Diagnostic imaging system with compact multi-function controller
First Claim
1. An x-ray imaging system, comprising;
- a source of x-radiation for propagating a beam of radiation along a path;
a beam receptor means for receiving the beam and converting the received radiation into a visible image;
a movable gantry means for functionally holding the source and the receptor in movable relative position, the movable gantry having a gantry drive means for effecting gantry movement;
a movable support means functionally positioned between the source and receptor for selectively locating a supported subject under examination between the source and detector, the movable support having a support drive means for effecting support means movement;
a multi-function control means, comprising;
a plurality of function select switches for dedicated selection of a predetermined function;
a singular positional control means for selectively controlling the operation of at least one drive means when a corresponding function select switch is activated.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic imaging system is comprised of a plurality of linearly adjustable functions and a plurality of binary selectable functions which are controlled by a multi-function joystick controller. The controller has a plurality of function select switches, a joystick, a mushroom cap rotatably engaged on the joystick, a microprocessor, a plurality of switches individually engageable by pivoting the joystick and a pair of switches individually engageable by clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the mushroom cap. The switches and the microprocessor cooperate such that the selection of a first function select switches causes the operation of the joystick switches and/or mushroom cap switches to be linked to a predetermined first set of imaging system functions. Subsequently, when a second function select switches is selected the joystick switches and mushroom cap switches thereafter operate a predetermined second set of imaging system functions until another function select switch is selected.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An x-ray imaging system, comprising;
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a source of x-radiation for propagating a beam of radiation along a path; a beam receptor means for receiving the beam and converting the received radiation into a visible image; a movable gantry means for functionally holding the source and the receptor in movable relative position, the movable gantry having a gantry drive means for effecting gantry movement; a movable support means functionally positioned between the source and receptor for selectively locating a supported subject under examination between the source and detector, the movable support having a support drive means for effecting support means movement; a multi-function control means, comprising; a plurality of function select switches for dedicated selection of a predetermined function; a singular positional control means for selectively controlling the operation of at least one drive means when a corresponding function select switch is activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4)
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3. The imaging system as set forth in claim further including an adjustable iris disposed between the source and the support means for limiting the beam path, the adjustable iris having a forth drive means for effecting adjustment of the iris aperture.
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5. A multi-function controller comprising:
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an enclosure having a power switch, an emergency stop switch, at least two function select switches, a joystick and a communication means integrated therein; the function switches, joystick and communication means electrically interconnected such that one or more predetermined function switches cooperate with the communications means to link the joystick to the communication means when any one of said switches are engaged, the other function switches providing direct binary switching to the communication means; a means for ensuring that the engagement of one joystick function select switch is mutually exclusively of the engagement of other joystick function select switches; the communication means operatively connected to recognize which joystick function select switch is engaged and what other direct switching switches are engaged; the communication means including means for uniquely encoding each function switch or interconnected joystick movement thereof with a unique code and for communicating said code to a receiving means; and the receiving means having a means for receiving and decoding the unique code from the communication means and for converting said decoded information into stimulus for engaging a select function corresponding to predetermined function in response to each function switch selected. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A radiographic imaging system comprising;
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a gantry, a patient table, a source of radiographic energy including an x-ray source enclosed in a container, a radiographic receptor including an image intensifier tube having an input face and an output face, a video camera having an input and an output, a closed circuit television and a multi-function joystick controller; the gantry having a first arm and a second arm;
the first arm having a symmetrical shape defining a gap at the ends thereof, the second arm having at least a generally horizontal portion at one end and a generally vertical portion at the other end, the first arm rotatably engaged to the vertical portion of the second arm such that the ends of first arm are symmetrically disposed on either side of a horizontal axis passing adjacent the first arm'"'"'s iso center, the horizontal end of the second arm rotatably engaged to a horizontal structure such that the second arm rotates about a vertical axis passing adjacent the first arms iso center;the gantry further including a gantry drive means for selectively rotating the first arm or the second arm about their respective rotational axis in response to a drive stimulus; the x-ray source and image intensifier tube disposed on either end of the first arm defining a gap therebetween for receiving an object to be imaged, such as a human patient, disposed on the patient table, the x-ray source output and image intensifier input face aligned such that radiation propagating from the x-ray source passes through the object to be imaged and onto the input face of the intensifier tube, the intensifier tube converting radiographic information received on the input face thereof into a relatively bright visible light image on the intensifier tube output face; the patient table having a upper surface for receiving a patient thereon, the table further including a table drive means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the table in response to a drive stimulus; the video camera input fixedly secured adjacent the intensifier tube output face such that the camera input views the intensifier output face, the output of the camera connected to the television such that the image viewed by the camera is displayed on the television; the multi-function joystick controller comprising; a housing having a power switch, an emergency stop switch, a joystick, a communication means and at least two joystick function switches integrated therein, the joystick function switches linking the joystick to the communication means when engaged; a means for ensuring that the engagement of one joystick function switch is mutually exclusively of the engagement of other joystick function switches; the joystick comprising; an arm having a variable position pivot engaged in the housing; a means for recognizing the direction and extent of pivotal motion of the arm from a home position; and a rotatable switch for engaging a set of contacts when the joystick is rotated clockwise about its longitudinal axis and which engages a second set of contacts when the joystick is rotated counter clockwise about its longitudinal axis; the communication means including means for recognizing which joystick function switch is engaged and for uniquely encoding the pivotal or rotational movement of the joystick with a unique code indicative of said motion in response to the function switch selected, the communication means conveying said unique codes to a receiving means; and the receiving means having means for receiving and converting said coded information into stimulus for selectively engaging the gantry drive means or the table drive means in response to pivotal or rotational motion of the joystick for a selected joystick function switch. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification