EP1285559A1 - System for converting conventional x-ray apparatus to a digital imaging device - Google Patents
System for converting conventional x-ray apparatus to a digital imaging deviceInfo
- Publication number
- EP1285559A1 EP1285559A1 EP99974157A EP99974157A EP1285559A1 EP 1285559 A1 EP1285559 A1 EP 1285559A1 EP 99974157 A EP99974157 A EP 99974157A EP 99974157 A EP99974157 A EP 99974157A EP 1285559 A1 EP1285559 A1 EP 1285559A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- digital
- array
- bucky
- drawer
- carriage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/42—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with arrangements for detecting radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis
- A61B6/4208—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with arrangements for detecting radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis characterised by using a particular type of detector
- A61B6/4233—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with arrangements for detecting radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis characterised by using a particular type of detector using matrix detectors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
- A61B6/42—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with arrangements for detecting radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis
- A61B6/4283—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment with arrangements for detecting radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis characterised by a detector unit being housed in a cassette
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B42/00—Obtaining records using waves other than optical waves; Visualisation of such records by using optical means
- G03B42/02—Obtaining records using waves other than optical waves; Visualisation of such records by using optical means using X-rays
Definitions
- the subject invention relates generally to digital medical imaging systems and is specifically directed to a system for converting an installed, conventional film-based analog x-ray system into a digital imaging apparatus on site and with a minimum of modification to the existing equipment
- X-ray systems are well known in the medical field and are routinely used as a diagnostic tool
- Typical systems include a surface for supporting and immobilizing the patient or the body part to be imaged, an x-ray head for directing x-rays to and through the body, and an image capture device on the opposite of the body to receive the emitted, attenuated x-rays
- the image capture device is a chemical film substrate and an intensifying screen which may be used in combination with an optional grid, wherein the film and screen reacts to the emitted x-rays to form an image
- the support surface of the body usually includes a "window" under which the film/screen system is placed for exposure
- the film and screen is mounted in a carrier known throughout the industry as a film cassette
- the grid is placed in an overlying relationship with the film and screen, between the cassette and the x-ray head
- the film cassette is positioned in a film bucky that is mounted in place in communication with the window where the x-
- the digital signal is then processed and reproduced on a print media, or on an electronic display such as a CRT.
- CAT scan systems are an example of such a digital x-ray device. While the more sophisticated systems such as CAT scan systems and the like have utilized digital image capture since their inception, the standard or conventional general practice and emergency x-ray systems have continued to be almost exclusively chemical film imaging to the present day.
- Each of the discrete modules includes a plurality of thin-form transistors arrayed adjacent the top surface of a dielectric substrate wherein at least one precision- ground edge forms a precise abutment with a precision-ground edge of another substrate.
- a continuous radiation detecting layer is disposed over the plurality of juxtaposed modules, and it produces a latent radiographic image in the form of electrical charges. Such a method minimizes or totally voids the non-radiation-detecting areas created at the borders between array modules.
- the subject invention is a self-contained digital imaging array adapted to be fit in a bucky carrier mounted under the table or other patient support surface of a typical x-ray unit.
- This permits conventional film-based analog image capture systems of the prior art to be upgraded to full electronic capability for capturing diagnostic images in digital format, integrating those images with patient demographics, text reports, lab results and other information, and archiving and displaying that information on monitors or hard copy prints.
- the system of the subject invention permits conversion of the historic film-based analog systems electronic, fully integrated systems at a fraction of the costs of full replacement systems now available in the marketplace.
- the subject invention can be defined as a self-contained cartridge or module designed to replace the film cassette and film bucky conventionally associated with the standard chest and table x-ray systems. With minor modification to the existing table and support frames, the film is replaced with the digital imaging module and the rest of the system operates in the conventional manner.
- the retrofit system of the subject invention contains an electronic imaging module housed in a series of nested drawers, making orientation and rotation possible without removing the module once installed.
- One significant advantage of the subject invention is the ability to use the same module for both standard in-table exams and extremity exams.
- Another significant advantage of the system is the ability for lateral and oblique views without moving the patient.
- the film bucky for supporting the film cassette is first removed from the system.
- a new carriage is installed to accommodate a digital imaging bucky which contains the imaging array module.
- the digital imaging array module is adapted to be slidably received in the new bucky for orientation with the window or zone provided in the existing system, whereby x-ray images may be transmitted in the same manner as with conventional film.
- the digital imaging module is then coupled via a hardwired system or cable to conventional digital signal processing equipment, whereby the image signal is captured and transmitted into the digital information system of the facility.
- the carriage positions the digital imaging bucky and moves and positions the array relative to the table or support surface and the x-ray head.
- the bucky houses the array, the exposure control, the optional grid and related components.
- the array may be rotated a full 90°, permitting both portrait and landscape imaging.
- the array may be extended from the carriage and table or support surface, permitting easy capture of extremity views with a minimum of discomfort to the patient.
- the retrofit installation requires the height of the table or support surface to be raised approximately one inch in order to accommodate the difference in the thickness of the digital array module versus conventional analog film.
- the bucky (which houses the array module), the carriage, and the adapter kit for installing the carriage and bucky into the conventional system can be installed in a conventional system economically, with virtually no modification of the remaining components of the conventional system.
- the cost of the retrofit system is substantially less than the costs of full replacement of the conventional system with a fully self-contained digital system.
- Fig. 1 is a side view of a typical table x-ray unit readied for installation of the retrofit system of the subject invention with the film carriage and bucky shown in phantom.
- Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the table, support rail system, bucky and support base shown in Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the carriage of the subject invention, mounted in the table of Fig. 1, with a digital array bucky installed therein.
- Fig. 5 is a view looking in the same direction as Fig. 4, with the bucky drawer extended and the digital array in a partially rotated position.
- Fig. 6 and 6A are views similar to Fig. 5, with the bucky in the landscape position, for extremity imaging.
- Fig. 7 shows the table and bucky with the slidable grid in place over the extended bucky.
- Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the bucky in the position of Figs. 1 and 3, with the array rotated for portrait imaging.
- Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 8, with the array rotated for landscape imaging.
- Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view, showing the bucky extended, with the array rotated for portrait imaging.
- Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 10, showing the array rotated for landscape extremity imaging.
- Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing the extended bucky vertically tilted on a horizontal table in a cross table configuration, with the array rotated for portrait imaging.
- Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 12, with the extended, tilted array rotated for landscape imaging.
- Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the table in a vertical tilt position, with an extended bucky and the array rotated for landscape imaging.
- Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 14, with the extended bucky on the tilted table rotated for portrait imaging.
- Fig. 16 is a section view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 3.
- FIGs. 1, 2 and 3 A typical x-ray table system is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
- the table top 4 is supported on a pair of parallel rails 10 which are supported above the floor at a suitable height by a standard base 22.
- An x-ray head vertical support 23 may also be mounted on the base 22.
- a head support arm 24 is extended.
- the x-ray head hanger 21 is mounted on the outer end of the arm 24 for supporting the x-ray tube and x-ray head 2.
- the sidewall 5 includes a bucky slot 6 wherein the bucky 25 is inserted.
- table top rails 11 are secured to the subtop 5 outboard of the table top 4.
- the system includes a chain drive tilt motor 19 with a standard chain, gear and tilt assembly 20, high tension cable system 18 and counterweights 13, whereby the table may be tilted to accommodate placement of the patient on the unit for certain images.
- the table may be tilted from the horizontal position (parallel to the floor such that a patient may lay on the table top) to a maximum tilt of 90 degrees (perpendicular to the floor or vertical such that a patient may stand in front of the array).
- the table is supported on a pair of parallel, longitudinal table rails 10 which are supported by the base or stand 22.
- the table rests directly on a roller system 10a, which is adapted to roll on the rails 10, whereby the table may be selectively moved along the translation axis as indicated by the arrow "A".
- Bucky rails 8 are mounted longitudinally between the opposite ends of the stand 22 and beneath the table rails 10. The bucky rails are fixedly mounted for supporting the bucky in a pre-selected position relative to the table.
- the bucky carriage drawer 26 is mounted on the bucky rails 8 by a plurality of brackets 9, and is positioned above the rails 8, between the rails 8 and the table top 4. Since the array module 46 (see Fig. 5) is generally larger in height than a typical film cassette, there may not be sufficient clearance between the table rails 10 and the bucky rails 8 to accommodate a retrofit installation. In such applications where additional clearance is required, the table rails 10 are raised by placing spacers 47 between the rails and the base 22, as shown in Fig. 2. This permits the digital array module of the subject invention to be incorporated in the prior art installed analog system with a minimum of modification to the installed unit. As shown in Figs.
- the carriage 26 for the bucky module is mounted directly on the rails 8 by a plurality of supports 9, with the carriage in alignment with the slot 6, and the bucky unit 25 housed in the carriage 26 in alignment with the slot 6 in the table subtop 5.
- the bucky carriage 26, bucky 25 and digital array 46 form a series of nested drawers which fit in the slot 6 of the table unit (designed to hold the film cassette and film bucky of the prior art), permitting retrofit of in service systems to a fully digital mode.
- the digital bucky 25 is slidably mounted in the carriage 26 and has a drawer front 28 surrounding and covering the slot 6 when fully installed and retracted in the carriage.
- a handle 30 is provided for grasping and sliding the bucky/drawer unit in and out of the slot 6.
- the entire carriage/bucky assembly is 4-1/4 inches thick (depth), 30 inches wide (along longitudinal axis of table) and 23 inches deep (orthogonal to the longitudinal axis), and will readily fit in the available space in typical table systems, with the exception that the table top 4 may be raised on the rails 10 by spacers 47 (as best shown in Fig. 2).
- a cooling fan 21 In order to assure that the array stays within operating temperature constraints, a cooling fan 21 (see Fig.
- FIG. 4 A perspective view of the bucky/carriage assembly, with tabletop 4 and rails 10 shown in phantom, is illustrated in Fig. 4.
- the carriage 26 is a hollow box with an open top, bottom 34 (Fig. 16) and closed side walls 36, 37, 38, with one open end wall for accommodating the bucky drawer 25 (Fig. 7).
- the support brackets 9 are secured to the sidewalls 36, 37 and directly to the rails 8 (see Figs.
- the bucky carriage 26 includes elongated, parallel guides 60.
- the bucky drawer 26 includes mated slides 62 which are supported by the guides 60 in order to facilitate sliding movement of the bucky drawer 25 and the array 46 in and out of the carriage 25 and the slot 6.
- the upper rail 64 of the slide assembly 62 defines a guide for receiving slide channels 66 in the grid 48.
- the grid 48 is slidably mounted on the guides 64 and can be extended and retracted relative to the bucky drawer 25 when the bucky drawer is in the extended position as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.
- the grid 48 is retracted as in Fig. 6, the array 46 is exposed and may be rotated between the landscape and portrait positions as shown in Fig. 5.
- the grid 48 is then extended as in Fig. 7 to cover the array 46, in the normal fashion.
- a palm pad 54 is provided to accommodate sliding.
- the slides will have positive stops to assure that the bucky 25 extends only a predetermined distance out of the carriage 26.
- the digital array module 46 is mounted on the base or bottom wall of the bucky 25.
- the digital array module is mounted on a turntable so that it can be rotated ninety degrees to accommodate different view configurations as more clearly illustrated in Figs. 8-15.
- the turntable will lock in a predetermined number of desired angular orientations in order to assure proper orientation of the array relative to the x-ray head 2.
- the configuration of the present invention also lends to cross table imaging, as diagrammatically shown in Figs. 12 and 13.
- the digital array module 46 would be tilted to a vertical position when the drawer is fully extended as shown in Fig. 7. This can be provided by installing the array on a tilt mechanism within the drawer, or installing the entire drawer on a tilt mechanism, as desired, as will be readily understood by those who are skilled in the art
- the array module 46 is a digital array such as that shown and described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 5,381,014, entitled- "Large Area X-ray Imager and Method of Fabrication,” issued to L. S. Jeromin et al on January 10, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
- cable system 52 extends from the array and exits through a slot or opening 55 in the rear wall 37 of the carriage 26
- the outer end of the cable 52 includes a connector plug 56 for connecting the array to a power source, control apparatus and the digital processing system for processing the digital image captured by the array (all not shown)
- the cable system 52 includes a spring-loaded accumulator sufficiently long to accommodate the extremity mode (Fig 6) in either the landscape or portrait position As the array 46 and drawer 25 are pushed into the under table mode (Fig 4) the accumulator is biased to close up or gather the cable.
- the digital bucky system of the present invention is particularly well-suited for retrofit applications, permitting current film-based analog x-ray systems to be converted to fully digital systems at a fraction of the cost of new digital installations
- the retrofit digital bucky module comprises a series of nested drawers, with the outer drawer defining a carriage 26 which can be fit in the film bucky slot in a table system, a first drawer defining a digital bucky 25 and slidably mounted in the carriage for defining an array support or carrier, and a third drawer 48 slidable relative to the carrier drawer and carrying the grid such that the grid may be moved out of the way of the array in order to permit rotation between the landscape and portrait positions
- the digital bucky system of the invention provides versatility not readily available in the film-based system which it replaces As diagrammatically shown in Figs 8-15, the bucky system will accommodate a wide variety of configurations
- Fig 8 shows the array 46 in the portrait position within the table and with the bucky drawer 25 fully retracted into the carriage 26, with the array under the table top 4
- Fig 9 shows the array under the table top 4 as in Fig 8 , but with the array rotated ninety degrees for landscape imaging
- Fig 10 shows the bucky 25 fully extended from the table top 4 and the carriage 26 for extremity imaging, with the array 46 oriented in the same position as Fig 8
- Fig 11 shows the bucky 25 positioned for extremity imaging with the array 46 oriented as in Fig 9
- Figs 12 and 13 show cross table orientations with the array 46 located above, adjacent and orthogonal to the table top 4, in both the portrait position (Fig. 12) and the landscape position (Fig. 13).
- Figs. 14 and 15 show the array 46
- the digital array 46 as mounted in the bucky drawer 25 permits the various configuration orientations to be accomplished and allowing for substantially expanded versatility of the x-ray system over current configuration capabilities using the analog film buckys.
- the retrofit assembly not only converts the installed film based-analog system to a fully digital imaging system, but also increases the versatility over that of the analog system.
- the subject invention provides a novel retrofit package both for converting existing film based analog x-ray systems to full digital imaging capability and for expanding the configuration capability to maximum versatility. While certain embodiments and features of the invention have been described in detail herein, it will be readily understood that the invention incorporates all of the enhancements and modifications within the scope and spirit of the following claims.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/025842 WO2001033921A1 (en) | 1999-11-03 | 1999-11-03 | System for converting conventional x-ray apparatus to a digital imaging device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1285559A1 true EP1285559A1 (en) | 2003-02-26 |
EP1285559A4 EP1285559A4 (en) | 2007-07-18 |
Family
ID=22273968
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99974157A Withdrawn EP1285559A4 (en) | 1999-11-03 | 1999-11-03 | System for converting conventional x-ray apparatus to a digital imaging device |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1285559A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU1464300A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001033921A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2829013A1 (en) | 2001-08-30 | 2003-03-07 | I2M | DIGITAL RADIOLOGY PROCESS DEVICE AND INSTALLATION FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD |
DE10342080A1 (en) | 2003-09-10 | 2005-05-04 | Siemens Ag | Medical X-ray detector drawer slides under patient table using handgrip holes and carries smaller mobile detector in range of positions |
US7452129B2 (en) | 2003-11-28 | 2008-11-18 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Drawer for X-ray detectors |
DE10356289B4 (en) * | 2003-11-28 | 2006-08-24 | Siemens Ag | X-ray detector tray |
DE10356286B4 (en) | 2003-11-28 | 2006-08-17 | Siemens Ag | X-ray detector loading and detector loading tray |
DE10356287B4 (en) * | 2003-11-28 | 2006-08-17 | Siemens Ag | X-ray detector tray |
US7144157B2 (en) | 2003-11-28 | 2006-12-05 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Drawer for X-ray detectors |
JP4610927B2 (en) * | 2004-05-13 | 2011-01-12 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Radiation mammography device |
EP1896898A1 (en) | 2005-06-27 | 2008-03-12 | Thomson Licensing | Organization of archival elements for analog/digital hybrid data on film |
US8284208B2 (en) * | 2006-05-24 | 2012-10-09 | General Electric Company | Processes and apparatus for information transfer |
US7844031B2 (en) | 2007-11-20 | 2010-11-30 | Carestream Health, Inc. | Firing delay for retrofit digital X-ray detector |
US7909511B2 (en) | 2009-03-16 | 2011-03-22 | Carestream Health, Inc. | Tray for portable digital radiography cassette |
JP5716643B2 (en) * | 2011-05-16 | 2015-05-13 | 株式会社島津製作所 | X-ray fluoroscopic equipment |
US9148940B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2015-09-29 | Carestream Health, Inc. | Interposer mechanism for a retrofit digital X-ray detector and methods of using the same |
KR101763305B1 (en) * | 2014-07-30 | 2017-08-14 | 삼성전자주식회사 | X-ray apparatus |
WO2016018064A1 (en) * | 2014-07-30 | 2016-02-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | X-ray apparatus |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3904531A (en) * | 1973-11-05 | 1975-09-09 | Gen Electric | X-ray table with bucky elevator |
DE69511292T2 (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 1999-12-02 | Sunnybrook Hospital North York | ACTIVE X-RAY IMAGE MATRIX |
-
1999
- 1999-11-03 AU AU14643/00A patent/AU1464300A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-11-03 WO PCT/US1999/025842 patent/WO2001033921A1/en active Application Filing
- 1999-11-03 EP EP99974157A patent/EP1285559A4/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
No further relevant documents disclosed * |
See also references of WO0133921A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2001033921A1 (en) | 2001-05-10 |
AU1464300A (en) | 2001-05-14 |
EP1285559A4 (en) | 2007-07-18 |
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Legal Events
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
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Owner name: AGFA HEALTHCARE NV |
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A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20070618 |
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RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: H05G 1/64 20060101ALI20070612BHEP Ipc: G03B 42/02 20060101ALI20070612BHEP Ipc: A61B 6/00 20060101AFI20070612BHEP |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
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