Automatic patient positioning system

US7869562B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Ali Khamene · Princeton, US
• Stefan Käpplinger · Jena, DE
• Gabriel Haras · Engelskirchen, DE
• Eike Rietzel · Weiterstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 18, 2009
• Grant date: Jan 11, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N2005/1059
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A patient positioning system for positioning a patient relative to radiographic equipment. The system includes: a 3D optical imaging system for optically scanning the patient, such 3D optical imaging system having a focal plane and providing, for each position on the object, data representative of the intensity of reflected energy received by the system from such position and data representative of distance from such position on the object to the focal plane; a table apparatus for supporting the patient and for moving the table relative to the radiographic equipment in response to positioning signals; and a processor responsive to data from the radiographic equipment and the data from the a 3D optical imaging system for producing the positioning signals. The system enables a method for displaying temporal changes in a patient positioned with a bore of radiographic equipment.