Image acquisition with multiple detectors
Inventors
Wang, Xiaohui • PARK, Jangho • Chan, David Y.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12369877-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A radiography system having multiple digital radiographic detectors captures an image in each of the detectors when the x-ray source is fired. The detectors evaluate the captured images and a controller prioritizes the captured images according to the evaluations to determine which captured images are forwarded and in what order. At least one of the DR detectors captures a suitable diagnostic x-ray image.
Core Innovation
A radiography system includes an x-ray source and a plurality of digital radiography (DR) detectors assigned to the radiography system. Each DR detector is configured to capture an image in synchronization with one activation of the x-ray source, and a controller transmits a detector activation signal to activate the plurality of assigned DR detectors and transmits a source activation signal to activate the x-ray source.
After synchronized capture, the DR detectors are configured to transmit to the radiography system the image captured therein in synchronization with the one activation of the x-ray source. Each DR detector is further configured to transmit a preparation signal to the controller in response to a corresponding sensor indicating that the detector is being prepared for an x-ray image capture, and the corresponding sensor includes an accelerometer for detecting movement of the detector.
In a related operational aspect, the system can fire the x-ray source and simultaneously capture an image in each of the plurality of DR detectors. The operation then determines which one of the plurality of detectors most recently sensed its own movement, and transmits from the one detector which most recently sensed its own movement the image captured therein.
Claims Coverage
The provided material covers two independent claims: a coordinated radiography system with sensor-driven detector preparation and synchronized capture, and a method that selects the most recently moved detector for transmitting its captured image. The dependent material further adds image evaluation, evaluation-value determination from pixel signal levels, and priority or sequential transmission based on those evaluation values.
Synchronized capture and coordinated activation of multiple DR detectors
A radiography system with an x-ray source; a plurality of DR detectors configured to capture an image in synchronization with one activation of the x-ray source; and a controller configured to transmit a detector activation signal to activate the plurality of assigned DR detectors and to transmit a source activation signal to activate the x-ray source.
Sensor-driven detector preparation with accelerometer-based movement detection
Each DR detector transmits a preparation signal to the controller in response to a corresponding sensor indicating that the detector is being prepared for an x-ray image capture, wherein the corresponding sensor includes an accelerometer for detecting movement of the detector, and the controller transmits the detector activation signal in response to receiving the preparation signal.
Select most recently moved detector for transmission
A method of operating a radiography system comprising an x-ray source and a plurality of DR detectors, the method comprising firing the x-ray source and simultaneously capturing an image in each of the plurality of DR detectors; determining which one of the plurality of detectors most recently sensed its own movement; and transmitting from the one detector which most recently sensed its own movement the image captured therein.
Prioritize or sequentially transmit captured images based on detector evaluation
After detectors capture images, evaluation values are received from a plurality of detectors based on evaluated captured images, and a priority order is determined from those evaluation values to control transmission according to that priority order; sequential transmission order is also described.
Overall, the claim set centers on synchronizing multi-detector image capture with a single x-ray source activation under controller coordination, initiating detector activation using a detector preparation signal driven by an accelerometer sensing detector movement, and selecting which detector’s image to transmit based on the most recently sensed movement. Dependent claims further describe using evaluation values derived from evaluated captured images, including pixel signal levels, to determine priority or sequential handling for transmission.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?