The present invention relates to a method for a convenient and operator-friendly
selection of a direct radiographic panel as active DR Panel for a radiographic
exposure.
Background o f the invention.
It is known that radiographic illumination or exposure has important applications
in medical imaging, whereby the medical advantages for the patient largely exceed
the small risk of damage resulting from such radiographic illumination.
In earlier days radiographic exposures mostly made use of film based on silver
halide technology as image capturing medium.
Since a number of years the so-called computed radiography technique has gained
wide market acceptance. This technology makes use of a radiographic panel that
does not use silver halide technology as the light capturing medium, but uses
stimulable phosphors.
This method is described amongst others in detail in the Handbook of Medical
Imaging, (ed. R.V. Matter et al., SPIE Press, Bellingham, 2000].
During recent years, radiographic exposures increasingly make use of direct digital
radiographic techniques, known as DR (Direct Radiography).
This method is increasingly used as alternative for film-based imaging techniques,
as well as for the panels based on the use of stimulable phosphor-technologies, as
described supra.
In this digital radiographic method the radiographic exposure energy is captured
pixelwise in a radiographycally sensitive panel, and hereupon is converted to
electronic image data by means of electronic components. Hereupon the
information is read out imagewise and displayed on a suitable monitor for
diagnostic purposes by a radiologist.
One of the driving forces behind the success of direct digital radiography is the
ability to rapidly visualise the radiographic images and to efficiently and simply
communicate over datanetworks to one or more sites for analysis and remote
diagnosis by a radiologist or other medical expert. The delays that are
characteristic for the development, packaging and physical transport of
radiographic films are avoided by the above methods. Also the difficulties arising
from the scanning of developed films and the corresponding loss in resolution is
avoided by the above techniques.
The advantage of direct radiographic systems over computed radiographic
systems, based on stimulable phosphors, is that no read-out (in a digitizer) of the
latently captured radiographic image needs to take place. On the contrary, the
digital radiographic image promptly or directly can be read for the purpose of
evaluating the image from a diagnostic point of view. This diagnosis can take
place at a local or remote workstation.
At the beginning the first direct radiographic panels were integrated in the overall
radiographic imaging system. The wiring was designed such that minimal trouble
to the radiographic operator was caused hereby when the radiographic direct
panel was placed for exposure of a body part of a patient.
More recently portable direct radiographic panels have been introduced to the
market place. These panels make use of an on-board battery and communicate
with the radiographic control panel or workstation, as well as with the
datacapturing apparatus and the display components in a wireless manner.
The latter aspects resulted in a wide acceptance of such portable wireless panels
by the marketplace and ensures their practical use in a fully digital radiographic
exposure system.
In a hospital or medical diagnosis center, these panels can be used as well in a
completely newly installed radiographic imaging system or in a so-called retrofit
situation. The term retrofit should be understood as directed to an existing
radiographic system, that previously made use of radiographic films or stimulable
phosphor plates, and whereby the latter registration media have been replaced by
a direct radiographic capturing medium, a so-called direct radiographic or DR
panel, without the need to replace the workstation or the radiographic source
itself.
The advantage of such a retrofit radiographic system as compared to a completely
newly installed radiographic system, is its lower investment cost, as part of the
already installed radiographic system can be re-used.
Although portability and wireless communication of the radiographic registration
medium clearly is an advantage when portable and wireless DR panels are used,
these features also are characterized by the occurrence of problems under
practical circumstances of use.
In particular such panels are characterized by identification or selection difficulties
when they are used in a so-called multi-panel environment. This may lead to
mistakes for example when resetting the correct panel, or the wrong use of a panel.
Contrary to radiographic films or stimulable phosphor panels that after exposure
need to be removed from the radiographic exposure room for the purpose of being
developed, resp. for being read-out in a digitizer, direct radiographic panels after
use can remain in the radiographic exposure room.
When as a result of the above situation various direct radiographic panels are
available in the radiographic exposure room, the radiographic operator needs to
be fully sure that for the next or forthcoming radiographic exposure the right
panel needs to be identified or selected.
Absent same it would be possible to address the wrong DR Panel, or to reset same,
or the collect the data hereof.
Without a specific method that enables to reduce to an absolute minimum the
probability of choosing a wrong DR Detector, there remains an enhanced risk for
an incorrect exposure of a patient, resulting in retakes. On its turn, this results in a
number of complaints, confusion, and a loss of time and efforts.
To cope with the above problems, Canon Inc., USA, has developed the following
identification or selection method for direct radiographic panels, which it
recommends for daily use.
In the leaflet entitled 'Canon CXDI-70C Wireless Premium Flat Panel Detector',
edited by Canon Medical Systems, A Division of Canon U.S.A. Inc., 15955 Alton
Parkway, Irvine, Ca, USA, with reference DRB-014 Rev. A, 0611/2000, website
www.usa.canon.com/csdi-70cwireless. a method for the identification/selection of
digital radiographic panels has been described.
(in the text that follows, both terms 'identification' or 'selection' of a direct
radiographic panel is used, both terms having the same meaning)
The method described herein is as follows :
On the digital radiographic DR Canon Panels an infrared transmitter/sender is
provided with pressure-sensitive button. This is the so-called R check-in unit.
When a radiographic operator takes the Canon digital radiographic panel out of its
dockingstation, he holds this panel on short disctance before a radiographic
workstation, wherein an infrared receiver is positioned.
Hereupon he pushes the IR pressure button, and the link to the radiographic
workstation is unequivocally established.
As a result hereof the captioned direct radiographic panel is unambiguously and
unmistakably identified and is ready for being used in the digital radiographic
exposure unit.
During such identification the DR Panel receives the WIFI settings that are
required to enable it to work in the setting of the radiographic workstation.
To this end, a fixed IP address, an SSID (Service Set Identifier) and a WPA-PSK (Wi-
Fi Protected Acces, Pre-Shared Key) of the access point and the IP address of the
radiographic workstation is allocated to the DR Panel concerned.
The activation of the DR Panel as described above occurs in the Canon method by
selecting the captioned panel on the workstation.
In US patent publication nr. US 2011/0116486 Al, published on May 19, 2011, in
the name of Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan, reference is made to the use of
portable and wireless direct radiographic panels, and the identification of such
panels by means of such infrared communication. For the purpose of identification
of the DR Panel, ' an input unit is provided for the X-ray sensor apparatus and
accepts input from the user'. (Paragraph 33) Further in paragraph 35 is stated that
' pressing the input unit of the X-ray sensor apparatus will start connection
processing of the X-ray sensor apparatus to the access point' The term 'pressing
the input unit' is repeatedly used in this specification, see e.g. par. 41, 4° line, par.
47, 5° Line, par. 51, 2° line, par 55 last but one line, etc.
Upon pressing the input unit, the wireless communication starts, based on the use
of IrDA, Transferjet or UWB (paragraph 33).
In European patent publication nr. EP 2 062 533 Al, published on May 27, 2009,
in the name of Carestream Health, Inc., a method is also described for the
identification, resp. the activation of direct radiographic panels.
Hereby use is made of marking labels that are attached to the direct radiographic
panels, whereby an operator, for example the radiologist or one of his assistants,
activates the correct direct radiographic panel by means of the touch screen of the
radiographic workstation.
This procedure however is also quite cumbersome : it implies that for each
radiographic exposure the radiographic operator should go to the radiographic
workstation, and there needs to navigate to the screen that shows the various
possibly active DR Panels, and should then designate the correct panel by touching
the correct field on the touch screen of the display.
In US Patent Application US 2010/0169423 Al, published July 1, 2010, in the
name of Konica Minolta Medical &Graphic, Inc, Tokyo, Japan, a radiographic image
capturing systems is described, wherein a Flat Panel Detector (FPD) is activated
and its IP addres is communicated to the radiographic console, by means of
pressing a pressure button by the radiographic operator. Reference is made to
paragraph 58 stating that ' the operator depresses the button equipped on the FPD
concerned...'
In US Patent Application US 2010/0123083 Al, published May 20, 2010, in the
name of General Electric Company, NY, USA, an imaging system is provided,
wherein the portable digital image detector may be configured to communicate its
location to the system control circuitry. To that end, the digital detector may
include various sensors and mechanisms configured to enable the system to
determine the location of the detector (paragraph 28). The sensors may be
mechanical sensors physically activated by engagement with actuators, or may
include induction sensors triggered by proximity to the corresponding actuators.
Through such mechanism, the imaging system may detect the presence of a digital
detector in e.g. its table or wall stand. Paragraph 31 discloses the use of a button
or switch 'that may be engaged by a technician or other user'.
Apart from detecting the position of the digital detector, this specification discloses
no other function associated with such actuators or sensors on the digital detector.
In US Patent Application US 2011/0274251 Al, published November 10, 2011, in
the name of General Electric Company, NY, USA, a method is described for
coordinating operation of X-ray detectors in a wireless X-ray system, including
detecting multiple wireless X-ray detectors within an operative range of an X-ray
base station. Paragraph 24 of this specification discloses to this end the use of a
button that may be pressed in response to instructions received from the X-ray
base station to select the detector for registration.
In US Patent Application US 2011/0305319 A published December 15, 2011, in
the name of General Electric Company, NY, USA, a portable x-ray detector and a
gravity sensor coupled thereto is described. Aprocessor is coupled to the gravity
sensor, programmed to receive an input from the gravity sensor, determine a
physical orientation of the portable x-ray detector based on the received input, and
generate an indication to reposition the portable x-ray detector. The aim of such
gravity sensor and coupled processor is to solve the problem when the operator
positions the x-ray detector out of alignment with respect to the x-ray source.
Apart from the above, this specification discloses no other function associated with
such gravity sensor and its coupled processor.
Problem to be solved
The method as described above with the Canon detectors gives rise to problems
under practical use : the method is quite cumbersome, and hence it occurs that this
procedure is not applied, in particular in emergency situations.
Same applies to the method described in the Carestream patent application, or to
the methods described in the Konica &Minolta patent application, or any of the
other cited patent publications.
On top hereof, these methods may well be suitable when one DR panel is in use in a
given radiographic exposure room, but the method gives rise to problems when
more DR panels simultaneously are available for use.
In a radiographic exposure room, in many cases various DR Detectors are used, as
they differ for example in their respective sizes.
When a radiographic exposure is prepared from the central radiographic
workstation or console, the correct panel should be selected for the forthcoming
exposure. To this end an unambiguous link is required between the radiographic
exposure as planned and the corresponding DR Panel.
As set forth supra, when the radiographic operator has selected the wrong DR
Panel, the radiographic exposure cannot be effected correctly.
When the wrong panel is linked to the workstation, as soon as the exposure button
has been activated, the wrong panel will start to integrate. This implies loss of
image data.
The aim and purpose of the invention is to avoid the abovementioned problems by
effecting an easy and unambiguous communication between the radiographic
workstation and the DR Panel as selected by the radiographic operator for the
forthcoming radiographic exposure. By such a correct communication, a wrongly
selected DR Panel can be timely indicated at the workstation (this means, before
the actual exposure takes place).
Summary of the invention.
The abovementioned aspects are realised by means of the method as described in
claim 1.
Specific features of preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the
dependent claims.
Further advantages and embodiments of the present invention are clarified in the
description that follows.
Description of the invention :
The present invention relates to a method for identifying or selecting a direct
radiographic panel as active panel in a forthcoming radiographic exposure, and to
that end comprises the following steps.
As a first step a gravity sensor, preferably a 3G sensor or accelerometer, that is
provided or installed on the direct radiographic panel is activated by a
radiographic operator.
Hereupon the activated sensor will in turn activate an electronic component such
as a processor that is provided on the direct radiographic panel, whereby as a
result of a communication of this component or processor with a radiographic
work station over a network, the activated direct radiographic panel is retained as
the active direct radiographic panel for the forthcoming radiographic exposure.
The abovementioned electronic component or processor may consist of or
comprise the communication module of the DR Panel as such.
According to a preferred embodiment the communication over the network occurs
wirelessly, although the method of the present invention is equally beneficial in
case a DR Detector is used that comprises a wired or tethered connection to the
radiographic work station.
In case a wireless DR Detector is used, and its communication with the
radiographic work station occurs over a wireless network, the electronic
component or processor may consist of or comprise the wireless communication
module of the DR Panel.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, prior to the radiographic
exposure, a check has been effected by the operator as to the conformity of the
direct radiographic panel selected according to the method described above with
the (radiographic) worklist. Such worklist may be visualised on the work station
after navigating through the medical care organisation's or hospital HIS or RIS
system (HIS stands for Hospital Information System, RIS stands for Radiological
Information System).
Detailed description of the invention :
In a given radiographic exposure room, unit or department, a digital radiographic
detector can only be connected to a single radiographic workstation at the time.
As soon as one of the so connected DR panels has been caused to move by a
radiographic operator, and its embedded or installed gravity-sensor has detected
such movement, it will be identified as the active panel according to the method of
the present invention.
This so identified or selected DR panel remains the 'active' panel for any
forthcoming radiographic exposure. This situation does not change until another
DR panel is moved by the radiographic operator and as a result hereof is identified
as the 'active' panel.
As soon as a DR panel has been identified or selected as the 'active' panel according
to the method of the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment of
such invention, a conformity check is performed along the following lines.
Link to the HIS/RIS/Worklist :
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, after identification
or selection of the direct radiographic panel according to the method of the
present invention, the conformity of the so identified direct radiographic panel
with the direct radiographic panel as set forth in the worklist of the radiographic
work station for the forthcoming radiographic exposure is checked.
If the result of this conformity check is OK, the operator will proceed to the
radiographic exposure.
According to a still further preferred embodiment, in case the conformity between
the so identified direct radiographic panel and the direct radiographic panel as set
forth in the worklist of the radiographic work station has not been established, a
warning is given to the operator. Such warning may comprise a pop-up on the
display of the radiographic workstation, optionally including an acoustic or other
form of alarm.
In such a case, a manual intervention of the operator is required : he can either
adapt the worklist by selecting another DR Panel for the forthcoming exposure, for
example the DR Panel identified as the active panel, or alternatively, he may select
the DR Panel set forth in the worklist , and identify such panel as the active DR
Panel.
The DR panel which last was moved by the operator, and as a result hereof was
identified as the active DR Panel for any forthcoming exposure, so remains the
active panel for any further exposure, until another DR panel has been moved and
consequently identified as the active DR panel.
According to the preferred embodiment, such newly identified DR panel shall only
be accepted as the active DR Panel, after an positive conformity check with the
radiographic worklist has been performed.
Once such new DR panel is indeed designated as the active DR Panel, it will on its
turn keep such status, until another DR Panel is designated as the active DR Panel
for fortcoming exposure(s).
The worklist of the planned radiographic exposures is usually displayed on the
screen of the workstation during the various radiographic exposures that are
planned for a given time-frame and for a given radiographic exposure room or
unit.
Such worklist is part of or comprised within the Radiological Information System
(RIS) of the hospital or medical care organisation and is communicated to the work
station. Such communication may e.g. comprise the radiographic operator of the
radiographic exposure unit concerned to navigate in the Hospital Information
System (HIS) to the specific RIS data, and visualising on the screen or display of the
radiographic work station such worklist. The radiographic worklist usually
comprises one or more of the following information : identity of the patients to be
radiographed (name or other personal attributes), object to be radiographed (arm,
knee, hand, or other body part), stand (wall or bucky), as well as the digital
radiographic panel to be used for the radiographic exposure, and - optionally - the
exposure parameters.
Unique Identification of DR Panel :
Each direct radiographic panel has a unique identification number or other form of
identification. Such identification is allocated to the panel at the time of
manufacturing the panel or at the time of marketing of the direct radiographic
panel.
The abovementioned unique identification code or number of the direct
radiographic panel may comprise or consist of a unique serial- or manufacturingnumber,
or, in an alternate embodiment, may comprise or consist of the fixed or
variable IP address, MAC addres or some sort of Unique Identifier allocated to the
DR Panel.
The electronic component or processor consists of or comprises, as set forth supra
in case of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the (wireless) communication
module of the direct radiographic panel. This communication module uses
through the wireless communication protocol with the radiographic workstation
this unique identification code to distinguish this DR Panel in an unambiguous
manner from the other DR panels, and to identify same as such.
In a next step, namely after the radiographic exposure has taken place, the
radiographic image data are sent to the radiographic workstation from the DR
Panel that has been authenticated and registered to this end as the active DR Panel.
The authentification as active DR Panel takes place according to the method of the
present invention.
The authentification as registered DR Panel can only take place when at the time of
instalment of the radiographic exposure room - or at the time of first use of the DR
panel - the captioned DR Panel has been registered by means of its unique
identification serial number or other form of identification by the radiographic
workstation.
This is a typical administrative task that should not necessarily be performed by
the radiologist, but can be taken care of by an administrative or technical assistant.
Also the supplier or the approved or qualified installer of the radiographic
exposure unit can take care hereof.
According to the method of the invention a gravity sensor, preferably a 3G-sensor
or accelerometer, is incorporated in or on the direct radiographic panel. This
sensor is in operative association with an electronic component or processor, that
is equally well installed on the direct radiographic panel.
When the gravity sensor is activated, the sensor ensures that the electronic
component or processor with whom it is operatively associated, is likewise
activated. The latter then takes care of a (preferably wireless) datacommunication
with the radiographic workstation, preferably by means of a WIFI or IEEE 802.11
network (a/b/g/n or the like).
The abovementioned electronic component may consist of or comprise the
electronic chip for wireless communication with the radiographic workstation of
the portable DR radiographic panel. It then suffices to electrically connect the
gravity sensor with such electronic chip of the DR panel to realise the
abovementioned operational association.
The processor or electronic chip that takes care of the wireless communication
with the radiographic workstation, or the radiographic exposure unit, amongst
others for the transmittal of the radiographic image data, is a means known for the
person skilled in the art. Such module has been described e.g. in the US patents of
Fuji Photo Film, Inc., Japan, Nr. US 7 829 859 and US 8 116 599. The patent first
mentioned describes how the portable DR Panel transmits the digital image data
stored in the DR panel over such wireless communication panel to the
radiographic console by means of a transceiver of the DR Panel. The UWB (Ultra
Wide Band) protocol is mentioned as an example of such wireless communication.
Such UWB Protocol is characterised by a substantial reduction of energyconsumption,
and by enhanced communication speed, as compared to other
wireless communication techniques.
The other US patent, US 8 116 599, describes the conversion to wireless
communication signals of the image data by the wireless communication unit
according to one of the following existing wireless communciation protocols :
UWB, Bluetooth, Zigbee, HiSWANa (High Speed Wireless Access Network type a),
HiperLAN, Wireless 1394, Wireless USB, and finally Wireless LAN, infrared (irDA),
NFC (Near Field Communication), IO-Homecontrol.
Preferably use is made of a wireless communication protocol working according to
the IEEE 802.11 standard.
In such a case, the Direct Radiographic Panel communicates by means of a shortrange
radio or infrared connection over the wireless network with the
radiographic workstation by means of any of the above communication protocols.
Generally a short-range radioconnection is preferred over an infrared connection,
as the first mentioned connection operates in an omnidirectional manner, whereas
for an infrared connection, as it is an optical connection method, a direct optical
path should be created between the transmitter and the receiver of the signals.
In a radiographic exposure room the various direct radiographic panels mostly are
placed in their respective docking stations. The docking station is the place where
the direct radiographic panel is positioned when it is not used for a radiographic
exposure : through such docking station the DR Panel recharges its on-board
battery.
The method according to the invention is however not limited hereto, but can also
be applied when the non-active DR Panel, after it has been (re-)charged, is taken
out of the docking station, and is positioned elsewhere in 'hold mode'.
As soon as the DR Panel is taken out of its docking station, or out of its 'hold mode'
position, the gravity sensor provided on such panel will detect such movement
occasioned by the radiographic operator. According to the method of this
invention, this movement will then cause this panel to be used as active panel
during a forthcoming radiographic exposure.
Agravity sensor is a sensor that detects the movement of an object, e.g. a direct
radiographic panel, for example in case of removal of the panel out of the
dockingstation.
Aparticularly preferred embodiment of such gravity sensor is a sensor that
comprises an accelerometer, or a one- or three-dimensional (1-, 3-)g-sensor.
This is a small chip, wherein a minute mechanical element is incorporated.
An electric field keeps such element in its position, and in case of movement of the
object whereupon such accelerometer is affixed, the chip registers the
corresponding movement of the mechanical element, and consequently the object
as a whole.
Such an element to a limited extent is comparable to the working principle of the
gyroscopes of earlier days. Analog Devices is the name of a company that
marketed the first digital accelerometers.
This kind of accelerometers are nowadays incorporated in smartphones to detect
the position (vertically or horizontally), and to positon the display accordingly.
These components are equally well incorporated in other electronic devices such
as iPad's, airbags, WII, ...
The 1/3 g-sensors are in permanent electrical tension, and are charged by the on
board battery of the DR Panel.
Gravity sensors on the contrary are passive sensors : they hardly consume any
electric current, and are charged by a node-battery; they may also be charged by
the battery of the DR Panel.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention use is being made of
(preferably three) 3-g sensors. This kind of sensors have the advantage that not
only the movement of the direct radiographic panel whereupon they are affixed
can be detected. As a result of the detection of the movement of the DR panel
whereupon they are affixed, the DR panel can be marked as the active DR panel for
the forthcoming radiographic exposure.
But these 3-g sensors also have the advantage that they can determine the relative
position of the DR panel in a three-dimensional axis-system. As a result hereof,
they can determine the position of the active DR panel, for example so as to check
or control whether the active DR panel is positioned in the wall or the bucky of the
radiographic exposure unit.
The latter enables the transmittal of a warning signal to the operator in case of an
incorrect positioning of the active DR panel, before the actual radiographic
exposure takes place.
Irrespective of the kind of sensor that is used, a gravity or a more specific
accelerometer based sensor, as soon as such sensor is activated, it will on its turn
activate the processor to which it is operatively associated. This processor will on
its turn take care of the actual communication with the radiographic workstation.
The sensor only detects that the radiographic panel whereupon it is affixed, is
spatially moved, whereby such movement may imply that the detector is taken out
of the docking station, or removed form its idle position by the radiographic
operator. As soon as this step has occurred, the sensor on its turn will activate the
electronic component, that is equally well affixed or incorporated in the direct
radiographic panel.
Thus, once the sensor is activated, the processor in or at the activated direct
radiographic panel will generate a signal in the wireless LAN network of the
workstation, resulting in an unambiguous identification of this active direct
radiographic panel on the basis of the abovementioned unique serial- or
identification number or code, or alternatively by means of the IP address that is
allocated to such panel.
The wireless LAN Network can make use of a number of various wireless network
protocols and mechanisms. Preferably use is made of the wireless IEEE 802.11 g or
IEEE 802.11 n interface W F ) standard.
One can also make use of the IEEE 802.11 b standard, whereby in a point-to-point
configuration (1 point to various points), one acces point (the wireless entry point)
through a multidirectional antenna communicates with other clients that are
within the range of the central access point.
The one access point is then the modality workstation, and the other clients are the
various DR Panels, whereby one of these is identified/selected as the active panel.
So as to realise such wireless connection, preferably such WIFI connection, with
the radiographic workstation, the processor has at its disposal on the direct
radiographic panel an antenna driver and a chip technology that enables such
short-range radio-connection.
To this end, the sensor as set forth supra, is operatively associated with such
processor .
This operative association should be understood within the context of the present
invention such that as soon as the sensor has been activated, an electronic signal is
transmitted from such activated sensor to such processor, preferably including
such antenna driver and chip, whereupon the latter is triggered to realise an
effective communication with the workstation by means of the short-range
radionetwork.
As soon as the latter has been realised, the captioned DR Panel is unambiguously
identified by the workstation as the active DR Panel for the forthcoming
radiographic exposure.
In the next step, once the radiographic exposure has taken place, the active DR
panel will transmit its image data to the radiographic workstation, for visualisation
and diagnostic evaluation on the monitor by a radiologist.

We Claims:-
1. Method for selecting in a radiographic exposure unit a direct radiographic
panel as active panel for a forthcoming radiographic exposure, comprising
the following steps :
- activating a gravity sensor installed on the direct radiographic panel;
- activating by the activated gravity sensor a processor installed on the
direct radiographic panel, whereby as a result of a communication of this
processor with a radiographic work station over a network, the activated
direct radiographic panel is retained as the active direct radiographic panel
for the forthcoming radiographic exposure.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the communication over the network
with the radiographic work station occurs wirelessly, and more preferably
by means of short-range radio waves.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication by the
processor over the network with the radiographic workstation comprises
communicating a unique identification code of the direct radiographic
panel.
4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein after selection of
the direct radiographic panel as active panel and the radiographic
exposure, the radiographic image stored in the direct radiographic panel is
transmitted to the radiographic workstation.
5. Method according to any of the claims 1 - 3, wherein after selection of the
direct radiographic panel as active panel, the conformity of the so selected
direct radiographic panel with the direct radiographic panel set forth in the
worklist of the radiographic work station for the forthcoming radiographic
exposure is checked.
6. Method according to claim 5, wherein in case the conformity between the
selected direct radiographic panel and the direct radiographic panel set
forth in the worklist of the radiographic work station has not been
established, a warning is given to the operator.
7. Method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the gravity sensor
comprises one or more 1G- or 3G-sensor(s).
8. Method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the direct
radiographic panel selected as active panel is used for all forthcoming
radiographic exposures, until another direct radiographic panel has been
selected as active panel.