An X-ray imaging system is provided. The X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray radiation source. The X-ray imaging system also includes a source controller coupled to the source and configured to command emission of X-rays for image exposures. The X-ray imaging system further includes a digital X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from the source controller, wherein the digital X-ray detector includes a photovoltaic device, and the digital X-ray detector is configured to determine one or more of a beginning, end, or duration of an image exposure via the photovoltaic device.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An X-ray imaging system comprising: an X-ray radiation source; a source controller coupled to the source and configured to command emission of X-rays for image exposures; and a digital X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from the source controller, wherein the digital X-ray detector comprises a photovoltaic device, a detector array having a plurality of pixels, a motherboard, and a panel support, the photovoltaic device being disposed between the detector array and the panel support, and the panel support being disposed between the photovoltaic device and the motherboard, and wherein the digital X-ray detector is configured to determine one or more of a beginning, end, or duration of an image exposure via the photovoltaic device.
2. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic device comprises at least one solar cell.
3. The X-ray imaging system of claim 2 , wherein the at least one solar cell comprises a monocrystalline solar cell, polycrystalline solar cell, flexible solar cell, cadmium telluride solar cell, copper indium gallium selenide solar cell, or gallium arsenide solar cell, or a combination thereof.
4. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic device extends substantially across an entire surface of the detector array facing the photovoltaic device.
5. The X-ray imaging system of claim 4 , wherein the photovoltaic device comprises a single solar panel that extends substantially across the entire surface of the detector array facing the solar panel.
6. The X-ray imaging system of claim 4 , wherein the photovoltaic device comprises a plurality of solar panels that extends substantially across the entire surface of the detector array facing the plurality of solar panels, the plurality of solar panels having gaps between adjacent solar panels, and an area of the gaps is less than approximately 1 percent of a surface area of the plurality of solar panels extending substantially across the entire surface of the detector array facing the plurality of solar panels.
7. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic device is configured to receive optical photons or X-rays and generate a voltage via the photovoltaic effect in response to the received optical photons or X-rays.
8. The X-ray imaging system of claim 7 , wherein the detector comprises a voltage measuring device coupled to the photovoltaic device, and the voltage measuring device is configured to measure the voltage generated by the photovoltaic device via the photovoltaic effect in response to the received optical photons or X-rays.
9. The X-ray imaging system of claim 8 , wherein the detector is configured both to detect the beginning of the image exposure and to begin sampling image data upon the voltage exceeding a baseline threshold.
10. The X-ray imaging system of claim 9 , wherein the detector is configured both to detect the end of the image exposure and to end sampling image data upon the voltage returning to the baseline threshold.
11. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured to determine the beginning, end, and duration of the image exposure via the photovoltaic device.
12. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic device is disposed directly underneath the detector array when the digital X-ray detector is oriented so that the detector array is configured to encounter the X-rays before the photovoltaic device.
13. The X-ray imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the digital X-ray detector comprises a backscattered X-ray blocking layer configured to absorb X-rays that pass through the detector array, and wherein photovoltaic device comprises a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and the first surface of the photovoltaic device contacts a third surface of the detector array and the second surface of the photovoltaic device contacts a fourth surface of the backscattered X-ray blocking layer.
14. A digital X-ray detector comprising: a detector array having a plurality of pixels; a motherboard; a panel support disposed between the detector array and the motherboard; circuitry configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from an X-ray source controller; and a photovoltaic device disposed between the detector array and the panel support, wherein the circuitry is configured to determine one or more of a beginning, end, or duration of an image exposure via the photovoltaic device.
15. The digital X-ray detector of claim 14 , wherein the photovoltaic device is configured to receive optical photons or X-rays and generate a voltage or current in response to the received optical photons or X-rays.
16. The digital X-ray detector of claim 15 , wherein the detector comprises a voltage/current measuring device coupled to the photovoltaic device, and the voltage measuring device is configured to measure the voltage or current generated by the photovoltaic device in response to the received optical photons or X-rays.
17. The digital X-ray detector of claim 16 , wherein the circuitry is configured both to detect the beginning of the image exposure and to begin sampling image data upon the voltage or current exceeding a baseline threshold.
18. The digital X-ray detector of claim 17 , wherein the circuitry is configured both to detect the end of the image exposure and to end sampling image data upon the voltage or current returning to the baseline threshold.
19. The digital X-ray detector of claim 14 , wherein the circuitry is configured to determine the beginning, end, and duration of the image exposure via the photovoltaic device.
20. The digital X-ray detector of claim 14 , wherein the photovoltaic device extends substantially across an entire surface of the detector array facing the photovoltaic device.
21. An X-ray imaging method comprising: monitoring a voltage or current level of a photovoltaic device disposed between a detector array having a plurality of pixels and a panel support of a digital X-ray detector, wherein the panel support is disposed between the detector array and a motherboard of the digital X-ray detector; commanding an X-ray radiation source to perform an X-ray exposure via a source controller coupled to the source, the source controller not being in communication with the X-ray detector; and determining one or more of a beginning, end, or duration of the X-ray exposure based on the voltage or current level of the photovoltaic device.
22. The method of claim 21 , comprising, if the voltage or current level exceeds a baseline threshold, detecting the beginning of the X-ray exposure and starting sampling of image data.
23. The method of claim 22 , comprising, if the voltage or current level returns to the baseline threshold, detecting the end of the X-ray exposure and ending sampling of image data.
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August 28, 2012
February 23, 2016
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