Self-alignment of radiographic imaging system

Abstract

An imaging system 10 is provided comprising an x-ray source 12 , a detector 14 , and an alignment device 38 adapted to align the detector 14 with the x-ray source 12 using an x-ray beam transmitted from the x-ray source 12 . A method of positioning and aligning an imaging system is also provided.

1 . An imaging system comprising an x-ray source, a detector, and an alignment device adapted to align the detector with the x-ray source using an x-ray beam transmitted from the x-ray source, wherein the x-ray source and the detector are not mechanically connected during at least a portion of an alignment method.  
   
   
       2 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said x-ray source and/or detector are movable relative to each other.  
   
   
       3 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said alignment device comprises a reticle having an opening therein, said reticle is adapted to be positioned between the x-ray source and the detector to allow a portion of an x-ray beam passing therethrough.  
   
   
       4 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said imaging system is a fluoroscopic imaging system.  
   
   
       5 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a positioning device coupled to said x-ray source, said positioning device is adapted to center said detector in an x-ray field.  
   
   
       6 . The imaging system of  claim 5  wherein said positioning device comprises a reticle having an opening adapted to allowing a portion of an x-ray beam passing through.  
   
   
       7 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the detector and the x-ray source are electronically connected to each other.  
   
   
       8 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the detector and the x-ray source are separately moveable.  
   
   
       9 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the detector and the x-ray source are synchronically moveable.  
   
   
       10 . An imaging system comprising an x-ray source and a detector movable relative to each other, and an alignment device adapted to align the detector with the x-ray source using an x-ray beam transmitted from the x-ray source, wherein said imaging system is portable.  
   
   
       11 . The portable imaging system of  claim 10  wherein the alignment device comprises a reticle having an opening therein, said reticle is adapted to be positioned between the x-ray source and the detector to allow a portion of an x-ray beam passing therethrough.  
   
   
       12 . A method of aligning an imaging system including an x-ray source and a detector moveable relative to each other, the x-ray source and the detector being not mechanically connected during at least a portion of said method, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an alignment device between the x-ray source and the detector;    transmitting an x-ray beam from the x-ray source to the alignment device which passes a portion of the x-ray beam;    detecting the portion of the x-ray beam by the detector to generate an image; and    determining the image formed on a display.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said alignment device comprises a reticle having an opening, and said determining step comprises measuring a distance between an edge of the image and an edge of the display.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of adjusting the detector and/or the x-ray source based on the determining step.  
   
   
       15 . An imaging system comprising an x-ray source, a detector, and an alignment device to align the detector with the x-ray source using an x-ray beam transmitted from the x-ray source, wherein the x-ray source and/or the detector are adapted to be independently freely moveable relative to an object to be examined to position the detector relative to the x-ray source during at least a portion of a positioning and/or an alignment process.  
   
   
       16 . The imaging system of  claim 15  wherein the detector and x-ray source are adapted to be moveable together after the detector and x-ray source are aligned.  
   
   
       17 . A method of aligning an imaging system including an x-ray source and a detector moveable relative to each other, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a detector relative to an x-ray field by independently freely moving said detector and/or x-ray source relative to an object to be examined; and    aligning the detector with the x-ray source using an alignment device.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said alignment device is adapted to allow a portion of an x-ray beam passing through to generate an image on a display.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein in the positioning step a positioning device is used to allow a portion of an x-ray beam passing through to generate an image on a display.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of moving the detector and the x-ray source together after the detector and the x-ray source are aligned.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said imaging system is a fluoroscopic imaging system.