The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 07, 2003
Filed:
May. 05, 2000
Harry T. Garland, Los Altos Hills, CA (US);
Gerald May, Saratoga, CA (US);
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A system and method for automatically collimating X-rays. A digital X-ray system ( ) includes a generator ( ), a sensor unit ( ), a control station ( ), and a preview monitor ( ). The generator ( ) generates X-ray radiation that is captured by the sensor unit ( ) as a digital image and transmitted to the control station ( ). The captured image is displayed on the preview monitor ( ). The generator ( ) includes a collimator ( ) that collimates the generated radiation into a primary beam of X-rays. The size and shape of the primary beam can be adjusted by modifying collimation parameters. A short duration beam of X-rays is generated by the generator ( ) and captured ( ) by the sensor unit ( ). This step is repeated as necessary or desired. The resulting digital images are analyzed ( ) by the control station ( ) to calculate a calibration coefficient. Another short duration beam of X-rays is generated and a reference image is captured ( ). The control station ( ) analyzes the reference image and uses the calibration coefficient to collimate the collimator ( ) to achieve a desired goal, such as radiating all or only part of an object being radiated. Once the collimator ( ) is adjusted, the X-ray image of the subject is exposed.