General Electric Company

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Ge Precision Healthcare LLC

Ge Medical System Global Technology, LLC

Manfred David Boehm

Xianfeng Ni

Scott Richard Wiese

James Zhengshe Liu

Gireesha Chinthamani Rao

Renuka Uppaluri

Jon Charles Omernick

Vincent Stanley Polkus

Chuande Liu

Michael John Pajerski

Olgun Kukrer

John Jun Zhang

Karl F Sherwin

Alexander Y Tokman

Eric Stepanovich

Sabih Qamar-Uz Zaman

Kiran Shankaranarayana

Sabih Qamaruz Zaman

Karla Angelica Arista

Various methods and systems are provided for wirelessly charging a digital x-ray detector of an x-ray imaging system in at least two orientations. In one example, a method comprises: detecting a digital x-ray detector in a charging area of an x-ray system, the charging area including a first power source; pairing the digital x-ray detector to the x-ray system via a wireless connection with the x-ray system; and wirelessly charging the digital x-ray detector via the first power source.

Methods and systems for wirelessly charging digital x-ray detectors

Methods and systems are provided for controlling movement of a mobile imaging system. In one example, a mobile imaging system includes a mobile drive system, an imaging assembly coupled to the mobile drive system, and a driving interface configured to move the imaging assembly relative to the mobile drive system both axially and radially in response to user manipulation, and further configured to generate signals in response to the axial movement of the imaging assembly, the mobile drive system configured to move in response to the signals.

Systems and method for a mobile imaging unit

Methods and systems are provided for an adaptive state-of-charge for a portable imaging system. In one embodiment, a method comprises controlling an x-ray source to generate an x-ray exposure, measuring a voltage of a power supply coupled to the x-ray source during the x-ray exposure, and adjusting an available capacity of the power supply based on the voltage. In this way, the full capacity of a power supply may be utilized while compensating for aging of the power supply.

Adaptive state of charge for portable x-ray device

In one embodiment, a method for coordinating operation of X-ray detectors in a wireless X-ray system includes detecting multiple wireless X-ray detectors within an operative range of an X-ray base station, the detected X-ray detectors each having one of multiple possible statuses, including an active status corresponding to a designation of the X-ray detector 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 as not the desired recipient of radiation during a current X-ray imaging sequence, and an unenabled status corresponding to the X-ray detector not being configured to operate with the X-ray base station. The method also includes determining the current status of each detected X-ray detector and displaying on a user-viewable screen a visual indication of the status of each detected X-ray detector.

Wireless X-ray detector operation coordination system and method

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a system for communication between a controller and a power supply using a communication interface. In an embodiment, a communication system includes a power supply having one or more diagnostics. The communication system also includes a controller, configured for controlling the power supply and monitoring the one or more diagnostics of the power supply. In addition, the communication system includes a communication interface, configured to receive from the controller and send from the power supply one or more signals. The communication system also includes a load, configured to operate using the power provided by said power supply.

System and method for communication between a controller and a power supply using a communication interface

Described herein is a cable length compensator for inclusion in video imaging systems such as X-ray video imaging systems. When such systems are installed at sites of use, cables must generally be installed in the signal path, and the lengths of these cables&#x2014;which can affect signal resolution&#x2014;generally cannot be predicted prior to the time of installation. The cable compensator may be situated in the signal path along with the cable to compensate the signal for the effects of the cable so that the desired gain is provided across the desired range of signal frequencies. The compensator includes a low frequency compensation path and a high frequency compensation path, wherein the low frequency compensation path provides a simple gain adjustment to low frequency signals and the high frequency path provides gain adjustment dependent on both signal frequency and cable length. The high frequency gain adjustment is preferably provided by an array of high-pass filters which provide a substantially flat response across the range of input frequencies, and at least one variable resistance which may be adjusted for the desired high-frequency gain.

Variable cable length compensator for video imaging systems

A digital radiographic imaging system includes an offset table for determining mechanical and structural offsets which would, if not corrected, misalign the source and detector during use. The method can correct for inaccuracies in mechanical linkages, examination rooms and other mounting structures, and 'drift' induced during use of the system.

Method and apparatus for aligning an X-ray source and detector at various source to image distances

An I/O system includes a Digital Device selecting a digital output to be set and a Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism, electrically coupled to the Digital Device. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism includes an input bank, a FIFO, and an I/O line. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism clears a stored value in the first input bank, samples the first value of the first input bank, and detects a change in the input bank. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism also stores a state of a data bit of the input bank along with a bank identifier in the FIFO. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism still further samples the I/O line via a first READ cycle and drives the I/O line with a next data entry from the FIFO. Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism samples all digital inputs and stores any detected changes in the FIFO. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism transmits all values in the FIFO to the Digital Device during a subsequent READ cycle and transmits to the Digital Device a last value read. The Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism also changes a digital output when a first WRITE command occurs and the Digital Device explicitly selects the digital output to be set and writes an entire bank in response to a bit change. Additionally, the Digital I/O Expansion Mechanism decodes and latches the digital output until the digital output is overwritten via a second WRITE command to the input bank from the Digital Device.

Method and system for expanding the I/O on I/O limited devices

A system and method for automatically positioning an image receptor based on the position of a manually positioned diagnostic source assembly in an X-ray imaging device is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the automated tracking system, an operator manually positions a diagnostic source assembly (DSA) over the area of a patient to be imaged. Sensors in the diagnostic source assembly transmit the position of the DSA to a system controller. The system controller then calculates an optimal position of an image receptor based on the position of the DSA. Once the optimal position is calculated, the system controller sends the optimal position to a motor drive, which positions the image receptor in the calculated optimal position. Position sensors in the image receptor then send positional data of the image receptor to the system controller, which verifies that the image receptor is in the calculated optimal position. If the operator wishes to manually adjust the image receptor, they may override the motor drive and do so. The automated tracking system provides for reduced total imaging time and increased cost effectiveness over prior X-ray imaging systems by reducing the number of retakes required to obtain a satisfactory X-ray image. Reducing retakes also results in decreased exposure to radiation by the patient being imaged which is healthier to the patient.

Automated receptor tracking to diagnostic source assembly

A mobile x-ray unit operates from a rechargeable battery in a number of different modes which draw current from the battery. Remaining battery capacity is calculated by integrating the current drawn from the battery in each of its operating modes, and periodically subtracting this value from a value indicative of remaining capacity. The result is displayed to provide an accurate indication of remaining battery capacity.

Battery capacity indicator for mobile medical equipment

A mobile x-ray unit operates from a rechargeable battery in a number of different modes which draw current from the battery. The present invention determines the number of patient exams remaining in the mobile x-ray unit, and has the capability of monitoring battery capacity usage as well as displaying information. The current drawn from the battery is measured as the system operates, which allows for the remaining capacity of the battery to be calculated. The remaining capacity of the battery can be adjusted based on usage of the system in each particular application. The system then calculates patient exams remaining based on the adjusted calculated remaining capacity of the battery, and displays the calculated patient exams remaining.

Method and system for determining exams remaining in battery powered

A filament current regulator for an X-ray generator includes a circuit which compares the actual X-ray tube filament current to a predefined filament current reference value. Another circuit is included which compares the actual X-ray tube excitation voltage, applied across the anode and to cathode of the tube, to a predefined reference voltage value. The regulator adjusts the filament current during a first time interval of an exposure based on only the filament current comparison, and during the remainder of the exposure based substantially on the excitation voltage comparison. The regulator apparatus also integrates the difference between the actual filament current and the reference current value over a given interval during the exposure. The integrated result is employed by the regulator to redefine the filament current reference value.

Growing community of inventors

Waukesha, WI, United States of America

Manfred David Boehm