Wireless X-ray Detector Coordination via Base Station Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray imaging systems lack the ability to effectively manage and coordinate multiple wireless detectors, leading to issues such as determining the correct detector configuration before exposure, potential unnecessary re-imaging, and increased radiation exposure due to incorrect detector usage.
Innovation Solution
A wireless X-ray system that includes an X-ray base station capable of recognizing and communicating with multiple digital detectors, allowing for registration, status management, and coordination of detectors within its operative range, ensuring only the active detector receives radiation and facilitating seamless switching between detectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple wireless detectors are used to increase imaging flexibility and productivity, then the ability to perform multiple imaging tasks simultaneously is improved, but the system's ability to manage and coordinate detectors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base station continuously monitors detector locations, operational statuses, and configuration states through wireless communication. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically track which detectors are present, their current states, and coordinate their operation without manual intervention, resolving the management complexity issue while maintaining multi-detector productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Each detector automatically transmits its identification, status, and operational data to the base station without requiring manual configuration or monitoring. The detectors self-register and self-manage their coordination with the imaging system, eliminating the need for complex manual detector management while enabling flexible multi-detector operation
2Device complexity
If the system does not implement detector coordination management, then the device complexity is reduced, but the radiation exposure increases due to potential incorrect detector usage
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary detection and verification of detector presence, operational status, and proper configuration before allowing X-ray exposure to occur. This advance coordination ensures that only appropriately positioned and configured detectors receive radiation, preventing unnecessary re-imaging and reducing overall radiation exposure while maintaining relatively simple system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary between the X-ray source and multiple detectors, coordinating which detector should receive radiation based on detected positions and operational states. This intermediary coordination layer prevents incorrect detector exposure without requiring complex changes to the fundamental imaging system architecture
3Reliability
If the system implements comprehensive detector detection and coordination, then the reliability of image acquisition is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station integrates multiple functions including detector detection, status monitoring, coordination management, and imaging control into a single unified system. This multi-functional approach improves image acquisition reliability by ensuring proper detector coordination while avoiding the need for separate complex subsystems for each function
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a method for coordinating operation of X-ray detectors (14) in a wireless X-ray system (10) includes detecting multiple wireless X-ray detectors (14) within an operative range of an X-ray base station (12), the detected X-ray detectors (14) each having one of multiple possible statuses, including an active status corresponding to a designation of the X-ray detector (14) as a desired recipient of radiation during a current X-ray imaging sequence, an inactive status corresponding to a designation of the X-ray detector (14) as not the desired recipient of radiation during a current X-ray imaging sequence, and an unenabled status corresponding to the X-ray detector (14) not being configured to operate with the X-ray base station (12). The method also includes determining the current status of each detected X-ray detector (14) and displaying on a user-viewable screen (74, 84, 102) a visual indication of the status of each detected X-ray detector (14).