Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present system, an X-ray detector of an X-ray imaging system includes a communication module configured to receive a pre-shot image from a detection circuitry and receive one or more pre-shot parameters from a source controller of the X-ray imaging system. The X-ray detector further includes an analysis module configured to determine one or more image characteristics of the pre-shot image. The X-ray detector further includes a determination module configured to calculate one or more main-shot parameters based on the one or more pre-shot parameters and the one or more image characteristics. The determination module is further configured to send the one or more main-shot parameters to the source controller of the X-ray imaging system.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present system, a dual energy X-ray imaging system includes a communication module configured to receive a pre-shot image from a detection circuitry and receive one or more pre-shot parameters from a source controller of the dual energy X-ray imaging system. The dual energy X-ray imaging system further includes an analysis module configured to determine one or more image characteristics of the pre-shot image. The dual energy X-ray imaging system further includes a determination module configured to calculate a first and a second set of main-shot parameters based on the one or more pre-shot parameters and the one or more image characteristics of the pre-shot image. The determination module is further configured to send the one or more main-shot parameters to the source controller of the dual energy X-ray imaging system.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present system, an X-ray detector of an X-ray imaging system includes a communication module configured to receive a pre-shot image from a detection circuitry and receive one or more pre-shot parameters from a source controller of the X-ray imaging system. The X-ray detector further includes an analysis module configured to determine one or more image characteristics of the pre-shot image. The X-ray detector further includes a determination module configured to calculate one or more main-shot parameters based on the one or more pre-shot parameters and the one or more image characteristics. The determination module is further configured to send the one or more main-shot parameters to the source controller of the X-ray imaging system.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present system, a dual energy X-ray imaging system includes a communication module configured to receive a pre-shot image from a detection circuitry and receive one or more pre-shot parameters from a source controller of the dual energy X-ray imaging system. The dual energy X-ray imaging system further includes an analysis module configured to determine one or more image characteristics of the pre-shot image. The dual energy X-ray imaging system further includes a determination module configured to calculate a first and a second set of main-shot parameters based on the one or more pre-shot parameters and the one or more image characteristics of the pre-shot image. The determination module is further configured to send the one or more main-shot parameters to the source controller of the dual energy X-ray imaging system.

Abstract: A portable detector for use with an imaging system is disclosed. The portable detector automatically sets one or more operational states based on at least a determination as to whether the portable detector is connected to external power. An imaging system is also disclosed that ascertains whether the portable detector is connected via a tether. The imaging system may perform a compatibility check when connected to the portable detector to assess compatibility between the imaging system and the portable detector.

Abstract: Providing an operator with information concerning radiation dose associated with an imaging operation is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the dose information may be provided in conjunction with indicators related to reference dose levels to facilitate evaluation of the dose in the context of the reference levels. The dose information may be based on real-time assessment of dose or may be an expected dose based on a proposed or planned sequence of exposure events. Further the indication may be prospective, providing an indication to the operator of when certain dose thresholds may be crossed.

Abstract: A portable detector for use with an imaging system is disclosed. The portable detector automatically sets one or more operational states based on at least a determination as to whether the portable detector is connected to external power. An imaging system is also disclosed that ascertains whether the portable detector is connected via a tether. The imaging system may perform a compatibility check when connected to the portable detector to assess compatibility between the imaging system and the portable detector.

Abstract: A system and method for improved imaging of a subject through the use of low dose exposure aided positioning is provided. The subject is positioned in an X-ray imaging system and imaged with a low dose pre-shot X-ray exposure to verify the positioning of the subject. If the subject's positioning is acceptable, the subject is then imaged with a full dose X-ray exposure. If the subject's positioning is not acceptable, the subject is repositioned and re-imaged with a low dose pre-shot X-ray exposure until the subject's positioning is acceptable. The low dose pre-shot X-ray exposure may take the form of a low dose X-ray imaging sequence where the radiation dose is less than the radiation dose of a full dose X-ray exposure.

Abstract: Providing an operator with information concerning radiation dose associated with an imaging operation is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the dose information may be provided in conjunction with indicators related to reference dose levels to facilitate evaluation of the dose in the context of the reference levels. The dose information may be based on real-time assessment of dose or may be an expected dose based on a proposed or planned sequence of exposure events. Further the indication may be prospective, providing an indication to the operator of when certain dose thresholds may be crossed.

Abstract: An x-ray grid alignment circuit for coupling an x-ray grid to a detector includes a marker configured to be mounted to the x-ray grid, a sensor configured to be mounted to the detector, the sensor generating an alignment signal based on a position of the marker, and an alignment module configured to receive the alignment signal from the sensor and utilize the alignment signal to determine if the x-ray grid is coupled to a detecting face of the detector. A detector assembly including the x-ray grid alignment circuit and a method of coupling an x-ray grid to a detector are also provided.

Abstract: An x-ray grid alignment circuit for coupling an x-ray grid to a detector includes a marker configured to be mounted to the x-ray grid, a sensor configured to be mounted to the detector, the sensor generating an alignment signal based on a position of the marker, and an alignment module configured to receive the alignment signal from the sensor and utilize the alignment signal to determine if the x-ray grid is coupled to a detecting face of the detector. A detector assembly including the x-ray grid alignment circuit and a method of coupling an x-ray grid to a detector are also provided.

Abstract: A technique for establishing texture metrics and bone mineral density (BMD) within an anatomical region of interest. A digital imaging system is used to acquire a standard digital X-ray image with a wide field of view. The standard digital X-ray image is used to guide the imaging system to obtain an image of a region of interest. The standard digital X-ray image is used to calculate various texture metrics, such as a length of a fracture. A dual-energy digital X-ray image of the region of interest is acquired. The dual-energy digital X-ray image is corrected for scatter. The BMD of the region of interest may be established from the scatter-corrected dual-energy digital X-ray image. The BMD, the texture metrics, and/or the scatter-corrected dual-energy X-ray image may be displayed on the standard digital X-ray image.

Abstract: A portable dual-mode digital X-ray detector configured to operate in an integrated mode for use in direct digital radiography (DDR) and in non-integrated mode for use in computed radiography (CR). The portable dual-mode X-ray detector comprising a switching mechanism for switching the detector between an integrated mode and a non-integrated mode, a triggering mechanism for use in the non-integrated mode, a communications interface for use in the integrated mode, and at least one memory module for storing image data. The disclosure further includes the methods of operation of the portable dual-mode digital X-ray detector in the integrated mode for use in direct digital radiography (DDR) and in the non-integrated mode for use in computed radiography (CR).

Abstract: A technique for establishing texture metrics and bone mineral density (BMD) within an anatomical region of interest. A digital imaging system is used to acquire a standard digital X-ray image with a wide field of view. The standard digital X-ray image is used to guide the imaging system to obtain an image of a region of interest. The standard digital X-ray image is used to calculate various texture metrics, such as a length of a fracture. A dual-energy digital X-ray image of the region of interest is acquired. The dual-energy digital X-ray image is corrected for scatter. The BMD of the region of interest may be established from the scatter-corrected dual-energy digital X-ray image. The BMD, the texture metrics, and/or the scatter-corrected dual-energy X-ray image may be displayed on the standard digital X-ray image.

Abstract: A patient barrier is described. The patient barrier includes a footstep configured to support a patient and placed on a floor, a frame attached to the footstep and configured to separate the patient from an energy receptor The patient barrier includes at least one of a first pivot configured to pivot the patient barrier with respect to the floor, and a support bar coupled to the frame, configured to support an arm of the patient, and pivot with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A method of providing an automatic protocol assistance includes determining a number of exposures for a scan of an object, acquiring a low dose AEC exposure of the object or acquiring at least one of a PA and an AP view, calculating an initial technique, and automatically determining whether to use the initial technique to perform the scan or to not perform the scan.

Abstract: Phantoms and discrete spatial and frequency methods for quantitatively measuring the alignment of radiographic imaging systems are described. One embodiment comprises phantoms for use in mechanically aligning radiographic imaging systems. These phantoms comprise: a radio-opaque material capable of holding a well-defined edge that allows quantitative image resolution measurements to be obtained thereof; wherein once the quantitative image resolution measurements are obtained, the spatial frequency response of the radiographic imaging system at a given focal plane can be calculated therefrom, thereby defining the mechanical alignment, resolution, and resolution uniformity of the radiographic imaging system. Systems and methods for mechanically aligning radiographic imaging systems, and methods for obtaining a quantitative measurement of the mechanical alignment, resolution and resolution uniformity of radiographic imaging systems, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pixel sensing subsystem for a solid state image sensor includes frame timing logic that produces a frame timing signal indicative of an end-of-frame time and a beginning-of-frame time and reset logic that produces a reset signal for a charge accumulator of pixel sensing electronics. The reset logic asserts the reset signal at least once between the end-of-frame time and the beginning-of-frame time to prevent saturation of the pixel sensing element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in a diagnostic X-ray system for reducing signal conversion time for a solid-state detector panel of the X-ray system in order to increase frame rate. A measurement of a set of induced signal offsets caused by time varying charge retention associated with the detector panel is performed during a phantom time segment prior to normal signal readout of the detector panel for a current image frame. A set of adjustment values is generated in response to the set of induced signal offsets. Subsets of signal values of the detector panel are read out to a pre-determined signal dynamic range as part of normal signal readout of the detector panel in response to the set of adjustment values, thus generating a set of normalized detector signals.

Abstract: An improved design for a solid state X-ray detector that decreases the amount of moisture diffusion that occurs through seals used to attach a cover to a glass substrate panel, thereby protecting the scintillator from moisture damage. In one embodiment, a second hermetic or semi-hermetic seal is introduced between the scintillator and the outside environment to increase the path moisture must travel to reach the scintillator. In another embodiment, a metal frame, preferably a Kovar® frame, is hermetically or semi-hermetically sealed to the cover and glass substrate panel, thereby decreasing the amount of moisture diffusion through the semi-hermetic seal as compared to the prior art.