Abstract:
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which a holder of a portable electromagnetic energy detector has a base and a pocket. The pocket is fixedly attached to the base and in some embodiments is not greater in height than a border area of the portable electromagnetic energy detector.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to packaging of electromagnetic energy detectors, and more particularly to stands for electromagnetic detectors.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In medical X-Ray clinics, X-Ray personnel have significant demands on their time and productivity. Portable X-Ray detectors assist the X-Ray personnel in responding to the increasing challenges presented by cost-constraints and new medical imaging techniques by allowing the detector to be more quickly and easily placed into a wide variety of positions and angles. Portable X-Ray detectors are manufactured in both digital and film-based embodiments.  
         [0003]     In some medical imaging techniques, such as in cross-table X-Ray imaging of a patient, the portable X-Ray detector is placed in a vertical position on a side of the patient. The portable X-Ray detector, having a generally planar shape, is balanced on a narrower edge of the planer shape, similar to balancing a book on its binding.  
         [0004]     Maintaining a stationary position of the portable X-Ray detector during imaging is very important in order to obtain a crisp and distinct image of the patient. A stable position is also important in order to prevent a fall of the expensive portable X-ray detector to the floor of the imaging examination room. One conventional method of stabilizing the position of the portable X-Ray detector includes taping the portable X-Ray detector to the table upon which the patient and the portable X-Ray detector both lie. However, applying the tape while holding the portable X-Ray detector is fairly time-consuming. The time to apply the tape is often unacceptable in clinical applications where time is crucial in the quality of healthcare, such as in emergency rooms and operating rooms. Moreover, due to U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and for general reasons of medical hygiene, the tape must be replaced for each patient who is imaged, thereby multiplying the application time by each imaged patient.  
         [0005]     Another conventional method of stabilizing the position of the portable X-Ray detector includes placing the portable X-Ray detector in a stand and thereafter the stand is placed on the imaging table. The conventional stand includes a base and a large vertical support area, the base and the large vertical support area being juxtaposed at an angle of about 90 degrees. The cumbersome “L” shape of the stand renders the stand awkward to store, particularly in a medical supply cart, and ungainly to maneuver quickly in an emergency situation. The large vertical support area includes a bracket that holds the portable X-Ray detector in a vertical position along and adjacent to the large vertical support area. The bracket is mounted directly to the vertical support area.  
         [0006]     The base of the conventional stand can be placed under the patient or another heavy object, the weight of the patient or the object thereby providing a force to oppose movement-of the large vertical support area, and thereby providing a force to oppose movement of the portable X-Ray detector that is held in place by the large vertical support area. However, the base of the stand and the large vertical support area take up a fairly large area and space. The base is approximately 13″ (330 mm) wide and 9″ (230 mm) deep and the large vertical support area is approximately 13″ (330 mm) wide and 9″ (230 mm) tall. The bracket that is attached to one side of the vertical support area, provides a 1″ (25 mm) gap to hold a film imaging cassette. The total size of the bracket is about 1″×1″ (25 mm×25 mm). The large shape of the stand renders the stand awkward to store, particularly in a medical supply cart, and ungainly to maneuver quickly in an emergency situation.  
         [0007]     For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a means to stabilize the position of the portable X-Ray detector during cross-table X-Ray imaging of a patient that is not cumbersome and ungainly to store and/or setup in time-pressured situations, and yet is easily cleaned for reuse with another patient.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.  
         [0009]     In one aspect, an apparatus includes a pocket fixed to a base. The base is placed under the patient so that the patient“s weight provides a counter balance to a weight of a portable X-ray detector placed in the pocket to better resist tipping when side loads are applied to the portable X-ray detector. The apparatus is compact and thus easy to move, store and clean.  
         [0010]     In another aspect, an apparatus to stabilize a position of a second apparatus consists of a base and a pocket having a height that is less than or equal to a border area of the portable X-Ray detector.  
         [0011]     In yet another aspect, a method to form a portable X-Ray detector stand includes bending a flat sheet metal to form a portion of a pocket and bending the flat sheet metal to further form the pocket.  
         [0012]     Apparatus, systems, and methods of varying scope are described herein. In addition to the aspects and advantages described in this summary, further aspects and advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram that provides a cross section overview of a system to stabilize a position of an item;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isometric diagram of apparatus according to an embodiment having a segmented pocket on a top side of the base;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged diagram of the pocket of the apparatus in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross section side view diagram of a pocket according to an embodiment;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top view diagram of a pocket according to an embodiment;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top view diagram of an apparatus stand; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a stand for a portable X-Ray detector according to an embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.  
         [0021]     The detailed description is divided into four sections. In the first section, a system level overview is described. In the second section, apparatus of embodiments are described. In the third section, methods of embodiments are described. Finally, in the fourth section, a conclusion of the detailed description is provided.  
       System Level Overview  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram that provides a cross section overview of a system to stabilize a position of an item. System  100  solves the need in the art for a means to stabilize the position of the portable X-Ray detector during cross-table X-Ray imaging of a patient that is not cumbersome and ungainly to store and/or setup in time-pressured situations, and yet is easily cleaned for reuse with another patient.  
         [0023]     System  100  includes a base  102  attached to a pocket  104 . The pocket  104  is operable to receive the item (not shown). The pocket  104  includes members that restrict motion of the item in all but two of six  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  116  rectangular directions. One direction  106  in which motion is not restricted is a direction from which the item is received into the pocket. The direction  106  from which the item is received is often referred to as an entry direction. The pocket  104  is also known as a pocket channel or a channel.  
         [0024]     When system  100  is oriented with the entry direction  104  opposite from the direction of gravity in which direction  112  also represents gravity, the force of gravity will hold an item in the pocket  106 . The force of gravity holding the item stabilizes the position of the item.  
         [0025]     When the system  100  is used in medical X-ray applications, a portable X-ray detector is placed in the pocket  104 , and the base  102  is placed on an X-ray imaging table and under the patient. The weight of the patient holds the system in place, thus stabilizing the portable X-ray detector during cross-table imaging using the portable X-Ray detector. Therefore, system  100  stabilizes the position of the portable X-Ray detector during cross-table X-Ray imaging of a patient.  
         [0026]     In addition, system  100  is compact with no extensive protrusions. As a result, system  100  satisfies the need in the art for a system that is not cumbersome and ungainly to store and/or setup in time-pressured situations. In addition, system  100  has flat surfaces that are easily cleaned for reuse with another patient.  
         [0027]     System  100  can be manufactured with any conventional material, such as metals including steel and/or aluminum and plastics such as ABS, polystyrene, polypropylene, lexan and/or polycarbonate. While the system  100  is not limited to any particular base  102 , pocket  104 , and directions  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  116 , for sake of clarity a simplified base  102 , pocket  104 , and directions  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114  and  116  are described.  
       Apparatus Embodiments  
       [0028]     In the previous section, a system level overview of the operation of an embodiment was described. In this section, particular apparatus of embodiments are described by reference to a series of diagrams.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is an isometric diagram of apparatus  200  according to an embodiment having a segmented pocket on a top side of the base. Apparatus  200  solves the need in the art to stabilize the position of a portable X-Ray detector by an apparatus that is compact for easy storage and placement, and easy to clean.  
         [0030]     Apparatus  200  includes a base  102  attached to a pocket  104 . In apparatus  200 , the base is made of aluminum of 1 mm thickness weighing approximately 0.5 lbs. In apparatus  200 , the pocket  104  has a different shape and construction than the pocket in  102  of system  100  in  FIG. 1 . In one difference, the pocket  104  in  FIG. 2  is on the top side  202  of the base  102 , while in  FIG. 1 , the pocket  104  fixed directly to another side of the base  102 . In another difference between the pocket  104  of system  100  and apparatus  200 , the lower surface of the pocket  104  in apparatus  200  is a portion  204  of the top side  202  of the base, while in system  100 , the pocket  104  has a lower surface that is a portion of the pocket that is not a shared surface with the base  102 .  
         [0031]     Furthermore, the pocket  104  is a segmented enclosure. The walls of the pocket  104  are not completely enclosed. In this embodiment, a portion of the pocket  104  partially circumscribes a portable X-Ray detector (not shown) that is placed in the pocket  104 . In particular, one side of the pocket  104  is completely open in order to allow a portion of portable X-Ray detector that is placed in the pocket  104  to extend out through that side. A substantial and sufficient portion of the portable X-Ray detector can be firmly held, yet apparatus  200  does not need to be as wide as the portable X-Ray detector is long.  
         [0032]     In other embodiments not specifically shown, the pocket  104  is completely enclosed with no gaps in between segments of the pocket  104 , in which the pocket  104  completely circumscribes.  
         [0033]     In one aspect of apparatus  200 , the center of gravity is such that apparatus  200  is resistant to tipping over when no portable X-Ray detector is placed in the pocket  104  and, most notably, when a portable X-Ray detector is placed in the pocket  104 .  
         [0034]     Apparatus  200  is compact with no extensive protrusions. As a result, apparatus  200  satisfies the need in the art for an apparatus that is not cumbersome and ungainly to store and/or setup in time-pressured situations. In addition, apparatus  200  has flat surfaces that are easily cleaned for reuse before use with another patient.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged diagram  300  of the pocket  104  of the apparatus in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  describes in further detail how some aspects of apparatus  200  in  FIG. 2  provide an apparatus that is easily moved and positioned, and yet is easily cleaned for reuse with another patient.  
         [0036]     In apparatus  300 , the pocket  104  includes three walls  302 ,  304  and  306 . In some embodiments, the walls  302  and  304  are referred to as tabs, each tab having a height of approximately 20 mm. The 20 mm height of the tabs is equal to or less than the border area of the portable X-Ray detector when the portable X-Ray detector is placed in the pocket  104 . The border area is the distance from the edge of the portable X-Ray detector to the first active pixel of the receptor area of the portable X-Ray detector. The 20 mm height is outside the active area of the portable X-Ray detector; the 20 mm height of the tabs do not extend into the active area of the portable X-Ray detector. The 20 mm height is less than or equal to the distance from the edge of the portable X-Ray detector that would be placed in the pocket  104  to the first active pixel of the receptor area of the portable X-Ray detector. The formation of the walls is described below in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0037]     The walls are separated by gaps  308 ,  310  and  312 . The gaps  308 ,  310  and  312  provide a lighter weight to the pocket  104 , which is less cumbersome and less ungainly to move, yet reduces the amount of surface area that is to cleaned, which in turn provides easier cleaning.  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a cross section side view diagram  400  of a pocket  104  according to an embodiment. Pocket  104  has an interior depth  402  of approximately 60 mm, an interior width  404  of approximately 35 mm and a wall thickness  406  of approximately 0.8 mm.  
         [0039]     In some embodiments, the pocket  104  is of sufficient width and height to securely hold the detector on its narrow edge with a scatter grid attached to the portable X-Ray detector. In some embodiments, the pocket  104  is of sufficient width and height to securely hold the detector on its narrow edge without a scatter grid attached to the portable X-Ray detector. In general, the pocket  104  has an interior width  404  that is more than an exterior width of the portable X-Ray detector or other apparatus (not shown) that fits in the pocket  104 . Furthermore, the interior width  404  is less than a sum of the exterior width of the second apparatus (not shown) and a certain percentage of the interior depth  402  of the pocket  104 , that renders a tilting motion of the second apparatus while placed in the pocket  104  at no more than the certain percentage. For example, if the interior width  404  is 60 mm, the exterior width of the second apparatus is 58 mm, when the second apparatus is fully placed in the pocket  104 , the second apparatus will tilt no more than (58-60)/60, which is 3.70 degrees.  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a top view diagram  500  of a pocket  104  according to an embodiment. A first wall  502  has a length  504  of approximately 110 mm. A second wall  506  a length  508  of approximately 50 mm and is positioned  510  approximately 210 mm from the furthest point away from the first wall  506 . Thus, the gap  312  between the first wall  502  and the second wall  506  is approximately 100 mm.  
         [0041]     The gap  310  between the second wall  506  and a third wall  512  is approximately 100 mm. The length  514  of the third wall  512  is approximately 50 mm. The dimensions of pocket  104  in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  are particularly well suited for a conventionally sized portable digital X-Ray detector.  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  is a top view diagram of an apparatus stand  600 . Apparatus stand  600  solves the need in the art to stabilize the position of a portable X-Ray detector during cross-table X-Ray imaging of a patient.  
         [0043]     Apparatus stand  600  is a sheet of formable material, such as aluminum, from which a stand such as apparatus  200  and apparatus  500  can be formed. Dotted lines in  FIG. 6  show lines at which the material is bent.  
         [0044]     A main portion  602  of apparatus stand  600  has a length  604  of approximately 470 mm and a width  606  of approximately 460 mm. An extended portion  608  of apparatus stand  600  has length  610  of approximately 145 mm and width  612  of approximately 60 mm. Extended portion  608  has a first bending line  614  a distance  616  that is approximately 110 mm from the end of the portion  608  and second bending line  618  a distance  620  that is approximately 35 mm from the first bending line  614 . The main portion  602  also includes a third bending line  622  that is a distance  612  approximately 60 mm from an edge of the portion  602 .  
         [0045]     Apparatus stand  600  also includes cutting lines  624  and  626  which are made to form cutouts  628  and  630  to form walls  506  and  512 . In some embodiments, apparatus stand  600  also includes corners  632  and  634  that are rounded with a 25 mm radius (not shown). Method  700  below describes one method of how apparatus stand  600  can be further manufactured from metal to form apparatus  200  and/or apparatus  500 . System  100  and apparatus  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  and  600  may be manufactured from plastic using any conventional technique such as injection molding technique.  
         [0046]     The overall dimensions of the apparatus stand  600  fit in the detector compartment of a mobile X-Ray source so that apparatus stand  600  can travel with the detector—thus increasing its convenience and likelihood of use of apparatus stand  600 .  
       Methods of an Embodiment  
       [0047]     In the previous section, apparatus of the operation of an embodiment was described. In this section, the particular methods of such an embodiment are described by reference to a series of flowcharts.  
         [0048]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a method  700  of manufacturing a stand for a portable X-Ray detector according to an embodiment. Method  700  describes one method of forming apparatus  200  and/or apparatus  500  from apparatus stand  600 .  
         [0049]     In this method, the stand is manufactured from a flat sheet of metal, such as apparatus stand  600  in  FIG. 6  above. Method  700  includes bending  702  apparatus stand  600  at a first bending line  614  at approximately 90 degrees. Method  700  includes bending  704  apparatus stand  600  at a second bending line  618  at approximately  90  degrees. Method  700  includes bending  706  apparatus stand  600  at a third bending line  622  at approximately 90 degrees. Method  600  also includes bending  708  cutout  628  to form wall  512 . Method  600  also includes bending  710  cutout  630  to form wall  506 . The order of the bending actions  702 ,  704 ,  706 ,  708  and  710  can be performed in any order.  
         [0050]     In some embodiments, method  700  thereafter includes welding  712  the bent extended portion  608  to the main portion  602  and/or applying  714  Teflon tape to the wall  506  and  512 . Performing method  700  on apparatus stand  600  can yield apparatus  200  and/or  500  that is operable to stabilize the position of a portable X-Ray detector during cross-table X-Ray imaging of a patient by an apparatus that is not cumbersome and ungainly to store and/or setup in time-pressured situations, and yet is easily cleaned for reuse with another patient.  
       Conclusion  
       [0051]     A portable X-Ray detector stand is described. The portable X-Ray detector stand provides more secure positioning of the portable X-Ray detector and therefore reduces the risk of the portable X-Ray detector falling to the floor. The portable X-Ray detector stand also provides faster setup which is especially valuable for emergency room and medical operating room applications. The portable X-Ray detector stand further provides cleaner and easier setup because the portable X-Ray detector stand can be cleaned between patients, unlike a roll of tape.  
         [0052]     Although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that implementations can be made in many shapes and materials that provide the required function.  
         [0053]     In particular, one of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the names of the methods and apparatus are not intended to limit embodiments. Furthermore, additional methods and apparatus can be added to the components, functions can be rearranged among the components, and new components to correspond to future enhancements and physical devices used in embodiments can be introduced without departing from the scope of embodiments. One of skill in the art will readily recognize that embodiments are applicable to future portable X-Ray detectors. The terminology used in this application is meant to include all environments and alternate technologies which provide the same functionality as described herein.