Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11474049-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A flexible digital radiographic detector assembly uses a conformable bag having granular media therein to enclose the detector and to help fit the detector onto a curved object. The conformable bag is evacuated to hold the detector against the object to be imaged. An image of the object is acquired by aiming x-rays through the object toward the detector.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a flexible digital radiographic detector assembly in which a flexible digital radiographic detector is enclosed by a conformable bag, and granular media are also enclosed by the bag. The bag includes an opening configured to evacuate air therefrom, and when air is evacuated, the granular media are compressed and the assembly stiffens, thereby securing the flexible digital radiographic detector during radiographic imaging.
In disclosed embodiments, the conformable bag is manually positioned on an object to be radiographically imaged so that the flexible digital radiographic detector is placed for imaging. The bag can be secured to the object either by evacuating air from the bag or by pressurizing the bag, and an x-ray source is fired through at least a portion of the object toward the flexible digital radiographic detector to capture a radiographic image.
Additional disclosed structures include a stiffening member inside the bag, configured to limit conformational bending of the flexible digital radiographic detector when air is evacuated. The stiffening member can include a radiopaque lead shielding layer or another radiopaque material, and the bag architecture can also include two adjacent separate chambers with differential evacuation and pressurization.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three main inventive aspects: an assembly using a conformable bag with granular media and an air-evacuating opening to compress the media and stiffen the assembly, a method that manually positions such a bag on an object and uses x-ray exposure to capture a radiographic image, and a method that evacuates air from the bag prior to radiographic exposure while capturing the image with the enclosed detector. Across the independent claims, four principal inventive features are specified.
Conformable bag enclosing flexible digital radiographic detector and granular media
A flexible digital radiographic detector assembly comprising a conformable bag, a flexible digital radiographic detector enclosed by the bag, and granular media enclosed by the bag.
Opening configured to evacuate air to compress granular media and stiffen the assembly
An opening in the bag configured to evacuate air therefrom, wherein the granular media is compressed and the assembly stiffens.
Manual positioning of detector-and-granular-media bag on object for imaging
A method comprising providing a flexible digital radiographic detector, enclosing the flexible digital radiographic detector in a conformable bag, adding granular media into the conformable bag, manually positioning the bag on an object to be radiographically imaged, and securing the bag against the object by evacuating air from the bag or pressurizing the bag.
X-ray exposure and capturing image using the enclosed flexible digital radiographic detector
Firing an x-ray source through at least a portion of the object toward the flexible digital radiographic detector to capture a radiographic image of at least the portion of the object.
Positioning bag on object, evacuating air, radiographically exposing, and capturing image
A method comprising enclosing a digital radiographic detector and granular media in a conformable bag, positioning the conformable bag on a surface of an object to be radiographically imaged, evacuating air from the conformable bag, radiographically exposing the object to be radiographically imaged, and capturing a radiographic image of the object using the enclosed digital radiographic detector.
Across the independent claims, the central claim coverage is directed to enclosing a flexible or digital radiographic detector in a conformable bag together with granular media, using an opening or an evacuating step to remove air so the granular media compresses and the assembly secures and stiffens for imaging, and then using x-ray exposure to capture radiographic images with the detector enclosed in the bag.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?