System and method for monitoring a computed tomography imaging system
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10677943-B2
Publication Date
2020-06-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A diagnostic system for monitoring a status of a CT system includes at least one radiation detector configured to monitor a CT component and generate signals representing measurement data associated with the CT component. The system also includes a diagnostic computer device in communication with the detector. The device is configured to receive an electrical signal from the detector and identify a first frequency in the electrical signal. The device is also configured to compare the first frequency in the electrical signal to a first reference frequency stored in memory. The first reference frequency is at least partially indicative of a first mechanical status of the CT component. The device is further configured to determine that the first frequency in the electrical signal is substantially similar to the first reference frequency and, in response, determine that the CT system has the first mechanical status.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a diagnostic system for monitoring a status of a computed tomography (CT) system. The diagnostic system includes at least one radiation detector element configured to monitor a CT component and generate signals representing measurement data associated with the CT component. A diagnostic computer device receives an electrical signal from the at least one radiation detector element and processes the electrical signal to identify a first frequency.
The diagnostic computer device compares the first frequency in the electrical signal to a first reference frequency stored in memory, where the first reference frequency is at least partially indicative of a mechanical status of the CT component. The diagnostic computer device determines that the first frequency is substantially similar to the first reference frequency. In response, the diagnostic computer device determines that the CT system has the first mechanical status.
The CT system architecture includes a rotating gantry configured to rotate and includes at least one gantry bearing frame member and a gantry bearing coupled to the gantry bearing frame member. At least one radiation detector element is coupled to the gantry bearing frame member to monitor the gantry bearing and generate signals associated with measurement data of the gantry bearing. The diagnostic computer device performs the frequency identification and reference comparison to determine the mechanical status of the gantry bearing.
In additional described implementations, the diagnostic system further derives diagnostic outputs from the electrical signal. The diagnostic computer device identifies frequency-domain indicators using Fourier analysis, detects offset current and/or offset current change associated with the radiation detector element, and estimates gantry rotation speed. The diagnostic computer device determines a stress on at least one radiation detector element by converting a frequency magnitude using a predefined conversion factor, and determines respective stresses for first and second detector elements.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed claims include three independent claims. Across these claims, the core coverage is the frequency-based comparison of a first frequency from detector electrical signals to stored reference frequencies indicative of mechanical status, and determining the mechanical status when the frequencies are substantially similar.
Frequency comparison to stored reference frequency for mechanical status
A diagnostic system receives an electrical signal from at least one radiation detector element, identifies a first frequency in the electrical signal, compares the first frequency to a first reference frequency stored in memory that is at least partially indicative of a first mechanical status of a CT component, determines that the first frequency is substantially similar to the first reference frequency, and in response determines that the CT system has the first mechanical status.
CT system with gantry bearing monitoring via detector elements coupled to gantry bearing frame members
A CT system includes a rotating gantry with at least one gantry bearing frame member and a gantry bearing coupled to the gantry bearing frame member, and includes at least one radiation detector element coupled to the at least one gantry bearing frame member and configured to monitor the gantry bearing and generate signals representing measurement data associated with the gantry bearing, where a diagnostic computer device performs the first-frequency identification, comparison to a stored first reference frequency indicative of a mechanical status of the gantry bearing, and determination that the CT system has the mechanical status in response to substantially similar frequencies.
Method for monitoring CT mechanical status using detector electrical signals and reference frequency similarity
A method receives an electrical signal from at least one radiation detector element, identifies a first frequency in the electrical signal, compares the first frequency to a first reference frequency stored in memory that is at least partially indicative of a mechanical status of at least one CT component, determines that the first frequency is substantially similar to the first reference frequency, and in response determines that the CT system has the first mechanical status.
The independent claim set consistently requires generating electrical signals from radiation detector elements, identifying a first frequency, comparing it to stored reference frequencies indicative of mechanical status, and determining the mechanical status based on substantially similar frequency content; additional refinements described in dependent claims expand the mechanical-health determinations and derived outputs such as rotation speed estimation, offset current change detection, and stress calculation using frequency magnitude and a predefined conversion factor.
Stated Advantages
Allows determination of a mechanical status of a CT component when a first frequency is substantially similar to a reference frequency.
Enables mechanical status determination for a CT system having a gantry bearing by monitoring the gantry bearing using radiation detector elements coupled to gantry bearing frame members.
Supports additional diagnostic outputs including rotation speed estimation, detection of offset current change, and calculation of stress on radiation detector element(s) using a predefined conversion factor.
Determines respective stresses for first and second detector elements.
Documented Applications
Monitoring mechanical status of CT components based on electrical signals from radiation detector elements using frequency identification and reference comparison.
Monitoring gantry bearing mechanical status in a CT system by coupling radiation detector elements to gantry bearing frame members and comparing frequency behavior to a reference frequency.
Monitoring a CT gantry-bearing configuration to determine a defective gantry bearing based on a first frequency in an electrical signal.
Monitoring a rotatable gantry to determine mass imbalance associated with the rotatable gantry from a first frequency in an electrical signal.
Obtaining electrical signals from radiation detector elements by performing an offset scan on the CT system for the diagnostic comparison.
Determining a stress on at least one radiation detector element by applying a predefined conversion factor to a Fourier-derived frequency magnitude.
Determining respective stresses acting on first and second radiation detector elements using multiple radiation detector elements.
Interested in licensing this patent?