Positioning distance control for X-ray imaging systems

1. An X-ray imaging system, comprising:

a moveable X-ray source and a moveable X-ray detector;

a plurality of object-surface detecting sensors;

a positioning detection arrangement;

a processing unit; and

a display unit;

wherein the sensors are arranged such to detect object data of objects located between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector;

wherein the positioning detection arrangement is provided to detect the current position of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector and the position of the sensors;

wherein the processing unit is configured to compute a situation-map of the current spatial situation of a positional arrangement exclusively between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector based on the object data provided by the sensors and the current position, the situation-map distinguishing at least between empty spaces and spaces occupied by rigid objects; and wherein the situation-map comprises a representation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector in relation to the positioning detection arrangement;

wherein the display unit is configured to display the situation-map to a user operating the X-ray imaging system;

wherein the X-ray imaging system is a C-arm imaging system comprising a C-arm structure, wherein the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are mounted to opposing ends of a C-arm;

wherein the sensors are mounted to the C-arm structure in a distributed manner along an inner side of the arc; and

wherein the positioning detection arrangement comprises angulation detectors for providing information about the movement of the C-arm.

2. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the object-surface detecting sensors are provided as ultrasound sensors.

3. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensors provide surface data of a number of spatial segments; and

wherein the processing unit is configured to combine the surface data of the spatial segments to form a topogram of the current spatial situation.

4. The X-ray imaging system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the situation-map comprises a visual representation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector in their current position.

5. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the current spatial situation in the situation-map is provided in relation to a spatial frame of reference.

6. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to indicate, in the situation-map, a geometrical form of an X-ray beam to be radiated from the X-ray source to the X-ray detector;

wherein the situation-map is a positioning guide for the operator of the X-ray imaging system.

7. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to compute a simulation of at least one movement of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector; and

wherein the display unit is configured to display at least one resulting simulated spatial situation.

8. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the C-arm system is a portable system, wherein the C-arm is mounted to a support allowing movement of the C-arm, wherein the support is mounted to a moveable base.

9. A method for providing guiding information for operating an X-ray imaging system, comprising the following:

a) detecting object data of objects located between a moveable X-ray source and a moveable X-ray detector with a plurality of object-surface detecting sensors;

b) detecting current position of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector and the position of the sensors with a positioning detection arrangement;

c) computing a situation-map of the current spatial situation of a positional arrangement exclusively between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector based on the object data and the current position; and

d) displaying the situation-map on a display to a user operating the X-ray imaging system;

wherein the X-ray imaging system is a C-arm imaging system comprising a C-arm structure, wherein the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are mounted to opposing ends of a C-arm; wherein sensors are mounted to the C-arm structure in a distributed manner along an inner side of the arc; and wherein the positioning detection arrangement comprises angulation detectors for information about the movement of the C-arm;

wherein the situation-map is distinguishing at least between empty spaces and spaces occupied by rigid objects; and

wherein the situation-map comprises a representation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector in relation to the positioning detection arrangement.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein for d), a geometrical form of an X-ray beam to be radiated from the X-ray source to the X-ray detector is indicated in the situation-map as a positioning guide for the operator of the X-ray imaging system.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein a simulation of at least one movement of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector is computed based on the computed situation map; and

wherein at least one resulting simulated spatial situation is displayed as a situation-simulation-map.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, which when being executed by a processing unit, are adapted to perform the method according claim 9 .

13. An X-ray imaging system, comprising:

a moveable X-ray source and a moveable X-ray detector;

a C-arm, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector being mounted to opposing ends of the C-arm structure;

a plurality of ultrasound sensors configured to detect object data of objects located between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, the ultrasound sensors being sensors mounted to the C-arm structure in a distributed manner along an inner side of an arc of the C-arm;

angulation detectors configured to detect the current position of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector and the position of the ultrasound sensors;

at least one processor programmed to compute a a situation-map of the current spatial situation of a positional arrangement exclusively between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector based on the object data provided by the sensors and the current position, the situation-map comprising a representation of the X-ray source and the X-ray detector in relation to the angular detectors; and

a display configured to display the situation-map.

14. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to compute empty spaces and spaces occupied by rigid objects of the situation-map.

15. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 14 , wherein the angulation detectors are configured to provide information about the movement of the C-arm.

16. The X-ray imaging system according to claim 13 , wherein the ultrasound sensors are configured to obtain surface data of a number of spatial segments; and

wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to combine the surface data of the spatial segments to form a topogram.