Abstract:
The present invention provides a positioning system comprising at least a portable detector that enables users to continuously know the spatial location of a detector relative to an x-ray source so that it can be more easily aligned, and monitored for maintenance of alignment, with the portable detector within predetermined tolerances during procedures. In preferred embodiments, the invention further comprises a radiation interlock switch to prevent the emission of radiation in the event of the x-ray source and detector not being aligned within a predetermine tolerance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/184,554, titled “Mobile Imaging System and Method”, and filed on Jun. 25, 2015, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENT FUNDING SOURCES 
       [0002]    This invention was partially made with government support under Pediatric Device Consortia Grant Program (PDC) awarded by the United States Food and Drug Administration. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Field of the Art 
         [0004]    The disclosure as detailed herein is in the technical field of medicine. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the technical field of x-ray imaging. Even more specifically, the present disclosure relates to the technical field of medical software. 
         [0005]    Discussion of the State of the Art 
         [0006]    Modern medical facilities such as hospitals or emergency care facilities are often large and complex organizations. A medical facility may be organized into various departments or branches that specialize in a particular type of patient care or expertise. For example, a medical facility may have a radiology department that handles various medical imaging tasks such as computed tomography (CT) systems, X-ray systems (including both conventional and digital or digitized imaging systems), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, positron emission tomography (PET) systems, ultrasound systems, nuclear medicine systems, and the like. Such systems provide invaluable tools for identifying, diagnosing and treating physical conditions and greatly reduce the need for surgical diagnostic intervention. In many instances, these modalities complement one another and offer the physician a range of techniques for imaging particular types of tissue, organs, physiological systems, and so forth. However, patients requiring an X-ray, for example, must often be transported to the radiology department or even a separate and geographically distant imaging center. This can present additional delays, costs, and inconveniences to the patient and the practitioners. 
         [0007]    Digital imaging systems are becoming increasingly widespread for producing digital data that can be reconstructed into useful radiographic images. In one application of a digital imaging system, radiation from a source is directed toward a subject, typically a patient in a medical diagnostic application, and a portion of the radiation passes through the subject and impacts a detector. The surface of the detector converts the radiation to light photons, which are sensed. The detector is divided into an array of discrete picture elements or pixels, and encodes output signals based upon the quantity or intensity of the radiation impacting each pixel region. Because the radiation intensity is altered as the radiation passes through the subject, the images reconstructed based upon the output signals may provide a projection of tissues and other features similar to those available through conventional photographic film techniques. 
         [0008]    In use, the signals generated at the pixel locations of the detector are digitized. The digital values are transmitted to processing circuitry where they are filtered, scaled, and further processed to produce the image data set. The data set may then be used to reconstruct the resulting image, and display the image. 
         [0009]    Despite advances in the art, there remain significant shortcomings in existing systems used for portable diagnostic imaging. Current mobile radiography/fluoroscopic imaging systems are cumbersome and expensive. These mobile systems normally incorporate a fixed, mechanical C-arm, or other mechanical configuration which connects the radiation source and the detector to one another, in order to mechanically fix the detector relative to the X-ray source to prevent misalignment outside of normally government-regulated, pre-determined tolerances. In addition, the spatial location of the detector is not always known relative to the X-ray source, as is the case in fixed, permanent digital radiography/fluoroscopic (DR) imaging systems. Especially when the subject to be imaged is very fragile or largely immobile, the need continues to exist for mobile systems which comply with applicable regulations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is deemed to meet this need, amongst others, in a highly facile and effective way. In particular, the present invention provides a positioning system which enables users to continuously know the spatial location of the detector relative to the X-ray source. The X-ray source can more easily be aligned, and monitored for maintenance of alignment, with the portable detector within predetermined tolerances during procedures. In preferred embodiments, the invention further provides radiation interlock switch to prevent the emission of radiation if for whatever reason the X-ray source and detector are not aligned within the predetermine tolerance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention according to the embodiments. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the particular embodiments illustrated in the drawings are merely exemplary, and are not to be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention or the claims herein in any way. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top partial diagram view which shows overall use of the device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a bottom partial diagram view which shows overall use of the device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a diagram view which shows creating a calibration system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagram view which shows the method for alignment and instance image generation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a diagram view which shows one-off and revaluate method of repositioning. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a diagram view which shows real-time source method of repositioning. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a diagram view which shows real-time detector method of repositioning. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a diagram view which shows the method for determining the radiation dose. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view which shows the radiation source system for imaging a patient. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view which shows the radiation source for imaging a patient aligned with a portable detector for an instance image. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view which shows portable detector. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a birds-eye view which shows portable detector. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view which shows the radiation source for imaging a patient aligned with a portable detector for calibration. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view which shows the radiation source system, alignment display and computer. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view which shows the radiation source system and alignment display. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view which shows the alignment beam generating components below the radiation source. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a diagram view which shows relationships between devices and modules. 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a diagram view which shows relationships between the alignment beam calibration system and the other systems. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a diagram view which shows the alignment module and its sub modules. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a diagram view which shows the alignment display system and its components. 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is a diagram view which shows safety system and it sub modules. 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware architecture of a computing device used in an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary logical architecture for a client device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is a block diagram showing an exemplary architectural arrangement of clients, servers, and external services, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  is another block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware architecture of a computing device used in various embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    One or more different inventions may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the inventions described herein, numerous alternative embodiments may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the inventions contained herein or the claims presented herein in any way. One or more of the inventions may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the inventions, and it should be appreciated that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the particular inventions. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the inventions may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Particular features of one or more of the inventions described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of one or more of the inventions. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of one or more of the inventions nor a listing of features of one or more of the inventions that must be present in all embodiments. 
         [0038]    Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way. 
         [0039]    Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more communication means or intermediaries, logical or physical. 
         [0040]    A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. To the contrary, a variety of optional components may be described to illustrate a wide variety of possible embodiments of one or more of the inventions and in order to more fully illustrate one or more aspects of the inventions. Similarly, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may generally be configured to work in alternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in this patent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of described processes may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one or more of the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once per embodiment, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that they may only occur once each time a process, method, or algorithm is carried out or executed. Some steps may be omitted in some embodiments or some occurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a given embodiment or occurrence. 
         [0041]    When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article. 
         [0042]    The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. Thus, other embodiments of one or more of the inventions need not include the device itself. 
         [0043]    Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Process descriptions or blocks in figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of embodiments of the present invention in which, for example, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0044]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to the figures, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Also in the figures, the leftmost digit of each reference number corresponds to the figure in which the reference number is first used. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this done for illustrative purposes only. A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art that this invention can also be employed in a variety of other systems and applications. 
         [0045]    The invention has some elements that are commonly known and some specifically defined terms including: a patient  175  (referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 ), an operator, APR, predetermined tolerance, software, a database (for example, local storage  11  and remote storage  16 , referring to  FIG. 22 ), user input, a user device  24  (referring to  FIG. 23 ), a user interface, a networks  31 ,  54 , a server  32  (referring to  FIGS. 24 and 25 ), a computer  171  (referring to  FIGS. 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16 ) a central processing unit, memory (such as memory  25  referring to  FIG. 23 ), an operating system, a graphical user interface, a presentation layer  27  (referring to  FIG. 23 ), one or more modules, and finally a plurality of program code. However, their use and relationships to the novel components and steps of the invention render them applicable herein. In order to preface the roles that they play in the specification, they are subsequently explained here. 
         [0046]    The term user input may comprise text or information that is input by the user into one or more modules presentation layer  27 . The user device  24  (referring to  FIG. 23 ) comprises an interactive device that has one or more CPUs (for example, processor  13  referring to  FIG. 22  and processors  21  referring to  FIG. 23 ) and memory  25  with one or more modules containing executable instructions, typically a computer  171 . The term user interface comprises a display mechanism for a graphical user interface which in turn is part of the presentation layer  27  of one or more modules. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of a user interface may include: a screen, a display, a projector, a touch panel, a pointing device, a scrolling device, a button, or a switch. 
         [0047]    The term network  31  may comprise a communications network that allows computers to exchange data. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of a network  31  may include: a personal area network, a wireless personal area network, a near-me area network, a local area network, a wireless local area network, a wireless mesh network, a wireless metropolitan area network, a wireless wide area network, a cellular network, a home area network, a storage area network, a campus area network, a backbone area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, an enterprise private network, a virtual private network, an intranet, an extranet, an internetwork, an internet, near field communications, or a mobile telephone network. 
         [0048]    The term server  32  may comprise a system (for example, programming instructions operating suitable computer hardware) that responds to requests across a computer network and has one or more CPUs (for example, processor  13  referring to  FIG. 22  and processors  21  referring to  FIG. 23 ) capable of executing one or more instructions on one or modules present on memory  25 . The term computer  171  comprises a general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a finite set of arithmetic or logical operations. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of a computer  171  may include: desktop computers, carputers, game consoles, laptops, notebooks, a palmtop, a tablet, smartphones, or smartbooks. The computer  171  preferably comprises a central processing unit, a memory, an operating system, and finally a graphical user interface. 
         [0049]    The term central processing unit comprises hardware within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The term memory comprises the physical devices used to store programs (sequences of instructions) or data (e.g. program state information) on a temporary or permanent basis for use in a computer or other digital electronic device. 
         [0050]    The term operating system comprises a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The term graphical user interface comprises a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and visual indicators such as secondary notation, as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command labels or text navigation. 
         [0051]    The term presentation layer  27  comprises graphical output from one or more modules for user interaction typically one or more graphical user interface. I some embodiment, the term module as used herein may comprise a block of programming instructions hosted on memory  25  executed by the one or more CPUs which perform one or more series of functions. The term program comprises a sequence of instructions, written to perform a specified task with a computer that is executed by the one or more CPUs. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the use of the instant invention is as disclosed: First, a person, be it an operator, or other personnel, would like to use the instant invention to take medical images or video of a patient  175  (Step  101 ). The patient  175  comprises any recipient of health care services who is the subject of use of the instance invention. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of a patient  175  may include: an outpatient, an inpatient, or a day patient. An operator comprises an individual who provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services with training capable of using the instance system. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of an operator may include: an athletic trainer, an audiologist, a chiropractor, a clinical nurse specialist, a clinical officer, a community health worker, a dentist, a dietitian and nutritionist, an emergency medical technician, a feldsher, a health administrator, a medical assistant, a medical laboratory scientist, a midwife, a nurse anesthetist, a nurse, a paramedic, a pharmacist, a pharmaconomist, a pharmacy technician, a phlebotomist, a physician, a physician assistant, a podiatrist, a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a physical therapist (physiotherapist), a radiographer, a radiotherapist, a respiratory therapist, a speech-language pathologist, a surgeon, a surgeon&#39;s assistant, or a surgical technologist. 
         [0053]    Next, a person determines whether or not a functional alignment beam calibration system  139  exists for creating the medical images (Step  102 ). If alignment beam calibration system  139  has not been implemented (Step  103 ), then a person creates an alignment beam calibration system  139  by making one or more alignment beam calibration image  134  specific to one or more alignment beam generating components  130  (Step  104 ). The alignment beam calibration system  139  is a configuration of components that allows an operator to compare an alignment instance image  137  with an alignment beam calibration image  134 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in order to create the calibration, a person aligns a portable radiation source  143  from a radiation source system  149  with a portable detector system  147  (Step  201 ). The portable radiation source  143  comprises a device used to generate x-rays used by one or operator to acquire an x-ray image of the inside of an object that can also be can used for the common x-ray uses including sterilization, fluorescence, medical and diagnostic purposes. Typically, it would allow one to take images or video from many degrees of freedom for use with a portable detector. In some embodiments, it is thought that an example of a portable radiation source  143  could be a single pulse or continuous emission source, and the like. 
         [0055]    The portable radiation source  143  is typically part of a radiation source system  149 . A radiation source system  149  comprises the components and controls of an x-ray system that allows the portable radiation source  143  to be used effectively in practice. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of a radiation source system  149  may include: a computer, x-ray software, a portable cart, caster wheels, or articulating arms. 
         [0056]    The portable detector system  147 , which receives x-rays, comprises a component (not attached to a radiation source system  149 , but freely movable) that convert the X-ray photons received 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 patient. 
         [0057]    Next in order to create the calibration, a person configures a specific arrangement of alignment beam generating components  130  (Step  202 ). The alignment beam generating components  130  comprises one or more components embedded or added to the radiation system in order to generate an alignment radiation beams  141 . In some embodiments, the alignment beam generating components  130  may preferably comprise a positioning plate  158 , a collimator  167 , a positioning aperture  155 , and/or beam variation components. These components may generate an alignment radiation beam. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, a collimator  167  comprises a device that adjusts a beam size to a desired size for imaging a desired area. The collimator  167  may preferably comprise collimator shutter blades  144 . These function as part of the collimator  167  that allow narrowing of the radiation beam that can function to create an alignment beam aperture, and/or narrow the beam for other imaging purposes 
         [0059]    In some embodiments, one or more positioning plate  158  comprises one or more configurable plates between the portable radiation source  143  and the portable detector system  147 . Positioning plate  158  block most radiation except for the positioning aperture which constrains the beams to form an alignment beam. In some embodiments, a positioning aperture  155  is created. A positioning aperture  155  comprises an aperture that is the remaining efflux of radiation, after radiation passes through the alignment beam generating components  130 . 
         [0060]    In addition, the alignment beam generating components  130  has multiple alternative embodiments herein termed the “collimator hole in shutter blades” embodiment, the “incomplete closed collimator” embodiment, the “positioning aperture plate” embodiment, and the “low dose system” embodiment. 
         [0061]    The “collimator hole in shutter blades” embodiment comprises an embodiment where the collimator has holes in the shutter blades that are the source of the radiation alignment radiation beams  141 . The “incomplete closed collimator” embodiment comprises an embodiment where the collimator does not have holes in the shutter blades, but rather generates an alignment radiation beams  141  by having an incomplete closure of the collimator shutter blades  144 . 
         [0062]    The “positioning aperture plate” embodiment comprises one or more configurable plates that serves to limit most or all exit radiation from the radiation source, except for those through the alignment beam holes, thereby generating a radiation alignment radiation beams  141 . The “low dose system” comprises an embodiment where the alignment radiation beams  141  are created by a portable radiation system capable of emitting a low dose alignment radiation beam. 
         [0063]    Next, a person positions the radiation source system  149  within known acceptable spatial parameters of the portable detector system  147  for calibration (Step  203 ). Then, an operator triggers the release of alignment radiation beams  141  that are emitted from the portable radiation source (Step  204 ). The alignment radiation beams  141  comprises the radiation that is comes through one or more positioning aperture  155  that are used for aligning the portable radiation source  143  and the portable detector system  147 . 
         [0064]    Next, alignment beams strike a portable detector system  147  (Step  205 ). Then, the portable detector system  147  generates an alignment beam calibration image  134  with a detector image generating system  135  (Step  206 ). The detector image generating system  135  comprises a system preferably within the portable detector, that converts radiation beams from a portable radiation source  143  into an image (or in some embodiments, video with video frames as images) that can be analyzed by a computer. The detector image generating system  135  creates the alignment beam calibration image  134  and communicates that to the computer  171  via the communication unit  127 . In other future steps, this mechanism also creates the alignment beam instance image  137 , and a patient radiographic image. 
         [0065]    The alignment beam calibration image  134  comprises an image that is specific to the choice of alignment beam generating components  130  type, wherein the image (which may be a frame from a video in some embodiments) is used to ascertain the alignment of the source and detector so an operator may reposition if out of alignment. 
         [0066]    The communication unit  127  comprises a means for transmitting data from the detector to the computer. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of communication unit  127  may include: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, a serial cable, an HDMI cable, or network means, and like. 
         [0067]    In some embodiments, the calibration may be complete when the portable detector system  147  sends alignment beam calibration image  134  to be associated with other alignment information data  140  operably connected to a computer (Step  207 ). The alignment information data  140  comprises the data that comprises an instance of an alignment beam calibration system  139 . Such as an alignment beam calibration image  134 , an alignment beam instance image  137  or other data processed by the image processing system  151 . In some embodiments, the person creating the calibration may be a person manufacturing the system at a factory, where in the calibration data is subsequently stored in memory on the system for consumer use. 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , once the alignment beam calibration system  139  has been implemented (Step  105 ), a patient  175  is positioned on a table or other patient support and located between the portable radiation source  143  and the portable detector system  147  (Step  106 ). Then as described in Steps  301 - 308  below in more detail: an operator aligns and triggers a portable radiation source  143  with a portable detector system  147  for capturing an alignment beam instance image  137  (Step  107 ). 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a person then configures a specific arrangement of alignment beam generating components  130  (Step  302 ). Next, an operator triggers the release of alignment radiation beams  141  that are emitted from the portable radiation source  143  (Step  303 ). Then, alignment radiation beams  141  passes through alignment beam generating components  130  (Step  304 ). Then alignment radiation beams  141  passes through a patient  175  (Step  305 ). Next, the alignment beams strike a portable detector system  147  (Step  306 ) 
         [0070]    Then, a portable detector system  147  generates an alignment beam instance image  137  with a detector image generating system  135  (Step  307 ). Next a portable detector system  147  sends alignment beam calibration image  134  to be associated with other alignment information data  140  operably connected to a computer (Step  308 ). Referring now to  FIG. 2 , subsequently, a computer calculates with image processing system  151  and the instance image whether the detector is within the predetermined tolerance (Step  108 ) 
         [0071]    After comparison of the two images, if the detector is not within the predetermined tolerance (Step  109 ). Then a radiation source exposure interlock  132  is activated through a safety system  164  which prevents the emission of radiation (Step  110 ). 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17 and 21 , the safety system  164  comprises a system primarily concerned with using calibration image/instance images to implement safety functions and also preferably comprises the radiation source exposure interlock  132  and the safety module  163 . The radiation source exposure interlock  132  comprises a programmatic and/or physical means that is capable of immediately shutdown and or prevent the initiation of x-rays from the radiation source. In some embodiments, this may occur through inhibition of existing signal. Preferably, the interlock provides a tonic inhibition of one or more imaging signal. Thus, when the predetermined tolerance threshold his achieved, imaging is activated through disinhibition of the interlock, and imaging is initiated. During imaging if measurement, such as (video frames from video) indicate that alignment is off, the interlock would again be engaged, preventing imaging. The safety module  163  comprises a module that is used primarily for implementing safety protocols such as shutdown or interlock and also preferably comprises the border detection module  152 . 
         [0073]    The border detection module  152  comprises a module that determines whether the position of the pixels from the instance image indicate that alignment radiation beams are approaching the outside of the detector. For example, the image may have a one-inch border width (though this may be in a predefined range), wherein if the alignment beam strikes within this region, it would indicate misalignment and engage the interlock. 
         [0074]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , after the safety featured are executed, at this point an operator implements an alignment feedback system  142  (Step  111 ) in order to align the detector and the source. Example embodiments of methods used include: First, choosing to snap images one at a time and repositioning the detector or source (Step  112 ) as follows: Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the operator captures an instance image (Step  401 ) Next, the image is processed within the image processing system  151  (Step  402 ). Next, the operator evaluates information on the alignment display system  148  in order to make reposition the source or detector (Step  403 ). 
         [0075]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , second, choosing to use real time source positioning (Step  113 ) as follows: Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the operator captures an instance image (Step  501 ). Next, the image is processed within the image processing system  151  comprising source positioning sensory component  131  (Step  502 ). Next, the operator evaluates information on the alignment display system  148  in order to make reposition the source or detector (Step  503 ). 
         [0076]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , third, choosing to use real time detector positioning (Step  114 ), as follows: Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the operator captures an instance image (Step  601 ). Next, the image is processed within the image processing system  151  (Step  602 ). Next, the image is processed within the image processing system  151  comprising detector positioning sensory component  128  (Step  603 ). Next, the operator evaluates information on the alignment display system  148  in order to make reposition the source or detector (Step  604 ). Some embodiments of an alignment feedback system  142  may include auto-alignment. This an embodiment where if the radiation source system has motorized articulating components, it may coordinate alignment data for auto-alignment. 
         [0077]    In order to enact these methods, some embodiments include the following components. Referring now to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the image processing system  151  comprises one or more modules on a computer that accept data from the alignment beam calibration system  139  and then relay positional information, relative to the radiation source. The image processing system  151  preferably comprises an alignment module  160 , a safety system  164 , an alignment feedback system  142 , a source positioning sensory component  131 , a detector positioning sensory component  128 , an alignment information data  140 , and finally an alignment display system  148 . 
         [0078]    Referring now to  FIG. 19 , the calibration image/instance image comparison module  126  comprises a module that coordinates other modules to compare the calibration image to the instance image in order to determine whether they are aligned within a predetermined tolerance. In some embodiments, this module comprises the designation of certain alignment pixels&#39; regions within the calibration image, wherein the presence of overlap of these pixels with the alignment image generates a data property that may be used to effect determination of alignment. The calibration image/instance image comparison module  126  preferably comprises a centering module  159 , a skew detection module  153 , a depth and/or distance detection module  129 , and finally a rotation module  161 . 
         [0079]    The centering module  159  comprises a module that determines whether the position of the pixels from the instance image indicate that alignment radiation beams are off center relative to the calibration image or within a predetermined tolerance. In some embodiments, this may be one of the parameters that would cause disengagement of the interlock, as a signal that the instance image may be accurately positioned. The skew detection module  153  comprises a module that determines whether the position of the pixels from the instance image indicate that alignment radiation beams are skewed relative to the calibration image or within a predetermined tolerance. 
         [0080]    The rotation module  161  comprises a module that may determine whether the position of the pixels from the instance image indicate that alignment radiation beams are at acceptable rotation within a predetermined tolerance. The depth and/or distance detection module  129  comprises a module that may determine whether the position of the pixels from the instance image indicate that alignment radiation beams are at depth or distance within a predetermined tolerance. 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , the alignment feedback system  142  comprises one or more methods used by the operator to iteratively determine the position of the detector relative to the source in order to get a radiation image from the patient. The alignment feedback system  142  functions to both: (1) communicate with one or more of the calibration image/instance image comparison module, source positioning sensory component  131 , detector positioning sensory component  128 , alignment information data  140 , alignment display system  148  in order to align the detector with the source and to, (2) provide the data for the operator to align the detector or source. The alignment feedback system  142  has an alternative embodiment herein termed the “auto-align” embodiment. 
         [0082]    The source positioning sensory component  131  comprises one or more sensors alone or in combination used to detect position changes when the portable radiation source  143  is moved. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of a source positioning sensory component  131  may include: a multi-axis displacement sensor, an ultrasound sensor, or mems. In some embodiments, it is thought that if the source positioning sensory component  131  is absent then one may use the image processing system  151  without a source positioning sensory component  131 . 
         [0083]    The detector positioning sensory component  128  comprises one or more sensors alone or in combination used to detect position changes when the detector is moved. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of a detector positioning sensory component  128  may include: a multi-axis displacement sensor, an ultrasound sensor, or mems. In some embodiments, it is thought that if the detector positioning sensory component  128  is absent then one may use the image processing system  151  without a detector positioning sensory component  128 . 
         [0084]    The alignment information data  140  comprises the data that comprises an instance of an alignment beam calibration system  139 . Such as an alignment beam calibration image  134 , an alignment beam instance image  137  or other data processed by the image processing system  151 . One goal of the alignment information data  140  is to give a feedback on the alignment of a radiation source and a detector. 
         [0085]    Referring now to at least  FIG. 20 , the alignment display system  148  comprises hardware and software components that give operator feedback on the positioning of the system so that they may reposition and/or take an x-ray. The alignment display system  148  preferably comprises the alignment display screen  146 . 
         [0086]    The alignment display screen  146  comprises screen that displays one or more interfaces for determining positioning. In some embodiments, it is thought that examples of an alignment display screen  146  may include: an eidophor, an electroluminescent display, an electronic paper display, an E-ink display, a gyricon, an light emitting diode (LED) display, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a twisted nematic field effect, an led-back lit display, led, a blue phase mode LCD, IPS panel, a plasma display, plasma display panel, alternate lighting of surfaces display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an amoled display, an organic light-emitting transistor, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display, a field emission display, a laser video display, laser tv, a quantum dot laser, quantum dot, a liquid-crystal laser, liquid crystal, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, an interferometric modulator display (IMOD), time-multiplexed optical shutter (TMOS), digital micro shutter display (DMS), a quantum dot display, a ferro liquid crystal display, ferro liquid crystal display, a thick-film dielectric electroluminescent technology, a telescopic pixel display, or a laser-powered phosphor display. The alignment display screen  146  preferably comprises the alignment acceptable indicator  136  and the alignment interface modules  138 . 
         [0087]    The alignment interface modules  138  comprises one or more interfaces for displaying positioning information of alignment feedback system  142 . The radiation source exposure interlock  132  comprises a programmatic and/or physical means to immediately shutdown and or prevent the initiation of x-rays from the radiation source. 
         [0088]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , after repositioning, when the detector and source are aligned within the predetermined tolerance (Step  115 ) then radiographic images of one or more images or video is captured (Step  117 ). Preferably, if the video images are detected as being misaligned, during imaging, the interlock would be activated until repositioning occurred. In some embodiments, before taking the radiographic images there may be an enactment of determining the radiation dose, prior to imaging, with an APR. (Step  116 ). This may occur at various places in the procedure prior to calibration, or post calibration. 
         [0089]    The APR comprises an interactive system that allows an operator to configure the dose of radiation to be used for capturing an image/video for a patient. The term software comprises a collection of p and related data. The database comprises an organized collection of data with a software system designed to allow the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration of databases. 
         [0090]    An example method for determining the radiation dose may be as follows: Next, referring now to  FIG. 8 , operator ascertain the patients weight (Step  701 ). An operator interacts with an APR and selects a corresponding icon associated with the patient weight (Step  702 ). Next, an operator interacts with the APR and selects a corresponding icon associated with the patient anatomical region (Step  703 ). Next, an APR interacts with components on the radiation source system  149  and adjusts patient imaging radiation dose level (Step  704 ). 
       Hardware Architecture 
       [0091]    Generally, the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented on hardware or a combination of software and hardware. For example, they may be implemented in an operating system kernel, in a separate user process, in a library package bound into network applications, on a specially constructed machine, on an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or on a network interface card. 
         [0092]    Software/hardware hybrid implementations of at least some of the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented on a programmable network-resident machine (which should be understood to include intermittently connected network-aware machines) selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in memory. Such network devices may have multiple network interfaces that may be configured or designed to utilize different types of network communication protocols. A general architecture for some of these machines may be described herein in order to illustrate one or more exemplary means by which a given unit of functionality may be implemented. According to specific embodiments, at least some of the features or functionalities of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented on one or more general-purpose computers associated with one or more networks, such as for example an end-user computer system, a client computer, a network server or other server system, a mobile computing device (e.g., tablet computing device, mobile phone, smartphone, laptop, or other appropriate computing device), a consumer electronic device, a music player, or any other suitable electronic device, router, switch, or other suitable device, or any combination thereof. In at least some embodiments, at least some of the features or functionalities of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in one or more virtualized computing environments (e.g., network computing clouds, virtual machines hosted on one or more physical computing machines, or other appropriate virtual environments). 
         [0093]    Referring now to  FIG. 22 , there is shown a block diagram depicting an exemplary computing device  10  suitable for implementing at least a portion of the features or functionalities disclosed herein. Computing device  10  may be, for example, any one of the computing machines listed in the previous paragraph, or indeed any other electronic device capable of executing software- or hardware-based instructions according to one or more programs stored in memory. Computing device  10  may be adapted to communicate with a plurality of other computing devices, such as clients or servers, over communications networks such as a wide area network a metropolitan area network, a local area network, a wireless network, the Internet, or any other network, using known protocols for such communication, whether wireless or wired. 
         [0094]    In one embodiment, computing device  10  includes one or more central processing units (CPU)  12 , one or more interfaces  15 , and one or more busses  14  (such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus). When acting under the control of appropriate software or firmware, CPU  12  may be responsible for implementing specific functions associated with the functions of a specifically configured computing device or machine. For example, in at least one embodiment, a computing device  10  may be configured or designed to function as a server system utilizing CPU  12 , local memory  11  and/or remote memory  16 , and interface(s)  15 . In at least one embodiment, CPU  12  may be caused to perform one or more of the different types of functions and/or operations under the control of software modules or components, which for example, may include an operating system and any appropriate applications software, drivers, and the like. 
         [0095]    CPU  12  may include one or more processors  13  such as, for example, a processor from one of the Intel, ARM, Qualcomm, and AMD families of microprocessors. In some embodiments, processors  13  may include specially designed hardware such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and so forth, for controlling operations of computing device  10 . In a specific embodiment, a local memory  11  (such as non-volatile random access memory (RAM) and/or read-only memory (ROM), including for example one or more levels of cached memory) may also form part of CPU  12 . However, there are many different ways in which memory may be coupled to system  10 . Memory  11  may be used for a variety of purposes such as, for example, caching and/or storing data, programming instructions, and the like. It should be further appreciated that CPU  12  may be one of a variety of system-on-a-chip (SOC) type hardware that may include additional hardware such as memory or graphics processing chips, such as a Qualcomm SNAPDRAGON™ or Samsung EXYNOS™ CPU as are becoming increasingly common in the art, such as for use in mobile devices or integrated devices. 
         [0096]    As used herein, the term “processor” is not limited merely to those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a processor, a mobile processor, or a microprocessor, but broadly refers to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, an application-specific integrated circuit, and any other programmable circuit. 
         [0097]    In one embodiment, interfaces  15  are provided as network interface cards (NICs). Generally, NICs control the sending and receiving of data packets over a computer network; other types of interfaces  15  may for example support other peripherals used with computing device  10 . Among the interfaces that may be provided are Ethernet interfaces, frame relay interfaces, cable interfaces, DSL interfaces, token ring interfaces, graphics interfaces, and the like. In addition, various types of interfaces may be provided such as, for example, universal serial bus (USB), Serial, Ethernet, FIREWIRE™, THUNDERBOLT™, PCI, parallel, radio frequency (RF), BLUETOOTH™, near-field communications (e.g., using near-field magnetics), 802.11 (Wi-Fi), frame relay, TCP/IP, ISDN, fast Ethernet interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, Serial ATA (SATA) or external SATA (eSATA) interfaces, high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), digital visual interface (DVI), analog or digital audio interfaces, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) interfaces, high-speed serial interface (HSSI) interfaces, Point of Sale (POS) interfaces, fiber data distributed interfaces (FDDIs), and the like. Generally, such interfaces  15  may include physical ports appropriate for communication with appropriate media. In some cases, they may also include an independent processor (such as a dedicated audio or video processor, as is common in the art for high-fidelity A/V hardware interfaces) and, in some instances, volatile and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., RAM). 
         [0098]    Although the system shown in  FIG. 22  illustrates one specific architecture for a computing device  10  for implementing one or more of the inventions described herein, it is by no means the only device architecture on which at least a portion of the features and techniques described herein may be implemented. For example, architectures having one or any number of processors  13  may be used, and such processors  13  may be present in a single device or distributed among any number of devices. In one embodiment, a single processor  13  handles communications as well as routing computations, while in other embodiments a separate dedicated communications processor may be provided. In various embodiments, different types of features or functionalities may be implemented in a system according to the invention that includes a client device (such as a tablet device or smartphone running client software) and server systems (such as a server system described in more detail below). 
         [0099]    Regardless of network device configuration, the system of the present invention may employ one or more memories or memory modules (for example, remote memory block  16  and local memory  11 ) configured to store data, program instructions for the general-purpose network operations, or other information relating to the functionality of the embodiments described herein (or any combinations of the above). Program instructions may control execution of or comprise an operating system and/or one or more applications, for example. Memory  16  or memories  11 ,  16  may also be configured to store data structures, configuration data, encryption data, historical system operations information, or any other specific or generic non-program information described herein. 
         [0100]    Because such information and program instructions may be employed to implement one or more systems or methods described herein, at least some network device embodiments may include nontransitory machine-readable storage media, which, for example, may be configured or designed to store program instructions, state information, and the like for performing various operations described herein. Examples of such nontransitory machine-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM disks; magneto-optical media such as optical disks, and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM), flash memory (as is common in mobile devices and integrated systems), solid state drives (SSD) and “hybrid SSD” storage drives that may combine physical components of solid state and hard disk drives in a single hardware device (as are becoming increasingly common in the art with regard to personal computers), memristor memory, random access memory (RAM), and the like. It should be appreciated that such storage means may be integral and non-removable (such as RAM hardware modules that may be soldered onto a motherboard or otherwise integrated into an electronic device), or they may be removable such as swappable flash memory modules (such as “thumb drives” or other removable media designed for rapidly exchanging physical storage devices), “hot-swappable” hard disk drives or solid state drives, removable optical storage discs, or other such removable media, and that such integral and removable storage media may be utilized interchangeably. Examples of program instructions include both object code, such as may be produced by a compiler, machine code, such as may be produced by an assembler or a linker, byte code, such as may be generated by for example a Java™ compiler and may be executed using a Java virtual machine or equivalent, or files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter (for example, scripts written in Python, Perl, Ruby, Groovy, or any other scripting language). 
         [0101]    In some embodiments, systems according to the present invention may be implemented on a standalone computing system. Referring now to  FIG. 23 , there is shown a block diagram depicting a typical exemplary architecture of one or more embodiments or components thereof on a standalone computing system. Computing device  20  includes processors  21  that may run software that carry out one or more functions or applications of embodiments of the invention, such as for example a client application  24 . Processors  21  may carry out computing instructions under control of an operating system  22  such as, for example, a version of Microsoft&#39;s WiNDOWS™ operating system, Apple&#39;s Mac OS/X or iOS operating systems, some variety of the Linux operating system, Google&#39;s ANDROID™ operating system, or the like. In many cases, one or more shared services  23  may be operable in system  20 , and may be useful for providing common services to client applications  24 . Services  23  may for example be WINDOWS™ services, user-space common services in a Linux environment, or any other type of common service architecture used with operating system  21 . Input devices  28  may be of any type suitable for receiving user input, including for example a keyboard, touchscreen, microphone (for example, for voice input), mouse, touchpad, trackball, or any combination thereof. Output devices  27  may be of any type suitable for providing output to one or more users, whether remote or local to system  20 , and may include for example one or more screens for visual output, speakers, printers, or any combination thereof. Memory  25  may be random-access memory having any structure and architecture known in the art, for use by processors  21 , for example to run software. Storage devices  26  may be any magnetic, optical, mechanical, memristor, or electrical storage device for storage of data in digital form (such as those described above, referring to  FIG. 25 ). Examples of storage devices  26  include flash memory, magnetic hard drive, CD-ROM, and/or the like. 
         [0102]    In some embodiments, systems of the present invention may be implemented on a distributed computing network, such as one having any number of clients and/or servers. Referring now to  FIG. 24 , there is shown a block diagram depicting an exemplary architecture  30  for implementing at least a portion of a system according to an embodiment of the invention on a distributed computing network. According to the embodiment, any number of clients  33  may be provided. Each client  33  may run software for implementing client-side portions of the present invention; clients may comprise a system  20  such as that illustrated in at least  FIG. 11 . In addition, any number of servers  32  may be provided for handling requests received from one or more clients  33 . Clients  33  and servers  32  may communicate with one another via one or more electronic networks  31 , which may be in various embodiments any of the Internet, a wide area network, a mobile telephony network (such as CDMA or GSM cellular networks), a wireless network (such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, and so forth), or a local area network (or indeed any network topology known in the art; the invention does not prefer any one network topology over any other). Networks  31  may be implemented using any known network protocols, including for example wired and/or wireless protocols. 
         [0103]    In addition, in some embodiments, servers  32  may call external services  37  when needed to obtain additional information, or to refer to additional data concerning a particular call. Communications with external services  37  may take place, for example, via one or more networks  31 . In various embodiments, external services  37  may comprise web-enabled services or functionality related to or installed on the hardware device itself. For example, in an embodiment where client applications  24  are implemented on a smartphone or other electronic device, client applications  24  may obtain information stored in a server system  32  in the cloud or on an external service  37  deployed on one or more of a particular enterprise&#39;s or user&#39;s premises. 
         [0104]    In some embodiments of the invention, clients  33  or servers  32  (or both) may make use of one or more specialized services or appliances that may be deployed locally or remotely across one or more networks  31 . For example, one or more databases  34  may be used or referred to by one or more embodiments of the invention. It should be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that databases  34  may be arranged in a wide variety of architectures and using a wide variety of data access and manipulation means. For example, in various embodiments one or more databases  34  may comprise a relational database system using a structured query language (SQL), while others may comprise an alternative data storage technology such as those referred to in the art as “NoSQL” (for example, Hadoop Cassandra, Google BigTable, and so forth). In some embodiments, variant database architectures such as column-oriented databases, in-memory databases, clustered databases, distributed databases, or even flat file data repositories may be used according to the invention. It will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that any combination of known or future database technologies may be used as appropriate, unless a specific database technology or a specific arrangement of components is specified for a particular embodiment herein. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the term “database” as used herein may refer to a physical database machine, a cluster of machines acting as a single database system, or a logical database within an overall database management system. Unless a specific meaning is specified for a given use of the term “database”, it should be construed to mean any of these senses of the word, all of which are understood as a plain meaning of the term “database” by those having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0105]    Similarly, most embodiments of the invention may make use of one or more security systems  36  and configuration systems  35 . Security and configuration management are common information technology (IT) and web functions, and some amount of each are generally associated with any IT or web systems. It should be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that any configuration or security subsystems known in the art now or in the future may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention without limitation, unless a specific security  36  or configuration system  35  or approach is specifically required by the description of any specific embodiment. 
         [0106]      FIG. 25  shows an exemplary overview of a computer system  40  as may be used in any of the various locations throughout the system. It is exemplary of any computer that may execute code to process data. Various modifications and changes may be made to computer system  40  without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method disclosed herein. CPU  41  is connected to bus  42 , to which bus is also connected memory  43 , nonvolatile memory  44 , display  47 , I/O unit  48 , and network interface card (NIC)  53 . I/O unit  48  may, typically, be connected to keyboard  49 , pointing device  50 , hard disk  52 , and real-time clock  51 . NIC  53  connects to network  54 , which may be the Internet or a local network, which local network may or may not have connections to the Internet. Also shown as part of system  40  is power supply unit  45  connected, in this example, to ac supply  46 . Not shown are batteries that could be present, and many other devices and modifications that are well known but are not applicable to the specific novel functions of the current system and method disclosed herein. It should be appreciated that some or all components illustrated may be combined, such as in various integrated applications (for example, Qualcomm or Samsung SOC-based devices), or whenever it may be appropriate to combine multiple capabilities or functions into a single hardware device (for instance, in mobile devices such as smartphones, video game consoles, in-vehicle computer systems such as navigation or multimedia systems in automobiles, or other integrated hardware devices). 
         [0107]    In various embodiments, functionality for implementing systems or methods of the present invention may be distributed among any number of client and/or server components. For example, various software modules may be implemented for performing various functions in connection with the present invention, and such modules may be variously implemented to run on server and/or client components. 
         [0108]    The skilled person will be aware of a range of possible modifications of the various embodiments described above. Accordingly, the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.