HANDHELD X-RAY SYSTEM INTERFACE DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20110286578A1
• Filed: 05/24/2010
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Coombs, Kevin Andrew, Butzine, Jonathan Mark, Hannon, Jeremy Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 8,523,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/98.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4405 the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4411 the apparatus being modular A61B6/4283 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/468 allowing annotation or message recording
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/469 for selecting a region of interest [ROI]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/563 involving image data transmission via a network

Abstract

In one embodiment, an X-ray system includes a handheld X-ray interface device. The handheld X-ray interface device includes a wireless interface for communicating with an imaging system and for receiving system operational data from the imaging system, wherein the handheld X-ray interface device is configured to provide a user detectable indication of the imaging system operational status based upon the received data.

Claims

1. An X-ray system comprising:

an imaging system including a source of X-ray radiation, an X-ray image receptor, control circuitry for controlling the source of X-ray radiation, and a wireless interface; and

a handheld interface device configured to communicate wirelessly with the imaging system;

wherein the imaging system is configured to communicate system operational data to the handheld interface device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the handheld interface device provides a user detectable indication of the imaging system operational status based upon the received data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system operational data comprises current X-ray source settings.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the system operational data comprises a dose area product of a previous completed exposure.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the handheld interface device is configured to receive a user input to change a current X-ray source setting, and to communicate the change to the imaging system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the handheld interface device is configured to permit user initiation of an X-ray exposure, and wherein the imaging system provides a feedback signal to the handheld interface device confirming the exposure is being executed.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the handheld interface device is configured to vibrate in response to the feedback signal.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the handheld interface device is configured to illuminate an LED in response to the feedback signal.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the handheld interface device is configured to emit an audible tone or tone sequence in response to the feedback signal.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system comprises a wheeled mobile system that can be displaced for imaging.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the imaging system comprises at least one battery for powering the X-ray source and movement of the system, and wherein the system operational data comprises a charge status of the at least one battery.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system is configured to inhibit operation of the X-ray source, and wherein the system operational data comprises an indication that the X-ray source operation is inhibited.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging system is configured to receive a user input for a locator signal from the handheld interface device and to transmit a signal based upon the user input causing the handheld interface device to output a locator signal.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the imaging system and the handheld interface device is configured to determine a strength of a wireless signal therebetween, and at least one of the imaging system and the handheld device is configured to emit a user-perceptible signal indicating that the system and the device are greater than a desired distance apart.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the handheld interface device is powered by a rechargeable battery.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the battery in the handheld interface device is recharged through direct contact with charge contacts in a holder or charge cradle.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the battery in the handheld interface device is recharged through contactless power transfer while the handheld interface device is located in the holder or charge cradle.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the battery in the handheld interface device is recharged by photovoltaic cells located in the handheld interface device.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the battery in the handheld interface device is recharged by a microelectricalmechanical system located in the handheld interface device.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the battery in the handheld interface device is recharged by a radiofrequency energy harvester device located in the handheld interface device.

21. An X-ray system comprising:

a handheld X-ray interface device comprising a wireless interface for communicating with an imaging system and for receiving system operational data from the imaging system, wherein the handheld X-ray interface device is configured to provide a user detectable indication of the imaging system operational status based upon the received data.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the system operational data comprises current X-ray source settings.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the system operational data comprises a charge status of at least one battery of the imaging system for powering an X-ray source and movement of the system.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the handheld X-ray interface device is configured to permit user initiation of an X-ray exposure and to receive a feedback signal from the imaging system confirming the execution of the exposure.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the handheld X-ray interface device is configured to vibrate in response to the feedback signal.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the operational data comprises an indication that an X-ray source of the imaging system is inhibited.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the handheld X-ray interface device is configured to output a locator signal in response to a received signal from the imaging system to provide a locator signal.

28. A method for operating a handheld X-ray interface device, comprising:

establishing wireless communication between an imaging and a handheld interface device, the imaging system comprising a source of X-ray radiation, an X-ray image receptor, control circuitry for controlling the source of X-ray radiation, and a first wireless interface, the handheld interface device comprising a second wireless interface for communicating wirelessly with the imaging system;

communicating system operational data from the imaging system to the handheld interface device; and

providing a user detectable indication of the imaging system operational status based upon the received data.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the system operational data comprises current X-ray source settings.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the imaging system is configured to inhibit operation of the X-ray source, and wherein the system operational data comprises an indication that the X-ray source operation is inhibited.