Patent Application
20110019800
This application claims priority to DE Patent Application No. 2009 034 648.1.0 filed Jul. 24, 2009. The contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to an X-ray detector for recording X-ray images and an X-ray recording system with an X-ray detector.
In digital X-ray imaging, X-ray detectors, designed as solid-state detectors, for recording X-ray images of an examination object are known in which X-ray radiation is converted into electrical charge by a scintillator or a direct-conversion layer, and subsequently read out electronically by means of active readout matrices. Subsequently, the image data representing the examination results is transmitted to an evaluation and display device, and processed further in order to generate an image (See the article “Flachbilddetektoren in der Röntgendiagnostik” [Flat-panel detectors in X-ray diagnostics] by M. Spahn, V. Heer, R. Freytag, published in the Journal Radiologe [Radiologist] 43, 2003, pages 340 to 350).
By way of example, DE 101 18 745 C2 has disclosed mobile, wireless solid-state detectors that have an energy supply in the form of a battery or a simple rechargeable accumulator. The solid-state detector must regularly be inserted into a charging station and left there for a few hours in order to charge the accumulator, the charging being brought about via a plug-in connection or an inductive connection.
According to various embodiments, the usability of such X-ray detectors, more particularly of such mobile, wireless solid-state detectors can be simplified or improved.
According to an embodiment, an X-ray detector for recording digital X-ray images, may have a mobile design, with an energy supply unit that has at least one chargeable high-power capacitor.
According to a further embodiment, the X-ray detector can have a wireless data transmission unit. According to a further embodiment, the energy supply unit may have at least one energy transmission unit for the connection to an external energy transmission system. According to a further embodiment, the X-ray detector may have a wireless design. According to a further embodiment, the X-ray detector may have a photovoltaic energy generation device, more particularly at least one solar cell.
According to another embodiment, an X-ray recording system may have an X-ray detector as described above, an X-ray source for emitting X-ray radiation and an energy transmission system for transmitting energy to the energy supply unit of the X-ray detector by means of the energy transmission unit.
According to a further embodiment of the X-Ray recording system, the energy transmission system can be formed by a charging station. According to a further embodiment of the X-Ray recording system, the energy transmission system can be arranged in a Bucky drawer or a wall stand.
Herein below, various embodiments are illustrated schematically in more detail in the drawings, without this limiting the invention to these exemplary embodiments. In the drawing,
The X-ray detector according to various embodiments for recording digital X-ray images may have a mobile design and an energy supply unit that has at least one chargeable high-power capacitor. Compared to conventional accumulators, high-power capacitors are advantageous in that their charging times are very short (seconds to a few minutes), their service lives are virtually limitless, there is no risk of an explosion and they do not generate heat. Disadvantages usually accrue due to heat generation—on the one hand, there is a negative influence on the image quality as a result of a global or local temperature increase in the scintillator or in the direct converter and the photon-optical layer and, on the other hand, there is a risk to persons from heat in the case of X-ray detectors with direct human contact. These disadvantages are dispensed with as a result of the X-ray detector according to various embodiments. The quick charging time of the high-power capacitor ensures availability of the X-ray detector after emptying of the energy supply unit within a very short timeframe, e.g. a few seconds to a few minutes, compared to a few hours in the case of conventional equipment with simple accumulators. This continuous availability further amplifies the actual advantage of a mobile, wireless X-ray detector, namely its functionality without bothersome cables. Additionally, such high-power capacitors can be produced in a cost-effective fashion, and barely increase the costs of an X-ray detector due to their very long service life.
According to an embodiment, the X-ray detector has a wireless data transmission unit. This data transmission unit can transmit recorded data of X-ray images to an image processing or control system of an image recording system contactlessly or without bothersome cables, for example by radio communication (e.g. Wi-Fi, WLAN) or via Bluetooth. Here, the data transmission is bidirectional and can relate to both image data (e.g. current image data) from the X-ray detector to the X-ray recording system and calibration data (also images) from the X-ray recording system to the X-ray detector, and also relate to control signals.
According to a further embodiment, the energy supply unit has at least one energy transmission unit for the connection to an external energy transmission system. Such an energy transmission unit can for example have contacts by means of which energy transmission can be brought about in order to recharge the energy supply unit and the high-power capacitor, e.g. from a charging station. Inductive charging is also possible. If necessary, the X-ray detector can be inserted into such a charging station and be recharged.
Advantageously, the X-ray detector has a photovoltaic energy generation device, more particularly at least one solar cell. This additionally enables it to be charged, even independently of an external energy transmission system. However, such a charge generally takes a plurality of hours because solar cells produce lower amounts of energy.
An X-ray recording system according to various embodiments has a mobile X-ray detector with an energy supply unit with a chargeable high-power capacitor, an X-ray source and an energy transmission system for transmitting energy to the energy supply unit of the X-ray detector by means of the energy transmission unit. According to an embodiment, the energy transmission system is formed by a charging station. The X-ray detector can be inserted into such a charging station when it has been discharged, and it can be charged. The charging station can also be provided as a storage unit for the X-ray detector when the latter is not in use. Alternatively or additionally, the energy transmission system can also be arranged in a Bucky drawer or a wall stand.
A significant disadvantage of current mobile X-ray detector technology, more particularly of solid-state or flat-panel detectors, with accumulators is that the recharging process after a partial or complete discharge can take a very long time, namely a few hours. If it is in such a state, the energy supply and hence the continued operation can only be ensured by an electrical connection, for example by a plugged-in cable. However, this no longer allows the wireless connection and completely free movement. Replaceable batteries are used as an alternative. However, this is very impractical in the daily clinical routine and moreover it is cost-intensive.
The X-ray recording system 20 can also have a patient couch 22, for a patient 23, with a Bucky drawer 26. The Bucky drawer can in turn be designed as a charging station and supply the X-ray detector with energy by means of contacts for as long as the X-ray detector is inserted into the Bucky drawer. This can also occur with the X-ray detector being used at the same time. Additionally, or alternatively, provision can also be made for a wall stand, into which the X-ray detector can be inserted for X-ray recordings and which likewise has an energy transmission system for transmitting energy to the X-ray detector.
In summary: In order to reduce the downtimes for charging, provision is made for an X-ray detector 10 for recording digital X-ray images, which X-ray detector has a mobile design, with a structurally integrated energy supply unit 14 that has at least one chargeable high-power capacitor 15.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2009 034 648.1 | Jul 2009 | DE | national |
