Diagnostic imaging system with compact multi-function controller

• US 5,220,592 A
• Filed: 05/08/1992
• Issued: 06/15/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Picker International, Inc. (Marconi Holdings Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Picker International, Inc. (Marconi Holdings Company Limited)
• Inventors: Blouir, Charles D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David P.
• Application Number:
  US07/880,567
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 378/114, 378/115, 378/116, 378/91, 378/95, 378/195-198, 378/204, 341/20, 341/21, 341/22, 341/27
• US Class Current: 378/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0487 Motor-assisted positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4482 involving power assist circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/26 Measuring, controlling or protecting measuring X-ray radiation G01T
• CPC Class Codes: H05G 1/30 Controlling

Abstract

A diagnostic imaging system is comprised of a plurality of linearly adjustable functions and a plurality of binary selectable functions which are controlled by a multi-function joystick controller. The controller has a plurality of function select switches, a joystick, a mushroom cap rotatably engaged on the joystick, a microprocessor, a plurality of switches individually engageable by pivoting the joystick and a pair of switches individually engageable by clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the mushroom cap. The switches and the microprocessor cooperate such that the selection of a first function select switches causes the operation of the joystick switches and/or mushroom cap switches to be linked to a predetermined first set of imaging system functions. Subsequently, when a second function select switches is selected the joystick switches and mushroom cap switches thereafter operate a predetermined second set of imaging system functions until another function select switch is selected.

Claims

1. An x-ray imaging system, comprising;

a source of x-radiation for propagating a beam of radiation along a path;

a beam receptor means for receiving the beam and converting the received radiation into a visible image;

a movable gantry means for functionally holding the source and the receptor in movable relative position, the movable gantry having a gantry drive means for effecting gantry movement;

a movable support means functionally positioned between the source and receptor for selectively locating a supported subject under examination between the source and detector, the movable support having a support drive means for effecting support means movement;

a multi-function control means, comprising;

a plurality of function select switches for dedicated selection of a predetermined function;

a singular positional control means for selectively controlling the operation of at least one drive means when a corresponding function select switch is activated.

2. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1 further including a third drive means for moving the source and receptor with respect to each other along an axis therebetween.

4. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1 further including an adjustable shutter disposed between the source and the support means for limiting the beam path, the adjustable shutter having a fifth drive means for effecting adjustment of the shutter aperture.

3. The imaging system as set forth in claim further including an adjustable iris disposed between the source and the support means for limiting the beam path, the adjustable iris having a forth drive means for effecting adjustment of the iris aperture.

5. A multi-function controller comprising:

an enclosure having a power switch, an emergency stop switch, at least two function select switches, a joystick and a communication means integrated therein;

the function switches, joystick and communication means electrically interconnected such that one or more predetermined function switches cooperate with the communications means to link the joystick to the communication means when any one of said switches are engaged, the other function switches providing direct binary switching to the communication means;

a means for ensuring that the engagement of one joystick function select switch is mutually exclusively of the engagement of other joystick function select switches;

the communication means operatively connected to recognize which joystick function select switch is engaged and what other direct switching switches are engaged;

the communication means including means for uniquely encoding each function switch or interconnected joystick movement thereof with a unique code and for communicating said code to a receiving means; and

the receiving means having a means for receiving and decoding the unique code from the communication means and for converting said decoded information into stimulus for engaging a select function corresponding to predetermined function in response to each function switch selected.

6. The joystick as set forth in claim 5 further including a biased enabling ring movably engaged between a top and bottom of the joystick for releasing the joystick from a home position when the enabling ring is moved against the biasing means.

7. A radiographic imaging system comprising;

a gantry, a patient table, a source of radiographic energy including an x-ray source enclosed in a container, a radiographic receptor including an image intensifier tube having an input face and an output face, a video camera having an input and an output, a closed circuit television and a multi-function joystick controller;

the gantry having a first arm and a second arm;

the first arm having a symmetrical shape defining a gap at the ends thereof, the second arm having at least a generally horizontal portion at one end and a generally vertical portion at the other end, the first arm rotatably engaged to the vertical portion of the second arm such that the ends of first arm are symmetrically disposed on either side of a horizontal axis passing adjacent the first arm'"'"'s iso center, the horizontal end of the second arm rotatably engaged to a horizontal structure such that the second arm rotates about a vertical axis passing adjacent the first arms iso center;

the gantry further including a gantry drive means for selectively rotating the first arm or the second arm about their respective rotational axis in response to a drive stimulus;

the x-ray source and image intensifier tube disposed on either end of the first arm defining a gap therebetween for receiving an object to be imaged, such as a human patient, disposed on the patient table, the x-ray source output and image intensifier input face aligned such that radiation propagating from the x-ray source passes through the object to be imaged and onto the input face of the intensifier tube, the intensifier tube converting radiographic information received on the input face thereof into a relatively bright visible light image on the intensifier tube output face;

the patient table having a upper surface for receiving a patient thereon, the table further including a table drive means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the table in response to a drive stimulus;

the video camera input fixedly secured adjacent the intensifier tube output face such that the camera input views the intensifier output face, the output of the camera connected to the television such that the image viewed by the camera is displayed on the television;

the multi-function joystick controller comprising;

a housing having a power switch, an emergency stop switch, a joystick, a communication means and at least two joystick function switches integrated therein,

the joystick function switches linking the joystick to the communication means when engaged;

a means for ensuring that the engagement of one joystick function switch is mutually exclusively of the engagement of other joystick function switches;

the joystick comprising;

an arm having a variable position pivot engaged in the housing;

a means for recognizing the direction and extent of pivotal motion of the arm from a home position; and

a rotatable switch for engaging a set of contacts when the joystick is rotated clockwise about its longitudinal axis and which engages a second set of contacts when the joystick is rotated counter clockwise about its longitudinal axis;

the communication means including means for recognizing which joystick function switch is engaged and for uniquely encoding the pivotal or rotational movement of the joystick with a unique code indicative of said motion in response to the function switch selected, the communication means conveying said unique codes to a receiving means; and

the receiving means having means for receiving and converting said coded information into stimulus for selectively engaging the gantry drive means or the table drive means in response to pivotal or rotational motion of the joystick for a selected joystick function switch.

8. The joystick as set forth in claim 7 further including a biased enabling ring movably engaged between a top and bottom of the joystick for releasing the joystick from a home position when the enabling ring is moved against the biasing means.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 further including;

a gap drive means for varying the gap distance between the x-ray source and the intensifier input face;

the gap drive means cooperating with the receiving means, the communication means, at least one joystick function switch and the joystick such that the selection of the select joystick function switch links the pivoting and rotational motions of the joystick to the communication means, the communications means conveying a unique code to the receiving means in response to one of a select pivotal and rotational motions of the joystick, the receiving means receiving said unique code and conveying a stimulus to the gap drive means in response thereto such that the gap distance diminishes for one of a select pivotal or rotational movement of the joystick in one direction and the gap distance increases in response to movement of the joystick in an opposite direction.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 further including;

an adjustable iris, disposed between the x-ray source and the intensifier input face, for adjustably controlling an aperture through which the radiation from the x-ray source will propagate, the iris having a drive means associated therewith for controlling the opening of the iris in response to a stimulus;

the iris drive means cooperating with the receiving means, the communication means, at least one joystick function switch and the joystick such that the selection of a select joystick function switch links the pivoting and rotational motions of the joystick to the communication means, the communications means conveying a unique code to the receiving means in response to a select pivotal or rotational motion of the joystick, the receiving means receiving said unique code and conveying the iris drive means stimulus to the iris drive means in response thereto.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 further including;

an adjustable shutter, disposed between the x-ray source and the intensifier input face, for adjustably controlling an aperture through which the radiation from the x-ray source will propagate, the shutter having a drive means associated therewith for selectively controlling the opening of the shutter in response to a stimulus;

the shutter drive means cooperating with the receiving means, the communication means, at least one joystick function switch and the joystick such that the selection of a select joystick function switch links the pivoting and rotational motions of the joystick to the communication means, the communications means conveying a unique code to the receiving means in response to a select pivotal or rotational motion of the joystick, the receiving means receiving said unique code and conveying the shutter drive means stimulus to the shutter drive means in response thereto.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the multi-function joystick controller further includes at least one binary function switch integrated therein.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 further including;

a visible light source enclosed within the x-ray source container for visual adjustable positioning of the x-ray source;

the visible light source cooperating with the receiving means, the communication means and the binary function switch such that the selection of the function switch is recognized by the communications means, the communication means conveys a unique code to the receiving means in response to the engagement of said function switch , the receiving means receives the unique code and conveys a stimulus to the light source which changes the state of the light source in response thereto.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 further including;

at least one selectively engageable radiation filter disposed between the x-ray source and the intensifier input screen for filtering the radiation propagating from the x-ray source, the filter having a drive means associated therewith for selectively engaging the filter;

the filter drive means cooperating with the receiving means, the communication means and the binary function switch such that the selection of the function switch is recognized by the communications means, the communication means conveys a unique code to the receiving means in response to the engagement of said function switch, the receiving means receives the unique code and conveys a stimulus to the filter drive means which changes the engagement state of the filter in response thereto.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 further including;

a magnification means associated with the intensifier tube for selectively isolating at least one portion of the intensifier input face such that when the magnification means is engaged the radiographic information contained on select portion is converted to a visual light image on the intensifier output face, the magnification means having a selection means for selectively engaging the magnification means;

the selection means cooperating with the receiving means, the communication means and the binary function switch such that the selection of the function switch is recognized by the communications means, the communication means conveys a unique code to the receiving means in response to the engagement of said function switch, the receiving means receives the unique code and conveys a stimulus to the selection means which changes the engagement state of the magnification means in response thereto.