阅读说明：本技术 状态监控的方法、x射线管装置、程序和数据载体 (method for monitoring state, X-ray tube device, program and data carrier ) 是由 苏尔坦·海德尔 约尔格·弗罗伊登贝格尔 于 2019-05-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于对X射线装置的包括X射线源(2)的X射线管装置(1)进行状态监控的方法,所述方法包括如下步骤：通过至少一个确定机构(8)来确定描述X射线源(2)的使用和/或X射线源(2)的当前状态和/或其环境的输入信息,借助于处理机构(9)利用输入信息导出要输出给用户的状态信息,和在显示设备(5)上、尤其在显示器(16)上显示状态信息。(The invention relates to a method for condition monitoring of an X-ray tube arrangement (1) of an X-ray arrangement, comprising an X-ray source (2), comprising the following steps: input information describing the use of the X-ray source (2) and/or the current state of the X-ray source (2) and/or its environment is determined by at least one determination means (8), the input information is used by means of a processing means (9) to derive state information to be output to a user, and the state information is displayed on a display device (5), in particular on a display (16).)

1. Method for condition monitoring of an X-ray tube arrangement (1) for an X-ray device, the X-ray tube arrangement comprising an X-ray source (2), the method comprising the steps of:

-determining input information describing a use of the X-ray source (2) and/or a current state of the X-ray source (2) and/or its environment by at least one determination mechanism (8),

-deriving status information to be output to the user by means of processing means (9) using said input information, and

-displaying the status information on a display device (5), in particular on a display (16),

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

Condition information is used as input information, the condition information describing transportation conditions during transportation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

The input information is queried at least partially by a control device (11) of the X-ray device and/or a control unit (7) of the X-ray tube device (1) and/or an external server device (12), and/or is detected at least partially by at least one detection means (3, 4), in particular a sensor, associated with or belonging to the X-ray tube device (1).

3. the method according to claim 1 or 2,

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

As input information, use information describing the past and/or use for upcoming measurements of the X-ray source (2) and/or lifetime information describing the lifetime of the X-ray source (2) and/or condition information describing storage conditions are used.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

The transport monitoring information is determined as status information in the presence of a transport process of the X-ray tube device (1).

5. the method of claim 4, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

Determining a transportation monitoring function includes: the input information is compared with an expected value for the transport, wherein the status information is output as an alarm when the transport conditions are outside the expected range described by the expected value.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

Prediction information describing the future availability of the X-ray source (2) is determined as status information.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

The status information is output as a function of a user input via an input device (6) which is associated with the display device (5) and/or the X-ray tube arrangement (1) and/or X-ray apparatus and/or which is realized in the form of a structural unit with the display device (5) and/or as a function of the fulfillment of an output condition which evaluates in particular at least one input information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

Additionally and/or after user input and/or satisfaction of further output conditions, at least one further output information relating to the X-ray source (2) is output on the display device (5), in particular also determined as a function of the input information.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

A display device (5), in particular a display (16), which is fixed at the X-ray tube arrangement (1) or adjacent to the X-ray tube arrangement (1) and/or belongs thereto is used.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

Electronic paper is used as a display device (5) and/or a machine-readable code is output as status information and/or as further output information, which code is directed to other information sources, in particular information sources in the internet.

11. the method according to claim 9 or 10,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

The determination means (8) and/or the processing means (9) also form part of the X-ray tube device (1), at least in part, in particular as a control unit (7).

12. the method according to any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

A display device (5) of a mobile device of a user is used as the display device (5).

13. An X-ray tube device (1) having:

-an X-ray source (2),

-a control unit (7) having: a determination mechanism (8) for determining input information, the input information describing a use of the X-ray source (2) and/or a current state of the X-ray source (2) and/or its environment; and processing means (9) for deriving status information to be output to the user using said input information, an

A display device (5) for displaying the status information, the display device being controllable by the control unit (7),

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

Condition information describing transportation conditions during transportation may be used as input information.

14. A computer program which, when executed on a control device (11), performs the steps of the method having the features of claim 1.

15. an electronically readable data carrier on which a computer program according to claim 14 is stored.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the state of an X-ray tube arrangement of an X-ray device, which comprises an X-ray source. The invention further relates to an X-ray tube device, a computer program and an electronically readable data carrier.

Background

Various types of X-ray devices are used as established imaging modalities in medical imaging. For example, C-arm X-ray devices, computed tomography apparatuses and other types of X-ray devices are known. Each X-ray device has an X-ray source, for example an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector, in order to record X-ray images by means of X-rays passing through an imaging region of a patient, which X-rays are generated by the X-ray source.

modern X-ray sources, which together with a housing and/or other fastening mechanisms form an X-ray tube arrangement (or X-ray tube device), are sensitive devices and at the same time are wearing parts of the X-ray device, which means that the X-ray source has a certain service life during which it can be used in an X-ray device. Heating of the X-ray source during its operation and other effects may also lead to limitations in use, for example limiting the duration of use in certain types of examinations. Also included here are operating parameters of the X-ray source, for example the tube voltage in the case of an X-ray tube as X-ray source.

Thus, the user of the X-ray tube arrangement is faced with various problems during use of the X-ray source, such as being able to determine the status of the X-ray source, in particular how often the X-ray source can be used with a particular type of examination, how the X-ray tube arrangement is to be operated for maximum quality, how maintenance measures can be performed, such as replacing the X-ray source and the entire X-ray tube arrangement, etc. Furthermore, special care is taken in transport, since X-ray sources are sensitive technical devices.

Heretofore, such information has typically been communicated to the corresponding service engineer or other system user through manuals or training, which is expensive and time consuming. Information about the state of the X-ray source and support during use of the X-ray source, in particular during examination, is currently not available at the X-ray source or X-ray tube arrangement.

for many aspects of the state of the X-ray source, it has been proposed: data mining tools are used which derive predictions of future use from certain parameters of the X-ray source and may be provided to a user. However, in such a data mining method, a contract between the manufacturer and the user is generally required.

Furthermore, the state information of the X-ray source can be derived indirectly by using a specific service software application of the X-ray device of the X-ray tube device. However, the necessary information is only distributed afterwards and involves extremely complex software applications, so that it is costly for the user to obtain status information about the X-ray source. On the X-ray tube device itself, in most cases only a label is present, which may contain goods and manufacturer information about the X-ray source, such as manufacturer, serial number, technical specification, etc. Thus, there is no information about the current status, i.e. state, of the X-ray source.

disclosure of Invention

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying an improved possibility for user information about the state of an X-ray source.

this object is achieved by a method having the features according to an embodiment of the invention, an X-ray tube device having the features according to an embodiment of the invention, a computer program having the features according to an embodiment of the invention and an electronically readable data carrier having the features according to an embodiment of the invention.

The method according to the invention for monitoring the state of an X-ray tube arrangement of an X-ray arrangement, comprising an X-ray source, comprises the following steps:

Determining, by at least one determination mechanism, input information describing a use of the X-ray source and/or a current state of the X-ray source and/or its environment,

-deriving status information to be output to a user using the input information by means of a processing means, and

-displaying the status information on a display device, in particular on a display.

It is therefore proposed: the display device, in particular the display, is used exclusively for outputting status information relating to the X-ray tube arrangement and is therefore assigned at least temporarily to the X-ray tube arrangement with its X-ray source. The display device is particularly advantageously permanently associated with the X-ray source, and then in particular even forms part of the X-ray tube arrangement. This means that a display device, in particular a display, which is fixed in, on or adjacent to the X-ray tube arrangement (roentgen tube and/or cathode ray tube) and/or belongs to said X-ray tube arrangement can be used particularly advantageously.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, other embodiments are also conceivable in which, for example, an external display device is used, for example a display device which is provided in any case on the X-ray apparatus or a display device which can be responded to with a suitable software application, for example on a mobile device of the user, for example a smartphone. In this case, the computer program for implementing the method may comprise, for example, a downloadable software application ("App") for the mobile device, which may establish a communication connection to the source of the input information, for example to the control device of the X-ray apparatus and/or to an external server device, wherein the downloadable software application may then itself also implement the determination means and the processing means. Of course, a distributed implementation or other implementation of the method according to the invention is also possible, for example via a web portal which communicates, for example, with the X-ray device and/or with an external server device in which the input information is present and processes it accordingly. It is clear that there are various specific embodiments for realizing such a "status display", wherein, as already mentioned, in a preferred embodiment the X-ray tube arrangement is extended with a display device, in particular a display, and with processing means and at least one determination means. Here, an active or preferably even an interactive display is added to the hitherto passive components of the X-ray source.

With the newly offered possibilities, various advantages are presented to the manufacturer who uses the method according to the invention, in particular in the way that: a more user-friendly X-ray source, in particular an X-ray tube, can be proposed and the currently problematic points in terms of information about the X-ray source in the interaction with the user can be addressed in a targeted manner.

in particular, the input information can be queried at least in part by a control device of the X-ray device and/or a control unit of the X-ray tube device and/or an external server device and/or detected at least in part by at least one detection means, in particular a sensor, assigned to or associated with the X-ray tube device. In some embodiments, a part of the useful input information is already detected in modern X-ray devices, so that the correspondingly detected information can be appropriately accessed in the control device of the X-ray device. Particularly advantageously, in particular for determining input information with the current operating state or general state of the X-ray source, for example its temperature or the like, sensors or other detection means are used which preferably perform their detection activity directly at the X-ray source or the X-ray tube arrangement.

As input information (einfangsingformation), it is possible to detect: information describing the past use of the X-ray source and/or the use for the immediately preceding measurement and/or age information describing the age of the X-ray source and/or condition information describing storage information and/or transport conditions. The condition information here can of course also relate to the operating conditions and, for example, the temperature of the X-ray source and/or the air humidity of the environment of the X-ray source and/or vibrations introduced into the X-ray tube arrangement and/or the oil pressure in the X-ray source.

The use of condition information as input information just allows, in particular, also the transport monitoring of the X-ray source by means of the method according to the invention. It can therefore be provided in particular that transport monitoring information is determined as status information in the presence of a transport process of the X-ray tube device. As already mentioned, X-ray sources, such as X-ray tubes, are sensitive technical devices whose service life and/or readiness to use can be strongly correlated with the external conditions to which they are subjected. For example, X-ray tubes are known which ideally should be kept in a specific temperature range or a specific air humidity range. In addition, the vibration should be kept within the permissible range if necessary. Such a desired range can be described by desired values, so that it is particularly advantageous for the determination of the transport monitoring function to comprise: the input information is compared to an expected value for the shipment. This makes it possible in particular to output the status information as an alarm if the transport conditions lie outside the desired range described by the desired values. Thus, a specific embodiment can be considered in which the display device, for example, continuously shows the transport monitoring information during the transport of the X-ray tube arrangement with the X-ray source, for example in green, while if the input information shows a value outside the desired range, a more permanent warning can be output, in particular in the case of an additional audible and/or tactile and/or visual output of a warning signal. It is to be noted here that transport monitoring can be realized particularly advantageously in a display as a display device belonging to the X-ray tube apparatus, which display can be positioned, etc., in the field of view of the person carrying out the transport or visible to the person, in particular also during transport of the X-ray tube apparatus.

In addition, it is also appropriate in this embodiment to record the transport process, for example by: the transport monitoring information is stored or at least the warning events during the transport process are recorded and saved, for example, in a memory of the processing means or of a control unit implementing the processing means, in order to be recalled from there subsequently. If there is already a communication connection of the condition monitoring system described here to an external server device, for example to the internet, it is of course also possible for warnings or the like occurring during transport to be transmitted directly to the external server device together, where they are recorded and/or evaluated in order to output an alarm there.

It is further noted here that the status information is not only suitably accessible during transport, but in particular also with different display devices and/or different status information, useful status information can be output to the user in other operating states of the X-ray source, for example during installation, during calibration, during use, in the event of a malfunction, during a maintenance procedure, during disassembly and/or during refurbishment.

In connection with the current phase of use, different status information can thus be provided, wherein in the case of an interactive display device comprising an input device or provided with an input device, a user input can also influence the status information shown in detail after the user has, for example, been able to select a user phase, for example "transport", "installation", "calibration", etc.

In addition to the instance of transportation monitoring information, a number of other useful status information can be generated and output.

A particularly advantageous development of the invention provides that predictive information describing the future availability of the X-ray source is determined as the status information. Such predictive information can be, for example, an expected future lifetime, which can be determined from data regarding past use of the X-ray source, such as the examination performed, the number of examinations performed, or the type of examination performed, etc. Information about the examination to be currently carried out, for example the current measurement protocol, can be entered, wherein in the processing means, for example, wear information about the X-ray source can also be present as input information, which can also be based on past examinations of the service life and/or on features of the X-ray source or similar X-ray sources under use, for example.

for monitoring the state during installation, information about the plugged terminals, for example, can also be contained in the state information. During use for imaging, for example, current operating parameters of the X-ray source can be shown, which, like information about the thermal management of the X-ray source, prove useful in particular in examinations which last for a relatively long time. This is particularly appropriate in the following cases: the X-ray source is invisibly mounted and therefore its temperature cannot be directly seen etc.

Suitably, the status information is output in dependence of a user input via an input device associated with the display device and/or the X-ray tube arrangement and/or the X-ray arrangement and/or realized in the form of a structural unit with the display device and/or in dependence of fulfilment of an output condition in particular evaluating the at least one input information. This means that the status information can be requested, for example, by a corresponding user input via the input device, wherein it is however also possible, for example, by the output condition being satisfied, to output the status information automatically as a trigger event at a reasonable time at which the user may need it. Thus, for example, when starting the generation of X-rays by the X-ray source, it is possible to automatically start: the current operating parameters and/or information for thermal management are output as status information, which can be displayed until the end of the current operating phase. If, for example, a fault state exists, the corresponding output conditions can ensure that the display device is activated if necessary and that information about the fault currently existing is output as status information. Via the user input, for example, a menu can also be implemented in which the user can switch between different types of state information.

It is particularly suitable for at least one further output information relating to the X-ray source, which is determined in particular also in dependence on the input information, to be output on the display device additionally and/or after a user input and/or after other output conditions have been fulfilled. This means that, in addition to the status information, the display device can also forward other useful information about the X-ray source to the user. For example, as output information, maintenance information and/or operating information and/or technical features describing the maintenance process and/or object information describing the naming of the X-ray source and/or manufacturer information describing the manufacturer of the X-ray source, in particular a logo, and/or inspection information about the examination currently to be performed by means of the X-ray source and/or teaching information setting forth the operation of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray apparatus can be used.

In conjunction with the status information, the maintenance information is a particularly suitable output information, since the maintenance steps can then be interpreted and clarified for the user, for example by means of a display device. In particular in the case of a display device which is arranged in spatial association with the X-ray tube arrangement, the user can then work, for example, at the X-ray tube arrangement and obtain useful information about the display device in direct association. In the case of additional use of the input device, for example of a corresponding scanner, the user can, for example, be guided stepwise through a maintenance procedure, for example, by replacing components, wherein the corresponding maintenance information is preferably supplemented with correspondingly suitable useful status information, for example, prompts: open service covers, current terminals, current fault conditions, etc.

Object information can also be shown on the display device, such as the type of X-ray source, technical specification of the X-ray source, name of the manufacturer, manufacturing location, serial number, logo or other object/manufacturer information. The manufacturer's logo or the type of X-ray source can also be used as a kind of "screen saver" for example, when other types of status information are just not depicted.

If the X-ray source is just used for an examination, examination information about this is output, for example the body region to be examined, the selected measurement protocol, the examination duration, information about other components of the X-ray apparatus, information about the patient, etc.

in a particularly useful embodiment, the condition monitoring system can also have a teaching mode of operation in which the display device is used in order to output teaching information about the operation of the X-ray source and/or the X-ray apparatus. This teaching mode of operation allows the user to know and understand various conditions associated with the X-ray source, such as X-ray physics, operating parameters of the X-ray source, functionality of the X-ray source, application profiles, and the like.

As already indicated, it can be expedient within the scope of the invention to use a plurality of display devices on which, in particular, different status information is output and/or which are operated at different points in time. For example, different stages of use, including transportation, installation, calibration, imaging, maintenance, disassembly, etc., can each be associated with a display device and/or a status information.

particularly preferably, in the context of the present invention, as already mentioned, a display device, in particular a display, is used which is fixed at or near the X-ray tube arrangement and/or belongs thereto. For such display devices, so-called electronic paper is provided in particular. In this case, for example, electrophoretic ink (also referred to as electronic ink) can be laminated onto a carrier, for example a plastic film, and subsequently connected to appropriate electronics in order to realize a display made of electronic paper. Such an electronic paper is particularly suitable for installation, since it can also be present in a flexible manner.

In the case of a display device which is provided on the X-ray tube arrangement itself, a further suitable embodiment provides for a machine-readable code to be output as status information and/or other output information, which code is referenced to other information sources, in particular in the internet. The machine-readable code can be, in particular, a QR code, which can also be advantageously displayed by electronic paper. Such machine-readable codes can now be read out and used, for example, by means of a mobile device of a user in order to access other information sources.

for example, in one specific embodiment, it can be provided that a QR code is output, which conveys to the service technician an information source that is useful for its operation, for example a web page that shows specific information, such as installation instructions, spare part logistics, compatible generators and interfaces, contact information with second-level support, etc.

In the case of a display device which is provided on the X-ray tube device side, it is furthermore also preferred that the determination means and/or the processing means also form part of the X-ray tube device, at least in part, in particular as a control unit. In this way, the X-ray tube arrangement is therefore provided with an inherent intelligence (Eigenintelligenz) which provides the user with useful information which is not available with the hitherto known passive X-ray sources.

The wireless communication connection, in particular bluetooth and/or NFC, can be used at least in part when invoking at least part of the input information of the communication partner external to the determination means and/or when using a display device external to the processing means. This is also suitable in particular for a control unit which is arranged on the X-ray tube device side and which implements the determination means and the processing means. Then, a communication interface can be provided which is not necessarily limited to near field communication, such as bluetooth and/or NFC, but can also allow wireless communication with other remote server devices, for example server devices of the internet. Examples for such forwarding interfaces include WLAN interfaces and/or mobile radio interfaces. However, it is of course also possible via a communication standard, such as bluetooth, for example, to access the internet or another network indirectly, for example via the control device of the X-ray apparatus, in order to be able to call up input information and/or to be able to respond to an external display device.

in addition to the external display device, which is preferably used in addition, the display device of the mobile device of the user can also be used. For example, status information and/or other output information can also be at least partially output on a mobile device of the user, such as on a smartphone; as already mentioned, it is also conceivable, however, to implement the monitoring state system entirely on the mobile device of the user, for example by means of corresponding software applications which implement the processing means and the determination means.

It is further noted here that, independently of the mobile device, a touch screen can also prove to be a suitable display or display device within the scope of the present invention.

In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that, in the presence of activation information and of an invocation user input via an input device associated with the display device, at least one service can be invoked and output information relating to the service can be shown on the display device. In particular, if there is a connection to an external server device, it is therefore also possible within the scope of the invention to provide an additional service if there is a corresponding contract element, which is described by the activation information. Such additional services can include, for example, self-repair, failure prediction, trimming options, and the like.

in addition to the method, the invention also relates to an X-ray tube device having:

-an X-ray source,

-a control unit having determination means for determining input information describing the use of the X-ray source and/or the current state of the X-ray source and/or its environment and processing means for deriving state information to be output to a user using the input information, and

-a display device operable by the control unit for displaying status information.

All embodiments relating to the method according to the invention can be transferred analogously to the X-ray tube arrangement according to the invention with an integrated condition monitoring system.

the computer program according to the invention can be loaded directly into a memory of a control device and has program means for carrying out the steps of the method described here, for example, when the program is executed in the control device. Furthermore, a computer program which is obviously also suitable for carrying out the method can be stored on an electronically readable data carrier according to the invention, which thus comprises control information stored thereon, which control information comprises at least one of the computer programs and is designed such that it carries out the method described therein when the data carrier is used in a control device. The computer program can be configured as an App for a mobile device.

Drawings

further advantages and details of the invention are given in the examples described below and in the figures. Shown here are:

Figure 1 shows a principle flow diagram of a method according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows the construction of an X-ray tube device, an

fig. 3 shows an external view of the X-ray tube device.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a principle flow of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. There, a display device, in particular a display, associated with the X-ray tube arrangement with the X-ray source is used in order to output status information. In this connection, at least one determination mechanism is first used in step S1 in order to determine input information which relates to the X-ray source and which ultimately relates in terms of its type to the type of status information to be shown, which is discussed in more detail below. In this context, the input information describes the use of the X-ray source and/or the current state of the environment of the X-ray source.

In step S2, state information to be output to the user is derived from the input information by means of the processing means. This essentially means that the input information which does describe the physical technical fact is evaluated in view of the technical state of the X-ray source and of the X-ray apparatus in which it is possible to use said X-ray source in order to produce information which is useful for the user.

The status information is then displayed on a display device, in particular on a display, in step S3.

In a preferred specific embodiment, different types of status information can be generated and displayed here, in particular in connection with the phase of use of the X-ray source and/or user input. It is finally noted here that the different output conditions connected upstream at steps S1, S2 and S3 can be checked before the respective steps S1, S2, S3 are performed. The output conditions can of course also be evaluated here for user inputs at an input device associated with the display device, in particular an input device integrated therein, such as a touch screen. For example, before step S1, a check can be made whether the determination and output of the status information should be currently performed/is desired/meaningful in principle. This can be associated, for example, with the use phase of the X-ray tube arrangement or X-ray source, so that, for example, when transport monitoring is to be carried out, it can be checked, based on user input or other information present, whether a transport process is just present, etc. For example, a menu can also be shown on the display device, in which menu the user can select between different stages of use, such as finalization, transport, installation, calibration, use for imaging, maintenance, finishing, etc., and then different status information is generated and displayed in connection with the selection.

In the case of a design in which the input information is to be included together with the output conditions, a corresponding check can also be carried out in accordance with step S1; however, the output conditions can also be checked after step S2, for example if they are to be correlated with the status information as long as the output of the status information is appropriate. For example, the following design options can be considered: in this embodiment, the warning is output on the display device only for the specific content of the status information.

the display device can also be used here to output other output information than the status information, wherein the other output information preferably also relates to the X-ray source or at least the X-ray tube arrangement. Such output information can include, among other things, maintenance information, object information, manufacturer information, instructional information, and/or references to other sources of information.

preferably, the at least one display is fixed as a display device on the X-ray tube arrangement itself, for example on a housing which comprises and carries the X-ray source, preferably an X-ray tube. The respective display device then shows the state of the X-ray source and different, optionally adjustable, options and/or operating modes of different types of users.

if in one embodiment transport monitoring is to be carried out, for example during transport of the X-ray tube arrangement, a display device which is visible during transport is preferably used. Physical variables, such as temperature, air humidity, vibrations, etc., which are detected by the detection means, in particular sensors, of the X-ray tube device itself are determined as input information and evaluated as follows: whether the value described by the input information is within the desired range described by the desired value. If this applies, the corresponding status information can simply be output; however, if the value lies outside the desired range, it can additionally be made more noticeable by additionally providing a warning signal in an audible and/or visual and/or tactile manner and/or by status information.

other specific, useful applications are the prediction of the possible future service life availability of an X-ray source, wherein the prediction can use, as input information, usage information describing the past or present use of the X-ray source, wherein in addition wear information obtained, for example, by testing with homogeneous X-ray sources is used in the evaluation. For example, as status information which can then be output, the X-ray radiation source may still be able to be used for a specific type of examination, etc.

during the examination, the display device can be used to also output examination information about the current examination, for example the correspondingly selected measurement protocol, the selected body part of the patient to be imaged, etc. In this case, it is particularly expedient to output, as status information, for example, the current thermal load and/or the duration of time during which the X-ray source can be operated for the examination.

In an exemplary embodiment, other output information can also be used in order to implement a teaching mode of operation in which the user can be made aware via correspondingly indicated information, for example the basis of the X-ray physics, operating parameters of the X-ray source, the function of the X-ray source, etc.

Some of the functions of the condition monitoring system described here can also be specifically subscribed to by the user, for example by establishing corresponding service contracts and the like. Then corresponding activation information can be saved, according to which output information about the particular activated service can be shown on the display device. It is also particularly advantageous in this context if the at least one determination means and/or processing means has access to a wireless communication interface of the condition monitoring system in order to be able to communicate with external devices, for example a control device of the X-ray device and/or an external server device, in particular the internet, in order to call up input information or, however, also to initiate further output information and/or also to initiate functions externally, for example, specific services.

it is conceivable within the scope of the invention for the condition monitoring system to be implemented, for example, on the mobile device of the user via a software application, i.e. a computer program, which thus implements at least one determination means and a processing means, wherein, for example, a touch screen of the mobile device is used as the display device, while it is preferred according to the invention that the X-ray tube apparatus itself is provided with intrinsic intelligence.

The corresponding X-ray tube device 1 according to the invention is shown in detail in its schematic configuration in fig. 2. The X-ray tube device 1 has an X-ray source 2, which is in this case embodied as an X-ray tube, which is also associated with a detection device 3, in particular a sensor, for example in order to detect temperature, oil pressure, vibrations, etc. The X-ray tube device 1 can also comprise further detection means, in particular sensors, which for example measure ambient conditions as condition information, for example air humidity.

Fixed to the X-ray tube arrangement 1, for example at the housing, or at least belonging to the X-ray tube arrangement 1, there is also provided a display device 5 with an associated or integrated input device 6 which can be used for implementing the method according to the invention. In order that the method according to the invention can be implemented entirely by the X-ray tube device 1, the X-ray tube device further comprises a control unit 7 which implements at least one determination means 8 and a processing means 9. A communication connection to an external device can be established by means of a wireless communication interface 10, for example a bluetooth interface, wherein only the control device 11 and a server device 12 of the X-ray device, in particular the internet, are shown here, for example. Via a corresponding communication interface, the control unit 7 can also communicate with the mobile device of the user, for example in order to use its display device as a further display device, wherein it can also be provided differently that the display device responds wirelessly, for which purpose an NFC connection can also be used in the case of a display device 5 mounted at the X-ray tube apparatus 1.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of the X-ray tube device 1, wherein only the X-ray source, the outlet 13 of which is visible, is mounted in a housing 14, which also has a corresponding fixing and/or retaining mechanism 15 for fixing the X-ray source in the X-ray device. On the side, a display device 5 is now fastened, which is designed as a display 16 and has an associated input device 6, which has operating elements in this case. The display 16 can also be a touch screen, preferably for implementing the display device 5 but provided with an Electronic Paper Display (EPD) that can use electronic ink. Such EPDs have minimal or no power requirements when not in operation.

Fig. 3 also shows a further display device 5 which can be responded to via the communication interface 10, for example an LCD display 17 which can be arranged on a transport package or the like in order to enable transport monitoring as already described. Alternatively, other display devices 5 can also respond via the communication interface 10, which do not necessarily have to belong to the X-ray tube arrangement 1 as the LCD display 17 does.

The embodiments of the X-ray tube device 1 described here can also be implemented, inter alia, using the display 16 in order to output a machine-readable code, in the present case a QR code, thereon, which is directed to an external information source in the internet, for example a web page with further useful information about the X-ray tube device 1 or its maintenance. A user, for example, who reads out the displayed machine-readable code by means of a mobile device, can thus be redirected in a simple manner to an external information source, on which further information, for example, about installation, maintenance, etc., is provided.

while the details of the invention have been shown and described in detail in the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and modifications can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.