IMAGE EXPOSURE CONTROL DEVICE FOR MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to medical imaging. More specifically the subject matter relates to an image exposure control device in a medical imaging system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Medical facilities, such as hospitals, include multiple medical imaging devices that are used for several medical procedures including, radiography, fluoroscopy, surgery, angiography, mammography, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology and computed tomography etc. on a subject or patient for example taking X-ray image of a subject's anatomy. These various X-ray imaging devices are configured as either fixed-room installations or mobile systems and are often provided with an exposure control device such as a handheld exposure switch or a foot operated exposure switch which is typically used for performing acquisition or recording of images or sequences during the specified procedures.
[0003] Further these exposure control devices may include additional control features to assist the user in carrying out additional tasks for example collimator light operation, laser cross hair marker operation, modifying exposure parameters such as kV, raA or mAS etc, operating a patient positioner or operating an X-ray gantry etc. as may be needed from time to time in order to obtain desired X-ray images.
[0004] The exposure switch typically includes a plurality of switches that are placed inside a suitable housing made of plastics or metal, corresponding mechanical actuators in the form of a suitable button, knob or a foot pedal and are interconnected with the control console of the X-ray system via an extendable or flexible cord thereby enabling

its operation by the user from a convenient and safe remote location within the procedure room.
[0005] The hand switch is commonly used or handled by doctors and technicians while performing medical procedures on the subject or patient. The exterior surface of the hand switch is often prone to being contaminated or stained with blood and other body fluids. Similarly a foot switch is also prone to being contaminated by spilled over blood, body fluids or other liquids during a medical procedure. It is a common practice to disinfect the exterior surface of the hand switch using liquid disinfectants or sterilizing chemicals daily or in some situation after every procedure in order to ensure proper hygiene and prevention of any possible hospital-acquired infections/diseases among patients and caregivers.
[0006] It is observed in the field that the sterilization of hand switches or foot switches is carried out in many different fashions. Some known methods include wiping the surfaces with wet swabs containing sterilizing liquid, spraying the surface with sterilizing liquid spray or in extreme cases dipping the hand switch itself into the sterilizing liquid bath. While all such methods may be very effective in ensuring the hygiene, they all are found to be challenging in terms of malfunction of the exposure control device on account of ingress of the sterilizing liquids into the switches and their live parts such as contacts and terminations. Further, the prolonged exposure to the sterilizing liquids and moisture may result in the live parts such as contacts and terminations being corroded over time causing them to stay in un-intended "open" or "closed" contact. This malfunction could cause accidental unintended X-ray exposure to patients and caregivers. This malfunction may also interrupt or delay the medical care being provided to the patient thereby seriously jeopardizing patient and caregiver's safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.
[0008] As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the invention including a user activated exposure control device for use in a medical imaging device, more particularly an X-ray imaging device is disclosed.
[0009] In an embodiment an image exposure device for a medical imaging system is disclosed. The image exposure device includes one or more hermetically sealed switches communicably connected to an imaging unit of the medical imaging system. One or more magnetic units are present and a magnetic unit is configured to position with respect to the one or more hermetically sealed switches for activation and deactivation. The one or more hermetically sealed switches activate to initiate the image exposure. Housing covers the one or more hermetically sealed switches and the one or more magnetic units. One or more actuating units are connected to the housing and a magnetic unit. The operation of an actuating unit controls the position of the magnetic unit.
[0010] In another embodiment a control device for a medical imaging system is disclosed. The control device includes one or more hermetically sealed switches for operating the medical imaging system. One or more magnetic units are present and a magnetic unit is configured to position with respect to the one or more hermetically sealed switches for activation and deactivation. The one or more hermetically sealed switches activate to operate the medical imaging system. Housing covers the one or more hermetically sealed switches and the one or more magnetic units. One or more actuating units are connected to the housing and a magnetic unit. The operation of an actuating unit controls the position of the magnetic unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of an exemplary x-ray system in accordance with an embodiment;
[0012] FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration of a control device used in a medical imaging system in accordance with an embodiment;
[0013] FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a control device used in a medical imaging system in an activated and deactivated stage in accordance with an embodiment;
[0014] FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of a control device used in a medical imaging system in accordance with another embodiment; and
[0015] FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of a control device used in a medical imaging system in accordance with yet another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.
[0017] To the extent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. One or more of the functional blocks may be implemented in a single piece of hardware or multiple pieces of hardware. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

[0018] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.
[0019] Although the various embodiments are described with respect to an X-ray system, the various embodiments may be utilized with any suitable medical imaging system, for example, X-ray, computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or the like.
[0020] An image exposure device for a medical imaging system is disclosed. The image exposure device includes one or more hermetically sealed switches communicably connected to an imaging unit of the medical imaging system. One or more magnetic units are present and a magnetic unit is configured to position with respect to the one or more hermetically sealed switches for activation and deactivation. The one or more hermetically sealed switches activate to initiate the image exposure. Housing covers the one or more hermetically sealed switches and the one or more magnetic units. One or more actuating units are connected to the housing and a magnetic unit. The operation of an actuating unit controls the position of the magnetic unit.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an x-ray system 100. An x-ray machine 102 is configured to transmit x-ray radiation and receive the transmitted x-ray radiation having passed through a subject 104. An operator's x-ray console 106 is in signal communication with the mobile x-ray machine 102, the console 106 being configured to control the mobile x-ray machine 102 and interpret the received x-ray radiation to provide at least one x-ray image. A hand switch 108 (referred to as an image exposure device or a control device) is in signal communication with the console 106 via one of a switch cord and a wireless connection, and is configured to communicate with

the console 106 to prepare the mobile x-ray machine 102 to take an x-ray exposure. The hand switch 108 may be used for preparing the mobile X-ray machine 102 for image exposure and therefore referred to as the image exposure device. The hand switch 108 may be used for other operations in the mobile X-ray machine 102 and hence may be referred to as the control device. The hand switch 108 is also configured to communicate with the console 106 to initiate the x-ray exposure by the mobile x-ray machine 102. In an embodiment, the hand switch 108 is configured to be held by an operator of the mobile x-ray machine 102. The operator may be in a different room and use the hand switch 108 to operate the mobile x-ray machine 102 even though it is shown in FIG. 1 that operator is located near to the subject 104. In an embodiment, the hand switch 108 is in signal communication with the x-ray console 106 via a wireless connection or a wired connection. The hand switch 108 includes a plurality of buttons such as a button 110 and a button 112 for performing different operations in the mobile x-ray machine 102 such as but not limited to, initiating radiographic image exposure, fluoroscopy, collimator lamp operation, laser cross hair marker operation, patient positioner operation, varying the intensity of imaging rays, changing the orientation of image detectors, storing captured images etc.
[0022] While an embodiment has been described having a hand switch in signal communication in conjunction with an x-ray machine, it will be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not so limited, and that the invention will also apply to other medical systems that may use hand switches, such as magnetic resonance imaging system, a fixed room x-ray system, a mammography machine, surgical C-arm machine, cath-lab system, a computer tomography (CT) scanning system and computer aided tomography systems, for example.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a control device 200 used in a medical imaging system in accordance with an embodiment. The control device 200 may be used of controlling various operations in the medical imaging system. The operations may include but not limited to, initiating radiographic image exposure, fluoroscopy, collimator lamp operation, laser cross hair marker operation, patient positioner operation, varying

the intensity of imaging rays, changing the orientation of image detectors, storing captured images etc. In an embodiment the control device 200 may be specifically used for controlling image exposure in the medical imaging system then this is specifically referred to as an image exposure control device. The image exposure includes but not limited to, acquisition of radiographic image and acquisition of fluoroscopic sequence i.e. multiple images in a sequence for example 30 image frames per second or 20 image frames per second. The control device 200 includes one or more hermetically sealed switches such as a hermetically sealed switch 202. A hermetically sealed switch is a hermetically sealed ferromagnetic reed switch and its electrical harness is encased and hermetically sealed into a close ended capsule. The close ended capsule may be made of non-magnetic, and/or non-conducting material. In an embodiment the close ended capsule may be made of a glass, ceramic or plastic material. The close ended capsule may include a pair of contacts on ferrous metal reeds that can be activated to make a reed relay and also be deactivated. The pair contacts are separated from each other at a distance. The hermetically sealed switch 202 is housed within a hermetically sealed housing 204. The hermetically sealed housing is air tight housing. An open end 206 of the hermetically sealed housing 204 is closed with a sealing cap 208. The sealing cap 208 enables the hermetically sealed housing 204 to be sealed in an air tight manner i.e. hermetically sealed. The sealing cap 208 is composed of epoxy material. However it may be appreciated that the sealing cap 208 may be composed of any other material that enables the hermetically sealed housing 204 to be sealed. In an embodiment the hermetically sealed housing 204 may be cylindrically shaped housing. It may be appreciated that the hermetically sealed housing 204 may have a capsule shape, a cubical shape and so on. Due to this, hermetical sealing fluids may not be able to seep into the control device 200 thereby avoiding any damage caused to the hermetically sealed switch 202. This also facilitates efficient functioning of the control device 200 for controlling the operation of the medical imaging system.
[0024] The hermetically sealed switch 202 is connected to wires (such as a wire 210 and a wire 212) which in turn communicably connect to an imaging unit of the medical imaging system. These wires are used to communicate instructions to the imaging unit

for its functioning for instance capture images of a subject's anatomy. The instructions may be transmitted in the form of electrical signals. The wire 210 and the wire 212 may pass through the sealing cap 208 to connect to the imaging unit. The instructions are sent from the hermetically sealed switch 202 when operated by a magnetic unit 214. The magnetic unit 214 may be configured to position with respect to the hermetically sealed switch 202 for its activation and deactivation. In another instance the hermetically sealed switch 202 may be operated by a coil. In an embodiment the magnetic unit 214 may be concentrically positioned with respect to the hermetically sealed switch 202. In an exemplary scenario a magnetic unit may have a ring shaped configuration that can be positioned around the hermetically sealed housing 204. The magnetic unit 214 may be positioned at a predefined distance from the hermetically sealed switch 202. If the magnetic unit has a ring shaped configuration then a distance between the magnetic unit and the hermetically sealed switch may be the predefined distance maintained around the hermetically sealed switch. It may be appreciated that the magnetic unit may have any other configuration other than the ring shaped configuration for functioning within the hermetically sealed switch.
[0025] The hermetically sealed housing 204 along with the hermetically sealed switch 202 and the magnetic unit 214 is placed in a housing 216. An actuating unit 218 is connected to the housing 216. The actuating unit 218 is also connected to the magnetic unit 214 for controlling the position of the magnetic unit 214 with respect to the hermetically sealed switch 202. In an embodiment the actuating unit 218 includes a motion facilitator 220 and a magnet movement controller 222. The motion facilitator 220 may be connected to the magnet movement controller 222. The motion facilitator 220 may be a plunger connected to a spring arrangement (i.e. the magnet movement controller 222). A first end portion of the spring arrangement is connected to the motion facilitator 220 and a second end portion is connected to an inner portion 224 of the housing 216. The actuating unit 218 may be operated by a user. The actuating unit 218 may be pushed by the user thereby compressing the spring arrangement to position the magnetic unit 214 with respect to the hermetically sealed switch 202 as shown in FIG. 3. The actuating unit 218 is in an activating position 226. When positioned close or

proximate to the hermetically sealed switch 202, the hermetically sealed switch 202 is activated. In this activated stage a contact 228 and a contact 230 touch each other as shown in FIG. 3 to start a reed relay for sending instructions through the wires 210 and 212 to the medical imaging system. Here the hermetically sealed switch 202 may have their contacts 228 and 230 in the open stage normally or in an inactive stage. In another embodiment a hermetically sealed switch may be in an activated stage when two contacts move away from each other to start a reed relay for sending instructions to the medical imaging system. In this case the two contacts may be touching each other normally in an inactive stage. The instructions as discussed earlier may be for performing operations in the medical imaging system such as initiating image exposure, varying the intensity of imaging rays, changing the orientation of image detectors, storing captured images etc. The magnetic unit 214 may be positioned proximate to the hermetically sealed switch 202 until the user presses the actuating unit 218.
[0026] When the user releases the actuating unit 218, the spring arrangement decompresses to move the magnetic unit 214 to return back to a normal position 232 i.e. moves away from the hermetically sealed switch 202. Consequently the contact 228 and the contact 230 may separate from each other so that the hermetically sealed switch 202 deactivates. In an embodiment the actuating unit 218 may be operated to achieve different levels for performing different operations. For example the actuating unit 218 may be operated to position at a first level to activate a hermetically sealed switch to perform an operation i.e. initiating image exposure. Further the actuating unit 218 may be operated to position at a second level to activate another hermetically sealed switch to perform an operation i.e. changing the orientation of image detectors. Even though only two levels of positioning the actuating unit is described herein it may be appreciated that the multiple levels of positioning the actuating unit for performing different operations in the medical imaging system may be possible.
[0027] The housing 216 may further include a magnetic shielding material layer that either fully or partially surrounds the magnetic unit 214 and hermetically sealed housing 204 thereby preventing any undesired influence from any external magnetic field present

in the vicinity of the housing 216. In this fashion any undesired influence from any external magnetic field on the operation of the hermetically sealed switch 202 is eliminated. Now referring to FIG. 4 which schematically illustrates a control device 400 used in a medical imaging system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment. The control device 400 includes two hermetically sealed switches i.e. a hermetically sealed switch 402 and a hermetically sealed switch 404 that are associated with performing two different operations in the medical imaging system. The hermetically sealed switch 402 is activated and deactivated by an actuating unit 406. The actuating unit 406 includes a motion facilitator 408 and a magnet movement controller 410. The motion facilitator 408 may be connected to the magnet movement controller 410. The motion facilitator 408 may be a plunger connected to a spring arrangement (i.e. the magnet movement controller 410). Similarly the hermetically sealed switch 404 is activated and deactivated by an actuating unit 412. The actuating unit 412 includes a motion facilitator 414 and a magnet movement controller 416. The motion facilitator 414 may be connected to the magnet movement controller 416. The motion facilitator 414 may be a plunger connected to a spring arrangement (i.e. the magnet movement controller 416).
[0028] As shown in FIG. 4 the actuating unit 406 and the actuating unit 412 may be operated by the user to position a magnetic unit 418 with respect to the hermetically sealed switch 402 and to position a magnetic unit 420 with respect to the hermetically sealed switch 404. When the hermetically sealed switch 402 is activated, instructions may be sent through a wire 422 and a wire 424 to an imaging unit of the medical imaging system to perform a function. Further when the hermetically sealed switch 404 is activated, instructions may be sent through a wire 426 and a wire 428 to an imaging unit of the medical imaging system to perform another function.
[0029] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a control device 500 used in a medical imaging system in accordance with yet another embodiment. The control device 500 includes a hermetically sealed switch 502 housed in a hermetically sealed housing 504. The hermetically sealed housing 504 is sealed by a sealing cap 506. The hermetically

sealed switch 502 is connected to a wire 508 and a wire 510 to send instructions for performing a function. The control device 500 also includes an actuating unit 512 comprising a motion facilitator 514 and a magnet movement controller 516. The motion facilitator 514 may be a plunger connected to a spring arrangement (i.e. the magnet movement controller 516). The motion facilitator 514 may be actuated using different mechanisms such as a cam arrangement, a cam and follower arrangement, a gear arrangement, and a lever mechanism.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, a foot pedal 518 having a cam 520 is operated to actuate the motion facilitator 512. The motion facilitator 512 includes a follower 522 that is configured to have contact with the cam 520. During operation when the foot pedal 518 is pressed by a user's foot in directions 524 then the cam 520 comes in contact with the follower 522 to move the motion facilitator 512 in a direction 526. The foot pedal 518 is connected to a spring arrangement 530 for its two and fro motion in the directions 524. The movement of the motion facilitator 512 facilitates in positioning a magnetic unit 528 with respect to the hermetically sealed switch 502. The hermetically sealed switch 502 is activated to send instructions through the wire 508 and the wire 510 to the medical imaging system. When the user's foot is removed then the foot pedal 518 moves back to the original position due to the action of the spring arrangement 530.
[0031] The control devices 200, 400 and 500 hereinabove are described in an exemplary context of its usage of controlling image exposure and other functions in a medical imaging system, however it may be appreciated that the control devices may be used in medical imaging systems for different purposes and its utility is not limited to exemplary contexts described above. Moreover the control devices may be configured in different devices associated with a medical imaging system and operated to perform different functions using a user's hand or foot.
[0032] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any computing system or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims,

and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

We Claim:
1. An image exposure device for a medical imaging system, the image exposure device
comprising:
at least one hermetically sealed switch communicably connected to an imaging unit of the medical imaging system;
at least one magnetic unit, wherein a magnetic unit and the at least one hermetically sealed switch are positioned with respect to each other for activation and deactivation of the at least one hermetically sealed switch, wherein the at least one hermetically sealed switch activates to initiate the image exposure;
a housing covering the at least one hermetically sealed switch and the at least one magnetic unit; and
at least one actuating unit connected to the housing and a magnetic unit, the operation of the actuating unit controls the position of the magnetic unit.
2. The image exposure device of claim 1, wherein a hermetically sealed switch is positioned at a predefined distance from the magnetic unit.
3. The image exposure device of claim 1 further comprising at least one hermetically sealed housing, wherein a hermetically sealed housing holds a hermetically sealed switch of the at least one hermetically sealed switch.
4. The image exposure device of claim 3, wherein a hermetically sealed housing of the at least one hermetically sealed housing comprises a sealing cap capable of holding at least one cable connected to a hermetically sealed switch and facilitating hermetical sealing.
5. The image exposure device of claim 4, wherein the magnetic unit is concentrically positioned relative to the hermetically sealed housing in response to operation of the actuating unit.

6. The image exposure device of claim 1, wherein the actuating unit comprises:
a motion facilitator for controlling the movement of the actuating unit during operation, wherein the housing and the motion facilitator is composed of a non¬magnetic material; and
a magnet movement controller connected to the motion facilitator, wherein a movement of the plunging unit varies the position of the magnetic unit.
7. The image exposure device of claim 6, wherein the motion facilitator comprises a spring arrangement.
8. The image exposure device of claim 1, wherein the image exposure device is at least one of a handheld operated by a user's hand and operated by a user's foot.
9. A control device for a medical imaging system, the control device comprising:
at least one hermetically sealed switch for operating the medical imaging system;
at least one magnetic unit, wherein a magnetic unit and the at least one hermetically sealed switch are positioned with respect to each other for activation and deactivation of the at least one hermetically sealed switch, wherein the at least one hermetically sealed switch activates to operate the medical imaging system;
a housing covering the at least one hermetically sealed switch and the at least one magnetic unit; and
at least one actuating unit connected to the housing and a magnetic unit, the operation of the actuating unit controls the position of the magnetic unit.
10. The control device of claim 9, wherein a hermetically sealed switch is positioned at a
predefined distance from the magnetic unit.

11. The control device of claim 9 further comprising at least one hermetically sealed housing, wherein a hermetically sealed housing holds a hermetically sealed switch of the at least one hermetically sealed switch.
12. The control device of claim 9, wherein a hermetically sealed housing of the at least one hermetically sealed housing comprises a sealing cap capable of holding at least one cable connected to a hermetically sealed switch and facilitating hermetical sealing.
13. The control device of claim 9, wherein the magnetic unit is concentrically positioned relative to the hermetically sealed housing in response to operation of the actuating unit.
14. The control device of claim 9, wherein the actuating unit comprises:
motion facilitator for controlling the movement of the actuating unit during operation; and a magnet movement controller connected to the motion facilitator, wherein a movement of the plunging unit varies the position of the magnetic unit.
15. The control device of claim 14, wherein the motion facilitator comprises a spring
arrangement.