Patent ID: 6663281
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: G09G,H04N

Abstract:
In an x-ray imaging system comprising a source of x-rays and a digital detector comprising pixel elements arranged in rows and columns for creating data suitable for generating an x-ray image of a portion of a patient, apparatus for monitoring the detector comprising:a control arranged to calibrate the detector during a calibration phase of operation, power the detector during use phases of operation occurring at different times, energize the source of x-rays in an exposure mode of operation during the use phases of operation so that x-rays are transmitted to the detector, and inhibit the source of x-rays in a dark mode of operation during the use phases of operation; and a processor arranged to read the data created by said pixel elements, analyze the read data, identify pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the calibration phase of operation and during a predetermined portion of a plurality of the use phases of operation, and read the data during the dark mode of operation and to analyze the read data by determining whether the data values are within a range of predetermined levels.