from said base positions towards the second extreme ends within the ranges of lateral movement of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15.

According to one aspect, the operation modes like described above op tionally comprises rotation in said first and second directions over an angle more than 180 degrees yet less than 360 degrees.

Fig. 9 shows as a block diagram an example of components of a control system applicable for use in an apparatus according to the invention. In various embodiments, not all those features are necessarily present in a control system of the apparatus. The control system according to Fig. 9 is configured to enable controlling, first of all, operation of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 during an exposure. Components con trolling operation of the X-ray source 14 and the image detector 15 can include components physically arranged to the X-ray source 14 and/or the image detector 15 and/or elsewhere in the apparatus.

The control system of Fig. 9 further controls various driving means of the apparatus, such as those rotating the X-ray imaging assembly 14, 15 supported by their support construction 20, those driving the one or more guiding construction 50 as well those moving the support construction 20 for the imaging means 14, 15 itself. Fig. 9 further shows the control system comprising at least one patient entry mode which includes control ling at least one of the above-mentioned driving means . Correspondingly, the at least one scanning mode is included in the control system of Fig. 9. Inputs to the control system may be provided by the remote control.

Further shown in Fig. 9 is a signal path to the mounting structure 23 as discussed further above and, in case of the apparatus comprising a mo torized locking mechanism 24 to connect and disconnect the first and second elongated frame parts 11, 21 as discussed above, the control system may also control driving means of the locking mechanism 24.

Overall, the control system may be arranged to control all the above- discussed operations or any portion thereof. The structures and function alities discussed above offer various possibilities to ease positioning and perform imaging of a patient .