Patent Description:
In the medical field, multiple pieces of mechanized equipment are often used in a medical procedure. For example, in the context of a mammogram, mammography equipment is typically coupled to patient positioning equipment, e.g., a moveable patient support table, which ensures proper positioning and support of a patient. As will be appreciated, during a mammogram, a practitioner must coordinate the movement of this equipment to obtain high quality mammographic images and/or biopsies.

More specifically, a practitioner must initiate movements of a mammographic gantry, as well as control breast compression, imaging parameters, and any other accessories employed during an examination. In addition to controlling the mammography equipment, a practitioner must adjust the patient positioning equipment so that the patient is in the correct angle and orientation necessary for the mammography imaging system or associated accessories to interface with the patient and function properly.

Typically, controls for mammography equipment are located on a gantry and/or main body of the equipment, as well as on one or more footswitch modules situated on the floor of the examination room. Given that such footswitches are on the floor, they may potentially contact or block the path of castors/wheels of the movable patent positioning system.

Moreover, controls on the various pieces of equipment utilized during a mammogram, i.e., controls for the mammography equipment and the patient positioning system, may be in potentially inconvenient locations relative to one another. That is, controls for the patient positioning system, e.g., controls that raise/lower or change the angle of a patient, are typically located on the positioning system. Controls for accessories are generally located on the accessories themselves, and, as mentioned, controls for the mammography equipment may be on the floor next to the equipment and on the gantry/body.

In addition, the various pieces of equipment are fabricated by different manufacturers and thus have no unified control system. As a result, the individual, equipment-specific controls must be utilized. To effectively use such controls, practitioners may have to reposition themselves multiple times during a procedure. Moreover, the practitioner often has both hands occupied, which potentially complicates effective equipment control.

<CIT> describes a foot-activated controller for an imaging system such as a urology table. The system may comprise a first controller section comprising actuators dedicated to communicating one or more components that provide an imaging functionality and a second controller section comprising actuators dedicated to communicating with or more components that provide a physical positioning functionality. <CIT> describes mammography apparatus comprising a screen or a user interface with a screen that is attached to the mammography apparatus such that the screen or the user interface with a screen is aligned or can be aligned at least partly towards a lower tray structure of the mammography apparatus. <CIT> describes an x-ray mammography apparatus comprising a bed having a hole for elongating the breast. An x-ray source and a film table are located under the bed, thereby allowing an x-ray beam going horizontally through the patient's breast. The x-ray source is connected to an x-ray power supply though an electric cable. The power supply is controlled by a computer and an operator console. At one end of the bed, there are racks being mechanically connected to a gear being further connected to a rotary-motor. In operation, the rotating motor allows the bed to move to the right or to the left.

What is needed, therefore, is an improved system and method for controlling medical equipment.

Aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims.

Also disclosed is apparatus for controlling medical equipment is provided. The apparatus includes patient positioning equipment, and a control system coupled to the patient positioning equipment. The control system is configured to control a function of the medical equipment.

A system for controlling mammography equipment is provided. The system includes a mammography imaging system, a breast imaging table, and switch controls coupled to the breast imaging table. The switch controls are configured to control at least one function of the mammography equipment.

A method of controlling medical equipment is also provided. The method includes engaging a control system secured to patient positioning equipment, and controlling at least one function of the medical equipment via the control system.

Features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention and disclosure will become apparent on reading the detailed description below with reference to the drawings, which are illustrative but non-limiting, wherein:.

Reference will be made below in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention and disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference characters used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts, without duplicative description.

While embodiments disclosed herein are described with respect to a mammography imaging system and procedure, it is to be understood that the system and method disclosed herein may be applicable to other types of diagnostic procedures and "medical equipment" generally, i.e., devices used by practitioners to perform a medical procedure, e.g., an x-ray, CT, ultrasound machine, biopsy machine, endoscope, cardiac catheter, fluoroscope, dental equipment, etc. More specifically, practitioners in the art will readily recognize that the system and method may be suitable for use with various diagnostic procedures that involve medical equipment and a patient positioning system. However, the use of the system and method disclosed herein with medical equipment other than a mammography imaging system does not form part of the presently claimed invention. As will be appreciated, embodiments may be utilized for procedures on animals generally, and are not limited to human procedures.

As used herein, the terms "substantially," "generally," and "about" indicate conditions within reasonably achievable manufacturing and assembly tolerances, relative to ideal desired conditions suitable for achieving the functional purpose of a component or assembly.

Moreover, the term "patient positioning equipment", as used herein, refers to equipment that positions and/or supports a patient at the correct orientation necessary for the conduction of a procedure via medical equipment. As will be appreciated, the patient positioning equipment may be mechanized or manually configured and may include tables, chairs, support frames, kneelers, or other structures designed to position or support a patient during a medical procedure. In some embodiments, the patient positioning equipment is a decubitus mammography table / Decubitus Breast Imaging (DBI) table.

The term "control system", as used herein, refers a system for controlling one or more functions of medical equipment and/or patient positioning equipment and accessory equipment, and is not limited to a specific type of controller or interface. The term includes, but is not limited to, switch controls, i.e., a set of positionable operated controls, e.g., footswitch controls such as pedals, buttons, rocker switches, etc., that may be configurable to control the functions of medical equipment, patient positioning equipment, and/or accessory device actions. Control systems further include, but are not limited to, a user interface, i.e., a surface configured to receive inputs from a practitioner that translate to machine actions. The surface may contain multiple programmable switches or buttons, a tactile display surface, a touch pad, a display, or combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term "support structure" refers to a structure configured to interface with and support the switch controls and/or the user interface on the patient positioning equipment. This can include a rigid structure as well as a flexible mounts, e.g., a gooseneck mount. Also, as used herein, the terms "coupled" and "connect" mean to fasten or join as commonly used, and refers both to permanent affixation as well as selectively removable attachments. Typical connection/coupling devices/connectors/fasteners include fasteners, welds, clamps, straps, cables, zip ties, mating parts (e.g., post-socket, hinges, snap-fits, etc.), adhesives, friction fits, etc..

Turning now to <FIG>, an example of a common arrangement of medical equipment <NUM>, here a mammography imaging system/machine, paired with patient positioning equipment <NUM> is presented. The mammography imaging system <NUM> has a gantry <NUM> that contains side controls <NUM>, front controls <NUM> above the compression paddle and breast support area <NUM>, as well as switch controls <NUM>, e.g., footswitch controls. Switch controls <NUM> are typically connected via a cable/wire <NUM> to mammography imaging system <NUM>. The controls are also often mirrored on the opposite side of mammography imaging system <NUM> (not shown). As will be appreciated, other controls (not shown) may be present on particular accessories placed either in the paddle/breast support area <NUM>, or added on to or integrated with the gantry <NUM>.

As mentioned above, <FIG> further depicts patient positioning equipment <NUM>, here a decubitus breast imaging table. The table <NUM> generally includes a support surface <NUM>, e.g., a bed, mounted on a base <NUM>, which is movable via wheels or casters <NUM>. The support surface <NUM> may be rotatable/movable relative to the base <NUM>. The table <NUM> has separate patient positioning controls <NUM> located on a side of the table <NUM> facing away from mammography imaging system <NUM>.

In use, a practitioner must coordinate the functions of the mammography imaging system <NUM>, the breast imaging table <NUM>, and (optionally) any attached accessories. Functions of the mammography imaging system <NUM> include, but are not limited to, initiating movements of the mammographic gantry <NUM>, including lift, rotation, and angulation. Further mammography imaging system functions include breast compression, imaging parameters (i.e., compression force, compression rate, field of view, lighting, radiation dosage, source angle), and, in in certain medical procedures, e.g., ultrasound-aided biopsies, needle movement, suction controls, and ultrasonic imaging parameters.

The table <NUM> includes multiple moving elements which guide and support a seated or reclined patient into the correct angle or orientation necessary for the mammography imaging system <NUM> and/or associated accessories to properly interface with the patient. Functions of the table <NUM> include raising or lowering a portion of the support surface <NUM> to, by way of non-limiting examples, change an angle of the surface <NUM> or adjust table height. These functions are manipulated through the use of controls <NUM> located on the table <NUM>.

Moreover, accessories and tools, utilized for photographic imaging, volumetric measuring, tissue rigidity, and temperature mapping, may be employed during a mammographic examination. Accessory functions generally include powering the accessory and manipulating it to perform its intended task.

As discussed above, due to the locations of the aforementioned controls, as well as the lack of a unified control system, the path of the movable patent positioning system may be limited and/or blocked. Moreover, practitioners may have to reposition themselves multiple times during a procedure to access certain controls.

Turning now to <FIG>, an embodiment of the inventive apparatus and system for controlling medical equipment is shown. In the embodiment, the control system <NUM> includes switch controls <NUM>, e.g., a footswitch, that are connected to the table <NUM> by a support structure, e.g., brace <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, in embodiments, the brace <NUM> includes a stepped arm portion <NUM> with a curved platform <NUM> configured to support auxiliary footswitch controls <NUM> (<FIG>). The arm portion <NUM> may connect to the table <NUM> through a variety of devices including threaded apertures in the arm that allow fasteners to pass through and into apertures in the base <NUM> of the table <NUM>. Although a mid-line installation next to patient position controls <NUM> is demonstrated, the switch controls <NUM> may be positioned at either end of the table <NUM> and may be fixed or movably mounted.

As will be appreciated, in certain embodiments, the support structure may be a structure other than the depicted brace <NUM>, and the connection to the table <NUM> may be via a variety of attachment mechanisms. In certain embodiments, the support structure allows for the switch controls to be adjusted or moved, e.g., raised or lowered, relative to the base <NUM>. In other embodiments, the switch controls may be integrated into/connected directly to the base <NUM>, such that they do not require a separate support structure. Moreover, the switch controls <NUM> may be integrated with brace <NUM> to form a single movable piece.

The patient support table <NUM> may support multiple attachment points capable of accepting brace <NUM>, including both on the table base <NUM> and on the support surface <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the control system <NUM>, e.g., footswitch controls <NUM>, may be mirrored on the opposite side of the table <NUM>. In other embodiments, multiple control systems <NUM> may be connected to the base <NUM> and/or the support surface <NUM>. In embodiments, the control system <NUM> may be projected onto the floor/ground via an interactive projection system. In other words, the control system <NUM> may be a projection of a footswitch with one or more sensors, e.g., laser and/or cameras, detecting which part of the projected footswitch an operator is attempting to activate/interact with. As will be appreciated, projecting the control system <NUM> onto the ground increases the ease of mirroring the control system <NUM> on opposed sides of the table <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> may communicate wirelessly (e.g., via wi-fi, Bluetooth, and/or a proprietary interface protocol) with the mammography imaging system <NUM> to control at least one function of the same. In other aspects, the control system <NUM> may be hardwired to the mammography imaging system <NUM>.

In use, a practitioner/operator can manipulate the switch controls <NUM>, e.g., footswitch, to control at least one function of the mammography imaging system <NUM>, e.g., gantry lift, rotation, and angulation, while manipulating patient position controls <NUM> of the table <NUM> with one hand and supporting the patient with the other. In embodiments, the control system <NUM>, e.g., footswitch controls <NUM>, can be used to control a function of the patient positioning equipment and/or an accessory, in addition to controlling the mammography imaging system <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, the control system <NUM> can include a user interface <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> can be in addition to, or in lieu of, switch controls <NUM>. In embodiments, the switch controls <NUM> may be used to manipulate the user interface <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may be a touch screen device such as a tablet. In embodiments, the user interface <NUM> may be utilized to control at least one function of the mammography imaging system <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may also be utilized to control the table <NUM> and/or any accessory equipment, as well as the machine <NUM>. In embodiments that do not include switch controls <NUM>, the user interface <NUM> may be configured as a unified control system capable of controlling all associated equipment, e.g., machine <NUM>, table <NUM> and any attached accessories. In embodiments, the user interface <NUM> may also display data obtained from mammography imaging system, or other equipment utilized during a procedure.

As depicted, the user interface <NUM> is mounted to patient support table <NUM> via a support structure, such as, for example, a flexible mount <NUM>, e.g., a bendable gooseneck rod, such that the user interface <NUM> can be adjusted relative to a practitioner and the associated equipment. Alternatively, support structure may be rigid, such as a bracket.

A duplicate of the flexible mount <NUM> may also be attached to the medical equipment/mammography imaging system <NUM> to enable movement of user interface <NUM> from one piece of equipment to a second piece of equipment. For example, from patient support table <NUM> to mammography imaging system <NUM>. Or, alternatively, the user interface <NUM> with support mount <NUM> may be moved from a first attachment point to a second attachment point. As will be appreciated, in embodiments, the table <NUM> may have a variety of attachment points for the support mount <NUM>, on both the base <NUM> and support surface <NUM>.

In embodiments, cables <NUM> and <NUM> link the user interface <NUM> to switch controls <NUM>, a power/communications interface <NUM>, and mammography imaging system <NUM>. Cables <NUM> and <NUM> may carry power or data either singly or simultaneously and may be composed of single or multiple conductive elements. In other embodiments, cables may be eliminated altogether with communications provided via wireless signal such as wi-fi or Bluetooth protocols or with a proprietary interface protocol.

Interface <NUM> may perform the functions of power supply and communications regulation (i.e., command translation, analog to digital conversion, etc.) either singly or in tandem. In embodiments, the Interface <NUM> may include a rechargeable battery/power supply. Interface <NUM> further serves to receive commands from user interface <NUM> or auxiliary footswitch controls <NUM>, interpret the commands, and output instructions triggering machine action in either the patient positioning equipment, the diagnostic equipment, or both. Power/communications interface <NUM> may include a stand-alone purpose-built device, a standard computer, or a computer containing additional hardware. Alternatively, the power/communications interface <NUM> may be integrated into the user interface <NUM>, support mount <NUM>, or brace <NUM>. The power/communications interface <NUM> may be positioned in any location relative to the diagnostic and patient positioning equipment and other components of the modular control apparatus.

Thus, in use, a practitioner, in one instance, may engage switch controls <NUM> supported to initiate a movement of compression paddle, for example, after inputting target pressure into user interface <NUM> while supporting a patient on patient support table <NUM>. In another instance, the practitioner may, after a first procedure, move user interface <NUM> to a second location, in order to perform a second procedure.

In embodiments, the switch controls <NUM> and/or user interface <NUM> controls can be configured such that when the patient positioning equipment, e.g., support table <NUM>, is brought within a certain distance of the mammography imaging system, the controls are automatically activated to control functions of the mammography imaging system and/or accessories. As will be appreciated, the controls may also be user/practitioner activated.

Additionally, in embodiments, a control lock <NUM> may be disposed in the user interface <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), on the switch controls <NUM>, table <NUM>, and/or other suitable position. As will be understood, the control lock <NUM> restricts control of the function(s) of the medical equipment <NUM> and/or patient positioning equipment <NUM> so as to prevent unwanted/undesired activation of the medical equipment <NUM> and/or patient positioning equipment <NUM> via the control system <NUM>. In embodiments, the control lock <NUM> includes a button or moveable switch that toggles the control lock <NUM> between a "locked" state, in which the control system <NUM> is prevented from activating the medical equipment <NUM> and/or the patient positioning equipment <NUM>, and an "unlocked" state, in which the control system <NUM> is allowed to activate the medical equipment <NUM> and/or the patient positioning equipment <NUM>. For example, in embodiments where the control lock <NUM> has a button, the control system <NUM> may be allowed to activate the medical equipment <NUM> and/or the patient positioning equipment <NUM> only while the button <NUM> is depressed. In other embodiments, in which the control lock <NUM> has a button, the control system <NUM> may be allowed to activate the medical equipment <NUM> and/or the patient positioning equipment <NUM> only for a predetermined amount of time after the button has been depressed. As will be appreciated, by restricting the ability of the control system <NUM> to activate the medical equipment <NUM> and/or the patient positioning equipment <NUM>, the control lock <NUM> reduces the need to move the control system <NUM> to a designated holding position when the patient positioning equipment <NUM> is moved.

It is also to be understood that the medical equipment <NUM>, the patient positioning equipment <NUM>, and/or the control system <NUM> may include the necessary electronics, software, memory, storage, databases, firmware, logic/state machines, microprocessors, communication links, displays or other visual or audio user interfaces, printing devices, and any other input/output interfaces to perform the functions described herein and/or to achieve the results described herein. For example, the medical equipment <NUM>, the patient positioning equipment <NUM>, and/or the control system <NUM> may include at least one processor and system memory / data storage structures, which may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The at least one processor may include one or more conventional microprocessors and one or more supplementary co-processors such as math co-processors or the like. The data storage structures discussed herein may include an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, RAM, ROM, flash drive, an optical disc such as a compact disc and/or a hard disk or drive.

Additionally, a software application that adapts a controller to perform the methods disclosed herein may be read into a main memory of the at least one processor from a computer-readable medium. The term "computer-readable medium", as used herein, refers to any medium that provides or participates in providing instructions to the at least one processor of the medical equipment <NUM>, the patient positioning equipment <NUM>, and/or the control system <NUM> (or any other processor of a device described herein) for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical, magnetic, or opto-magnetic disks, such as memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM or EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable read-only memory), a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

While in embodiments, the execution of sequences of instructions in the software application causes at least one processor to perform the methods/processes described herein, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the methods/processes of the present invention. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and/or software.

It is further to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) and examples of the disclosure may be used in combination with each other. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention and disclosure without departing from its scope.

For example, an apparatus for controlling medical equipment is provided. The apparatus includes patient positioning equipment, and a control system coupled to the patient positioning equipment. The control system is configured to control a function of the medical equipment. The control system may include switch controls connected to the patient positioning equipment via a support structure. The control system may be configured to control a function of the patient positioning equipment and/or an accessory device, in addition to a function of the medical equipment. The medical equipment may be a mammography imaging system. The patient positioning equipment may be a breast imaging table. The breast imaging table may be a Decubitus Breast Imaging (DBI) table. The control system may be configured to support wireless communication with at least one of the medical equipment, the patient support equipment, or an accessory device. The control system may be a user interface. The user interface may be configured to control a function of the patient positioning equipment and/or an accessory device, in addition to a function of the medical equipment. The user interface may be configured to support wireless communication with at least one of the medical equipment, the patient support equipment or an accessory device. The user interface may be a touch screen. The user interface may be coupled to the patient positioning equipment via a flexible mount.

Also disclosed is a system for controlling mammography equipment. The system includes a mammography imaging system, a breast imaging table, and switch controls coupled to the breast imaging table. The switch controls are configured to control at least one function of the mammography equipment. The switch controls may be configured to control a function of the breast imaging table and/or an accessory device, in addition to a function of the mammography equipment. The system may further include a user interface coupled to the breast imaging table. The user interface is configured to control a function of the breast imaging table, a function of an accessory device, and/or a function of the mammography equipment.

Also disclosed is a method of controlling medical equipment. The method includes engaging a control system secured to patient positioning equipment, and controlling at least one function of the medical equipment via the control system. The medical equipment may be a mammography imaging system and the patient positioning equipment is a breast imaging table. The control system may include switch controls. The control system may include a user interface. The control system may be configured to control a function of the patient positioning equipment and/or an accessory device, in addition to a function of the medical equipment.

Finally, the written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims.

Claim 1:
A system for controlling medical equipment comprising:
a mammography imaging system (<NUM>) comprising a breast support area (<NUM>) for compression of a breast with at least one compression paddle during an imaging procedure;
patient positioning equipment comprising a patient table (<NUM>), wherein the patient positioning equipment comprises castors or wheels enabling movement of the patient positioning equipment relative to the mammography imaging system (<NUM>);
a control system (<NUM>) physically interconnected with the patient table (<NUM>) of the patient positioning equipment;
wherein the control system (<NUM>) is configured to control a function of the patient table (<NUM>) in addition to movement of the at least one compression paddle.