Imaging systems and methods
Inventors
Ruff, Evan • Bennett, Paul • VISHWAKARMA, Dhruv • KOLOVICH, Gregory
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12097065-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems for x-ray and fluoroscopic image capture and, in particular, to a versatile, multimode imaging system incorporating a hand-held x-ray emitter operative to capture digital or thermal images of a target; a stage operative to capture static x-ray and dynamic fluoroscopic images of the target; a system for the tracking and positioning of the x-ray emission; a device to automatically limit the field of the x-ray emission; and methods of use. Automatic systems to determine the correct technique factors for fluoroscopic and radiographic capture, ex-ante.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an emitting apparatus for use with a non-invasive imaging system having an imaging sensor configured to generate an imaging signal upon an exposure of an energy. The non-invasive imaging system includes at least one emitting element and an energy source configured to generate the energy. The emitting apparatus includes an emission passage within the emitting apparatus to direct the energy source therethrough.
Within the emitting apparatus, a plurality of blades are positioned in a surrounding arrangement to form an emission window in the emission passage. The emission window filters the energy passing through the emission passage. A motor assembly coupled to the plurality of blades is configured to increase or decrease a size of the emission window, thereby changing the filtered emission window during operation.
A control system is configured to receive one or more signals from the at least one emitting element to track movement of the emitting apparatus relative to the image sensor. The control system uses the one or more signals to continuously adjust the size of the emission window to limit the exposure of the energy to the imaging sensor while tracking movement. The adjustment is performed by operating the motor assembly to change the emission window size based on the tracked movement.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim. The inventive features focus on a blade-defined emission window whose size is continuously adjusted using a motor assembly controlled by movement-tracking signals received from emitting elements to limit exposure to the imaging sensor.
Blade-defined emission window with motor assembly sizing
A plurality of blades positioned in a surrounding arrangement forms an emission window in an emission passage, where the emission window filters energy passing through the emission passage, and a motor assembly coupled to the plurality of blades increases or decreases a size of the emission window.
Movement-tracking control to continuously limit exposure
A control system receives one or more signals from at least one emitting element to track movement of the emitting apparatus relative to the image sensor, and uses the one or more signals to control the motor assembly to continuously adjust the size of the emission window to limit exposure of the energy to the imaging sensor.
Across the provided independent claim, the coverage centers on a blade-formed emission window varied by a motor assembly and a control system that uses movement-tracking signals from emitting elements to continuously adjust that emission window to limit exposure to the imaging sensor.
Stated Advantages
Limits exposure of the energy to the imaging sensor by continuously adjusting the size of the emission window based on tracked movement.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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