X-ray tube life prediction method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A method for predicting failure of an x-ray tube, the method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring a plurality of operating parameters of the x-ray tube by transmitting signals representative of the parameters over a computer network, the plurality of operating parameters indicative at least of the presence of particulate matter in the tube;
deriving a failure prediction value from a combination of the plurality of monitored parameters;
comparing the failure prediction value to a desired reference value, wherein the desired reference value is derived from the combination of the plurality of parameters based upon analysis of potential failure related parameters for a population of a plurality of x-ray tubes; and
generating a signal indicative of predicted tube failure based upon the comparison.
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Abstract
Possible failure of x-ray tubes is predicted by monitoring and analysis of operating parameters considered leading indicators of failure. Historical data for a tube population is analyzed by discriminant analysis to develop a failure prediction algorithm. The algorithm is used to correlate operating parameters, or values derived from the operating parameters with a potential for tube failure. The operating parameters may include anode overcurrent events and spits, or spit rate exceeded errors for a diagnostic system in which the x-ray tube is installed.
35 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for predicting failure of an x-ray tube, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a plurality of operating parameters of the x-ray tube by transmitting signals representative of the parameters over a computer network, the plurality of operating parameters indicative at least of the presence of particulate matter in the tube;
deriving a failure prediction value from a combination of the plurality of monitored parameters;
comparing the failure prediction value to a desired reference value, wherein the desired reference value is derived from the combination of the plurality of parameters based upon analysis of potential failure related parameters for a population of a plurality of x-ray tubes; and
generating a signal indicative of predicted tube failure based upon the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for predicting potential falure of an x-ray tube in a medical diagnostic system, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a combination of parameters indicative of the presence in the x-ray tube of particulate matter;
deriving a predictive value from the combination of parameters;
comparing the predictive value to a desired reference value, wherein the desired reference value is derived from the combination of parameters based upon analysis of potential failure related parameters for a population of a plurality of x-ray tubes; and
generating a signal indicative of potential failure of the x-ray tube based on the predictive value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for predicting potential failure of x-ray tubes, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring operating parameters for a population of x-ray tubes by transmitting signals representative of the parameters over a computer network, the operating parameters indicative at least of the presence of particulate matter within one or more of the x-ray tubes;
performing statistical analysis of a combination of the monitored parameters;
deriving a reference value based on the combination of parameters based upon analysis of potential failure related parameters for a population of a plurality of x-ray tubes; and
generating a failure prediction algorithm based upon the statistical analysis. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
monitoring operating parameters of at least one x-ray tube; and
predicting failure of the at least one x-ray tube based upon the monitored parameters and the failure prediction algorithm.
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18. The method of claim 15, wherein the second value is based upon occurrence of spit rate exceeded errors for the at least one x-ray tube.
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19. A system for predicting possible failure of an x-ray tube, the system comprising:
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a monitoring circuit coupled externally to the x-ray tube, the monitoring circuit monitoring operating parameters of the x-ray tube indicative of possible failure, the operating parameters indicative at least of the presence of particulate matter in the tube; and
a failure prediction circuit coupled to the monitoring circuit, the failure prediction circuit executing a failure prediction routine based upon a combination of the monitored operating parameters and generating a failure prediction signal based upon the routine, the roution comprises deriving a reference value derived from the combination of the monitored operating parameters based upon analysis of potential failure-related parameters for a population of a plurality of x-ray tubes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification