Patent Description:
In recent years, the perception of the companion animal is changing to a family member who shares emotion with the human being rather than a pet just living together with the human being. In addition, as the number of single-person households increases recently, the number of households which raise the companion animals to soothe loneliness is increasing.

As described above, with the change in perception of the companion animal and the increase in the number of households which raise companion animals, demand for diagnosis and treatment of disease or injury of the companion animal is also on the rise.

Meanwhile, like the human being, the companion animal may be precisely diagnosed by a radiation diagnosis machine, such as an X-ray, a computerized tomography (CT) or the like. <CIT> discloses a radiological scanning system with a robotic array having at least one set of automated scanning robots (one with an emitter and another with a detector) configured to perform a radiological scan on a subject, such as a patient in a hospital setting or an animal, such as a horse. A vision system is provided to derive the position of the animal with respect to robotic array at all times during a scan.

However, such a radiation diagnosis machine is very costly and requires a wide installation space. This makes it difficult for a typical animal hospital to operate the machine. Further, in order to prevent the companion animal from moving during radiography for diagnosis, the companion animal needs to be anesthetized. This requires an expert for anesthesia operation and an additional recovery space. Furthermore, some of the companion animals may be hardy anesthetized due to disease, aging, or the like.

Therefore, there is a need for the development of a diagnosis apparatus which can operate at a low cost in a compact structure and can perform radiography without an additional anesthesia process.

The present disclosure is made in view of this problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a companion animal diagnosis apparatus capable of performing a radiation diagnosis without anesthetizing a companion animal.

A companion animal diagnosis apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a radiation irradiation unit configured to generate radiation and irradiate the radiation toward a diagnosis object; a detector disposed to face the radiation irradiation unit and configured to detect the radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit; a driving unit configured to adjust positions of the radiation irradiation unit and the detector; and a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device in a wireless manner. The driving unit is configured to adjust the positions of the radiation irradiation unit and the detector such that the diagnosis object is located between the radiation irradiation unit and the detector, and the radiation irradiation unit is configured to irradiate the radiation toward the diagnosis object when the diagnosis object is located between the radiation irradiation unit and the detector.

The companion animal diagnosis apparatus further comprises a sensor configured to sense a position of the diagnosis object. Furthermore, the radiation irradiation unit is configured to automatically irradiate the radiation toward the diagnosis object when the sensor senses that the diagnosis object is located between the radiation irradiation unit and the detector.

The radiation irradiation unit may be configured to irradiate the radiation toward the diagnosis object based on a signal relating to a radiation irradiation received from the external device through the communication unit.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radiation irradiation unit and the detector may be provided on respective rails and may be configured to move along the respective rails by the driving unit.

According to a companion animal diagnosis apparatus of one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to perform radiography while a companion animal freely moves and thus performs radiation diagnosis without anesthetizing the companion animal.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings to such an extent that the present disclosure can be readily practiced by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Detailed descriptions of parts irrelevant to the present disclosure will be omitted for the purpose of more clearly describing the present disclosure. Throughout the specification, the same components will be described using like reference numerals. In addition, it should be understood that specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics described in the specification may be modified in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and positions or arrangements of individual components may be modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Throughout the present specification, when a component is referred to as being "connected" to another component, the component can be directly connected to another component, or can be connected to another component by intervening yet another component there between.

<FIG> illustrates a companion animal diagnosis system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the companion animal diagnosis system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> and a user terminal <NUM> connected to the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> in a wireless manner and configured to control the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM>.

The companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an apparatus for diagnosing a companion animal S through radiography and is manufactured in a small size unlike a radiation diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing a human being. Thus, the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> can be installed in a narrow space, thereby being utilized in a typical animal hospital. This makes it possible to more easily diagnose disease or injury of the companion animal S.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may be configured to be controlled by the user terminal <NUM>. The user terminal <NUM> may be a digital equipment having an arithmetic capacity, which incorporates a memory means and a microprocessor, such as a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web pad or the like. A user may control an operation of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> through an application program installed in the user terminal <NUM>. Further, the user may input and manage information on the companion animal S using the user terminal <NUM> or check diagnosis results obtained by the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM>. For example, the user may input information on the type, weight, size and the like of the companion animal S using the user terminal <NUM>, set diagnosis parameters such as a radiation intensity, an irradiation time and the like corresponding to the information to operate the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM>, and check the diagnosis results through radiography.

As described above, since the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is controlled by the user terminal <NUM> connected to the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> in a wireless manner, it is possible to diagnose the companion animal S through the radiography during free movement of the companion animal without giving the companion animal S a sense of discomfort.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a view schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a radiation irradiation unit <NUM>, a detector <NUM>, a driving unit <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>.

The radiation irradiation unit <NUM> of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM>, which is a unit configured to generate radiation and irradiate the same toward the companion animal S as a diagnosis object, may include a radiation source configured to generate the radiation, a collimator configured to adjust a dispersion angle and an irradiation range of the radiation, a filter configured to adjust an intensity of the radiation, and the like. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the intensity and the irradiation range of the radiation may be adjusted according to the type, weight, size and the like of the companion animal S as a diagnosis object.

The detector <NUM> of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> is configured to detect the radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit <NUM>, and is disposed to face the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

A space where the companion animal S as a diagnosis object can freely move is formed between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM>.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> may be disposed on respective rails (not shown). The rails provide movement paths through which the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> move respectively. Thus, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> may move along the respective rails while facing each other by the driving unit <NUM> to be described later.

As described above, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> are moved by the driving unit <NUM> at positions facing each other. To this end, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> may be driven as a unit in a state in which they are connected to each other through an additional structure formed on upper or lower portions of the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM>. In some embodiments, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> may move in parallel while moving independently of each other and keeping the positions facing each other.

In the present embodiment, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> are described to be provided on the bottom of an open place, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an elongated bed may be provided like in a conventional radiotherapy machine, and a radiation irradiation unit and a detector may be provided on both sides of the bed. Alternatively, a cage for limiting a movement range of the radiation irradiation unit and the detector may be provided such that the companion animal S moves only in the space defined between the radiation irradiation unit and the detector.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> may be controlled by the user terminal <NUM> described above. For example, when a radiation irradiation signal is input by the user terminal <NUM>, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> irradiates the radiation. In this case, the intensity, the irradiation time, the irradiation range and the like of the radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> may be set through the user terminal <NUM>.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of the detector <NUM> may be controlled by the user terminal <NUM> like in the radiation irradiation unit <NUM>. When the radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> is detected, the detector <NUM> may transmit respective data to the user terminal <NUM>.

The driving unit <NUM> of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> is configured to perform a function of adjusting positions of the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM>. For example, in the case in which the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> are provided on the respective rails, the driving unit <NUM> may drive the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> such that they move in one direction of the rails while facing each other.

The driving unit <NUM> may include a motor, and a roller that is rotated by the motor and connected to the rails, and is configured to displace the positions of the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> by travelling the rails connected to the roller with the driving of the motor. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various known techniques may be applied to the driving unit <NUM> in moving the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM>.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving unit <NUM> may also be controlled by the user terminal <NUM>. For example, when information on positions of the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> is input to the user terminal <NUM>, the driving unit <NUM> may move the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> to the respective positions.

The companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the sensor <NUM> in addition to the radiation irradiation unit <NUM>, the detector <NUM>, and the driving unit <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may perform a function of sensing the presence of the companion animal S as a diagnosis object or a position of the companion animal S. The sensor <NUM> may include a sensor provided in the space between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> to sense a load and detect the position of the companion animal S, or may include an infrared sensor provided in the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> or the detector <NUM> to determine whether the companion animal S is located between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM>. In addition, various known sensors may be provided to sense the presence of the companion animal S, or the position of the companion animal S.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may operate the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the driving unit <NUM> based on the position information of the companion animal S obtained by the sensor <NUM>.

For example, when the companion animal S is sensed to be located between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> by the sensor <NUM>, the respective information may be transmitted to the user terminal <NUM> through the communication unit <NUM> (to be described later) such that the radiation can be irradiated by the operation of the user. Alternatively, when the companion animal S is sensed to be located between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> by the sensor <NUM>, the respective information may be transmitted to the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> such that the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> automatically irradiates the radiation.

In some embodiments, based on the position of the companion animal S sensed by the sensor <NUM>, the driving unit <NUM> may be operated to move the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> to the point where the companion animal S is located.

The communication unit <NUM> of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> may perform a function of transmitting or receiving signals and data between the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> and the user terminal <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> may be configured by a short-range wireless communication module including a Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and may be connected to the user terminal <NUM> in a wireless manner.

The control unit <NUM> of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> is configured to control the flow of signals and data between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM>, the detector <NUM>, the driving unit <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, and the communication unit <NUM>. That is, the control unit <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure controls the flow of signals and data inside the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM>, the flow of signals and data to/from the outside of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM>, thereby controlling each component to execute a task uniquely assigned thereto.

The companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a simplified structure as described above. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus and manufacture the apparatus at a low cost. This makes it possible for a typical animal hospital to utilize a radiation machine for diagnosing a companion animal and provide a service of diagnosing disease or injury of the companion animal at a lower cost.

In addition, the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has an open structure and may perform the radiography on the companion animal S freely moving in the space between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM>. This eliminates a need to anesthetize the companion animal S for diagnosis. Therefore, not only an expert for anesthesia of the companion animal S or an additional recovery space but also the time required for anesthesia and recovery are not necessary. This reduces the total diagnosis time. In particular, it is also possible to diagnose a companion animal that may be hardly anesthetized due to aging or the like. This significantly increases the application range of the radiation diagnosis.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views showing operational aspects of the companion animal diagnosis apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, a companion animal diagnosis method using the companion animal diagnosis apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring first to <FIG>, the companion animal S as a diagnosis object is located in the space formed between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> in order to diagnose whether the companion animal S has disease or injury (shown at the top of <FIG>). The companion animal S can move freely in the space defined between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> (shown in the middle of <FIG>). When the companion animal S is located between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> during the movement, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> irradiates radiation toward the companion animal S (shown at the bottom of <FIG>). The radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> penetrates the companion animal S and is sensed by the detector <NUM>. The detector <NUM> transmits information on the sensed radiation to the user terminal <NUM> through the communication unit <NUM> such that the user can check the respective diagnosis results.

A diagnosis method illustrated in <FIG> is different from the diagnosis method described with reference to <FIG> in that the positions of the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> can be adjusted. Specifically, when the companion animal S is located in the space defined between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> (shown at the top of <FIG>), the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> may be moved to a place where the companion animal S is located by the driving unit <NUM> (shown in the middle of <FIG>). When the companion animal S is located between the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM>, the movement of the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> and the detector <NUM> is paused, and subsequently, the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> irradiates the radiation toward the companion animal S (see at the bottom of <FIG>). Similarly, the radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> penetrates the companion animal Sand is sensed by the detector <NUM>. The detector <NUM> transmits information on the sensed radiation to the user terminal <NUM> such that the user can check the respective diagnosis results.

In the companion animal diagnosis method using the companion animal diagnosis apparatus <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the user is described to control the radiation irradiation unit <NUM>, the driving unit <NUM>, and the like through the user terminal <NUM>. In some embodiments, the user may operate the radiation irradiation unit <NUM> or the driving unit <NUM> based on the position information of the companion animal S sensed by the sensor <NUM>. In this case, the radiation irradiation for diagnosis may be performed through the user terminal <NUM> or may be automatically performed.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for diagnosing a companion animal (S) with radiation, comprising:
a radiation irradiation unit (<NUM>) configured to generate the radiation and irradiate the radiation toward the companion animal (S);
a detector (<NUM>) disposed to face the radiation irradiation unit (<NUM>) and configured to detect the radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit (<NUM>);
a driving unit (<NUM>) configured to adjust positions of the radiation irradiation unit (<NUM>) and the detector (<NUM>);
a sensor (<NUM>) configured to sense a position of the companion animal (S); and
a communication unit (<NUM>) configured to communicate with an external device (<NUM>) in a wireless manner,
characterized in that the sensor (<NUM>) includes a sensor provided in the space between the radiation irradiation unit and the detector and configured to sense a load and detect the position of the companion animal (S) and a sensor for sensing the presence of the companion animal (S) configured to determine whether the companion animal (S) is located between the radiation irradiation unit (<NUM>) and the detector (<NUM>),
the driving unit (<NUM>) is configured to move the radiation irradiation unit (<NUM>) and the detector (<NUM>) to the point where the companion animal (S) is located based on the position of the companion animal (S) sensed by the load sensor (<NUM>), and
the radiation irradiation unit (<NUM>) is configured to automatically irradiate the radiation toward the companion animal (S) when the sensor (<NUM>) for sensing the presence of the companion animal (S) senses that the companion animal (S) is located between the radiation irradiation unit (<NUM>) and the detector (<NUM>).