Conversion of existing portable or mobile analog radiographic apparatus for enabling digital radiographic applications
First Claim
1. A X-ray diagnostic apparatus originally solely configured for analog-based radiography, said diagnostic apparatus including an X-ray generator assembly, an exposure control mechanism for use with X-ray film, and a conversion kit for converting the apparatus from analog to digital operation, said conversion kit including:
- a tablet at said x-ray diagnostic apparatus, and is releasably attached to said apparatus, said tablet providing a user interface configured to allow user control of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus and having software enabling digital radiographic exposure control; and
circuitry configured for electrically routing an exposure control signal from said exposure control mechanism of said apparatus to said tablet, wherein said tablet is configured to control an exposure of at least one digital flat panel detector in lieu of a film X-ray cassette.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A kit for converting an existing mobile or portable film X-ray examination apparatus typically configured solely for analog radiography to enable said examination apparatus for digital radiographic applications. The kit includes a tablet PC that is attached to the wheeled chassis of the mobile or portable apparatus, and an input/output device used to divert the exposure control signal from the user actuable exposure control switch of the apparatus to the tablet PC. The tablet PC includes image processing software that controls the operation of a digital flat panel detector. The tablet PC can further be used to separately control other mobile or portable apparatus or a facility or examination room that was previously configured only for analog radiography.
40 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A X-ray diagnostic apparatus originally solely configured for analog-based radiography, said diagnostic apparatus including an X-ray generator assembly, an exposure control mechanism for use with X-ray film, and a conversion kit for converting the apparatus from analog to digital operation, said conversion kit including:
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a tablet at said x-ray diagnostic apparatus, and is releasably attached to said apparatus, said tablet providing a user interface configured to allow user control of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus and having software enabling digital radiographic exposure control; and circuitry configured for electrically routing an exposure control signal from said exposure control mechanism of said apparatus to said tablet, wherein said tablet is configured to control an exposure of at least one digital flat panel detector in lieu of a film X-ray cassette. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A kit for converting a X-ray diagnostic apparatus originally solely configured for analog-based radiography into a digital radiography apparatus, said X-ray diagnostic apparatus including resident circuitry for controlling analog X-ray exposure triggered by a user-actuable exposure control, said conversion kit comprising:
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a tablet having a user interface and software configured for providing digital radiographic exposure control in an imaging procedure that involves a digital flat panel detector; a securing mechanism for releasably mounting said tablet at said apparatus; and circuitry configured for diverting an exposure control signal from said user-actuated exposure control to said tablet. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method performed by a converted X-ray apparatus obtained by converting a X-ray apparatus originally configured solely for analog-based radiography, said apparatus including an X-ray generator, a resident power supply, and a control for controlling the exposure of X-rays, said method including:
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diverting an exposure control signal from said control to a tablet, said tablet including resident software for controlling the X-ray generator and a digital flat panel detector, wherein the tablet is a part of a conversion kit for converting the X-ray apparatus from analog operation to digital operation, and wherein the tablet is mounted at the x-ray apparatus; and controlling an exposure of said digital flat panel detector using said tablet. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification