Patent ID: 8319602

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a medical device including a moveable component supported by freely articulable arms, which is adjustable to medically treat a patient; wherein the moveable component comprises either a moveable patient table or a ceiling stand for an x-ray tube or an x-ray detector; a portable automatically interrogatable identification object; an interrogation unit coupled to the medical device, the interrogation unit normally inactive and when activated is arranged to detect whether the portable automatically interrogatable identification object is located within a predetermined minimum distance from the interrogation unit; a blocking unit that prevents the moveable component from moving, comprising a brake that acts on an appendage of the medical device to prevent the moveable component from moving; a pressure sensor affixed to the appendage, the sensor arranged to detect a force effect on the moveable component, wherein the sensor is constantly active and the interrogation unit is activated in response to a detection by the sensor of the force effect on the moveable component; and a control unit that controls the blocking unit to permit the movement of the movable component only if the portable automatically interrogatable identification object is located within the predetermined minimum distance.