Method and device for automatic testing of an X-ray system

• US 7,125,166 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2003
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Eck, Kai, Wischmann, Hans-Aloys
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Courtney
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yun, Jurie
• Application Number:
  US10/503,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20050226382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 378/117, 378/207
• US Class Current: 378/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/583 using calibration phantoms

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for automatic testing of an X-ray system (2). The doors (5a, 5b) leading to the room (1) in which the X-ray system (2) is installed are monitored by way of sensors (4a, 4b). Furthermore, the state of the room (1) can be monitored by means of further sensors such as video cameras (3). Automatic testing of the X-ray system (2) while utilizing X-rays is started only if and for as long as all doors are closed and the other sensors do not indicate that a safe state is abandoned. The device may also include facilities for automatically positioning a phantom in the beam path. Such facilities may in that case include a phantom which is provided on a flexible foil.

Claims

1. A method for automatically testing an X-ray imaging system while generating X-rays, comprising the steps of:

introducing automatically a phantom into a space between an X-ray source and an X-ray detector during a test;

acquiring at least one image while the phantom is present in the beam path;

monitoring a defined safe state in a safety zone around the X-ray system by means of sensors; and

interrupting the generation of X-rays upon detection that the safe state is abandoned.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safe state involves the closed state of at least one entrance to the safety zone.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safe state is defined by a pattern of sensor signals observed during a definition phase.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring of the safe state commences when

all doors leading to the room in which the X-ray system is installed are closed except for a last door, and

an activation signal associated with the last door commences while the last door is still open and ends when the last door is closed.

5. A device for the automatic testing of an imaging X-ray system while generating X-rays, which device comprises:

a device for automatically positioning at least one phantom in a beam path between an X-ray source and an X-ray detector while the test is being carried out;

at least one sensor for monitoring a safety zone around the X-ray system; and

a control unit which is coupled to the sensor and to the X-ray system and is arranged to interrupt the generating of X-rays when the sensor signals indicate that a defined safe state is abandoned.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sensors include:

door contacts for detecting the closed state of entrances;

motion detectors which operate on the basis of infrared signals, ultrasound signals and/or video monitoring;

gas detectors, notably carbon dioxide sensors;

pressure sensors which may be arranged notably on the floor;

light barriers;

acoustic sensors and/or

the X-ray detector of the X-ray system.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the phantom is arranged on a flexible carrier which is transported, via guide rollers, in the zone between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector.

8. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the phantom is journaled so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis.

9. An apparatus for automatically testing an X-my imaging system while generating X-rays comprising:

means for automatically introducing, while a test is being carried out, a phantom into an area of the X-ray imaging system between a source of X-rays and a detector of X-rays;

means for monitoring a defined safe state in a safety zone around the X-ray imaging system by means of sensors; and

means for interrupting the generation of X-rays upon detection that the safe state is abandoned.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for automatically introducing a phantom comprises guide rollers.

11. A system for calibrating a radiation detecting apparatus, comprising:

an activation system for enabling an operation of a calibration procedure;

a phantom that is configured to be automatically positioned in an area between a radiation source and a radiation detector during the calibration procedure;

at least one sensor for monitoring integrity of a predefined safety area around the radiation detection apparatus to be calibrated; and

a control system operatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to interrupt the calibration procedure based upon a breach of the integrity of the predefined safety area.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of sensors for monitoring the integrity of the predefined safety area around the radiation detection apparatus to be calibrated.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasound motion detector, an infrared motion detector, a video camera, a gas detector, a pressure sensor, a light barrier, an acoustic sensor and a radiation detector.