Technical Field

The invention is related to an apparatus that enables to place the desired area in the x-ray image obtained by means of a C-arm fluoroscopy device, during an operation, to the center of the image.

Prior Art

A C-arm fluoroscopy device is an x-ray device which enables to capture real-time (instantaneous) images during an operation, which is used by particularly the orthopedics, traumatology, algology, urology, neurosurgery units. The C-arm fluoroscopy, which can capture an image of the desired region in the body, enables to shorten operation time and to conduct several surgical procedures percutaneously. It is also used to verify the accuracy of the region where the procedure is being carried out during a surgical operation and to confirm the positions of the implants that are used. The fluoroscopy device is usually used during orthopedic surgeries for broken bones; when extracting foreign objects and bullets after a shooting injury, to confirm that the implants have been positioned correctly into the backbone during neurosurgery, and during closed treatment of kidney stones by the urology department. By means of C-arm fluoroscopy, instantaneous, digital high-quality imaging is provided, lower radiation is given, and faster imaging is carried out thereby reducing surgical operation time, and the images can be stored in a computer and they can be replicated and processed.

An x-ray tube is provided at one end of the C shaped arm, and a recording system is provided at the other end of the C-arm fluoroscopy device. The x-rays that are formed by the x-ray tube, is passed over the region of the patient that is desired to be imaged. The detector located at the opposite side of the C-arm absorbs the x- rays that have not been absorbed and processes them, and eventually reflects them as an image on the screen. The C arm is a completely mobile system that is attached to the top section or the body of the device. The horizontal movements of the C arm, enable capturing images from different angles. By means of the arm that can rotate 360°, the desired position can be taken at both the horizontal and vertical axis. The system is completed with a patient table that moves in all directions called floating tables and monitors.

The clearest image is obtained by means of the C-arm fluoroscopy when the midpoint of the fluoroscopy tube overlaps the midpoint of the area to be captured (the center) as an image. The radiation source tube and the area to be imaged need to be aligned. Each imaging subjects the patient and the surgical staff to ionized radiation. Ionized radiation can lead to cancer, cataracts, and gastrointestinal diseases. Protection equipment has been provided such as lead fluoroscopy apron, lead glasses, etc., in order to protect the surgical staff. These types of equipment enable protection by means of the lead they contain. Due to this reason, although they provide high protection rates, they are difficult to be worn during surgery. Moreover, a method with protects the patient from radiation is not available. Due to this reason, apparatus is required which enables to place the desired region in the x-ray image obtained during an operation, to the center of the image.

In the United States Patent document numbered US4356400 of the prior art an apparatus and a method which allows aligning the source of an x-ray with the image capturing device is disclosed.

In the United States Patent document numbered US2010312103 of the prior art a system is disclosed which aims to monitor the desired trajectory of surgical instruments and especially for monitoring the trajectory of surgical instruments or implants. Said system, encompass imaging systems such as C-arms. Brief Description of the Invention

The aim of the invention is to develop an apparatus which enables to place the region desired to be captured, when an x-ray image is desired to be obtained by means of a C-arm fluoroscopy device, during an operation, to the center of the image.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus which enables to capture the clearest x-ray image during a surgical operation.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus which enables to capture the x-ray image of the desired area during a surgical operation, by carrying out the lowest number of image capturing process, and therefore ensures that both the surgical staff and the patient are subjected to minimal radiation.

Another aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is used to determine the area of which the x-ray image is to be captured during an operation, which can be used in all brands/models and which can be easily attached to and detached from the C-arm fluoroscopy.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The“An Apparatus for a C-arm Fluoroscopy” provided to reach the aims of the invention has been illustrated in the attached figures. The figures illustrate the following:

Figure 1. The view of the apparatus of the invention.

Figure 2. A view of the apparatus of the invention illustrated with axes.

Figure 3. View showing the proximity of the fluoroscopy tube according to the positions of the line lasers of the invention. The parts in the figures have each been numbered and their references have been listed below.

1. Apparatus

2. Body

3. First line laser

4. Second line laser

5. Third line laser

A: Fluoroscopy tube

The apparatus (1) subject to the invention comprises;

-a circular body (2),

-a first line laser (3) placed on the body (2),

-a second line laser (4) placed on the body (2) such that creates a 90-degree angle with the first line laser (3),

-a third line laser (5) placed on the body (2) such that it creates a 180-degree angle with the first line laser (3) and a 90-degree angle with the second line laser (4).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (2) is mounted to the fluoroscopy tube (A) by means of its circular shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (2) has a quadrant, semi circular or completely circular structure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention body (2); the first line laser (3), the second line laser (4) and third line laser (5) establish a support base.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (2) is made of metal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface of the body (2) that is in contact with the fluoroscopy tube (A) has been coated with soft plastic.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (2) can be opened from a point, in order to be mounted to and disassembled from the fluoroscopy tube (A).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the open ends of the body (2), are coupled to each other with a connection element such as a screw or a bolt after it is attached to the fluoroscopy tube (A); thereby preventing its horizontal movement on the fluoroscopy tube (A).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first line laser (3) is red.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first line laser (3) is coupled to the power supply. (Not shown in the Figure)

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first line laser (3) is modularly placed onto the fluoroscopy tube (A) by means of a method such as a magnet or adhesive without the circular body (2).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second line laser (4) is red.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second line laser (4) is coupled to the power supply. (Not shown in the Figure)

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second line laser (4) is modularly placed onto the fluoroscopy tube (A) by means of a method such as a magnet or adhesive without the circular body (2). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the second line laser (4), intersects with the first line laser (3) thereby showing the midpoint of the fluoroscopy tube (A).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the intersection point of the second line laser (4), with the first line laser (3) shows the same center, independent from the motion on the z-axis.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a mark is created in order to place the area desired to be imaged by means of the intersection of the second line laser (4) with the first line laser (3) such that it is aligned at the same position with the center of the cylindrical C-arm fluoroscopy tube.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the third line laser (5) creates a triangle at the area to be imaged with the second line laser (4) and the first line laser (3), thereby determining the height of the fluoroscopy tube (A) from the surface, and enables to capture images from the same height, every time.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is expressed that when the third line laser (5) comes closer to the intersection point of the first line laser (3) and the second line laser (4), the fluoroscopy tube (A) elevates itself and moves away from the area to be imaged and when the third line laser moves away from the intersection point, the fluoroscopy tube (A) descends down and comes closer to the area to be imaged. (The fluoroscopy tube elevates up and moves away from the area to be imaged at the direction of the arrow sign in Figure 3).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention third line laser (5) enables to maintain the distance between the C-arm fluoroscopy and the point desired to be captured as an image, at the z-axis, independent from the x and y-axis.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the third line laser (5) is green. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the third line laser (5) is coupled to the power supply. (Not shown in the Figure)

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the third line laser (5) is modularly placed onto the fluoroscopy tube (A) by means of a method such as a magnet or adhesive without the circular body (2).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus (1) enables the clearest and accurate image to be captured by pointing out the center of the fluoroscopy tube and bringing the center of the area that is to be captured as an image to the center of the fluoroscopy tube.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as the apparatus (1), enables to align the center points, it establishes the clearest and accurate image to be captured at the first trial, therefore it eliminates the need for repetition in order to obtain an accurate image, which consequently ensures that the patient and the surgical staff are subjected to minimal radiation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus (1) reduces the usage of the C-arm fluoroscopy during a surgical operation and therefore it extends the usage life of the C-arm fluoroscopy.

Around these basic concepts, it is possible to develop several embodiments regarding the apparatus (1) subject to the invention; therefore the invention cannot be limited to the examples disclosed herein, and the invention is essentially, as defined in the claims.