Clinical x-ray based apparatus and method with dynamic signalling of an execution feasibility level during entering operational parameter values

• US 6,370,226 B1
• Filed: 09/21/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Wesselius, Jacob Hendrikus, Bart, Aloysius Joannes Maria, Boumans, Maurice Hubertus Bernard, Rutgers, Johan Gerard Henri
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Robert H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yun, Jurie
• Application Number:
  US09/666,227
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 378/16, 378/95, 378/97, 378/108, 378/117, 378/118, 378/207
• US Class Current: 378/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/30 Controlling

Abstract

A clinical XRAY based apparatus with a user interface is operated by initiating the apparatus and then entering a sequence of operational parameter values for as based thereon executing an XRAY irradiation process. In particular, during the entering an execution feasibility level of the process is dynamically ascertained in view of an anticipated physical or other quantitative effect on one or more critical elements of the apparatus. Upon detecting insufficient feasibility, one or more parameter values already entered are figured out that have a preponderantly negative effect on said feasibility level and a user-initiated amendment of their value or values is allowed, until raising the feasibility level to sufficient. Otherwise the entering is continued until completing the sequence as preliminary to executing the XRAY irradiation process.

Claims

1. A method for operating a clinical XRAY-based apparatus provided with user interface means, by initiating said apparatus and entering a sequence of operational parameter values for as based thereon executing an XRAY irradiation process;

said method being characterized by comprising the following steps;

during said entering dynamically ascertaining an execution feasibility level of said process in view of an anticipated physical or other quantitative effect on one or more critical elements of said apparatus;

upon detecting an insufficient feasibility level figuring out one or more parameter values already entered that have a preponderantly negative effect on said feasibility level, and allowing a user-initiated amendment of their parameter value or values, until raising said feasibility level to sufficient;

and otherwise continuing said entering until completing said sequence of operational value parameters as preliminary to executing said XRAY irradiation process.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 for applying on a Computer Tomography System.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an insufficient feasibility level is shown by a first user indication, a partially sufficient feasibility level is shown by a second user indication, and a fully sufficient feasibility level is shown by a third user indication.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feasibility level is updated through the entering and/or changing of a said parameter value, and also by an occurring physical relaxation process of said apparatus.

5. A clinical XRAY based apparatus arranged for applying a method as claimed in claim 1, said apparatus comprising user interface means, that are arranged for initiating said apparatus and entering a sequence of operational parameter values for as based thereon executing an XRAY irradiation process;

said apparatus being characterized by comprising ascertaining means for during said entering dynamically ascertaining an execution feasibility level of said process in view of an anticipated physical or other quantitative effect on one or more critical elements of said apparatus, amending means for upon detecting an insufficient feasibility level figuring out one or more parameter values already entered that have a preponderantly negative effect on said feasibility level, and allowing a user-initiated amendment of their parameter value or values, until raising said feasibility level to sufficient, and continue means for otherwise allowing to continue said entering until completion of said sequence of operational value parameters as preliminary to executing said XRAY irradiation process.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, being a Computer Tomography System.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, and having indicator means for showing an insufficient feasibility level by a first user indication, a partially sufficient feasibility level by a second user indication, and a fully sufficient feasibility level by a third user indication.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said indicator means show said indications through colors or icons.

9. An apparatus method as claimed in claim 5, and having updating means for updating said feasibility level through entering and/or changing of a said parameter value, and also by an occurring physical relaxation process of said apparatus.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said indicator means for a graphical display of a planned acquisition on a scanogram image are arranged for by a color coding indicating selective partial irradiations, such as slices and/or rotations which cannot be acquired, or only after a waiting time.