Digital radiography detector for long-length imaging
Inventors
Wojcik, Timothy J. • FORNOF, Jacob M. • Hofmann, Craig F. • PESCE, Martin S. • Shafer, Mark E. • Hawver, Jeffery R. • Lippold, Steven R. • Bogumil, Todd D.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11612367-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A digital radiographic detector system includes a number of DR detectors enclosed by a housing. A base section with wheels has attached thereto a vertical column with a height adjustable horizontal arm extending therefrom. The housing with DR detectors therein is attached to a distal end of the horizontal arm. The housing comprises a major surface made from a radiolucent material to allow the detectors to capture radiographic images via x-rays transmitted through the major surface of the housing. The housing is configured to support the plurality of DR detectors therewithin.
Core Innovation
The disclosed subject matter relates to a digital radiographic detector system for long-length imaging that uses multiple DR detectors supported in a housing. Each DR detector includes a radiographic imaging array secured in a housing, with a radiolucent surface over the imaging array and at least one radiolucent edge, and the detectors are supported in a preselected alignment by a support. A base having a plurality of wheels attached thereto enables rolling the system over a surface while maintaining the preselected alignment of the detectors.
The system is configured to support long-length imaging by enabling accurate digital stitching into a long composite image from multiple detector contributions while addressing subject motion through simultaneous x-ray exposure of detector segments. Detector edge regions overlap by using radiolucent edges that overlap neighboring detectors, and the arrangement includes radiolucent, tiled, and overlapping detector arrangements to minimize artifacts, with registration markers supporting geometric alignment and overlap gain correction images supporting pixel gain compensation.
For fixed multi-detector geometries, a digital radiographic imaging system is disclosed that uses an x-ray source and three DR detectors fixed in position relative to each other, including two detectors fixed in a common plane and a third detector fixed in a plane parallel to the common plane. The third detector’s housing includes a radiolucent surface over the imaging array and two radiolucent edges that each overlap one of the at least two detectors fixed in the common plane, and complementary overlapping configurations are also provided for the plane arrangement relative to the x-ray source.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains three independent claims, with inventive features centered on radiolucent surfaces and radiolucent edges in DR detector housings and fixed or alignment-controlled multi-detector geometries that include overlapping radiolucent edges for image assembly in long-length imaging contexts.
Wheeled multi-detector alignment with radiolucent housing surface and edge
A plurality of DR detectors each comprising a radiographic imaging array secured in a housing, a base having a plurality of wheels attached thereto for rolling the system over a surface, and a support attached to the base and to the detectors such that the detectors are supported in a preselected alignment, wherein the housing of each detector comprises a radiolucent surface over the imaging array and at least one radiolucent edge.
Three fixed detectors with parallel planes and radiolucent overlap edges
Three DR detectors each comprising a radiographic imaging array secured in a housing fixed in position relative to each other, wherein two of the detectors are fixed in a common plane and a third one of the detectors is fixed in a plane parallel to the common plane closer to the x-ray source, and wherein the housing of the third one of the detectors comprises a radiolucent surface over the imaging array and two radiolucent edges that each overlap one of the at least two detectors fixed in the common plane.
Three fixed detectors with parallel planes and radiolucent edge overlap
Three DR detectors each comprising a radiographic imaging array secured in a housing fixed in position relative to each other, wherein two of the detectors are fixed in a common plane and a third one of the detectors is fixed in a plane parallel to the common plane further from the x-ray source, and wherein the housings of the two detectors each comprises a radiolucent surface over the imaging array and a radiolucent edge that overlaps the third one of the detectors.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage requires DR detector housings having radiolucent surfaces over imaging arrays and radiolucent edges that overlap other detector positions, combined with either a wheeled alignment-controlled multi-detector arrangement or fixed three-detector configurations in parallel planes relative to an x-ray source.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Long-length imaging using multiple DR detectors and enabling accurate digital stitching into a long composite image, while addressing subject motion through simultaneous x-ray exposure of detector segments [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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