Non-Volatile Memory Backup for Portable X-Ray Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable X-ray detectors face data integrity issues due to limited battery power, leading to potential loss or corruption of image data before it can be fully transmitted, resulting in additional radiation exposure and costs for retakes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating non-volatile memory as a backup to volatile memory, allowing for secure storage and transmission of medical image data via wireless communication, even in the event of power failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If portable X-ray detector uses volatile memory for data storage, then data transmission speed is improved, but data integrity deteriorates when power supply fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual-memory architecture where image data is simultaneously written to both volatile memory (for fast transmission) and non-volatile memory (for safekeeping) before power failure can occur. This preliminary duplication of data ensures that even if power is lost during transmission, the data remains intact in non-volatile memory and can be transmitted later without requiring a retake of the X-ray exposure.
2Ease of operation
If portable X-ray detector uses batteries for power supply, then portability is improved, but power availability deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data storage in non-volatile memory immediately after image capture, before battery power may deplete. This ensures that data is secured while power is still available, eliminating the risk of data loss even if the battery fails later during the examination or transmission process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the image data in non-volatile memory as a backup while the original resides in volatile memory. This copying mechanism ensures data redundancy, allowing the system to maintain portability with batteries while protecting against power availability issues by having a preserved copy that survives power loss.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If image data is lost due to power failure, then additional radiation exposure to patient is prevented, but productivity deteriorates due to retakes
Solution Approach 1:
By performing preliminary storage of image data in non-volatile memory immediately after capture, the system ensures data is preserved before any potential power failure. This eliminates the need for retakes, thereby maintaining both patient safety (no additional radiation) and productivity (no loss of examination throughput).
Solution Approach 2:
The creation of a backup copy in non-volatile memory provides data redundancy that protects against power failure. This copying mechanism ensures that even if the primary volatile memory data is lost, the backup copy remains intact, preventing both additional radiation exposure and the need for retakes, thus preserving both safety and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a non-volatile storage medium is or can be operably coupled to a medical image acquisition device to reduce the risk of loss of medical image data.