NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION BETWEEN IMAGE DETECTOR AND PORTABLE CONTROL DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to medical imaging. More specifically, the subject matter relates to a portable control device communicating with an imaging detector for imaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A number of radiological imaging systems of various designs are known and are presently in use. Such systems generally are based upon generation of X-rays that are directed toward a subject of interest. The X-rays traverse the subject and impact a film or digital detector. In medical diagnostic contexts, for example, such systems may be used to visualize internal tissues and diagnose patient ailments. In other contexts, parts, baggage, parcels, and other subjects may be imaged to assess their contents and for other purposes.

[0003] Increasingly, such X-ray systems use digital circuitry, such as solid-state detectors, for detecting the X-rays, which are attenuated, scattered or absorbed by the intervening structures of the subject. Solid-state detectors may generate electrical signals indicative of the intensities of received X-rays. These signals, in turn, may be acquired and processed to reconstruct images of the subject of interest.

[0004] Some digital detectors are configured as portable devices, in contrast to others that are fixed at a particular location, such as a table or wall stand. The portable image detector can be moved between various X-ray systems. To provide versatility, image detectors are also configured to have wireless capability. These image detectors may be capable of communicating with a handheld device configured to control the operation of the image detectors such as capturing images of an anatomy of a subject. The captured image can be transmitted to the handheld device. The handheld device scans and connects with the different image detectors present in its wireless network. In an instance the handheld device is connected to an image detector and then if a second image detector comes within the wireless network, the handheld device gets connected to the second image detector. This may result in loss of images captured by the first image detector during examination. Further there is also a possibility that the handheld device erroneously associate with an incorrect image detector. Once an erroneous image detector is selected then an imaging system may expect the image from the erroneous image detector, while the technician may have used an alternative detector for the image exposure.

[0005] Thus there is a need for an imaging system wherein a handheld device may associate with an image detector in a convenient manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.

[0007] As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the invention include a medical imaging system. The medical imaging system includes an image detector for capturing images of an anatomy and a portable control device. The portable control device includes a processor configured to associate with the image detector over a near field communication network in response to positioning the portable control device at a close proximity of the image detector. The processor also established a communication link with the image detector for exclusive communication with the image detector.

[0008] In an embodiment a portable control device configured to communicate with an image detector in a medical imaging system is disclosed. The portable control device is configured to send a connection request to the image detector of one or more image detectors present within a close proximity over a near field communication network and associate with the image detector. Once associated a communication link is established between the image detector and the portable control device for exclusive communication.

[0009] In another embodiment a method of establishing a communication between a portable control device and an image detector is disclosed. In the method the image detector is identified from one or more image detectors when the image detector is positioned proximal to the portable control device by a user. The portable control device is associated to the image detector over a near field communication network. Once associated a communication link is established between the image detector and the portable control device for exclusive communication.

[0010] Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of a medical imaging system for acquiring and processing image data in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration a perspective view of a medical imaging system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a top view of an image detector in accordance with an embodiment;

[0014] FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the image detector; and

[0015] FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a medical imaging system, equipped in accordance with aspects of the present technique in accordance with an embodiment;

[0016] FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of the portable control device communicating with multiple image detectors in a medical imaging environment in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0017] FIGURE 7 is a flow diagram of a method of establishing a communication between a portable control device and an image detector in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] 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.

[0019] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, while the term "exemplary" may be used herein in connection to certain examples of aspects or embodiments of the presently disclosed technique, it will be appreciated that these examples are illustrative in nature and that the term "exemplary" is not used herein to denote any preference or requirement with respect to a disclosed aspect or embodiment. Further, any use of the terms "top," "bottom," "above," "below," other positional terms, and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the described components.

[0020] As discussed in detail below, in an embodiment a medical imaging system includes an image detector for capturing images of an anatomy and a portable control device. The portable control device includes a processor configured to associate with the image detector over a near field communication network in response to positioning the portable control device at a close proximity of the image detector. The processor also established a communication link with the image detector for exclusive communication with the image detector.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a medical imaging system 100 for acquiring and processing image data in accordance with an embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the medical imaging system 100 is a digital X-ray system designed both to acquire original image data and to process the image data for display in accordance with the present technique. However it may be contemplated that the medical imaging system 100 may be any other imaging devices. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the medical imaging system 100 includes a source of X-ray radiation 102 positioned adjacent to a collimator 104. The collimator 104 permits a stream of radiation 106 to pass into a region in which an object or subject, such as a patient 108, is positioned. A portion of the radiation 110 passes through or around the subject and impacts an image detector 112. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the image detector 112 may convert the X-ray photons incident on its surface to lower energy photons, and subsequently to electric signals, which are acquired and processed to reconstruct an image of the features within the subject.

[0022] The radiation source 102 is controlled by a power supply/control circuit 114 which supplies both power and control signals for examination sequences. Moreover, the image detector 112 is communicatively coupled to a detector controller 116 which commands acquisition of the signals generated in the image detector 112. In one embodiment, the image detector 112 may communicate with the detector controller 116 via a suitable wireless communication standard, although the use of image detectors 112 that communicate with the detector controller 116 through a cable or some other wired connection are also envisaged. The detector controller 116 may execute various signal processing and filtration functions, such as for initial adjustment of dynamic ranges, interleaving of digital image data, and so forth.

[0023] Both the power supply/control circuit 114 and the detector controller 116 are responsive to signals from a system controller 118. In general, the system controller 118 commands operations of the medical imaging system 100 to execute examination protocols and to process acquired image data. In the present context, the system controller 118 also includes signal processing circuitry, typically based upon a programmed general purpose or application-specific digital computer; and associated manufactures, such as optical memory devices, magnetic memory devices, or solid-state memory devices, for storing programs and routines executed by a processor of the computer to carry out various functionalities, as well as for storing configuration parameters and image data; interface circuits; and so forth. In one embodiment, a general or special purpose computer system may be provided with hardware, circuitry, firmware, and/or software for performing the functions attributed to one or more of the power supply/control circuit 114, the detector controller 116, and/or the system controller 118 as discussed herein.

[0024] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the system controller 118 is linked to at least one output device, such as a display or printer as indicated at reference numeral 120. The output device may include standard or special purpose computer monitors and associated processing circuitry. One or more operator workstations 122 may be further linked in the system for outputting system parameters, requesting examinations, viewing images, and so forth. In general, displays, printers, workstations, and similar devices supplied within the system may be local to the data acquisition components, or may be remote from these components, such as elsewhere within an institution or hospital, or in an entirely different location, linked to the image acquisition system via one or more configurable networks, such as the Internet, virtual private networks, and so forth.

[0025] By way of further example, a perspective view of a medical imaging system 200 is provided in FIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment. The imaging system 200 includes an overhead tube support arm 202 for positioning a radiation source 204, such as an X-ray tube, with respect to the patient 108 and an image detector 206. It is also noted that, in addition to the radiation source 204, the medical imaging system 200 may also include any or all of the other components described above with respect to FIG. 1, such as the system controller 118.

[0026] Moreover, in one embodiment, the medical imaging system 200 may be used with one or both of a patient table 208 and a wall stand 210 to facilitate image acquisition. Particularly, the table 208 and the wall stand 210 may be configured to receive one or more image detectors 206. For instance, an image detector 206 may be placed on the upper surface of the table 208, and the patient 108 (more specifically, an anatomy of interest of the patient 108) may be positioned on the table 208 between the image detector 206 and the radiation source 204. In some other instances, the image detector 206 may be positioned in a slot 212 below the upper surface of the table 208 and the patient 208, or the radiation source 204 and the image detector 206 may be positioned horizontally about the patient 108 for cross-table imaging. Further, the wall stand 210 may include a receiving structure 214 also adapted to receive the image detector 206, and the patient 108 may be positioned adjacent the wall stand 210 to enable image data to be acquired via the image detector 206. In another instance the image detector 206 may be a digital detector capable of communicating over a wireless network and may be placed in any location in an imaging room where the medical imaging system 200 is located.

[0027] In one embodiment, the medical imaging system 200 may be a stationary system disposed in a fixed X-ray imaging room, such as that generally depicted in, and described above with respect to FIG. 2. It will be appreciated, however, that the presently disclosed techniques may also be employed with other medical imaging systems, including mobile X-ray units and systems, in other embodiments. For instance, in other embodiments, a mobile X-ray unit may be moved to a patient recovery room, an emergency room, a surgical room, or the like to enable imaging of a patient without requiring transport of the patient to a dedicated (i.e., fixed) X-ray imaging room.

[0028] One example of an image detector 300 is generally illustrated in FIGs. 3 and 4 in accordance with one embodiment. In this presently illustrated embodiment, the image detector 300 may include a housing 302 that encloses various components of the image detector 302. The housing 302 may include a window 304 that exposes a solid-state detector array 306 within the housing 302. The detector array 306 may be configured to receive electromagnetic radiation, such as from the radiation source 204, and to convert the radiation into electrical signals that may be interpreted by the medical imaging system 300 to output an image of an object or patient 108. The housing 302 may also include one or more handles 308 that facilitate positioning and transport of the image detector 300 by a technician or other user.

[0029] For example, in one embodiment, the housing 302 may include two handles 308 set apart from one another. In one such embodiment, the handles 308 may be provided at an angle relative to the main body of the image detector 300 to provide improved ergonomics. For example, the two handles 308 may be provided at an ergonomic angle such that when a user holds the image detector 300 the center of gravity of the image detector 300 is below either handle 308. In this example, a user may hand the image detector 300 to another user with relative ease, i.e., by holding one handle 308 while the other user grasps the other handle 308 and/or two users may jointly position the image detector 300, each using a different handle 308.

[0030] In one embodiment, operating power may be provided to the image detector 300 via a connector 310 configured to engage either a removable battery or a cable (e.g., a tether). In one embodiment, the connector 310 may generally include a receptacle for receiving either the removable battery or the tether and may include electrical contacts to route power from the battery or from an external power source via the tether to the various components of the image detector 300. The image detector 300 may communicate with one or more other components of the medical imaging system 200, such as the system controller 118, via a wireless transceiver 312. In one embodiment, the wireless transceiver 312 may be incorporated into the body of the image detector 300 or may, in another embodiment, be incorporated into a removable battery. It is noted that the wireless transceiver 312 may utilize any suitable wireless communication protocol, such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication standard, a Bluetooth communication standard, or any 802.11 communication standard. Additionally, the image detector 300 may also communicate data over a wired connection, such as via a tether coupled to the image detector 300 by way of the connector 310, or via another cable coupled to a docking connector 314 provided elsewhere on the image detector 300. In this manner, the image detector 300 may be powered by a battery but still transmit data at a high throughput via a wired connection through the docking connector 314.

[0031] Still further, in one embodiment, the image detector 300 may include a memory device 316. In other embodiments, the memory device 316 may be provided as part of a removable battery, as discussed below. Among other things, the memory device 316 may store image data acquired via the detector array 304. In various embodiments, the memory device 316 may include an optical memory device, a magnetic memory device, or a solid state-memory device. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the memory device 316 may be a non-volatile memory device, such as a flash memory. The memory device 316 may be internally or externally located with respect to the housing 306 and, depending on the embodiment, may or may not be configured to facilitate user-removal of the memory device 316 from the housing 306. Further, while the connector 310, the wireless transceiver, and/or the memory device 316 may generally be located in one end of the image detector 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3, the present technique is not limited to such positions. Rather, these components may be provided at any suitable location of the image detector 300 in full accordance with the present techniques. Indeed, as noted above, in certain embodiments, one or both of the wireless transceiver and/or the memory device 316 may be provided as part of a removable battery that may be inserted into or otherwise couple with the image detector 300. Additionally, in some embodiments, the housing 306 may include various indicators 318, such as light-emitting diodes, that communicate detector power, status, operation, or the like to a user.

[0032] Also depicted in FIGs. 5 and 6, a medical imaging system 500 includes a portable control device 502 enabling a user 504 to control operation of an image detector 506. The portable control device 502 is configured to be held by the user 504 and to communicate wirelessly with the medical imaging system 500. The portable control device 502 is also configured to prepare the image detector 506 for an exposure and to initiate an exposure. The medical imaging system 500 is configured to wirelessly communicate system operational data to the portable control device 500 and the portable control device 502 is configured to provide a user detectable indication of the operational status based on the data. In one embodiment, the portable control device 502 is simply designed to prepare and initiate an exposure, as well as to receive system operational data and to provide an indication of the data. It is noted that the image detector 506 and the portable control device 502 may utilize any suitable wireless communication protocol, such as an IEEE 802.15.4 protocol, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication standard, a Bluetooth communication standard, or any IEEE 802.11 communication standard.

[0033] In another embodiment, the portable control device 502 is configured to receive a user-input command for operation of the image detector 506 prior to initiation of an X-ray exposure sequence and to wirelessly transmit the command to the portable control device 502. In response to wirelessly receiving the command from the portable control device 502, the image detector 506 executes the command. Also, the portable control device 502 includes a user-viewable screen 508. The portable control device 502 may be based upon or include a personal digital assistant, a smart phone, a multipurpose cellular telephone, or other handheld device. The portable control device 502 includes an exterior housing 510 that is suitably dimensioned to fit in the hand of the user. The portable control device 502 includes a processor 512, an interface circuitry 514 and a memory 516. The portable control device 502 is configured to communicate with different image detectors such as the image detector 506, an image detector 518 and an image detector 520 that are in within a wireless range of the portable control device 502. Thus the image detector 506, the image detector 518 and the image detector 520 are configured to communicate with the portable control device 502 over a wireless network supporting the wireless communication protocols explained above. However the user 504 may prefer to have an exclusive communication between the image detector 506 and the portable control device 502. This is because the portable control device 502 may need to collect the images from the image detector 506 chosen by the user. The portable control device 502 may be provided status information of these image detectors and thus the user may need to choose the image detector. The status information may be communicated through the wireless network. The status information may include but not limited to a communication configuration of image detector, and availability of the image detector.

[0034] A communication between the image detector 506 and the portable control device 502 commences when an association or pairing between the image detector 506 and the portable control device 502 is established. When the image detector 506 is in a wireless range of the portable control device 502 then the processor 512 sends a request (i.e. a wireless signal) to the image detector 506 to connect. To send the request for an exclusive communication the portable control device 502 is physically bought closer to the image detector 506 by the user 504 at a near field communication (NFC) range or close proximity. The portable control device 502 and the image detector 506 include a NFC interface 522 and a NFC interface 524 respectively that is activated in the NFC range to perform a handshake. In an embodiment the portable control device 502 may be physically tapped on the image detector 506 to activate their respective NFC interfaces. The NFC interface 522 and the NFC interface 524 may be configured in the form of a chip. However it may be envisaged that the NFC interfaces may have any other configuration to be conveniently disposed in the portable control device 502 and the image detector 506 for performing the operation of association and other communication operation. Further as illustrated in FIG. 6, the image detector 518 also includes a NFC interface 526 and the image detector 520 includes a NFC interface 528.

[0035] During the handshake operation the processor 512 sends a request for association to the image detector 506 using the NFC interface 522. The request is received by the NFC interface 524 and then communicated to a control circuitry 530 of the image detector 506. In an embodiment the control circuitry 530 may be initiated to generate a unique code for association (e.g., an 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit code based on a random or system-specific number). Similar to image detector 506, the image detector 518 and the image detector 520 also includes a control circuitry 532 and a control circuitry 534 respectively. Along with the unique code, identification information associated with the image detector 506 is sent to the portable control device 502 over a NFC network. The identification information includes a serial number of the image detector 506. The identification information and unique code are received by the NFC interface 522. Similarly identification (for example a serial number) of the portable control device 502 is transmitted by the processor 512 to the image detector 506. The processor 512 may receive a confirmation from the user 504 as user input for establishing the association. The portable control device 502 presents or displays a user interface to the user 504 to authenticate the image detector 506 based on the identification information by submitting the confirmation.

[0036] For example, a message including the serial number of the image detector 506 may be displayed on the user interface. The user may then confirm the serial number by clicking a confirmation button. In another embodiment the memory 516 stores identification information associated with multiple image detectors acceptable to the portable control device 502. The identification information may be stored as a database list. The processor 512 compares the received identification information with the identification information of the multiple image detectors to authenticate the image detector 506. Once authenticated the image detector 506 is associated with portable control device 502 and they are authorized to communicate with each other. The association is performed to ensure that the portable control device 502 develops an exclusive connection for communication with the image detector 506. Thus a communication link is established between the portable control device 502 and the image detector 506. The image detector 506 may be assigned as a primary detector assigned by the portable control device 502. Whereas other image detectors such as the image detector 518 and the image detector 520 are assigned as secondary image detectors. Thereafter the images of anatomy generated or captured by the image detector 506 are transferred to the portable control device 502. The image detector 506 processes these images and present to the user. Now due to the exclusive communication between the image detector 506 and the portable control device 502 from which image detector the images needs to be received. This ensures that the images received at the portable control device 502 are accurate and from the correct image detector.

[0037] The control circuitry 526 facilitates the provision of power to the processor 512, the interface circuitry 514 and the memory 516. A power supply 528 is present in the portable control device 502 that provides power to the components of the portable control device 502.

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 700 of establishing a communication between a portable control device and an image detector in accordance with an embodiment. The portable control device may be in wireless communication with multiple image detectors. The portable control device needs to identify an image detector from multiple image detectors so as to establish an exclusive communication with the portable control device and the image detector. The method 700 involves identifying the image detector from one or more image detectors when the image detector is positioned proximal to the portable control device by a user at block 702. When the image detector is in a wireless range of the portable control device then the portable control device sends a request (i.e. a wireless signal) to the image detector to connect. To send the request for an exclusive communication the portable control device is physically bought closer to the image detector by the user at a near field communication (NFC) range or close proximity. The portable control device and the image detector include respective NFC interfaces that are activated in the NFC range to perform a handshake. During the handshake operation the portable control device sends a request for association to the image detector using its NFC interface. The request is received by the NFC interface in the image detector. In an embodiment a unique code for association (e.g., an 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit code based on a random or system-specific number) is also generated. Along with the unique code, the identification information associated with the image detector is sent to the portable control device over a NFC network. The identification information includes a serial number of the image detector. The identification information and unique code are received by the NFC interface of the portable control device. Similarly identification (for example a serial number) of the portable control device is transmitted to the image detector. The portable control device may receive a confirmation from the user as a user input for establishing the association at block 704. The portable control device presents or displays a user interface to the user to authenticate the image detector based on the identification information by submitting the confirmation. Once the authentication is confirmed then the association between the portable control device and the image detector is completed. Thereafter a communication link for exclusive communication is established between the portable control device and the image detector at block 706. The communication link is established when a connection request is send from the NFC interface of the portable control device is send to the NFC interface of the image detector. The image detector then transfers images captured of an anatomy of the patient to the portable control device. The portable control device accepts these images because the images are transferred through an exclusive communication link and is associated with the image detector authenticated by the user. Thus any possibility of receiving incorrect or erroneous images from other image detectors within the wireless range of the portable control device is eliminated.

[0039] 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. A medical imaging system comprising:

an image detector for capturing images of an anatomy; and a portable control device comprising a processor configured to:

associate with the image detector over a near field communication network in response to positioning the portable control device at a close proximity to the image detector; and

establish a communication link with the image detector for exclusive communication with the image detector.

2. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein the image detector comprises a near field communication (NFC) interface capable of communicating with the portable detector control device.

3. The medical imaging system of claim 2, wherein the portable control device comprises a near field communication (NFC) interface capable of communicating with the near field communication unit of the image detector.

4. The medical imaging system of claim 3, wherein the portable control device comprises:

a memory for storing identification information associated with at least one imaging detector; and wherein the processor is further configured to:

identify the imaging detector from the at least one image detector based on user input;

authenticate the imaging detector based on identification information of the identified imaging detector and the user input; and

instruct the NFC interface of the portable detector control device to establish the communication link with the image detector.

5. The medical imaging system of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to authenticate the image detector by comparing the identification information of the identified image detector with identification information of a desired image detector comprised in the user input.

6. The medical imaging system of claim 5, wherein the NFC interface of the image detector is configured to transmit the identification information to the portable control device.

7. A portable control device comprising:

a processor configured to:

send a connection request to an image detector of at least one image detector present within a close proximity over a near field communication (NFC) network;

associate with the image detector over the NFC network; and

establish a communication link with the image detector for exclusive communication with the image detector.

8. The portable control device of claim 7, wherein the portable control device comprises a near field communication (NFC) interface configured to communicate with the image detector.

9. The portable control device of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to:

search for availability of the at least one image detector over a wireless network;

activate the NFC interface in response to positioning the portable control device proximal to the image detector by a user; and

wherein the NFC interface is configured to receive identification information from the image detector over the near field communication network.

10. The portable control device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to authenticate the imaging detector based on the received identification information and user input.

11. The portable control device of claim 10, wherein the image detector comprises a near field communication (NFC) interface capable of communicating with the near field communication unit of the portable detector control device.

12. The portable control device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to authenticate the imaging detector by comparing the identification information with the identification information of the desired image detector comprised in the user input.

13. A method of establishing a communication between a portable control device and an image detector, the method comprising:

identifying the image detector from at least one image detector when the image detector is positioned proximal to the portable control device by a user;

associating the portable control device to the image detector over a near field communication (NFC) network; and

establishing a communication link for exclusive communication between the portable control device and the image detector.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising authenticating the imaging detector based on identification information of the image detector and user input.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein authenticating comprises:

receiving the identification information of the image detector; and obtaining a confirmation from the user for authentication as the user input.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein establishing the communication link comprises:

instructing a near field communication (NFC) interface comprised in the portable detector control device to send a connection request to a near field communication unit comprised in the image detector.