Patent Publication Number: US-2010111263-A1

Title: Modular handle for digital x-ray detectors

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to copending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/169,201 filed Jul. 8, 2008 having attorney docket number GE.0144 and entitled “MULTI-PURPOSE DOCKING APPARATUS OF A DIGITAL X-RAY DETECTOR.” 
     This application is related to copending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/177,877 filed Jul. 22, 2008 having attorney docket number GE.0145 and entitled “BATTERY CHARGING APPARATUS OF A WIRELESS DIGITAL X-RAY DETECTOR.” 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to digital X-ray detectors, and more particularly to modularity of digital X-ray detector components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable digital X-ray detectors include an X-ray imaging device. The X-ray imaging device includes a pixel array that captures X-ray electromagnetic energy and converts the X-ray electromagnetic energy to electrical signals. Each portable digital X-ray detector also includes electrical components that read the electrical signals from the pixel array and that scrub the pixel array at a particular periodicity, in which a complete image from the entire pixel array is captured. Each portable digital X-ray detector also includes a communication component that transfers each complete image from the detector to an outside device, such as an image acquisition station or a mobile digital X-ray imaging system. The transfer is performed at a specific frame rate. 
     The communication device and the pixel array are both tightly coupled to each other and designed to operate within very particular and specific operating parameters of each other. The design of a communication device of a particular portable digital X-ray detector is modified for each particular pixel array or portable digital X-ray detector. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. 
     In one aspect, an apparatus includes an imaging device mounted inside a housing and a handle that is removeably mounted to the housing. The handle contains a plurality of electronic components operably coupled to the imaging device. In the apparatus, components that perform functions that are specific to X-ray detectors are located in the handle and components that perform functions that are common to each X-ray detector are located in the housing, thus the handle is interchangeable with other handles that include components that perform functions that are specific to X-ray detectors. In some implementations, the handle includes at least one wireless communication interface, at least one antennae, a switch regulation board (SRB), at least one battery and/or at least one battery management component for wireless applications. In some implementations, the handle includes a touchspot for power and data communication during docking. In some implementations, the handle includes an Ethernet transceiver and a tether for a fixed detector in wired applications. This modular structure reduces development complexity and effort. 
     In another aspect, a digital X-ray detector handle includes a face that is operable to be removeably mounted to a housing of a digital X-ray detector. The digital X-ray detector handle also includes a specific interface component that is operable to communicate with electronic components in the housing of the digital X-ray detector in regards to application-dependent functions of the electronic components. The digital X-ray detector handle also includes a power interface that is operable to provide electrical power to electronic components in the housing of the digital X-ray detector. The digital X-ray detector handle also includes a specific interface component that is operable to communicate with electronic components not in the housing of the digital X-ray detector in regards to application-independent functions of the electronic components. 
     In yet another aspect, a portable digital X-ray detector includes a housing having an inside and an outside, an imaging device mounted inside the housing, an end-cap mounted to an end of the housing. The portable digital X-ray detector also includes a handle that is removeably mounted to an end that is opposite to the end-cap of the housing, the handle having a recess that passes completely through the handle. The portable digital X-ray detector also includes a plurality of electronic components operably coupled to the imaging device in which a portion of the plurality of electronic components that are dependent on the pixel array are mounted in the housing and in which a portion of the plurality of electronic components that are independent of the pixel array are mounted in the handle. 
     Systems, clients, servers, methods, and computer-readable media 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 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an overview of a digital X-ray detector system having a modular configuration, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric diagram of a digital X-ray detector system having a modular configuration, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric diagram of a digital X-ray detector system having a modular configuration of a handle removeably attached to a digital X-ray detector, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle for fixed applications that has a modular configuration, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle having a wireless communication path, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle having a wireless communication path and a wired communication path, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle having electrical contact apparatus for data and power communication with a digital X-ray detector, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle having touchspots for data and power communication, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle having a detector case, according to an implementation; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method of managing electrical power, performed by a digital X-ray detector handle, according to an implementation; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a method of managing data communication, performed by a digital X-ray detector handle, according to an implementation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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 implementations which may be practiced. These implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the implementations, and it is to be understood that other implementations may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the implementations. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     The detailed description is divided into four sections. In the first section, a system level overview is described. In the second section, implementations of apparatus are described. In the third section, particular implementations of methods are described. Finally, in the fourth section, a conclusion of the detailed description is provided. 
     System Level Overview 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an overview of a digital X-ray detector system  100  having a modular configuration. A system level overview of the operation of an implementation is described in this section of the detailed description. Digital X-ray detector system  100  provides a modular configuration for the electrical components for the digital X-ray detector system  100  in which the components that perform functions that are closely related to the function of the image capturing are located in the housing of the system and the components that perform functions that are specific among digital X-ray detector systems are located in the modular handle. The modular configuration of digital X-ray detector system  100  simplifies the design, manufacture, testing and maintenance of the digital X-ray detector system  100 . 
     Digital X-ray detector system  100  includes a housing  102  having an inside and an outside. The housing  102  is also known as a body. Digital X-ray detector system  100  also includes an X-ray imaging device (not shown) that includes a pixel array panel  104  and/or other components of a digital X-ray detector. The X-ray imaging device is mounted inside of the housing  102 . 
     Digital X-ray detector system  100  also includes a handle  106  that is mounted to the housing  102 . In some implementations, the handle  106  is removeably mounted to the housing  102 . The handle  106  includes at least one electronic component  108  that is mounted inside the handle  106 . The electronic component(s)  108  are operably coupled to the pixel array panel  104  through the imaging device. The electronic component(s)  108  are operable to couple an image acquisition station (not shown) or other devices that are external to the digital X-ray detector system  100 . The coupling between the electronic component(s)  108  and the image acquisition station can include electrical power coupling in which the digital X-ray detector system  100  receives electrical power from the image acquisition station. The coupling between the electronic components and the image acquisition station can also include data communication coupling in which data is exchanged between the electronic component(s)  108  and the image acquisition station. 
     In a key aspect of digital X-ray detector system  100 , the electronic component(s)  108  perform functions that are unrelated (or independent) of the pixel array panel  104 . Examples of functions provided by the electronic component(s)  108  that are independent of the pixel array panel  104  include data communication with external devices and receiving power from external source and distributing power to the pixel array panel, the distribution including battery charging/monitoring in implementations that include a battery in the handle  106 . The logic involved in data communication with external devices is independent of the function of the pixel array panel  104 . The logic or function of the digital X-ray detector system  100  that is independent of the pixel array panel  104  is performed by the electronic component(s)  108  in the handle  106 . Furthermore, electronic components  110  that are related (or dependent) on the common functions of the pixel array panel  104  in the X-ray imaging device are mounted in the housing  102 . Examples of functions provided by the electronic components  110  that are dependent or related to the functions of the pixel array panel are converting X-ray energy into light and then converting the light into an analog electrical signal, a scan module selecting a specific row of diode pixel array to read, a data module amplifying and digitizing the analog electrical signal, a motherboard transmitting the digitized data from the data module to a communication module, the motherboard and software/firmware components managing the detector system including power management, a panel support and the housing  102  providing temperature monitoring mechanical shock detection and recording error handling, protecting the pixel panel  104  and electronics from loading, impact, drop etc. Digital X-ray detector system  100  reduces cost in the design of manufacture, testing and maintenance of digital X-ray detector system  100  because the communication function and the detector function of digital X-ray detector system  100  are located in separate portions (i.e. handle  106  and housing  102 ) of the digital X-ray detector system  100 . Thus, the functions of the digital X-ray detector system  100  that are independent of the imaging function and the functions of the digital X-ray detector system  100  that are specific to various digital X-ray detector systems can be designed, manufactured, tested and maintained with a higher degree of modularity, which provides efficiencies in the engineering, manufacture, testing and maintenance of the digital X-ray detector system  100 . Different digital X-ray detector systems can be built with a single detector body and different handles. Therefore, digital X-ray detector system  100  reduces the design, manufacture, verification, and maintenance cost of digital X-ray detector system  100 , which reduces the cost of the digital X-ray detector systems. 
     While the digital X-ray detector system  100  is not limited to any particular housing  102 , pixel array panel  104 , handle  106  and electronic component(s)  108  and  110 ; for sake of clarity simplified housing  102 , pixel array panel  104 , handle  106  and electronic component(s)  108  and  110  are described. 
     The electronic components  108  and  110  can be embodied as computer hardware circuitry or as a computer-readable program, or a combination of both. More specifically, in a computer-readable program implementation, the programs can be structured in an object-orientation using an object-oriented language such as Java, Smalltalk or C++, and the programs can be structured in a procedural-orientation using a procedural language such as C language. 
     In some implementations, the handle  106  includes at least one wireless communication interface, at least one antennae, a switch regulation board (SRB), at least one battery and/or at least one battery management component for wireless applications such as described in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . In some implementations, the handle includes a touchspot for power and data communication during docking. In some implementations, the handle includes an Ethernet transceiver and a tether for a fixed detector in wired applications, such as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Apparatus 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric diagram of a digital X-ray detector system  200  having a modular configuration. Some implementations of the handle  106  of the digital X-ray detector system  200  include a recess  202 . In some implementations such as shown in  FIG. 2 , the recess  202  passes completely through the handle  106 . In some implementations (not shown), the recess  202  does not pass completely through the handle  106 , but rather the recess  202  is an area of the handle  106  that is thinner than surrounding areas of the handle  106 . The recess  202  provides convenient carriage by a human of the digital X-ray detector system  200 . 
     Some implementations of digital X-ray detector system  200  include a detector case  204 , such as a carbon fiber sleeve. The carbon fiber sleeve is electronically conductive in x and y directions. The x and y directions are perpendicular to the expected direction of an X-ray beam that enters the pixel array from an X-ray source. Thus, the carbon fiber sleeve provides electromagnetic (EMC) shielding. On the other hand, the carbon fiber sleeve has low X-ray attenuation and is lightweight. The detector case  204  covers all of the pixel array panel (not shown). The detector case  204  provides physical protection to the pixel array panel while allowing X-ray electromagnetic energy to pass through the pixel array panel. 
     In some implementations, the sleeve  204  is fixedly attached to the handle  106 . In that implementation, the digital X-ray detector slides into the sleeve  204  and the handle  106  couples to the housing. As a result, the handle  106  is removeably coupled to the housing  102  through the detector case  204  that extends over the housing  102 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric diagram of a digital X-ray detector system  300  having a modular configuration of a handle removeably attached to a digital X-ray detector. Some implementations of a handle  106  of the digital X-ray detector system  300  include a recess  202 . In some implementations such as shown in  FIG. 3 , the recess  202  passes completely through the handle  106 . The recess  202  provides convenient carriage by a human of the digital X-ray detector system  300 . 
     In the implementation shown in  FIG. 3 , the handle  106  can be removeably mounted to the housing by at least one screw  302 ,  304 ,  306  and/or  308 . In some implementations of the digital X-ray detector system  300  that are not shown, the handle  106  can be removeably mounted to the housing by at least one clamp. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle  400  for fixed applications that has a modular configuration. The digital X-ray detector handle  400  is one example or implementation of the handle  106  in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  above. 
     The digital X-ray detector handle  400  also includes a specific interface component  404  that can communicate with electronic components in the housing of the digital X-ray detector. In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the specific interface component  404  is a 10 gigabit (GB) Ethernet communication board. In other implementations, different Ethernet communication boards are used for the specific interface component  404 . 
     The communication is one example of a function that can be performed by the digital X-ray detector handle  400  that is specific among a variety of digital X-ray detectors. The specific interface component  404  can couple an image acquisition station (not shown) or other devices that are external to the digital X-ray detector handle  400 . The coupling between the specific interface component  404  and the image acquisition station can include a tether  406  that includes electrical power coupling in which the digital X-ray detector handle  400  receives electrical power from the image acquisition station. The tether  406  between the specific interface component  404  and the image acquisition station can also include data communication coupling in which data is exchanged between the specific interface component  404  and the image acquisition station. For fixed-room applications of a digital X-ray detector system, the digital X-ray detector handle  400  provides high data transfer rate, reliable data communication and convenience of moving the digital X-ray detector system between a X-ray table and a X-ray wall-stand. In some configurations, two digital X-ray detector systems are deployed, one digital X-ray detector system for use at the X-ray table and one digital X-ray detector system for use at the X-ray wall-stand. The fixed room applications can have various configurations. In one implementation, only one detector is deployed, and the singular detector is moved between a table and a wall-stand in a room. In another implementation, two detectors are deployed, one detector dedicated for use at an X-ray table and another detector dedicated for use at an X-ray wall-stand. In yet another implementation, three detectors are deployed, one detector dedicated for use at an X-ray table, another detector dedicated for use at an X-ray wall-stand and a third detector dedicated for use at a tabletop or chair, the chair often being referred to as a digital cassette or flying detector. 
     The digital X-ray detector handle  400  is one of several different standard detector handles. For a specific detector, a handle is selected according to the requirements of the intended applications. For a detector that requires high frame rate such as fluoroscopy, a fast communication channel such as 10 G Ethernet  404  may be required and a tether  406  containing both detector power and communication channels is used. For portable applications, a Gigabit Ethernet (not shown) may be implemented. In this case, the 10 gigabit (GB) Ethernet® communication board inside the handle is replaced by a Gigabit Ethernet board. In other implementations, 100 BT Ethernet is implemented. The benefits of using a specific interface component  404  with lower speed includes not only a lower cost, but also lower power consumption and lower heat generation. 
     Some implementations of the digital X-ray detector handle  400  also include a power interface. The power interface is operable to provide electrical power to electronic components in the housing of the digital X-ray detector. In some implementations, the power interface  408  is located on the face  402 . When the digital X-ray detector handle  400  is mounted on a housing of a digital X-ray detector, the power interface is flush to the housing in a position that provides direct physical contact to the housing and provides operative electrical coupling  408  to the housing. The power interface  408  is also shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Some implementations of the digital X-ray detector handle  400  also include a specific interface component  410 . The specific interface component  410  is operable to communicate with electronic components in the housing of the digital X-ray detector in regards to application-dependent functions of the electronic components. The specific interface component  410  is also shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     In some implementations, the specific interface component  410  is located on the face  402 . When the digital X-ray detector handle  400  is mounted on a housing of a digital X-ray detector, the specific interface component  410  is flush to the housing in a position that provides direct physical contact and provides operative electrical coupling to the housing. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle  500  having a wireless communication path. The digital X-ray detector handle  500  is one example or implementation of the handle  106  in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  above. The digital X-ray detector handle  500  includes at least one wireless communication interface  502 , at least one antennae  504 , a switch regulation board (SRB)  506 , at least one battery  508  and/or at least one battery management component  510 . The SRB  506  converts a single power input that is received from the battery  508  to a plurality power inputs to the detector motherboard and other modules. The batterie(s)  508  are operably coupled to the wireless communication interface(s)  502 , the switch regulation board(s)  506 , and/or the battery management component(s)  510  or other electrical components in the digital X-ray detector handle  500 . The battery management component  510  monitors the charge level and recharging of the batterie(s)  508 . The antennae(s)  504  are operably coupled to the wireless communication interface(s)  502 . 
     Note the absence of electrical power coupling (e.g.  406  in  FIG. 4 ) to receive electrical power and/or data communication from an external source. The lack of electrical and data coupling to an external source provides a highly portable and mobile digital X-ray detector handle that can be coupled to a digital X-ray detector and placed in a wide variety of locations of imaging. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle  600  having a wireless communication path and a wired communication path. The digital X-ray detector handle  600  is one example or implementation of the handles in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  above. The digital X-ray detector handle  600  includes a tether  406  in which the digital X-ray detector handle  600  receives electrical power from an external device such as an image acquisition station. The tether  406  between the specific interface component  404  and the image acquisition station can also include data communication coupling in which data is exchanged between the specific interface component  404  and the external device. The presence of both wireless and wired connections to an image acquisition station provides flexibility for operation in a variety applications. Flexibility in applications of the digital X-ray detector handle  600  can be very helpful because the digital X-ray detector handle  600  can be more readily matched to any digital X-ray detector without regard to the specific requirements in data communication speed or power requirements of the digital X-ray detector. 
     Some implementations of digital X-ray detector handles  500  and  600  include a battery-status indicator. The battery-status indicator (not shown) is operable to indicate an amount of charge of the battery, such as battery  508 . In some implementations, the battery-status indicator indicates which portion of a full-charge of the battery is charged. For example, the entire battery-status indicator is fully lighted to indicate that the battery is fully charged, the battery-status indicator is completely unlighted to indicate that the battery has no charge, and the battery-status indicator is lighted halfway to indicate that the battery has 50% of a full-charge. In implementations where the battery-status indicator is a light, such as a light-emitting-diode (LED) light, the LED is fully-lighted to indicate a full-charge in the battery, the LED is unlighted to indicate no charge in the battery, and the LED is half-lighted to indicate a 50% charge in the battery. In implementations where the battery-status indicator is a contiguous series of lights, such as a series of LED lights, all of the LEDs are lighted to indicate a full-charge in the battery, none of the LED are lighted to indicate no charge in the battery, and half of the LEDs are lighted to indicate a 50% charge in the battery. In some implementations, the battery-status indicator is a speaker that enunciates a tone when the battery charge level is below a particular threshold. In some implementations, a notice of low battery charge is provided through at least two levels. For example, at one level, when the remaining battery power is below a specific level (e.g. 5%), a warning is provided by the digital X-ray detector handle ( 500  or  600 ) to the operator by means, for example, audio (a particular tone from digital X-ray detector handle ) and and/or video (LED flash on detector and popup window on the screen of the handle. For example at another level, when the remaining battery power is below a 2 level (e.g. 2%), the digital X-ray detector handles  500  and  600  is powered off when the detector is not in the process of acquiring an image. Power off is delayed during image acquisition because emitting X-ray energy into a patient without obtaining an image is a safety concern to the patient. 
     Some implementations of digital X-ray detector handles  500  and  600  include a wireless-signal indicator. The wireless-signal indicator (not shown) is operable to indicate a strength of a wireless-signal received by the antennae  504 . In some implementations, the wireless-signal indicator indicates signal strength. For example, the entire wireless-signal indicator is fully lighted to indicate that the signal strength is full, the wireless-signal indicator is completely unlighted to indicate that no signal strength, and the wireless-signal indicator is lighted halfway to indicate a signal strength of 50% of a maximum. In implementations where the wireless-signal indicator is a light, such as a LED light, the LED is fully-lighted to indicate a full signal strength, the LED is unlighted to indicate no signal strength, and the LED is half-lighted to indicate a 50% signal strength. In implementations where the wireless-signal indicator is a contiguous series of lights, such as a series of LED lights, all of the LEDs are lighted to indicate a full signal strength, none of the LED are lighted to indicate no signal strength, and half of the LEDs are lighted to indicate a 50% signal strength. In some implementations, the wireless-signal indicator is a speaker that enunciates a tone when the signal strength level is below a particular threshold. In some implementations, a notice of low signal strength is provided through at least two levels. For example, at one level, when the signal strength is below a specific level (e.g. 60%), a warning is provided by the digital X-ray detector handle ( 500  or  600 ) to the operator by means, for example, audio (a particular tone from detector or system) and and/or video (LED flash on detector and popup window on the screen of the digital X-ray detector handle. 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle  700  having electrical contact apparatus for data and power communication with a digital X-ray detector. The digital X-ray detector handle  700  is one example or implementation of the handles in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  above. The digital X-ray detector handle  700  includes a data interface component  702  on a face  402 . The data interface component  702  is also known as a specific interface component. The data interface component  702  is mounted or attached on the exterior of the body of the digital X-ray detector handle  700 . The data interface component  702  is in contact with a data interface component of an X-ray detector. The data interface component  702  of the digital X-ray detector handle  700  provides physical contact and operative electrical coupling to the specific interface component on the X-ray detector when the digital X-ray detector handle  700  is mounted on the housing of the X-ray detector. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle  800  having touchspots for data and power communication. The digital X-ray detector handle  800  is one example or implementation of the handles in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  above. The digital X-ray detector handle  800  includes at least one power touchspot  802  on the exterior of the handle  800  and at least one data communication touchspot  804  on the exterior of the handle  800 . 
     In some implementations, the touchspot(s)  802  and  804  are electrically and operably coupled to the battery  508  in  FIG. 5  through a charging circuit (e.g. battery management component  510  in  FIG. 5 ) and electrical path (not shown). The electrical path (not shown) provides electrical power to the battery  508  in  FIG. 5  when electric power is applied to the touchspot(s)  802  and  804 . The electric power can recharge the battery  508  in  FIG. 5 . 
     The touchspot(s)  802  and  804  provide a means through which the digital X-ray detector handle  800  can receive electrical power when the digital X-ray detector handle  800  is placed in a docking detector receptacle. Thus, the batterie(s)  508  in  FIG. 5  of the digital X-ray detector handle  800  can be recharged during idle periods of the digital X-ray detector handle  800 , which provides a convenient means of providing power to the digital X-ray detector handle  800 . 
     In some implementations, a retractable cover (not shown) spans each of the touchspot(s)  802  and  804  to prevent dust and other contamination from coating the touchspot(s)  802  and  804 . The retractable cover(s) help maintain sufficient electrical conductivity of the touchspot(s). 
     In some implementations, the touchspots  802  and  804  include hypoallergenic material(s), such as polyisobutene. The hypoallergenic material(s) are particularly beneficial to a digital X-ray detector handle  800  that may come in contact with a patient, or person, because the hypoallergenic material(s) reduces, if not eliminates, the possibility of the touch spots  802  and  804  causing an allergic reaction in a patient or other person such as radiological technicians, nurses or physicians that may come into physical contact with the digital X-ray detector handle  800 . In some implementations, the electrical conductor(s) include only hypoallergenic materials. 
     In some implementations, the touchspots  802  and  804  are mounted flush to the outside  104  of the housing  102 . The flush mounting of the touchspots  802  and  804  is particularly beneficial to a digital X-ray detector handle  800  that may come in contact with a patient, or person, because the flush mounting reduces, if not eliminates, the possibility of edges of the touchspots  802  and  804  catching on the skin or clothing of patients or other people such as radiological technicians, nurses or physicians, and possibly causing injury to the person or possibly acting as a deposit of human epidermis and/or blood that could be passed to a next person who comes in contact with the touchspots  802  and  804 , thus acting as a medium through which viruses and/or bacteria is transmitted from one person to another. Thus, the flush mounting of the touchspots  802  and  804  prevents cross-contamination between people who have physical contact with the digital X-ray detector handle  800 . In some implementations, the touchspots  802  and  804  are mounted flush within a tolerance of  0 . 1  millimeters of the housing  102 . 
     In some implementations, the touchspots  802  and  804  have beveled edge(s) (not shown). The beveled edge(s) of the touchspots  802  and  804  is particularly beneficial to a digital X-ray detector handle  800  that may come in contact with a patient, or person, because the beveled edge(s) reduces, if not eliminates, the possibility of edges of the touchspots  802  and  804  catching on the skin or clothing of patients or other people such as radiological technicians, nurses or physicians, and possibly causing injury to the person or possibly acting as a deposit of human epidermis and/or blood that could be passed to the next person who comes in contact with the touchspots  802  and  804 , thus acting as a medium through which viruses and/or bacteria is transmitted from one person to another. Thus, the beveled edge(s) of the touchspots  802  and  804  prevents cross-contamination between people who have physical contact with the digital X-ray detector handle  800 . 
       FIG. 9  is an isometric diagram of a digital X-ray detector handle  900  having a detector case. The digital X-ray detector handle  900  includes two halves  902  and  904 , each halve being a recess  202  that is symmetrical to the other halve. In some implementations such as shown in  FIG. 2 , the recess  202  passes completely through the digital X-ray detector handle  900 . The recess  202  provides convenient carriage by a human. 
     The digital X-ray detector handle  900  includes a detector case  204 , such as a carbon fiber sleeve. The detector case  204  covers all of a digital X-ray detector when the digital X-ray detector is inserted in the detector case  204 . The detector case  204  provides physical protection to the digital X-ray detector while allowing X-ray electromagnetic energy to pass through to the digital X-ray detector. 
     In some implementations, the detector case  204  is fixedly attached to the two halves  902  and  904 . In that implementation, a digital X-ray detector slides into the sleeve  204  and the two halves  902  and  904  couple to the detector case  204 . 
     The digital X-ray detector handle  900  also includes an end-cap  906  that can be fixedly attached to the detector case  204 . When a digital X-ray detector is placed inside the detector case  204  and the end-cap  906  is fixedly attached to the detector case  204 , the digital X-ray detector can be carried safely and securely by a human in which the human places his/her fingers in the recess  202  and grasps the portion  908  of the two halves  902  and  904  on the outside of the two halves  902  and  904  of the digital X-ray detector handle  900 . In some implementations, the end-cap  906  and the detector case  204  are formed as one piece. 
     Method Implementations 
     In the previous section, apparatus is described. In this section, the particular methods are described by reference to a series of flowcharts. Describing the methods by reference to a flowchart enables one skilled in the art to develop such programs, firmware, or hardware, including such instructions to carry out the methods on suitable computers, executing the instructions from computer-readable media. Similarly, the methods performed by the server computer programs, firmware, or hardware are also composed of computer-executable instructions. Methods  1000 - 1100  are performed by a program executing on, or performed by firmware or hardware that is a part of, a microprocessor. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method  1000  of managing electrical power, performed by a digital X-ray detector handle according to an implementation in which the handle includes a tether or docking mechanism. Method  1000  provides intermediary function between a digital X-ray detector and an external device such as an imaging station or a mobile digital X-ray imaging system. Method  1000  can be performed by a switch regulation board (SRB) ( 506  in  FIG. 5 ) or other regulation circuit. 
     Method  1000  includes receiving power from an external source, at block  1002 . Again, the external source is a conventional source, such as an imaging station or a mobile digital X-ray imaging system. A single input voltage provides simplicity of the input supply and less wiring or pins in implementations of the docking touch spots (see  FIG. 8 ) or tether (see  FIG. 4 ). The received power is similar to the power received from a typical wall outlet, which is usually noisier than the maximum amount of electrical noise that is acceptable. so in order to reduce the amount of noise in the received power. method  1000  thereafter also includes conditioning or modifying the received power for consumption by a digital X-ray detector, at block  1004 . Some implementations of method  1000  also includes converting the single input voltage into several different outputs that are required by the detector, at block  1006 . Method  1000  also includes transmitting the modified power to a digital X-ray detector, at block  1008 . The transmitting  1008  can be performed, before, during or after receiving  1002  the power from the external source. When the transmitting  1008  is performed, before or after receiving  1002  the power from the external source, the method requires storage of the received or the modified electrical power. In a variation of method  1000  in which the handle includes a wireless connection, the conditioned power of action  1004  is stored in a battery, and upon demand, the battery power is converted to multiple outputs in action  1006 . 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a method  1100  of managing data communication, performed by a digital X-ray detector handle according to an implementation. Method  1100  provides intermediary function between a digital X-ray detector and an external device such as an imaging station or a mobile digital X-ray imaging system. 
     Method  1100  also includes receiving data from the external source, at block  1102 , thereafter repackaging the received data for suitability of use by a digital X-ray detector, at block  1104 , and transmitting the repackaged to the digital X-ray detector, at block  1112 . For example, the handle receives a command from an imaging station and sends a response and an image to the imaging station. 
     Method  1100  also includes receiving data from the digital X-ray detector, at block  1108 , thereafter repackaging the received data, at block  1110 , and transmitting the repackaged to the external device, at block  1112 . After receiving the command, the detector translates the command into a set of actions and performs the actions. The repackaging  1110  is communication protocol specific. Generally speaking, the repackaging includes separating, for instance, one or more rows of the pixel data into small pieces, adding identification of each piece, and feeding the identified pieces into a communication line to the external device. A communication module in the handle creates a packet out of each piece of data by adding headers and tails, and then the communication module modulates the packets into analog waveforms, and transmits the analog waveform packets to the external device. 
     In some implementations, methods  1000 - 1100  are implemented as a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, such as a processor, cause the processor to perform the respective method. In other implementations, methods  1000 - 1100  are implemented as a computer-accessible medium having executable instructions capable of directing a processor to perform the respective method. In varying implementations, the medium is a magnetic medium, an electronic medium, or an optical medium. 
     The following description provides an overview of computer hardware and a suitable computing environment in conjunction with which some implementations can be implemented. Implementations are described in terms of a computer executing computer-executable instructions. However, some implementations can be implemented entirely in computer hardware in which a computer-executable instructions are implemented in read-only memory. 
     CONCLUSION 
     A modular digital X-ray detector is described. A technical effect of the digital X-ray detector handle is use of the digital X-ray detector handle one of a number of digital X-ray detectors that are designed to receive the digital X-ray detector handle. Although specific implementations have been 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 implementations shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations. 
     In particular, one of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the names of the methods and apparatus are not intended to limit implementations. 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 implementations can be introduced without departing from the scope of implementations. One of skill in the art will readily recognize that implementations are applicable to future portable X-ray detectors, different imaging techniques, and new data types.