X-ray handswitch apparatus and system

• US 7,483,516 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Coombs, Kevin Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, HOON K
• Application Number:
  US11/535,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20080075233A1
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 378114-117, 378/205
• US Class Current: 378/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4405 the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means

Abstract

A handswitch configured to be held by an operator of an x-ray system, configured for using handswitchable equipment to operate the x-ray system, is disclosed. The handswitch includes an exterior housing so dimensioned as to fit into a hand of the operator. An exposure switch is disposed on the exterior housing and is configured to initiate an x-ray exposure. A tactile feedback mechanism is configured to indicate, to the operator of the x-ray system, transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system.

Claims

1. A handswitch configured to be held by an operator of an x-ray system configured for using handswitchable equipment to operate the x-ray system, the handswitch comprising:

an exterior housing so dimensioned as to fit into a hand of the operator, a portion of the exterior housing comprises a deformable surface;

an exposure switch disposed on the exterior housing and configured to initiate an x-ray exposure; and

a tactile feedback mechanism configured to indicate, to the operator of the x-ray system, transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system, the tactile feedback mechanism being configured to be responsive to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system and to cause tactile feedback at the deformable surface in response to activation of the exposure switch.

2. The handswitch of claim 1, wherein:

the handswitch is configured to allow operation absent generation of an audible tone.

3. The handswitch of claim 1, wherein:

the tactile feedback mechanism is configured to indicate, to the operator of the x-ray system, transmission of x-rays in response to activation of the exposure switch.

4. The handswitch of claim 1, wherein;

the tactile feedback mechanism comprises a vibrating mechanism configured to vibrate in response to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system.

5. The handswitch of claim 4, wherein:

the vibrating mechanism is configured to operate continuously for a specified duration in response to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system.

6. The handswitch of claim 4, wherein:

the vibrating mechanism is configured to operate in a pulsed manner for a specified duration in response to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system.

7. The handswitch of claim 4, wherein:

the vibrating mechanism is configured to start vibrating at a beginning of the exposure, and to stop vibrating at an end of the exposure.

8. The handswitch of claim 4, wherein:

the vibrating mechanism is configured to vary at least one of vibration amplitude and vibration duration in response to a parameter of the x-ray exposure.

9. The handswitch of claim 1, wherein:

the tactile feedback mechanism is configured to cause a deformation of the deformable surface in response to activation of the exposure switch.

10. The handswitch of claim 9, further comprising:

a prepare switch disposed on the exterior housing, the prepare switch configured to initiate preparation of the x-ray system for the x-ray exposure.

11. The handswitch of claim 10, wherein:

in response to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system, the tactile feedback mechanism is configured to maintain the deformation of the deformable surface; and

in response to activation of the prepare switch, the tactile feedback mechanism is configured remove the deformation of the deformable surface.

12. A handswitch configured to be held by an operator of an x-ray system configured for using handswitchable equipment to operate the x-ray system, the handswitch comprising:

an exterior housing so dimensioned as to fit into a hand of the operator;

an exposure switch disposed on the exterior housing and configured to initiate an x-ray exposure;

a first tactile feedback mechanism configured to indicate, to the operator of the x-ray system, transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system;

a prepare switch disposed on the exterior housing, the prepare switch configured to initiate preparation of the x-ray system for the x-ray exposure; and

a second tactile feedback mechanism configured to indicate a preparation status of the x-ray system to initiate the x-ray exposure;

wherein a portion of the exterior housing comprises a first deformable surface;

wherein the first tactile feedback mechanism is configured to be responsive to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system and to cause a deformation of the first deformable surface in response to activation of the exposure switch;

wherein in response to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system, the first tactile feedback mechanism is configured to maintain the deformation of the first deformable surface; and

wherein in response to activation of the prepare switch, the first tactile feedback mechanism is configured remove the deformation of the first deformable surface.

13. The handswitch of claim 12, wherein:

a portion of the exterior housing comprises a second deformable surface; and

the second tactile feedback mechanism is configured to be responsive to the preparation status of the x-ray system to initiate the x-ray exposure, and to cause a deformation of the second deformable surface in response to the x-ray system being prepared to initiate the x-ray exposure.

14. The handswitch of claim 13, wherein:

in response to the x-ray system being prepared to initiate the x-ray exposure, the second tactile feedback mechanism is configured to maintain the deformation of the second deformable surface.

15. An x-ray system to provide x-ray images of a subject, the system comprising:

an x-ray machine configured to transmit x-ray radiation and receive the transmitted x-ray radiation having passed through the subject;

an x-ray console in signal communication with the x-ray machine, the x-ray console configured to control the x-ray machine; and

a handswitch in signal communication with the x-ray console, the handswitch configured to be held by an operator of the x-ray system, the handswitch comprising;

an exterior housing so dimensioned as to fit into a hand of the operator, a portion of the exterior housing comprising a deformable surface;

an exposure switch disposed on the exterior housing and configured to initiate the x-ray transmission; and

a tactile feedback mechanism configured to indicate, to the operator of the x-ray system, transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system, the tactile feedback mechanism being configured to be responsive to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system and to cause tactile feedback at the deformable surface in response to activation of the exposure switch.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the handswitch is configured to allow operation absent generation of an audible tone.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein;

the first feedback mechanism comprises a vibrating mechanism configured to vibrate in response to transmission of x-rays by the x-ray system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein:

the vibrating mechanism is configured to start vibrating at a beginning of the exposure, and to stop vibrating at an end of the exposure.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein:

the vibrating mechanism is configured to vary at least one of vibration amplitude and vibration duration in response to a parameter of the x-ray exposure.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the tactile feedback mechanism is configured to cause a deformation of the first deformable surface in response to activation of the exposure switch.