Radiation tracking for portable fluoroscopy x-ray imaging system
Inventors
Richard, Samuel • Wang, Xiaohui • Lalena, Michael C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11612371-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for fluoroscopy energizes a radiation source to form a scout image on a detector and processes the scout image to determine and report a radiation field position with respect to a predetermined zone of the detector. The radiation source is energized for fluoroscopic imaging of a subject when the reported radiation field position is fully within the predetermined zone.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to radiation tracking for a portable fluoroscopy system that uses a freely positionable DR detector uncoupled from the x-ray source. A low-dose scout image is acquired and software determines the radiation field position relative to operator-configurable detector zones.
The detector zones include Safe, Warning, and Termination, and the radiation field position is continuously monitored during fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy is enabled only when the radiation field is fully within the Safe zone, warnings are generated when the radiation field enters the Warning zone, and x-ray emission is disabled when the radiation field enters the Termination zone, optionally with timeout/override.
Visual guidance is provided using collimator light and projected outlines, with color and behavior changes depending on the current zone status. An operator interface supports zone and parameter setup, and a looped logic flow is used to perform the scout check and then continuous monitoring during fluoroscopy.
Claims Coverage
Independent claims clm-00001 and clm-00010 cover radiographic and radioscopic imaging methods using a DR detector to detect a radiation field and to provide a warning when the field is within a predefined warning zone, with additional inventive features extending to zone geometry, termination actions, operator override, and visual or indicating illumination. Across the independent claims, the main shared inventive features are the detection of the radiation field relative to a predefined warning zone and providing a warning (visual or audible) when the radiation field is in that warning zone.
Detect radiation field and provide warning within predefined warning zone
Detecting a radiation field on the detector, the radiation field generated by the energized radiation source; and providing a warning when the radiation field is determined to be within a predefined warning zone on the detector.
Detect warning-zone condition and provide visual or audible warning
Detecting whether a radiation field from the energized radiation source is within a predefined warning zone on the detector; and providing a visual or audible warning when the radiation field is detected to be within the predefined warning zone.
The independent claims are directed to zone-based radiation field detection on a digital radiographic detector and warning generation when the detected radiation field is within a predefined warning zone; further refinements described in the dependent claims include software-selectable zone geometry, a termination zone that turns off the radiation source, operator override control, and visual indication via collimator light color tied to warning or termination zone status.
Stated Advantages
Fluoroscopy is enabled only when the radiation field is fully within the Safe zone.
Warnings are generated when the radiation field enters the Warning zone.
X-ray emission is disabled when the radiation field enters the Termination zone.
Operator guidance is provided using collimator light and projected outlines with color/behavior changes by zone status.
Documented Applications
Portable fluoroscopy system radiation tracking using a freely positionable DR detector uncoupled from the x-ray source, including continuous monitoring during fluoroscopy with low-dose scout image processing.
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