Method and system for computed radiography

Abstract

A method for obtaining an X-ray image of a subject on a flexible information carrier plate for computed radiography. A memory is affixed to a surface of the plate, wherein the affixed memory stores information about the plate and is in wireless communication with a computer. A first scan date is stored in the affixed memory. Obtaining the X-ray image uses steps of storing at least a job identifier and a scan status for the plate in the affixed memory; acquiring image data from a scan of the plate following exposure to X-rays, acquiring at least the job identifier from the affixed memory, and associating the acquired image data with the acquired job identifier; incrementing a scan count value and updating the scan status in the affixed memory; erasing image content from the plate; and storing the acquired image data in a second, computer-accessible memory according to the acquired job identifier.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 334,331, filed May 13, 2010 in the names of Berger, entitled “Method and System for Computed Radiography”, incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to identification of medical items to prevent their intentional or inadvertent mismatch during use or reuse. More particularly, the present invention refers to identification, monitoring, and tracking of flexible information carrier plates used in computed radiography when the plates are circulating from exposure to X-rays to scanning. Even more particularly, the present invention refers to identification, monitoring, and tracking of flexible information carrier plates that are used in intra-oral dental imaging.BACKGROUND OF TEE INVENTION[0003]The use of information carrier plates (also referred to as phosphor or phosphor storage plates) for obtaining vis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025]The present invention is intended to provide simple, convenient and reliable solution for identifying, monitoring and tracking flexib

Problems solved by technology

This requirement is important for general medical computed radiography (CR) and becomes especially complex for intra-oral dental computed radiography applications.

In dental clinics, large numbers of patients undergo X-ray examination, and therefore a large number of information carrier plates can be in circulation at any one time, thus increasing the probability for mismatch between a particular plate and the patient and treatment data associated with the plate, as well as with the obtained image on the plate.

The probability for mismatch is especially high in a working environment where several treatment rooms, each equipped with an X-ray generator, share the same scanning device.

Any mismatch can result in confusion, delay, waste, incorrect diagno

Images