Medical imaging system with automatic determination of operating settings - Patents.com

Abstract

A radiation reduction system including control logic for controlling an imaging device. The imaging device is configured to provide images of a subject during a medical procedure using electromagnetic radiation. The control logic automatically determines operational settings useful for producing one or more medically useful images of the subject while significantly reducing overall radiation exposure to the subject and / or nearby personnel. These settings are determined based on factors such as age, body type, gender, etc. The control logic may be in the imaging device, in a nearby computer such as a table or smart phone that communicates with the imaging device, or in a remote server that communicates directly with the imaging device or through another computer.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Copyright Notice A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright or mask work protection. The copyright or mask work owner has no objection to anyone making reproductions of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file holder or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and mask work rights in and to all of its subsidiaries and affiliates. PRIOR ART

[0002] Medical imaging involves a variety of techniques that can be used to create visual representations of the internal structures of the human body, animals, or other inanimate objects. Such techniques can be useful for assessing content, orientation, completeness, or for diagnosing and treating medical problems.

[0003] However, some forms of imaging require the use of radiation to obtain an image of a body or subject or material and may expose the patient or subject to radiation as well as the personnel performing the imaging procedure. Prolonged radiation exposure may cause adverse effects and may even contribute to an increased risk of cancer-like conditions, including, but not limited to, cataracts, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, glioma, and radiation damage.

[0004] Radiation safety measures are generally judged by radiation exposure, which is a function of duration of exposure (hours), distance from the radiation source, dose to the patient, and scattered radiation to personnel (also referred to herein as the "scatter rate" or "rate of scatter"). For example, a typical imaging system creates radiation for 0.9 to 1.2 seconds or more, and the scattered radiation is detectable up to 6 feet, and effectively up to 10 feet. This results in a typical scatter rate of 300 milliroentgens per hour (mR / hr) or more for each image produced during a given imaging session.

[0005] In most imaging systems, the imaging device automatically determines the operating settings by exposing the subject to a given setting and automatically evaluating the resulting image. The subject is then immediately re-exposed to the modified setting and the image is automatically re-evaluated. This exposure cycle is repeated quickly and automatically, typically within 0.9 to 1.2 seconds, multiple times until an optimal image is produced. This process occurs seamlessly each time the exposure button is pressed, but is not apparent to the operating personnel. Thus, the overall radiation exposure effect on the patient and any bystanders is due to extended exposure cycles lasting one second or more.

[0006] This feature is often referred to as Automatic Exposure Control (e.g., AEC). Although generally effective, AEC significantly increases the overall radiation exposure time and dose to the subject. More importantly, it significantly increases the amount of radiation delivered to the personnel performing the imaging procedure. While the subject may only experience occasional exposures over the course of their life, the clinical personnel involved may experience multiple exposures daily for many years. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Disclosed are imaging systems and methods of operation for such systems to reduce or completely eliminate harmful high doses of radiation. The disclosed systems limit radiation exposure to nearby individuals, such as clinical personnel, staff, and patients, during the imaging process. In one example, the system includes a medical imaging device configured to capture images of a patient or subject during a medical procedure using electromagnetic radiation, such as, for example, x-rays. In other aspects, the system may include one or more computers in communication with the imaging device. One of the computers may be configured, for example, to generate and / or display a user interface configured to accept input. The input optionally includes, but is not limited to, information identifying the imaging device (e.g., manufacturer, model number, or other identifying information), the particular type of imaging procedure to be performed by the imaging device in conjunction with the medical procedure, the target location of the patient or subject's anatomy to be imaged by the imaging device, and / or physical characteristics of the subject, including gender, body shape, weight, or other relevant characteristics.

[0008] In other aspects, the computer calculates operational settings for the imaging device using the particular type of imaging procedure to be performed, the target locations of the subject's anatomy, and the subject's physical characteristics. The operational settings optionally include any combination of kilovoltage peak-to-peak (kVp), tube current and exposure time (mAs), and any other relevant machine settings. The operational settings can be transmitted from the computer to the imaging device using a communications link that electrically connects the computer to the imaging device, thus enabling the computer to control the imaging device to generate images of the subject using the calculated operational settings to reduce overall radiation exposure.

[0009] In other aspects, a controller or computer in communication with the imaging device is operable to deactivate an automatic exposure control (AEC) imaging function, which causes the imaging device to automatically adjust or compensate for subject variability by applying different settings to multiple radiation doses and utilizing multiple exposures to generate a single optimal image.

[0010] In other aspects, the systems of the present disclosure are operable to obtain usable images while limiting the scattering rate to less than 300 mR / hr, less than 200 mR / hr, or less than 100 mR / hr per image.

[0011] In other aspects, the systems of the present disclosure are operable to reduce the range of scattered radiation to less than 10 feet, less than 6 feet, or less than 4 feet, or to eliminate it entirely, while still producing a usable image.

[0012] In other aspects, the systems of the present disclosure are operable to limit the period of scattered radiation generation to less than 0.5 seconds, less than 0.35 seconds, or less than 0.2 seconds per usable image.

[0013] Other aspects, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and examples of the concepts summarized above are further described in the following description, claims, and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates components of an example radiation reduction system of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a component diagram of an example computer that can be used with the radiation reduction system of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an example of components that may be included in a controller of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 shows a flowchart of a method of operating an imaging system of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5]1 shows an example of a user interface for operating the disclosed imaging system. [Figure 6] 13 shows another example of a user interface for operating the disclosed imaging system. [Figure 7] 13 shows another example of a user interface for operating the disclosed imaging system. [Figure 8] 13 shows another example of a user interface for operating the disclosed imaging system. [Figure 9] 13 shows another example of a user interface for operating the disclosed imaging system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates at 100 an example of components that may be included in the disclosed imaging system to reduce radiation. The system 100 includes a computer 104 that is optionally coupled to an imaging device 108 via an optional communication link 112. The communication link 112 may be of any suitable type, such as a wired connection between the computer 104 and the imaging device using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, or the like. In other examples, the communication link 112 may be a wireless connection using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, or any other suitable form of wireless communication. The computer 104 may also cooperate with other computers, such as a server 160 that is coupled to the computer 104 by a communication link 162. The link 162 may also be any suitable wired or wireless connection that allows the computer 104 and the server 160 to determine one or more operational aspects or settings of the imaging system 100.

[0016] The imaging device 108 may include an imaging assembly 116, such as a C-arm, for capturing an image of a subject 136. The subject 136 may be any suitable target for imaging, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a person or animal, a specimen, a patient under the care of a physician in a hospital, or any object whose internal structure can be imaged using the imaging device. The imaging device 108 may be of any suitable type and may include one or more light emitting or sensing elements. For example, the assembly 116 may include an electromagnetic radiation source 117 useful for emitting electromagnetic energy 141, such as x-rays, and an electromagnetic radiation detector 118 useful for detecting electromagnetic energy, preferably energy penetrating the subject 136. The assembly 116 is attached to a base 122, which may be mobile, and may include a controller 126 implemented within a housing 142. A user interface 143 may be included within the imaging device, configured to accept input from a user to provide operational settings to the imaging device. These operational settings may be provided to controller 126, to computer 104, to computer 160, or to other aspects of the imaging system to control the imaging process.

[0017] A support structure 132, such as a table, may be included so that the subject 136 can be properly positioned between the radiation source and the radiation detector so that the penetrating radiation 141 can be used to generate an image of the subject's internal structures. In this example, the radiation source 117 is oriented vertically below the subject and the detector 118 is above the subject. However, this configuration is not limiting and is merely exemplary, and the radiation source and detector aspects of the imaging assembly 116 may be arranged in any suitable configuration. For example, the radiation source and detector may be reversed from that shown, with the detector below the subject and the radiation source above the subject, or they may be arranged horizontally with the subject standing, sitting, or otherwise positioned between the emitter and detector, to name a few other possible configurations.

[0018] The radiation source 117 may be any suitable type of light emitting source. In the case of an x-ray emitting radiation source, the radiation source 117 may include an x-ray tube configured to convert electrical input power into x-rays. The x-ray tube may include a vacuum chamber surrounding a heated filament, often called a cathode, which is positively charged and configured to generate a beam of electrons that strike an anode, such as a rotating tungsten disk. The electrons can strike the anode at high speeds due to the very high potential difference between the cathode and the anode. The tungsten material absorbs the electrons and releases some of the energy in the form of x-rays.

[0019] Any suitable electromagnetic energy in the electromagnetic spectrum may be used by imaging device 108 to generate an image, examples of which include, but are not limited to, x-rays or gamma rays. For example, creating an image utilizing a higher kVp and lower mAs compared to a lower kVp and higher mAs may result in reduced radiation absorption by the subject or reduced exposure to scatter to personnel, with similar image quality.

[0020] In one example, the imaging device 108 is configured to generate internal images, commonly referred to as "X-rays," "X-ray images," or more formally, "radiographs." Such internal images of a subject can be utilized to aid in any imaging procedure, such as medical procedures performed on different regions of the subject's body. Examples of such procedures include, but are not limited to, computed tomography (CT), general fluoroscopy, surgical fluoroscopy, interventional fluoroscopy, as in catheterization procedures, such as vascular and endo-vascular studies and procedures, or other surgical procedures, to name a few non-limiting examples. In another example, a subject may be a manufactured article that is imaged to detect anomalies or defects using the disclosed system and generate an image of the internal structure of the item.

[0021] An internal image can be generated by directing radiation 141, such as x-rays, from a radiation source 117 toward the subject such that a portion of the radiation is absorbed by the subject's body and a portion of the radiation is captured by an electromagnetic radiation detector 118, such as a fluoroscope, or a digital x-ray detector, such as a flat panel detector. The imaging device 108 can include an image intensifier 119. The image intensifier 119 is operable to convert the captured radiation into visible light having a higher intensity than can be produced by the radiation source alone. This can allow an observer to more easily see subtle aspects of an image that may not otherwise be visible. A collimator 120 can also be included to reduce or eliminate undesired x-ray radiation from the radiation source 117 outside the region of interest by narrowing the field of view, and to more specifically direct the x-ray radiation to a particular region. That is, the collimator 120 can operate to reduce the overall effective dose to the subject while increasing the likelihood of obtaining a clear image.

[0022] Different procedures may require the imaging device 108 to have different operating settings to produce a useful image. For x-rays, these operating settings may include the voltage times the exposure time of the tube current of the x-ray tube. Voltage can be measured in kilovolt peak (kVp), which describes the maximum voltage applied to the x-ray tube and is proportional to the energy of the x-ray photons emitted from the electromagnetic radiation source 117. Adjustments to the kilovolt peak can also be used to adjust the contrast of the x-ray image, as different body parts require a certain minimum kVp setting to produce x-rays with enough energy to penetrate and penetrate the target or body region.

[0023] Another possible operational setting that may affect the image produced by the imaging device 108 is the tube current exposure time product (mAs). Tube current exposure time is a calculation of the current passing through an x-ray tube to generate x-rays and the time the tube is operated, and can be used to control radiation density. A higher value of the tube current exposure time product indicates more radiation and can increase the number of x-ray photons absorbed by the subject's body and collected by the radiation detector 118. As an example, a higher tube current exposure time product may be useful when imaging a large area of ​​the subject, while a smaller area to be imaged may require a smaller tube current exposure time.

[0024] The controller 126 of the imaging device 108 can be configured to control these and other operational settings for the imaging assembly 116. In one example, the controller activates an auto exposure mode, which, among other aspects, automatically determines the desired operational settings by activating the imaging assembly 116 to sequentially generate multiple images, each using a different combination of kVp and mAs values, until an image of acceptable clarity is generated. However, this repeated exposure to multiple imaging cycles results in excess radiation absorption by the subject and the individual operating the imaging system. When this automatic search for the desired operational settings is performed multiple times during a given session, the overall radiation absorption can far exceed the actual radiation required to generate one or two useful images, thus increasing the overall radiation exposure per useful image.

[0025] The disclosed imaging system can use aspects of the medical procedure, information about the subject, information about the particular imaging system being used, and the like to optionally disable automatic exposure control and determine appropriate or optimal operating settings for the imaging device 108 without the need for repeated radiation exposure.

[0026] In one example, the controller 126 can automatically determine which settings are optimal to reduce overall radiation exposure using internal control logic 127. The internal control logic 127 can be installed in the controller 126 as hard-wired logic circuitry or a pre-programmed application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or can be loaded as software into more general purpose processing circuitry of the controller 126, or any suitable combination of these. Input to the control logic can be received from a user interface coupled to the controller, or can be received from information obtained about the subject prior to the procedure and loaded into the controller.

[0027] In other embodiments, the control logic of the controller 126 may be installed as control logic 128 in the computer 104, as special purpose circuitry, or as software, or a combination thereof. In this configuration, the controller 126 may determine the setpoints by sending requests to the computer 104 for the settings. In other examples, the controller 126 may determine the setpoints by accepting inputs or commands from the computer 104 indicating what the setpoints should be. Inputs to the control logic 128 may be received from a user interface generated by the computer 104, or from information obtained about the subject prior to the procedure and loaded into the controller. In this manner, the computer 104 may be configured to assume control of the imaging system, thus overriding some or all of the controller functions provided by the controller 126.

[0028] In other embodiments, the control logic of the controller 126 can be installed in the server 160, either as the control logic 129, as special purpose circuitry, or as software, or a combination thereof. In this configuration, the controller 126 can determine the setpoints by sending requests to the server 160 for the setpoints. In other examples, the controller 126 can also determine the setpoints by accepting inputs or commands from the server 160, received via the computer 104 and communication links 162 and 112, or via a communication link 163 between the controller 126 and the server 160. In this manner, the server 160 can use the control logic 129 to determine what the setpoints of the imaging system 100 should be. The determination of the controller setpoints in this example involves processing and decision-making processes optionally provided by the server 160, with or without the assistance of the computer 104. In this manner, the server can be configured to take over control of the imaging system, thus overriding some or all of the controller functions provided by the controller 126.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates computer aspects that can be useful in controlling the disclosed imaging system. These aspects can be included in the server 160, the computer 104, the controller 126, or elsewhere in the system. Computer aspects can be generally summarized as hardware 202 and software 204. The hardware components 202 of the disclosed computer can include a processor 208 and memory 212. A user, or other cooperating computer, can interact with the computer using a user interface 216. The user interface 216 can include any suitable input or output (I / O) device 216, such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch screen. A display 220 can also be included to present information to the user. A networking interface 224 can be included and configured to connect the computer to a computer network, such as a local area network or the Internet. A wireless transceiver 228 can also be included to facilitate and manage the transmission and reception of wireless signals, such as in the case where the computer establishes a wireless communication link with another computer.

[0030] The software components 204 of the disclosed computer may include a network module 242 that controls the networking interface 224, and a user interface module 246 configured to generate a user interface and provide access to the user interface using the I / O devices 216. An operational settings module 250 may be used to determine operational settings for the imaging device 108, the computer 104, the server 160, etc. In one example, the software components may also include control logic 254 configured to determine control commands for the controller 126 of the imaging system. The controller 126 may then accept these commands as input and configure operational settings of the imaging device 108 as specified by the operational settings module 250.

[0031] In one example, computer 104 can provide output using display 220 and user I / O devices 216 and then optionally accept input that can be used by operational settings module 250 to determine operational settings for imaging device 108. In other examples, server 160 can accept input from a user interface generated by server 160, from computer 104, or from controller 126 and provide output for determining operational settings for imaging device 108, e.g., using display 220, user I / O devices 216, or networking interface 224.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates at 300 examples of components that may be included in the controller 126 of the disclosed imaging system, or other similarly functioning controllers disclosed herein. In this example, the controller 306 includes a processor that performs logical operations or other computational tasks, and an input / output interface 312 configured to couple the controller 306 to an optional user interface 504 for accepting input from a user. Examples of such user interfaces are disclosed elsewhere herein. The controller 306 may include an antenna and a wireless transmitter and / or receiver 318 for wirelessly communicating with another computer, such as the computer 302. Also illustrated herein are the concepts discussed above, where control logic that determines operational aspects of the disclosed system may optionally be included in the controller 306 as hardware or software (or both) at 322, or may be included as hardware or software (or both) in a remote computer, such as the computer 302, at 502. Operating parameters, commands, or other information may be retained in memory 316, and a networking interface may also be included to manage communication protocols and other related processes to allow controller 306 to communicate with other computers over a computer network. An imaging device interface 324 may also be included to manage and control communications between imaging device 326 and controller 306. Imaging device 326 may be any type of imaging device according to this disclosure.

[0033] In other aspects, the controller of the present disclosure may be configured to accept input from a user interface of the imaging device (such as user interface 143, 308, or other such interfaces) and pass this input to the imaging machine, a computer in communication with the controller, or both. The controller may also be configured to accept input from a computer in communication with the controller and then pass this information to the imaging machine, a user interface of the imaging machine, or both. In this manner, the controller may be used as a pass-through control interface coupling the imaging machine to multiple user interfaces, such that updates made to settings in one user interface may be reflected in some or all of the other user interfaces coupled to the imaging device.

[0034] For example, a computer such as server computer 160 may include control logic 129 configured to change operational settings of an imaging device. The server may be coupled to a controller such as 126 or 306 (or other), which is configured to automatically determine values ​​for operational parameters of the imaging device and send these to the controller directly via communications link 163, or indirectly via computer 104 and communications links 162 and 112. These values ​​may then appear on user interface 143.

[0035] In another example, a user may enter values ​​using computer 104 and control logic 129 may be held in server 160. The values ​​are passed to server 160, the involved control logic, which may update the final values ​​on the user interface of computer 104 via communication link 162, and further on user interface 143 via communication link 163 (directly to the controller) or via communication links 162 and 112 (through an intermediary computer).

[0036] In other examples, values ​​may be entered by a user into user interface 143, which may pass these values ​​directly to server 160 and / or to computer 104 via communications link 163. In this example, the control logic may be 128 in computer 104, 129 in computer 160, or 127 in the controller itself within the imaging device itself. These are just a few non-limiting examples of how to position the control logic in any computer in communication with the controller, or in the controller itself; updates to the settings of any of these devices may be provided to control logic in any other connected device so that decisions can be made as to how to reduce overall radiation dose while still obtaining a usable image.

[0037] 4 shows some details of the operations that may be performed by the disclosed imaging system to reduce overall radiation exposure. The system may begin at 402 and determine the type of imaging device involved at 602, such as by accepting input from an operator using a user interface as disclosed herein. In other examples, a controller (such as controller 126, 306, etc.) may obtain this information directly from the imaging device without operator input. The type of imaging device obtained at 602 may include the trade name or manufacturer of the imaging system, and may also include greater specificity, such as the model of the imaging system, operating parameters available for automatic adjustment, threshold limits for these operating parameters, or other special attributes specific to different imaging devices.

[0038] The system can be configured to determine the type of imaging procedure to perform at 406. Again, this can be obtained by accepting input from a user via a computer coupled to the controller or from the controller itself. Examples of procedures that can be performed include, but are not limited to, medical procedures for interventional pain, general surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, fluoroscopy, or neurosurgery. In other embodiments, other desired imaging applications can be included. For example, one of these or other options can be selected by the user. That is, a procedure can be picked as a choice from a list with a closed set of options already filled in, or other inputs can be included, such as the user entering an option not provided in the pre-filled list.

[0039] In other embodiments, a target location for the procedure is determined at 408. As in the previous example, this can be entered by a user interface or as input obtained by any other suitable means. For example, if the area of ​​the subject's body to be imaged is the knee, the operator can select the knee from a diagram of the body presented on a display device by a computer or imaging system controller.

[0040] In other embodiments, the system can determine physical characteristics of the subject. These can include gender at 414, height and weight at 412, and patient body shape, or any combination thereof. These can be obtained as input from a user via a user interface, or by other suitable means, such as, in the case of weight, by a scale configured to provide weight information directly to a controller or cooperating computer.

[0041] In another example, the user interface may be configured to accept input defining the subject's body shape. The input may include selecting from a list of body shapes, or the input may be accepted as a selection from different general shapes that generally indicate areas where the subject's weight is concentrated. For example, a collection of one or more representative depictions recognizable as human shapes or contours may be provided to aid in the selection of a body shape. The system may also determine 416 other special considerations that may need to be considered in the imaging process, such as if the subject has a metallic implant, or if the subject has some other type of prosthetic device near the imaging site, as discussed herein.

[0042] The determinations made by the system can be used to determine which operational settings of the imaging system should be adjusted, and by how much, at 418. This determination can be made by any of the disclosed computers or servers, or by any of the disclosed controllers, separately or in cooperation together. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a computer in communication with the imaging system controller can accept input from the imaging system and / or from a user via a user interface, and can use installed control logic to determine which settings should be adjusted and what the parameter values ​​should be.

[0043] In another example, the controller can get input from a user and pass this input to a remote server. The remote server can be configured to determine what settings should be changed and what the new values ​​for the imaging system should be. These settings can then be communicated to the controller. In another example, the controller can calculate the final parameter values ​​using the disclosed control logic. This calculation can also be based on other input from the user, optionally received via a user interface on the imaging device itself.

[0044] In other examples, the system can determine the operating parameters and provide these to an operator via a user interface of the system. The operator can visually observe the generated operating settings and manually adjust them if desired to fine-tune image quality. This user interface can be provided by any of the disclosed computers or by the controller itself.

[0045] At 420, operating parameter values ​​can be provided to the imaging device 108, and at 422, the imaging process can be initiated to generate images using the operating parameters calculated to reduce the overall radiation applied to the subject while obtaining a medically useful image or set of images.

[0046] 5-9 show examples of user interfaces that may be provided by the disclosed system to accept user input when determining the subject's behavior and procedures that may be useful in obtaining useful images with minimal radiation exposure. At 500 in FIG. 5, a start screen is shown that may be displayed to a user, such as a qualified medical professional or other operator. The start screen 500 may include a list 502 of different manufacturers or product names and / or models of imaging equipment that may be used during an imaging procedure. In this example, the list 502 may include other sub-lists, such as a hierarchical arrangement starting with the manufacturer or product name as the highest level first. When a user provides an input to select a manufacturer or product name, the system may be configured to accept this input and generate and provide for display a sub-list of the selected product name or type associated with the manufacturer. Such selection and query behavior may be performed, for example, by a user interface module 246 in one of the disclosed computers or by a controller of the imaging device. In other examples, the list 502 may include separate items in the same list, showing all supported product names and models in one list. In another example, a computer (such as computer 104) coupled to a controller (such as controller 126) of the imaging system can automatically send a predetermined request to the controller requesting information about the make and model of the imaging machine and the information from this response can be entered into the start screen, thus simplifying the selection process by pre-selecting the best match the system can find based on this input from the imaging device and / or controller, or by pre-populating list 502 with the best matches.

[0047] The start screen 500 may also include a list 504 of medical applications for the disclosed imaging process. Different imaging procedures may require different types of imaging techniques and operational settings to reduce the overall radiation dose, and thus selecting the particular type of procedure for which the imaging device is to be used provides input to determine relevant operational settings useful for generating images suitable for the selected imaging application. The list may include, for example, different medical procedures that often require some form of imaging. These procedures may be broadly categorized to include interventional pain, general surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, fluoroscopy, or neurosurgery. Other examples of the start screen 500 may include different applications other than medical procedures, or other general applications, as new applications are discovered for the disclosed systems and methods.

[0048] In other embodiments, a procedure screen may be included within the user interface, an example of which is shown at 600 in FIG. 6. This procedure screen allows the user to specify a particular area or anatomical structure of the subject to be targeted during the imaging procedure. For example, different parts of the body will likely have different radiation absorption characteristics due to differences in bone density and muscle mass in various body parts. Selecting the particular part of the body to be imaged provides one way in which the system can obtain input that can be used to determine the correct operating settings and automatically apply these.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the procedure screen 600 may include a diagram 602 of a human body, and a user may select a portion of the subject's anatomy to be imaged by using the diagram 602 to select a desired location. In another example, the procedure screen 600 may present a list of different portions of anatomy, and a user may select a desired body part or portion of the subject's anatomy from the list. The procedure screen 600 may also include an aspect 604 configured to allow the user to select whether the subject is male or female. This aspect may also be used by the system to automatically determine and / or calibrate imaging machine settings to account for variations in male and female anatomy that may affect image quality.

[0050] In another aspect shown in FIG. 7, the system may provide a user interface in a subject information screen 700 that accepts inputs defining the patient's body shape and other considerations of interest. For example, information about the subject may be obtained through inputs captured by user interface controls positioned and configured to accept inputs defining the subject's height at 702 and also to accept inputs defining weight at 704. The height input 704 and / or weight input 702 controls may be configured to allow the user to enter height and weight in either English units (i.e., inches and pounds) or metric units (i.e., centimeters and kilograms). In other aspects, the height and weight inputs may be entered directly by the user using an input device such as a keyboard, or in some embodiments, a list of heights and / or weights may be displayed from which the user may select the desired value closest to the subject.

[0051] The subject information screen provided at 700 may also include user interface controls to accept input defining a body shape selection 706. The body shape or "body habitus" screen 706 may present a collection of shapes representing different body shapes corresponding to different builds, physiques, or general bearings or body proportions. These may be useful when adjusting radiation output as required for a given procedure to obtain medically useful images. For example, the body shape selection list may include one or more images or icons representing different aspects of body proportions for a human or animal subject, thus providing an input to inform the system of the characteristics of the subject's overall anatomy. The user may select a shape that most closely resembles the subject's overall shape, or may select a shape that most closely resembles the individual's corresponding anatomy of the target area to be imaged. This input may be used by the system to adjust the operating settings of the imaging device based on how the subject's weight is distributed. For example, subjects with large lower bodies may require more powerful radiation to image their abdomen than to image their upper body. Other useful inputs can also be included in the user interface, such as controls that define measurements for arm span, skinfold thickness, upper arm circumference, etc.

[0052] The special considerations screen 708 on the subject information screen 700 can be configured to accept input defining other factors that may be considered when determining operational settings for the imaging device. Examples include implants, prosthetic limbs, pins, helices, artificial joints, and other foreign objects that may be found within the subject's body. These foreign objects may cause scattering or other interference in the absorption of electromagnetic radiation directed toward the body, and therefore may adversely affect the quality of the image if not considered. In other aspects, the special considerations screen 708 may display all possible special considerations directly on the subject information page 700. In other aspects, the selection of special considerations may be configured to accept input that, when received, is processed by the system to generate additional drop-down lists of detailed aspects related to the initial selection. The detailed aspects are considered together to provide additional input to further refine the settings of the imaging machine.

[0053] In another aspect, the user interface module is configured to provide a settings screen, examples of which appear at 800 in FIG. 8 and 900 in FIG. 9. The settings screen 800 displays suggested operating settings determined by the system disclosed herein. These final settings are based on inputs provided by the user in the start screen 500, procedure screen 600, and subject information page 700, as outlined above. The settings screen also provides validation of the user's inputs, such as by an imaging device indicator 806. The imaging device indicator 806 displays the brand name and / or model of the imaging device selected by the user in the start screen 500.

[0054] The settings screen 800 also includes a radiation values ​​section 802. The radiation values ​​section 802 optionally displays values ​​for the operational settings determined by the system, such as by using the operational settings module 250. The radiation values ​​section 802 can include different values ​​according to which views are used for imaging. For example, these views can include front / back, oblique, and lateral views. The radiation values ​​section 802 can provide operating values ​​for kVp and mAs for each of the views based on input provided by the user.

[0055] A controller settings section 804 may also be provided on the settings screen 800. The controller settings section 804 is configured to display controller options specific to a given type of imaging machine, which are configured to be activated or deactivated based on user input provided. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the controller settings include auto exposure or "Auto / AEC", auto contrast, pulse, and low dose. Depending on the type and brand of imaging device used, different settings may be shown and adjustable. That is, FIG. 8 shows an example of a user interface display where the system provides feedback regarding the current settings that the imaging process is using or has used depending on whether an image is about to be taken or has already been taken.

[0056] A troubleshooting section 808 may also be provided on the settings screen 800 to offer guidance with techniques or methods to improve image quality if the settings calculated and shown in the radiation values ​​section 802 do not produce an optimal image. These techniques may include methods to improve grainy images, or images that are too bright or too dark, by selecting the correct adjustment value. The system may then adjust the corresponding setting by a predetermined increment, or by two times the predetermined increment, or by three times the predetermined increment, or more, as indicated by selection buttons or icons at 810.

[0057] In other aspects, the user interface module may be configured to display interactive user interface controls within the troubleshooting section 808. The interactive user interface controls may be configured to accept input from a user that defines additional details regarding which settings would work best for a given scenario, or which adjustments are the most helpful or useful. These user-defined troubleshooting aspects may be stored by the system, such as in the memory of a computer, such as computer 104 or 106, or in the memory of a controller, such as controller 306. In other aspects, these troubleshooting aspects may be associated with a particular combination of settings or inputs provided by a user, such that if the same or similar settings are subsequently encountered, the corresponding particular user-defined troubleshooting information may be automatically displayed.

[0058] In another embodiment, the system may provide a settings screen, such as shown at 900 in FIG. 9. In this example, the user interface module optionally provides controls configured to accept suitable input from a user to adjust some or all of the settings that may otherwise be manually changed by the user. In this example, a user may manually adjust operational settings of an imaging device during operation, thus overriding some or all of the operational settings determined by the disclosed system. As shown in FIG. 9, settings screen 900 may have a layout similar to settings screen 800 shown in FIG. 8, including an imaging device indicator 906, a radiation values ​​section 902, a controller settings section 912, and a troubleshooting section 916, or any combination thereof.

[0059] The imaging device indicator 906 may display the brand and model of the imaging system being used. The radiation values ​​section 902 displays the kVp and mAs values ​​used as operational settings of the imaging device. Controls 908 and 910 are located next to each kVp and mAs value, respectively. The controls 908 and 910 may be used to directly adjust the corresponding operational settings of the imaging device. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the controls 908, 910 include an up arrow and a down arrow. To increase the kVp or mAs by a predetermined interval, the user may click or press the up arrow, and to decrease the kVp or mAs by a predetermined interval, the user may click or press the down arrow. In some embodiments, instead of using the controls 908, 910 to adjust the kVp or mAs value, the user may enter a particular kVp or mA value into the radiation values ​​section 902 using an input device such as a keyboard. The controller settings section 904 displays different controller options, such as Auto / AEC, Auto Contrast, Pulse, and Low Dose, and whether to turn these options on or off. The user can turn these options on or off by selecting the slider 912 adjacent to the desired option. Any suitable type of user interface control can be used to select or enter the settings for the imaging device.

[0060] The disclosed system may also provide a Staccato setting option instead of a live fluoroscopy. Screen 900 optionally provides an input at 914 to control the Staccato setting. The Staccato setting may reduce radiation exposure by utilizing manual, in this case, automatic computer-controlled pulsed imaging. Any of the disclosed computers, such as computer 104 or 160, may be used to automatically control the imaging system to operate in this manner. In this example, the user may select to use either a normal setting or a fast Staccato setting. Each of these options may be displayed as a user interface control on the screen of a computer such as those disclosed herein, or may optionally be displayed on the screen of a controller. Additional Staccato speeds, such as a slow Staccato setting, may also be included, or the Staccato settings may be displayed as a range of numbers, and the user interface control may be configured to accept an input defining the speed or range of speeds to be used. These speeds may be specified in any suitable format, such as by the number of images the system takes per second.

[0061] The following numbered examples include additional combinations of features that may be included in the disclosed systems.

[0062] 1. A system including an imaging device configured to capture an image of a subject using electromagnetic radiation, the imaging device defining operational settings for controlling behavior of the imaging device; a control logic configured to automatically determine operational settings using criteria including a particular type of imaging procedure to be performed, a target position of the subject, and at least one physical characteristic of the subject, or a combination thereof, wherein the operational settings automatically determined by the computer include a maximum kilovoltage, a tube current, an exposure time, or any combination thereof; The operational settings are transmitted from the control logic to the imaging device, and the imaging device is configured to respond to the control logic and apply the operational settings to generate an image of the subject using the calculated operational settings.

[0063] 2. The system of any preceding example, including a computer separate from the imaging device and a communications link between the imaging device and the computer, wherein the control logic is in the computer and operational settings are sent from the computer to the imaging device using the communications link electrically connecting the computer to the imaging device.

[0064] 3. In any of the preceding example systems, the computer has a user interface configured to accept input defining operational settings, the input including information identifying the imaging device, the particular type of imaging procedure to be performed by the imaging device, the target position of the subject to be imaged by the imaging device, and physical characteristics of the subject including the subject's gender, the subject's body shape, and the subject's weight.

[0065] 4. In any of the previous example systems, the communications link includes a wire that electrically connects the computer to the imaging device.

[0066] 5. In any of the previous example systems, the communications link includes a wireless connection that electrically connects the computer to the imaging device.

[0067] 6. The system of any preceding example, further comprising: first and second computers, both remote from the imaging device; and a first communications link between the imaging device and the first computer; a second communications link between the first computer and the second computer; Including, The control logic is in a second computer, and operational settings are sent from the second computer to the first computer using a second communications link, and operational settings are sent from the first computer to the imaging device using the first communications link.

[0068] 7. The system of any preceding example, including a controller configured to activate and deactivate the imaging device, the control logic being in the controller, the controller being implemented within a housing of the imaging device and configured to control the imaging device to generate an image of the subject using the calculated operational settings.

[0069] 8. The system of any preceding example, including a computer separate from the imaging device and a communications link between the controller and the computer, wherein operational settings are transmitted from the computer to the controller using the communications link electrically connecting the computer to the controller.

[0070] 9. The system of any preceding example, including an imaging system user interface of the imaging device arranged and configured to accept inputs defining operational settings, or any combination thereof, and a controller arranged and configured to automatically receive inputs from the imaging system user interface and send them to the computer, and the controller arranged and configured to automatically accept inputs from the computer and adjust the user interface and operational settings of the imaging device accordingly.

[0071] 10. The system of any preceding example, A computer separate from the imaging device; a controller configured to activate and deactivate the imaging device; a communications link between the controller and a computer; Including, The control logic is in a computer and the controller responsively accepts operational set points from the computer; A controller is mounted within the housing of the imaging device and is configured to control the imaging device to generate images of the subject using the operational settings.

[0072] 11. The system of any preceding example, including an imaging system user interface of the imaging device configured to accept input defining operational settings, and a controller responsive to the imaging system user interface, the controller configured to send the operational settings received from the imaging system user interface to the computer using the communications link.

[0073] 12. The system of any preceding example, including a computer user interface on a remote computer configured to accept inputs defining operational set points, the computer configured to send the operational set points from the computer user interface to the controller using a communications link.

[0074] 13. In the system of any previous example, the operational settings include information identifying a particular imaging device.

[0075] 14. In the system of any preceding example, the at least one physical characteristic of the subject includes any of the subject's gender, the subject's body shape, and the subject's weight, or any combination thereof.

[0076] 15. The system of any preceding example, wherein the imaging device is configured to perform an automatic exposure control procedure, and the control logic is arranged and configured to control the imaging device to disengage the automatic exposure control prior to capturing an image of the subject.

[0077] 16. In the system of any of the preceding examples, the imaging device generates an image by generating X-ray radiation, the X-ray radiation being generated for a period of time approximately equal to an exposure time, the exposure time being less than 1 second.

[0078] 17. In any of the previous example systems, the exposure time required to generate an image is less than about 1 second.

[0079] 18. In any preceding example system, the exposure time required to generate an image is less than about 0.6 seconds.

[0080] 19. In any preceding example system, the scatter rate when the imaging device is activated is less than about 300 mR / hour within 4 feet of the X-ray imaging device.

[0081] 20. In any preceding example system, the scatter rate when the imaging device is activated is less than about 150 mR / hour within 4 feet of the X-ray imaging device.

[0082] Glossary of definitions and alternative terms Although examples of the present invention have been shown in the drawings and described herein, it is to be understood that the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting in nature. The disclosure is exemplary in nature and includes all changes, equivalents, and modifications falling within the spirit of the present invention. The detailed description is included herein to discuss the aspects of the examples shown in the drawings for the purpose of promoting understanding of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereby. Any changes and further modifications in the described examples, as well as any other applications of the principles described herein, are considered to be normally conceived by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Although some examples have been disclosed in detail, features that may not be relevant have been omitted for clarity.

[0083] When publications, patents, and patent applications are cited herein, they are understood to be incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0084] The singular forms "a," "an," "the," etc. include plural references unless expressly stated otherwise. As an example, a reference to "a device" or "the device" includes one or more such devices and equivalents.

[0085] Directional terms such as "up," "down," "top," "bottom," "fore," "aft," "lateral," "longitudinal," "radial," and "circumferential" are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader and to aid the reader in understanding the illustrated examples. Use of these directional terms in no way limits the features described, illustrated, and / or claimed to any particular direction and / or orientation.

[0086] When multiple related items are shown in the drawings and have the same part number, differentiated by a single letter in each separate individual instance, they may be referred to collectively by the distinct portion of the overall name and / or by the number alone. For example, if multiple "laterally extending elements" 90A, 90B, 90C, and 90D are shown in the drawings, they may be referred to in this disclosure as "laterally extending elements 90A-90D," or they may be referred to as "laterally extending element 90," or they may be referred to by the distinct portion of the overall name, such as "element 90."

[0087] Words used in this disclosure shall be assumed to have only their plain and ordinary meanings unless expressly set forth below. Words used in the definitions contained herein shall have only their plain and ordinary meanings. Such plain and ordinary meanings include all consistent dictionary definitions from the most recently published Webster's and Random House dictionaries. As used herein, the following definitions apply to the following terms or to common variations thereof (e.g., singular / plural, past / present tense, etc.).

[0088] "About" with reference to a numerical value typically refers to plus or minus 10% of the stated value. For example, if the stated value is 4.375, then using the term "about 4.375" typically means a range between 3.9375 and 4.8125.

[0089] "Activate" is usually synonymous with "power" or means "to enable a particular function" of a circuit or electronic device that already has power.

[0090] "And / or" is inclusive herein, meaning "and" as well as "or." For example, "P and / or Q" includes P, Q, and P and Q, and such "P and / or Q" can include other elements as well.

[0091] An "antenna" or "antenna system" generally refers to an electronic device or set of devices of any suitable configuration that converts electrical power into electromagnetic radiation. Such radiation can be vertically, horizontally, or circularly polarized, at any frequency along the electromagnetic spectrum. Antennas that transmit with circular polarization can have either right-hand or left-hand polarization.

[0092] In the case of radio waves, antennas can transmit at frequencies ranging along the electromagnetic spectrum from extremely low frequency (ELF) to extremely high frequency (EHF). An antenna or antenna system designed to transmit radio waves can include an arrangement of metal conductors (elements) electrically connected (often through a transmission line) to a receiver or transmitter. An oscillating current of electrons passed through the antenna by the transmitter can create an oscillating magnetic field around the antenna elements, while the electron charges also create oscillating electric fields along the elements. These time-varying fields radiate from the antenna into space as moving transverse electromagnetic field waves. Conversely, during reception, the oscillating electric and magnetic fields of the incoming electromagnetic waves exert forces on the electrons in the antenna elements, causing them to move back and forth, generating oscillating currents in the antenna. These currents can then be detected by the receiver and processed to derive digital or analog signals or data.

[0093] Antennas can be designed to transmit and receive radio waves substantially equally in all horizontal directions (omnidirectional antennas) or preferentially in certain directions (directional or high-gain antennas). In the latter case, the antenna can also have additional elements or surfaces that may or may not have any physical electrical connection to the transmitter or receiver. For example, parasitic elements, parabolic reflectors or horns, and other such non-biased elements serve to direct the radio waves into a beam or other desired radiation pattern. That is, the antenna can be configured to exhibit increased or decreased directivity or "gain" depending on the placement of these various surfaces or elements. High-gain antennas can be configured to direct substantially the majority of the radiated electromagnetic energy in a given direction, which may be vertical, horizontal, or any combination of these.

[0094] The antenna may also be configured to radiate electromagnetic energy within a particular range of vertical angles relative to the Earth (i.e., the "take-off angle") and to focus the electromagnetic energy toward the upper layers of the atmosphere, such as the ionosphere. By directing the electromagnetic energy toward the upper atmosphere at a particular angle, and by transmitting the electromagnetic energy at a particular frequency, a particular hopping distance can be achieved at a particular time of day.

[0095] Other examples of antennas include emitters and sensors that convert electrical energy into pulses of electromagnetic energy in the visible or invisible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, examples include light emitting diodes, lasers, and the like configured to generate electromagnetic energy at frequencies ranging along the electromagnetic spectrum from far infrared to extreme ultraviolet.

[0096] "Arm span" usually refers to the distance between the tips of the middle fingers with the arms held as far out as possible.

[0097] "Bluetooth Protocol" or "Bluetooth" refers to a wireless technology standard used to exchange data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances using short-wavelength UHF radio waves, typically in the industrial, scientific, and medical radio bands from 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz, to create personal area networks (PANs). It was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables.

[0098] Bluetooth is a standard wire-replacement communication protocol, designed primarily for low power consumption and short range, based on a low-cost transceiver microchip in each device. Because the devices use a wireless (broadband) communication system, they do not need to be within line of sight of each other. However, a quasi-optical wireless path must be viable. The effective range varies in practice, although the range depends on the power class.

[0099] Officially, Class 3 radios have a range of up to 1 meter (3 ft), Class 2, most commonly found in mobile devices, has a range of 10 meters (33 ft), and Class 1, primarily for industrial use, has a range of up to 100 meters (300 ft). Bluetooth marketing qualifies Class 1 ranges as being 20-30 meters (66-98 ft) in most cases, and Class 2 ranges as being 5-10 meters (16-33 ft). The actual range achieved by a given link depends on the quality of the devices on both ends of the link and the air conditions in between, as well as other factors.

[0100] Effective range varies with propagation conditions, material coverage, sample variability, antenna configuration, and battery condition. Most Bluetooth applications are targeted to indoor conditions, where signal fading due to wall attenuation and signal reflections results in ranges much shorter than the specified line-of-sight range of Bluetooth products.

[0101] Most Bluetooth applications are battery-powered Class 2 devices, and the distance limit tends to be set by the device with the lower power supply, so it makes little difference if there is a Class 1 or Class 2 device on the other end of the link. In some cases, a Class 2 device can be connected to a Class 1 transceiver, both of which have higher sensitivity and transmit power than a typical Class 2 device, to extend the effective distance of the data link. In most cases, however, Class 1 devices have similar sensitivity to Class 2 devices. Connecting two Class 1 devices, both of which have high sensitivity and high power, can allow distances well beyond the typical 100m, depending on the throughput required for the application. Some such devices allow open field ranges of over 1km between two similar devices without exceeding legal emission limits.

[0102] The Bluetooth Core specification mandates a range of at least 10 meters (33 ft), but there is no practical upper limit on the range, allowing manufacturers to tune their implementations to provide the range required in each case.

[0103] "Body height" usually refers to the length from the flat surface of the foot to the top of the head.

[0104] "Body size" or "Body Habitus" usually refers to an individual's physical characteristics, including considerations such as shape, general behavior, and build. Examples include the more antiquated "somatotypes" (mesomorph - muscular and osteochondral, endomorph - round and obese, and ectomorph - tall and skinny). In the past, these have also been correlated with everything from sexual propensity to illnesses (e.g., stroke type).

[0105] In other, more general examples, body shape and posture can be used to encompass the more quantifiable measurements of height, weight, body proportions, skinfold thickness, and upper arm circumference. These measurements are not typically associated with "normal" or "abnormal" values, but are generally interpreted in the context of an individual's age, sex, clinical status, and previous measurements. These values ​​can be plotted as percentiles of a reference population or as a percentage of an "ideal" value.

[0106] "Body proportion" usually refers to the ratio of the trunk to the limbs and the digits.

[0107] "Body weight" usually refers to the total weight of the body. A weight 120% higher than the "ideal" suggests obesity, while a weight 70% lower than the "ideal" may indicate severe malnutrition.

[0108] A "C-arm" typically refers to a radiography device having an electromagnetic energy (e.g., x-ray) source and a detector, configured to perform fluoroscopy or other real-time radiography of internal hidden structures of a subject. The name comes from the "C" shaped arm, which is used to position the energy source and the energy detector relative to each other so that the part of the subject to be imaged can be positioned between the energy source and the detector. C-arms can be used to create radiographs (i.e., still photographs) and, more generally, for fluoroscopy.

[0109] C-arms are also sometimes called "imaging scanner intensifiers," although it is probably more accurate to think of C-arms as using image intensifiers. In general, an X-ray image intensifier (XRII) is an image intensifier that converts x-rays into a higher intensity visible light than a simple phosphor screen would normally be able to produce. C-arm systems usually use such intensifiers (similar to modern fluoroscopes) to produce an x-ray imaging system that allows the conversion of low intensity x-rays into a visible light output that is easy for people to see. This intensification effect allows the viewer to see the structure of the imaged object more easily than is possible with a phosphor screen alone. XRIIs convert x-ray quanta into visible light more efficiently, thus reducing the absorbed doses required.

[0110] In other instances, C-arms may use Flat Panel Detectors (FDPs). FDPs refer to a class of solid-state X-ray digital radiography devices similar in principle to the image sensors typically used in digital photography and video. They are used both in projection radiography and as a replacement for X-ray image intensifiers (II) in fluoroscopy equipment. FDPs include direct and indirect detectors. FDPs are typically more sensitive and faster than radiographic film, allowing a reduced dose of X-ray radiation for a given photographic quality. For fluoroscopy, they may be lighter, more durable, smaller, more accurate, and image with less distortion than XRII devices.

[0111] A "collimator" usually refers to a device that narrows, focuses, or aligns a beam of particles or waves. Narrowing can mean either further aligning the direction of motion in a particular direction (i.e., collimated or parallel light rays) or reducing the spatial cross-sectional area of ​​the beam (i.e., a beam-limiting device).

[0112] In optics, a collimator can consist of a curved mirror or lens, at the focus of which is a light source and / or an image. It can be used to replicate a target focused at infinity with little or no parallax. Optical collimators can be used to calibrate other optical elements, to check that all elements are aligned to the optical axis, to set elements at the correct focus, or to align two or more devices, such as binoculars or gun barrels and sights. A surveying camera can be collimated by setting its fiduciary markers, as in photogrammetry, so that they define the principal point.

[0113] In high-energy radiation applications, such as x-ray, gamma-ray, and neutron optics, collimators can filter a stream of light rays so that only rays traveling parallel to a specified direction are allowed to pass. Collimators are often used in x-ray, gamma-ray, and neutron imaging because traditional lenses typically cannot focus these types of radiation into an image as is routine for electromagnetic radiation at optical or near-optical wavelengths.

[0114] A "computer" generally refers to any computing device configured to calculate a result from any number of input values ​​or variables. A computer may include a processor that performs calculations to process inputs or outputs. A computer may include memory to store values ​​to be processed by the processor or to store results of previous processing.

[0115] Computers can also be configured to accept input and output from a wide range of input and output devices for receiving or transmitting values. Such devices include other computers, keyboards, mice, visual displays, printers, industrial instruments, and systems or machinery of all makes and sizes. For example, a computer can control a network interface to perform various network communications as required. The network interface can be part of the computer or can be characterized as separate and distinct from the computer.

[0116] A computer may be a single physical computing device, such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, or it may consist of multiple devices of the same type, such as a collection of servers acting as one device in a networked cluster, or it may consist of a heterogeneous combination of different computing devices acting as one computer and linked together by a communications network. The communications network to which the computer is connected may also be connected to a wider network, such as the Internet. Thus, a computer may include one or more physical processors or other computing devices or circuitry, and may also include any suitable form of memory.

[0117] A computer may also be a virtual computing platform having an unknown or varying number of physical processors and memories or memory devices, i.e., the computer may be physically located in one geographic location or may be physically spread across various widely separated locations, with multiple processors linked together by a communications network to operate as one computer.

[0118] The concepts of "computer" and "processor" within a computer or computing device encompass any such processor or computing device that serves to perform calculations or comparisons as part of the disclosed systems. Processing operations relating to threshold comparisons, rule comparisons, calculations, etc. may be performed within a computer, for example, a separate server, the same server with separate processors, or, as previously described, in a virtual computing environment with an unknown number of physical processors.

[0119] A computer can optionally be coupled to and / or include one or more integrated visual displays. Similarly, the displays can be of the same type or a heterogeneous combination of different visual devices. A computer can also include one or more operator input devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a laser or infrared pointing device, or a gyroscopic pointing device, to name a few representative examples. In addition to the displays, a computer can also include one or more other output devices, such as a printer, a plotter, industrial manufacturing machines, 3D printers, etc. Thus, a variety of display, input, and output device arrangements are possible.

[0120] Multiple computers or computing devices can be configured to communicate with each other or other devices via wired or wireless communication links to form a communication network. Network communications can pass through various computers acting as network appliances, such as switches, routers, firewalls, or other network devices or interfaces, and then through other larger computer networks, such as the Internet. Wireless data transmissions can also pass through a communication network, as they are carried on electromagnetic waves through transmission lines or free space. Such communications include transferring data using WiFi or other wireless local area networks (WLANs) or cellular transmitters / receivers. Such signals conform to any of a number of wireless or mobile telecommunications technology standards, such as 802.11a / b / g / n, 3G, 4G, etc.

[0121] A "communication link" generally refers to a connection between two or more communicating entities, which may or may not include a communication channel between the communicating entities. Communication between the communicating entities may occur by any suitable means. For example, a connection may be implemented as an actual physical link, an electrical link, an electromagnetic link, a logical link, or any other suitable linkage that facilitates communication.

[0122] In the case of an actual physical link, the communication may be performed by multiple components in the communication link configured to respond to each other by physical movement of one element relative to the other. In the case of an electrical link, the communication link may be configured by multiple electrical conductors electrically connected to form the communication link.

[0123] In the case of an electromagnetic link, the connection may be implemented by transmitting or receiving electromagnetic energy at any suitable frequency, thus allowing communications to pass as electromagnetic waves. These waves may or may not pass through a physical medium such as optical fiber, or free space, or any combination thereof. The electromagnetic waves may be passed at any suitable frequency, including any frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0124] In the case of a logical link, the communication link may be a conceptual linkage between a source and a destination, such as a sending station at a receiving station. A logical link may include any combination of physical, electrical, electromagnetic, or other types of communication links.

[0125] "Electrically connected" typically refers to a configuration of two objects that allows electricity to flow between them or through them. In one example, two conductors are physically adjacent to each other and close enough together that electricity passes between them. In another example, two conductors are physically touching each other and allow electricity to flow between them.

[0126] "Electromagnetic radiation" or "radiation" usually refers to energy emitted by electromagnetic waves at any frequency or wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation can be created from other types of energy or converted into other types when it is destroyed. Electromagnetic radiation carries its energy as it travels away from its source at the speed of light (in a vacuum). Electromagnetic radiation also carries both momentum and angular momentum. These attributes may all be imparted to matter it interacts with as it travels outward away from its source.

[0127] Electromagnetic radiation changes speed as it passes from one medium to another. When transitioning from one medium to the next, the physical properties of the new medium can cause some or all of the radiated energy to be reflected, while the remaining energy penetrates the new medium. This occurs at every junction between media that the electromagnetic radiation encounters as it travels.

[0128] Photons are the quanta of electromagnetic interactions and are the fundamental building blocks of all forms of electromagnetic radiation. The quantum nature of light becomes more apparent at higher frequencies because electromagnetic radiation behaves more like a particle and less like a wave at higher frequencies.

[0129] "Electromagnetic spectrum" usually refers to the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum is usually classified in order of decreasing frequency and energy, and increasing wavelength, as follows:

[0130] "Extremely low frequency" (ELF) is commonly used to designate a band of frequencies from about 3 to about 30 Hz and wavelengths from about 100,000 to 10,000 km.

[0131] "Long-Low Frequency" (SLF) generally refers to the band of frequencies roughly ranging from about 30 Hz to about 300 Hz, and wavelengths from about 10,000 to about 1000 km.

[0132] "Voice frequency" or "voice band" generally refers to electromagnetic energy that is audible to the human ear. Adult males typically speak in the range between about 85 and about 180 Hz, while adult females typically speak in the range from about 165 to about 255 Hz.

[0133] "Very low frequency" (VLF) typically refers to the band of frequencies from about 3 kHz to about 30 kHz, with corresponding wavelengths from about 10 to about 100 km.

[0134] "Long Wave" (LF) generally refers to a band of frequencies from about 30 kHz to about 300 kHz, with wavelengths ranging from about 1 to about 10 km.

[0135] "Medium wave" (MF) typically refers to the band of frequencies from about 300 kHz to about 3 MHz and wavelengths from about 1000 to about 100 m.

[0136] "Short wave" (HF) generally refers to the band having frequencies from about 3 MHz to about 30 MHz and wavelengths from about 100 m to about 10 m.

[0137] "Very high frequency" (VHF) generally refers to the band of frequencies from about 30 Hz to about 300 MHz, and wavelengths from about 10 m to about 1 m.

[0138] "Ultra high frequency" (UHF) generally refers to the band of frequencies ranging from about 300 MHz to about 3 GHz, and weight wavelengths ranging from about 1 m to about 10 cm.

[0139] "Microwave" (SHF: super high frequency) generally refers to the band of frequencies ranging from about 3 GHz to about 30 GHz and wavelengths ranging from about 10 cm to about 1 cm.

[0140] "Millimeter wave" (EHF) generally refers to the band of frequencies ranging from about 30 GHz to about 300 GHz and wavelengths ranging from about 1 cm to about 1 mm.

[0141] "Far infrared" (FIR) generally refers to the band of frequencies extending from about 300 GHz to about 20 THz, and wavelengths extending from about 1 mm to about 15 μm.

[0142] "Long Wavelength Infrared" (LWIR) generally refers to the band of frequencies ranging from about 20 THz to about 37 THz, and wavelengths ranging from about 15 μm to about 8 μm. "Mid-infrared" (MIR) generally refers to the band of frequencies from about 37 THz to about 100 THz and wavelengths from about 8 μm to about 3 μm.

[0143] "Short Wavelength Infrared" (SWIR) generally refers to the band of frequencies from about 100 Hz to about 214 THz and wavelengths from about 3 pm to about 1.4 pm.

[0144] "Near infrared" (NIR) generally refers to the band of frequencies from about 214 THz to about 400 THz and wavelengths from about 1.4 μm to about 750 nm.

[0145] "Visible light" typically refers to the band of frequencies from about 400 THz to about 750 THz and wavelengths from about 750 nm to about 400 nm.

[0146] "Near ultraviolet" (NUV) typically refers to the range of frequencies from about 750 THz to about 1 PHz and wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 300 nm.

[0147] "Mid ultraviolet" (MUV) generally refers to the range of frequencies from about 1 PHz to about 1.5 PHz and wavelengths from about 300 nm to about 200 nm.

[0148] "Far ultraviolet" (FUV) generally refers to the range of frequencies from about 1.5 PHz to about 2.48 PHz and wavelengths from about 200 nm to about 122 nm.

[0149] "Extreme ultraviolet" (EUV) generally refers to the range of frequencies from about 2.48 PHz to about 30 PHz and wavelengths from about 121 nm to about 10 nm.

[0150] "Soft X-rays" (SX) generally refers to the range of frequencies from about 30 PHz to about 3E Hz, and wavelengths from about 10 nm to about 100 pm.

[0151] "Hard x-rays" (HX) typically refers to the band of frequencies from about 3EHz to about 30EHz and wavelengths from about 100pm to about 10pm.

[0152] "Gamma rays" generally refers to the band of frequencies greater than about 30 EHz and wavelengths less than about 10 pm.

[0153] "Electromagnetic waves" usually refer to waves that have separate electric and magnetic components. The electric and magnetic components of electromagnetic waves oscillate in phase and are always 90 degrees apart. Electromagnetic waves can radiate from a source to produce electromagnetic radiation that can pass through a medium or a vacuum. Electromagnetic waves include waves oscillating at any frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum, including but not limited to radio waves, visible and invisible light, x-rays, and gamma rays.

[0154] "Fluoroscopes" refers to instruments used to view in real time images formed by electromagnetic energy passing through a surface that usually contains a phosphor that glows when struck by a passing beam of light. In this way, invisible electromagnetic energy can be made visible in order to view it in real time while passing through it; that is, invisible radiation becomes visible light.

[0155] "Fluoroscopy" usually refers to an imaging technique that uses a device (such as a fluoroscope, or electronic detector) to capture electromagnetic energy passing near or through an object and generate a real-time moving image. In medical imaging, a fluoroscope allows a physician to see the internal structure and function of a subject appear in real time. This is useful for both diagnosis and treatment, and is performed in many areas of medicine. In one example, a fluoroscope consists of an x-ray source and a fluorescent screen between which the subject is placed. X-ray image intensifiers and cameras may also be used to increase the visibility of the image and make it available on a remote display screen. Electronic detectors, rather than a fluoroscope, may be used to detect the electromagnetic energy and generate the moving image. Although a fluoroscope is not used, this procedure may also be called fluoroscopy.

[0156] The use of X-rays in the form of ionizing radiation requires careful balancing of the potential risks from the procedure with the benefits it provides to the subject. Because the subject must be exposed to a continuous X-ray source instead of a momentary pulse, fluoroscopy procedures generally expose subjects to higher absorbed doses of radiation than regular (static) radiography. Only critical applications such as health care, personal safety, food safety, nondestructive testing, and scientific research meet the risk-benefit threshold for use. Fluoroscopy is also used in airport security scanners to check for hidden weapons or bombs. These machines use lower radiation doses than medical fluoroscopy. The higher doses in medical applications are due to the higher demand for tissue contrast, and contrast agents may be required for the same reasons.

[0157] The "lower segment" usually refers to the distance from the pubic symphysis to the plantar surface of the foot, and represents the contribution of the "legs" to total height. At birth, the normal upper-to-lower segment ratio is 1.7:1. The legs grow more rapidly than the trunk, and by age 10 the upper and lower segments are equal, remaining so throughout adulthood.

[0158] "Medical imaging application" generally refers to any medical procedure or condition for which imaging is desired. By way of non-limiting examples, medical imaging applications may include interventional pain, general surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, fluoroscopy, or neurosurgery.

[0159] "Memory" generally refers to any storage system or device configured to hold data or information. Each memory may include one or more types of solid-state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, to name a few. As non-limiting examples, each memory may include solid-state electronic random access memory (RAM), sequentially accessible memory (SAM) (such as a number of first-in, first-out (FIFO) types or a number of last-in, first-out (LIFO) types), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electronically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), optical disk memory (such as DVD or CD ROM), magnetically encoded hard disk, floppy disk, tape, or cartridge media, or any combination of these memory types. Also, each memory may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a number of hybrid combinations of volatile and nonvolatile.

[0160] "Mid-upper arm" usually refers to approximately the midpoint between the acromion and olecranon processes. Upper arm circumference can be used to calculate upper arm muscle circumference. Muscle circumference below the 30th percentile may also suggest severe protein store depletion.

[0161] "Multiple," as used herein, is synonymous with the term "plurality" and refers to more than one, and by extension, two or more.

[0162] "Optionally," as used herein, means discretionary, not required, possible but not obligatory, subject to one's choice.

[0163] An "operating settings module" generally refers to software that can accept input and use the input to calculate operational settings of an imaging device to produce a viewable image. The input accepted by the operating settings module may be any data, description, or other form of information that can be used to optimize the operational settings of an imaging system. The operating settings module may calculate the operational settings using an equation or set of equations, by comparing the input to historical data, or by any other suitable method of determining the operational settings that will produce a readable image.

[0164] "Optical fiber" generally refers to an electromagnetic waveguide having an elongated conduit containing a substantially transparent medium through which electromagnetic energy passes as it traverses the longitudinal axis of the conduit. As the electromagnetic radiation traverses the conduit, it may be retained within the conduit by total internal reflection of the electromagnetic radiation. Total internal reflection is typically achieved using an optical fiber that includes a substantially transparent core and a second substantially transparent cladding material surrounding the core and having a lower refractive index than the core.

[0165] Optical fibers are typically made of dielectric materials that are not electrically conductive but are substantially transparent. Such materials may or may not include silica, extruded glasses such as fluoride glasses, phosphate glasses, chalcogenide glasses, or polymeric materials such as various types of plastics, or any combination of other suitable materials, and may be configured in any suitable cross-sectional shape, length, or dimension. Examples of electromagnetic energy that can be successfully passed through optical fibers include electromagnetic waves in the near infrared, mid-infrared, and visible light portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, although any suitable frequency of electromagnetic energy may be used.

[0166] A "processor" generally refers to one or more electronic components configured to operate as a unit configured or programmed to process inputs and generate outputs. Alternatively, in the case of a multi-component form, the processor may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others. The one or more components of each processor may be a number of electronic components defining digital circuits, analog circuits, or both. In one example, each processor essentially has a conventional integrated circuit microprocessor configuration, such as one or more PENTIUM®, i3, i5, or i7 processors supplied by INTEL Corporation, 2200 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, Calif. 95052, USA.

[0167] Another example of a processor is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). An ASIC is an integrated circuit (IC) customized to perform a specific set of logical operations and controls a computer to perform a specific task or function. An ASIC is an example of a processor for a special purpose computer, rather than a general purpose configured processor. An application specific integrated circuit generally cannot be reprogrammed to perform other functions and can only be programmed once when it is manufactured.

[0168] In another example, a processor may be characterized as being "field programmable." Such processors may be programmed "in the field" multiple times to perform various specialized or general-purpose functions even after they are manufactured. A field programmable processor may also include a field programmable gate array (FPGA) in the integrated circuit of the processor. The FPGA may be programmed to execute a particular set of instructions, which may be retained in non-volatile memory cells within the FPGA. The FPGA may also be configured by a customer or designer using a hardware description language (HDL). The FPGA may be reprogrammed using another computer to reconfigure the FPGA to implement a new set of commands or operational instructions. Such operations may be performed by any suitable means, such as by a firmware upgrade to the processor circuit.

[0169] Just as the concept of a computer is not limited to one physical device in one location, the concept of a "processor" is not limited to one physical logical circuit or package of circuits, but includes one or more such circuits or packages of circuits that may be housed within or across multiple computers in multiple physical locations. In a virtual computing environment, an unknown number of physical processors may actively process data, and the unknown number may change automatically over time.

[0170] The concept of a "processor" includes devices configured or programmed to perform logical operations such as making threshold comparisons, making rule comparisons, performing calculations, or applying rules to data to arrive at a logical result (e.g., "true" or "false"). Processing activities may also be performed on multiple single processors on separate processors, on multiple processors in a server with separate processors, or on multiple processors physically separated from each other on separate computing devices.

[0171] "Radiography" typically refers to an imaging technique that uses electromagnetic waves (e.g., X-rays) to create an image of an object. In one example, radiography is used to view the internal structure of an opaque object by generating a beam of X-rays with an X-ray generator and projecting it toward the object. Depending on the density and structural composition of the object, a certain amount of the X-rays is absorbed by the object. The X-rays that pass through the object can be captured by a detector (such as by photographic film or by a digital detector) behind the object. The production of flat two-dimensional images by this technique is sometimes called "projection radiography." Computed tomography (CT) scanning is an example of radiography, where multiple two-dimensional images from different angles are computer processed to produce a three-dimensional representation.

[0172] In another example, an image can be generated by detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from an object to form an image. This technique can be based on the Compton scattering effect of X-rays, a form of ionizing radiation. Instead of detecting X-rays that have passed through an object, "backscattered X-ray detection" is primarily based on detecting radiation reflected from an object to form an image. The detected backscatter pattern generally depends on the material properties of the object and is often used to image organic materials.

[0173] Applications of radiography include radiographic photography (still images), medical (or "diagnostic") radiography, including fluoroscopy (real-time images) of subjects. Other uses include industrial radiography for determining the internal composition of manufactured objects, and airport security, where body scanners can form images of passengers using backscattered X-ray detection.

[0174] "Receive" usually means to accept something that has been transferred, communicated, transmitted, relayed, dispatched, or forwarded. This concept may or may not include the act of listening for or waiting for something to arrive from a source entity. For example, a transmission may be received without knowledge of who or what sent it. Similarly, a transmission may be sent with or without knowledge of who or what will receive it. "Receive" may include, but is not limited to, the act of capturing or obtaining electromagnetic energy at any suitable frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum. Receiving may be done by sensing electromagnetic radiation. Sensing electromagnetic radiation may involve detecting energy waves traveling through or from a medium such as a wire or optical fiber. Receiving includes receiving digital signals, which may define various types of analog or binary data, such as signals, datagrams, packets, etc.

[0175] "Skinfold thickness" usually refers to the measurement of subcutaneous fat and is used to estimate total obesity. This measurement can be taken, for example, on the upper arm. Values ​​greater than 23 mm in men and greater than 30 mm in women can indicate obesity. Values ​​below the 30th percentile can indicate severe energy store depletion.

[0176] "Source dose rate" (SDR): Usually refers to the dose rate delivered to the subject, and also the maximum potential dose rate exposure to both the subject and bystanders.

[0177] "Source dose scatter" (SDS): defined as the source dose rate over time and distance from the SDR.

[0178] "Transmit" generally means to transfer, communicate, convey, relay, dispatch, or forward something. This concept may or may not include the act of conveying something from a source entity to a destination entity. For example, a transmission may be received without knowledge of who or what sent it. Similarly, a transmission may be sent with or without knowledge of who or what will receive it. "Transmit" may include, but is not limited to, the act of sending or broadcasting electromagnetic energy at any suitable frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum. Transmissions may include digital signals, such as datagrams, packets, and the like, which may define various types of binary data. Transmissions may also include analog signals.

[0179] "Trunk or upper segment" usually refers to the distance from the pubic symphysis to the top of the head.

[0180] "User interface" typically refers to aspects of a device or computer program that provide a means for a user and the device or computer program to interact, specifically by coordinating the use of input devices and software. A user interface may be "graphical" in nature because the software running on the device or computer may use a display device to present images, text, graphics, etc., to present output that is meaningful to the user, and to accept input from the user along with a graphical display of the output. In other examples, a user interface may include lights, LEDs, seven-segment displays, LCD displays, physical buttons, switches, levers, and other devices that provide output to the user and accept input.

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: an imaging device configured to capture an image of a subject using electromagnetic radiation, the imaging device having operational settings for controlling the imaging device; Control logic, receiving subject data corresponding to the subject; automatically determining the operational settings based on the subject data including physical characteristics of the subject; the operating settings include one or more of a maximum kilovolt value, a tube current, or an exposure time; the operational settings include an original value of at least one of the maximum kilovoltage, the tube current, or the exposure time, and at least one of the operational settings is modified from the original value to a modified value such that the subject is exposed to a reduced amount of radiation after the operational setting is adjusted to the modified value, while still obtaining a medically usable image; transmitting the operational setting values ​​to the imaging device; control logic; the imaging device is further configured, in response to receiving the operational settings from the control logic, to generate the medically usable image of the subject using the operational settings and to disable at least one of an auto exposure, auto exposure control (Auto / AEC), auto contrast, auto pulse, or auto low dose setting of the imaging device prior to generating the image.

2. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the subject data further includes data for identifying the presence or absence of considerations that may affect image quality.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the consideration is that the subject has an implant, pin, screw, prosthesis, artificial joint, or foreign object within the subject's body.

4. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the subject data is one or more of subject gender, height, weight, patient body type, or any combination thereof.

5. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device is further configured, in response to receiving the operational settings from the control logic, to generate the medically usable image of the subject using the operational settings without requiring repeated radiation exposure.

6. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device automatically evaluates the image to determine whether an optimal image for medical use was produced, and if an optimal image for medical use was not produced, the imaging device prompts the user to adjust one or more of the operational settings to improve subsequent images.

7. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein after the image is generated, the control logic generates operating parameters to improve the quality of subsequent images.

8. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a computer remote from the imaging device; a communications link between the imaging device and the computer; Equipped with the control logic is within the computer; The system wherein the operational settings are transmitted from the computer to the imaging device using the communications link.

9. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication link is wireless.

10. 10. The system of claim 8, comprising a server.

11. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the server provides the operational settings in response to a request from the computer.

12. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer comprises a user interface, the user interface configured to accept the subject data.

13. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the user interface is further configured to accept information identifying a trade name or manufacturer of the imaging device.

14. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the operational settings is manually entered into the imaging device.

15. 1. A method for obtaining medical images of a subject, comprising: Providing the system of claim 1; positioning the subject to engage the medical image; controlling operation of the system to capture the medical images and reduce radiation exposure of the subject; A method comprising:

16. 1. A system comprising: an imaging device configured to capture an image of a subject using electromagnetic radiation, the imaging device having operational settings for controlling the imaging device; Control logic, receiving subject data corresponding to the subject; automatically determining the operational settings based on the subject data including physical characteristics of the subject, the particular type of imaging procedure to be performed, and a target position of the subject; the operating settings include one or more of a maximum kilovolt value, a tube current, or an exposure time; the operational settings include an original value of at least one of the maximum kilovolts, the tube current, or the exposure time, and at least one of the operational settings is modified from the original value to a modified value such that the subject will be exposed to a lower amount of radiation after the operational setting is adjusted to the modified value; transmitting the operational setting values ​​to the imaging device; control logic; The system is further configured, in response to receiving the operational settings from the control logic, for generating an image of the subject using the operational settings, and for disabling at least one of an auto-exposure, auto-exposure control (Auto / AEC), auto-contrast, pulse, or low-dose setting of the imaging device before generating the image.

17. 1. A method for capturing an image of a subject using an imaging device, comprising: providing data relating to the subject to be imaged by the imaging device, the data including physical characteristics of the subject; inputting the data into a controller, the controller determines operational settings of the imaging device based on the data; the operating settings include one or more of a maximum kilovolt value, a tube current, or an exposure time; Steps and transmitting or inputting the operational settings from the controller to the imaging device, wherein the imaging device, in response to receiving the operational settings from the controller, generates an image of the subject using the operational settings; disabling at least one of an autoexposure, autoexposure control (Auto / AEC), autocontrast, autopulse, or autolow dose setting of the imaging device before generating the image; A method comprising:

18. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the data is one or more of the subject's gender, height, weight, patient body type, or any combination thereof.

Images