X-ray imaging system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016174918-A1
Application number	US-201514974132-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 18, 2015
Priority date	Oct 18, 2010
Publication date	Jun 23, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An X-ray imaging system uses an X-ray source to emit an X-ray beam for exposing a desired radiation field. A camera is configured to capture a current image of the radiation field and to display a current image of the radiation field before the exposure is activated.

First claim

1 . A portable imaging apparatus comprising:
an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray beam; a collimator proximate the X-ray source to define an X-ray radiation field to be exposed by the emitted X-ray beam; a camera for capturing an optical image of the radiation field; and a display connected to the camera to display the image of the radiation field.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a light source to emit light for illuminating the radiation field.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the light source is configured to illuminate an illumination field having a size and shape substantially equivalent to, or slightly larger than, the radiation field.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is attached to the portable apparatus.

5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the collimator comprises a variable aperture to adjust a size of the radiation field, and wherein the light source is configured so that a size of the illumination field is adjusted simultaneously with the size of the radiation field.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the radiation field is substantially equivalent a field of view of the camera.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the light source is configured to project a cursor onto the illuminated radiation field.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display includes a cursor configured to indicate a center of the radiation field.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cable connected to a power source for supplying power through the cable to operate the apparatus.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to detect a position of a detector in a path of the X-ray beam, and wherein the display comprises a cursor configured to indicate a position of the detector.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cursor is configured to indicate boundaries of the detector.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cursor is configured to indicate a detected tilt, skew, and rotational position.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the camera is positioned in the apparatus such that a central axis of the X-ray beam coincides with a center of a field of view of the camera.

14 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the camera is positioned in the apparatus such that the aperture is in a field of view of the camera and is visible on the display.

15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the camera is a video camera.

16 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising:
a wireless receiver for receiving a radiographic image captured by the detector in response to the X-ray beam and transmitted from the detector to the apparatus; and a frame buffer for storing the radiographic image, and connected to the display for displaying the radiographic image.

17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display comprises an articulating screen, a touch screen, or a combination thereof.

18 . A mobile X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:
an X-ray assembly comprising a camera having a field of view coincident with a central axis of an X-ray beam emitted by an X-ray source of the X-ray assembly to capture a video image of a radiation field as the X-ray assembly is selectively positioned so that the radiation field coincides with a desired imaging area; and a display screen in electrical communication with the camera for receiving and displaying the video captured by the camera including the desired imaging area.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein a field of view of the camera coincides with a path of the X-rays as controlled by a collimator in the X-ray assembly.

20 . A method of operating an X-ray system having a hand-held X-ray source assembly, a DR detector, and a display screen on the hand-held X-ray source assembly, the method comprising:
activating an X-ray source in the hand-held X-ray source assembly; capturing a radiographic image in a digital detector exposed by the activated X-ray source; the digital detector transmitting the captured radiographic image to the hand-held X-ray source assembly; and displaying the captured radiographic image on the display screen.

Assignees

• Carestream Health Inc

Inventors

• Wang Xiaohui
• Hobert Kevin J

Classifications

• A61B6/461

  Displaying means of special interest · CPC title

• A61B6/467

  characterised by special input means · CPC title

• A61B6/4405 Primary

  the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley · CPC title

• A61B6/587

  Alignment of source unit to detector unit · CPC title

• A61B6/08

  Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams · CPC title