INTEGRATED PORTABLE DIGITAL X-RAY IMAGING SYSTEM

• US 20110110496A1
• Filed: 12/14/2010
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Inventors: Foos, David H., Luo, Hui, Wang, Xiaohui, Huo, Zhimin, Sehnert, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,357,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/98.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4405 the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/462 characterised by constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/482 involving multiple energy imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5252 removing objects from field of view, e.g. removing patient table from a CT image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/563 involving image data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A method for processing a radiographic image of a patient, executed at least in part on a host processor, initiates exposure in response to an instruction entered from an operator console and obtains radiographic image data from a digital detector that is subjected to the exposure. The obtained radiographic image data is analyzed according to a set of predefined criteria for diagnostic suitability of the image. One or more results of the diagnostic suitability analysis at the operator console is indicated and a listing of one or more corrective actions at the operator console according to the indicated results is provided.

Claims

1. A method for processing a radiographic image of a patient, executed at least in part on a host processor, comprising:

initiating exposure in response to an instruction entered from an operator console;

obtaining radiographic image data from a digital detector that is subjected to the exposure;

analyzing the obtained radiographic image data according to a set of predefined criteria for diagnostic suitability of the image;

indicating one or more results of the diagnostic suitability analysis at the operator console; and

providing a listing of one or more corrective actions at the operator console according to the indicated results.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising reporting a clinical condition according to a predefined sequence of steps for clinical evaluation executed on the obtained image data.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein diagnostic suitability of the image is with respect to one or more of image contrast, missing marker, detected patient motion, clipped anatomy, and grid cutoff.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the radiographic image comprises obtaining the image at a mobile radiography system.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying a rib suppression processing to the obtained radiographic image.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the listing is from data obtained over a network connection.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of predefined criteria for diagnostic suitability of the image relates to information about the patient.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of predefined criteria for diagnostic suitability of the image relates to information from the technician.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the corrective actions include re-taking the image.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the predefined criteria for diagnostic suitability are specified by technician entry.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein indicating one or more results of the diagnostic suitability analysis comprises providing an audible indicator.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein indicating one or more results of the diagnostic suitability analysis comprises providing a displayed indicator.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the listing is from data stored in a memory that is accessible to the operator console.

14. A system for radiographic imaging comprising:

a) a portable digital radiographic imaging apparatus including an x-ray source, a host processor, and an operator console;

b) a digital radiographic detector that provides image data to the host processor over a wireless interface; and

c) an operator interface display on the operator console, wherein the operator interface display comprises;

(i) a reporting area that indicates a problem related to the diagnostic suitability of an obtained image from the digital radiographic detector; and

(ii) a procedural area that lists operator steps for correcting the problem.