FIRING DELAY FOR RETROFIT DIGITAL X-RAY DETECTOR

• US 20090129546A1
• Filed: 11/17/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Inventors: Newman, Peter A., Urbon, Michael P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,844,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4429 related to the mounting of source units and detector units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/545 involving automatic set-up of acquisition parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/04 and forming images of the material
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/58 Switching arrangements for changing-over from one mode of operation to another, e.g. from radioscopy to radiography, from radioscopy to irradiation or from one tube voltage to another

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining an x-ray image from an x-ray imaging apparatus using a digital radiography receiver installs a retrofit connection apparatus that adapts the x-ray imaging apparatus for use with the digital radiography receiver by forming a receiver interface channel for communicating signals to and from the digital radiography receiver, forming an operator interface channel for routing at least an input expose signal from an operator control to the connection apparatus and forming a generator interface channel for transmitting at least an output expose signal from the retrofit connection apparatus to an x-ray generator of the x-ray imaging apparatus. An input expose signal over the operator interface channel initiates a reset of the digital radiography receiver over the receiver interface channel before the output expose signal to the x-ray generator is transmitted over the generator interface channel.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining an image by using a digital radiography receiver in an x-ray imaging system of a type configured for film or computed radiography, the method comprising:

providing a retrofit connection apparatus that adapts the x-ray imaging system for use with the digital radiography receiver by;

forming a receiver interface channel for communicating signals to and from the digital radiography receiver;

forming an operator interface channel for routing at least an input expose signal from an operator control to the retrofit connection apparatus; and

forming a generator interface channel for transmitting at least an output expose signal from the retrofit connection apparatus to an x-ray generator of the x-ray imaging system;

in response to the input expose signal routed over the operator interface channel, initiating a reset of the digital radiography receiver over the receiver interface channel; and

transmitting the output expose signal to the x-ray generator over the generator interface channel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein forming an operator interface channel comprises providing a hand-held switch.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in response to the input expose signal, initiating image signal integration at the digital radiography receiver before transmitting the output expose signal.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a mode selector that selects an alternate timing sequence wherein the input expose signal is directly provided as the output expose signal.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing an x-ray anode current level at least during image exposure.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising terminating signal integration on the digital radiography receiver according to the sensed x-ray anode current level.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein forming a receiver interface channel further comprises providing a wireless communication link between the retrofit connection apparatus and the digital radiography receiver.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein forming an operator interface channel comprises disconnecting at least one control switch from a first connector comprised in the x-ray imaging system and connecting the at least one control switch to a second connector comprised in the retrofit connection apparatus.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein forming an operator interface channel comprises mounting a device that covers at least one front panel switch of the x-ray imaging system.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an acknowledgement of reset from the digital radiography receiver before transmitting the output expose signal.

11. An apparatus for x-ray imaging comprising:

an interface component installed as a retrofit to an x-ray imaging system, the interface component comprising;

a mode selector for selecting at least a first mode setting for image capture using a digital radiography receiver and a second mode setting for image capture using a removable film or computed radiography cassette;

a receiver interface channel for communication with such a digital radiography receiver,

a generator interface channel for communication with an x-ray generator of such a system;

an operator interface channel for communication with an operator control for receiving at least a first, preparation signal and a second, expose signal from an operator; and

a programmed control logic processor that, when the first mode setting is selected, responds to such a second, expose signal from the operator interface channel by initiating a reset of such a digital radiography receiver over the receiver interface channel before transmitting an exposure signal to an x-ray generator of such a system over the generator interface channel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the receiver interface channel comprises a wireless communication link for use between the interface component and such a digital radiography receiver.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the interface component further comprises a sensor for x-ray anode current level of such a system.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the interface component further comprises a sensor for providing a signal indicative of x-ray emission according to a sensed electrical current level.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mode selector provides an instruction to the control logic processor.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the generator interface channel further comprises a switch controller for covering at least a first switch on a control panel of such a system and for controlling the setting of at least the first switch according to a setting of a second switch by an operator.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the second switch is mounted on the switch controller.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the switch controller further comprises at least one actuator that is controlled by a signal from the interface component on the generator interface channel.