X-ray imaging apparatus

• US 7,015,478 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Osamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEBB, CHRISTOPHER G
• Application Number:
  US10/715,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20040114725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 250/370.08, 250/370.09, 250/370.1
• US Class Current: 250/370.09
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/542 involving control of exposure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/544 dependent on patient size
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

An electronic cassette accommodating a sensor for converting radiation into an electric signal. A cable with a specific length is connected to a side surface of the electronic cassette. A connector that is connectable with a wireless communication unit or an external power source is provided at an end of the cable.

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:

a sensor for converting radiation into an electric signal;

an electronic cassette for accommodating said sensor;

a first cable connected to a side surface of said electronic cassette; and

a first connector provided at an end of said first cable;

a second connector to be connected to said first connector;

a second cable connected to said second connector; and

an external apparatus connected to said second cable for transmitting/receiving an electric signal to/from said electronic cassette and/or supplying electric power to said cassette via said first and second cables,

wherein said electronic cassette is provided with a wireless communication unit capable of communicating with said external apparatus, said wireless communication unit being connectable to said first connector, and said electronic cassette is provided with a battery for supplying electric power and a control unit for controlling said wireless communication unit and controlling power supply from said battery, wherein when said wireless communication unit is connected to said first connector, said control unit controls to cause said battery to supply electric power to said wireless communication unit.

2. An X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when said wireless communication unit receives an imaging start signal, said control unit controls to cause said battery to supply electric power to said sensor.