Patent Description:
Radiological apparatuses are used to obtain images by radiating with X-rays a body to be viewed. For that purpose, as is known, they are provided with an emitter of X-rays and an image detector, e.g. a plate (analog) or the combination of a scintillator (electric) and a 2D optical detector (electronic).

The exposure of the plate or of the optical detector is controlled by a control unit.

<CIT> describes and illustrates an automatic exposure control system, with the initials "AEC", based on an X-ray transducer; the X-ray transducer is used to measure, in a small area, the total dose of X-rays that has crossed the body to be viewed and that has reached the optical detector.

The graph of <FIG> helps to understand the operating principle of an AEC. The curve (which is for example and in particular a section of a straight line) indicates the total dose D measured by an X-ray transducer after the emission of X-rays has been activated by an X-ray emitter of a radiological apparatus as the time t varies. If the desired dose for obtaining a certain image of a certain body is Dd, when the curve reaches the value Dd the emission of X-rays by the X-ray emitter is deactivated (this happens at time td) and such certain image is obtained in the optical detector.

However, in practice an AEV operates in a slightly different way.

The graph of <FIG> helps to understand such real operation. The control unit of the radiological apparatus periodically (or almost) verifies the value measured by the X-ray transducer and, on the basis of such periodic verifications, decides when to deactivate the emission of X-rays by the X-ray emitter. At time t1, the unit reads from the transducer the value D1, compares it with the value Dd, establishes that D1 is less than Dd and therefore decides not to deactivate the emission. After a period dt, at time t2 (t2=t1+dt), the unit reads from the transducer the value D2, compares it with the value Dd, establishes that D2 is greater than Dd and therefore decides to deactivate emission. This means that the body to be viewed has received a dose of X-rays that is slightly higher than the desired one, i.e. it has been radiated for longer than necessary, but an image has however been obtained.

The graph of <FIG> helps to understand another possible undesired event.

For safety reasons, legislation envisages that exposure to X-rays for obtaining an image must not exceed a maximum time tm. Radiological apparatuses on the market respect this obligation; normally, exposure finishes much earlier; if any abnormalities occur, the AEC of the apparatus interrupts exposure at time tm and the image obtained cannot be used (it is typically very dark) and a new exposure must be performed - <FIG> shows the eventuality in which after time tm the total dose measured is D3 which is less than Dd. This means that the body to be viewed has been radiated for much longer than necessary, i.e. it has received a first dose of X-rays for the first exposure (which has provided an unusable image) and a second dose of X-rays for the second exposure (which has provided a usable image). Radiological apparatuses are known, which can perform estimates of the total dose of X-rays before it has been effectively radiated (completely or partly) for example from <CIT> and <CIT>.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a radiological apparatus that improves the prior art, in particular that accurately prevents one or, preferably, both of the undesired events mentioned above.

It is to be noted that the solutions described and shown in the patent documents mentioned above perform estimates on the basis of a predetermined model, in particular selected during the production step of the radiological apparatus. However, such model cannot perfectly reflect the behaviour of all the various examples of apparatus produced and sold (even of the same model) especially if it is considered that the behaviour of an apparatus varies over time and is influenced for example by the ageing of the components of the apparatus and/or by phenomena and/or events that cannot be predicted a priori.

This general object and other objects are reached thanks to what is set out in the appended claims that form an integral part of the present description.

The present invention as defined by the appended claims, shall become more readily apparent from the detailed description that follows to be considered together with the accompanying drawings in which:.

As can be easily understood, there are various ways of practically implementing the present invention which scope is defined by the appended claims.

With reference to <FIG>, a radiological apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention comprises for example: an X-ray emitter <NUM>, an image detector <NUM> (in particular of the electronic type) and a control unit <NUM> connected electrically to the emitter <NUM> and to the detector <NUM>; furthermore, it comprises an X-ray transducer <NUM> associated with the image detector <NUM> connected electrically to the control unit <NUM>. <FIG> also shows a body <NUM> to be viewed. The rays emitted by the emitter <NUM> cross the body <NUM> and reach the detector <NUM>; a part of these rays reaches (in particular crosses) the transducer <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> comprises, in particular, a processor <NUM> associated with a program memory <NUM> and a data memory <NUM>; furthermore, the unit <NUM> is provided with a power supply <NUM> that electrically powers the emitter <NUM>, an analog-to-digital converter <NUM> which is electrically connected to the transducer <NUM>, and a human-machine interface <NUM> which can comprise, for example, a keyboard, a screen, a mouse and a joystick. The processor <NUM> sends signals to the power supply <NUM> so as to be able to activate and deactivate (and regulate) the emission of X-rays by the emitter <NUM>. The processor <NUM> receives signals from the converter <NUM> so as to find out/calculate the total dose of X-rays based on the dose measurement of the transducer <NUM>.

In the example embodiment of <FIG>, the (automatic exposure) control method performed by the unit <NUM> depends largely on a program stored in the memory <NUM>; furthermore, it can also depend on data stored in the memory <NUM>, for example, in relation to program setting data; finally, it can also depend on data entered by an operator through the interface <NUM>; furthermore, it is not to be excluded that it can also depend on something else.

The idea at the basis of the present invention is to decide whether to interrupt the emission of X-rays by the emitter or not, not on the basis of the value of the current total dose, but on the basis of at least one predicted total dose value.

In particular, a first predicted value can be considered in order to account for the behaviour of the radiological apparatus in the short term (consider for example the first eventuality described above) and a second predicted value to account for the behaviour of the radiological apparatus in the long term (consider for example the first eventuality described above).

The prediction according to the present invention is typically in time, i.e. the predicted value is a value expected at a future time and is based on one or more values detected in a past time.

It is to be noted that if the prediction were limited to the consideration of the graphs of the figures, it would be simple; in fact, it is simple to determine any point that can be found on a straight line.

The prediction difficulty comes from some problems: the graph obtained from the electrical signal at the output from the transducer <NUM> is not linear but can have a different trend that is not precisely known a priori (i.e. shortly before beginning an exposure and during the exposure), the electrical signal at the output of the transducer <NUM> has its own intrinsic noisiness, the electrical signal at the input of the unit <NUM> (in particular of the converter <NUM>) is different from the signal at the output of the transducer <NUM> as the electrical cable <NUM> that connects these two components adds noise of various kinds, it is not possible to be certain a priori (i.e. shortly before beginning an exposure and during the exposure) that everything is in the ideal conditions for the exposure (e.g. effective connection between the transducer <NUM> and the unit <NUM>, state of the cable <NUM>,.

A further general difficulty is that the prediction depends on the operation of the apparatus, and the latter changes slowly over time (in simple terms, the apparatus ("ages").

Considering <FIG>, it can be understood that at time t5 the total measured dose is D5 less than Dd (desired dose); at this point a (first) predicted value is determined, in particular the value expected at the time ts=t5+dt; dt could for example be <NUM>; if the predicted value is D5x greater than Dd, the emission of X-rays is deactivated (straight away or slightly later); if the predicted value is D5y less than Dd, the emission of X-rays is not deactivated (straight away or at a slightly later time). In this way, it is certain that the limit Dd of dose absorbed by the body is not exceeded.

Considering <FIG>, it can be understood that at time t6 the total measured dose is D6 less than Dd (desired dose); at this point a (second) predicted value is determined, in particular the value expected at the time tm (maximum exposure time); tm could for example be <NUM>; if the predicted value is D6x greater than Dd, the emission of X-rays is not deactivated; if the predicted value is D6y less than Dd, the emission of X-rays is deactivated (typically straight away). In this way, the exposure continues only if there is hope that it will be successful.

It is appropriate to consider that <FIG> typically correspond to different axis times: the time t5 is close to the end of an exposure and the time t6 is far from the end of an exposure.

It can be understood that the strategies illustrated with reference to <FIG> are performed simultaneously, i.e. at every instant a short term test and a long term test can be performed. It is also possible to think about performing such two tests with a different frequency, typically the short term test very frequently (e.g. every <NUM>) and the long term test less frequently (e.g. every <NUM>).

In general (considering the example of <FIG> for reference purposes), the method of the present invention performs the control through the use of:.

the control unit repeatedly determines, preferably with a predetermined period "dt", a predicted value of total X-ray dose based on a signal received from the X-ray transducer;
furthermore, the control unit deactivates the emission of X-rays at least based on the predicted value.

It is highlighted that the graphs of the figures are typically obtained by integrating the signal received from an X-ray transducer; in the example of <FIG>, the transducer <NUM> measures a "accrued dose" and not a "total" dose or simply a "dose".

In order to determine the predicted value, the control unit <NUM> repeatedly performs total dose estimates of X-rays according to a model (or better at least one model); one or more of the parameters of the model are determined and modified during the operation of the apparatus; in practice, the model is chosen and adjusted during the production stage. Advantageously, for the determination of the estimates, in particular of the parameters of the model a Kalman filter is used.

The predicted value (calculated at a time "t") can correspond to an expected value at a subsequent time "t+dt" of total X-ray dose absorbed by the X-ray transducer starting from the beginning of the exposure; in this case, the control unit performs a comparison between the predicted value and a predetermined value (e.g. Dd in <FIG>) and deactivates the emission of X-rays if such comparison indicates that the predicted value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (see for example <FIG>). In this case, the deactivation may be immediate or delayed; the maximum delay is the period "dt"; the delay may also be calculated and depend on the difference between the predetermined value and the current value.

The predicted value (calculated at a time "t") can correspond to an expected value at a subsequent predetermined time "tm" of total X-ray dose absorbed by the X-ray transducer starting from the beginning of the exposure; in this case, the control unit performs a comparison between the predicted value and a predetermined value (e.g. Dd in <FIG>) and deactivates the emission of X-rays if such comparison indicates that the predicted value is less than the predetermined value (see for example <FIG>). In this case, the deactivation preferably takes place immediately or as soon as the control unit establishes that the predicted value is less than the predetermined value (there will be a short delay due to the time necessary for the operations). Typically, the "desired dose" value depends on the selection of the operator. For example, the operator chooses the anatomical part to be radiated (e.g. skull, chest, foot) and chooses the size of the patient (e.g.: S, M, L, XL); the apparatus (or better, the software of the apparatus) determines the "desired dose" on the basis of these two choices.

Typically, the "maximum time" value can depend on different factors, e.g.: the characteristics of the image detector of the apparatus, the legislation (e.g. EN <NUM>), the anatomical part to be radiated, the size of the patient; the first factor can be set in the apparatus during the production stage, the second factor can be integrated into the software of the apparatus, the third factor and the fourth factor can depend on the choices of the operator.

To perform the prediction of the effective dose or total dose, at least one model of the trend of the dose is created; some examples are provided below.

Considering an ideal and general mathematical model (discrete time) of ramp behaviour, which is a very simple linear model, the following is obtained: F1: <MAT> where dr(k) is the "accrued dose" detected in the (small) time interval "dt", x(k) is the sample dose value "k", and x(k+<NUM>) is the subsequent sample dose value "k+<NUM>".

In general, the formula F1 can be corrected by adding a term e(k) to consider the effects of noise of which only the statistical characteristics are known (e.g. mean and variance) but not the punctual ones; it is difficult to overlook the noise if the aim is to work very accurately, as is the intention of the Applicant. Therefore, the following is obtained: F2: <MAT>.

The Applicant has analysed many measurements performed thereby with different powers, doses, sensors, cables, and has drawn up other formulae: F3: <MAT>.

F5: <MAT> wherein q is for example a particular well-known electronic effect a priori which can vary over time.

F6: <MAT> wherein q is for example a particular well-known electronic effect a priori which is fixed over time.

Therefore, there are many formulae or many possible models.

Sometimes it is possible to identify a priori only one appropriate formula; such identification can derive, for example, from experiments.

However, more generally and as can be understood better below, the Applicant has decided that it would be preferable to use simultaneously one group of (e.g. two or more) models and to perform the predictions on the basis of various models, e.g. by choosing the model that seems to fit best at a certain moment or a certain interval of time.

According to preferred embodiments, in order to determine the predicted value, the control unit repeatedly performs at least two total X-ray dose estimates according to at least two models during the operation of the apparatus and chooses (repeatedly) the estimate that it considers best as the expected value during the operation of the apparatus.

According to other preferred embodiments, in order to determine the predicted value, the control unit repeatedly performs at least two total X-ray dose estimates according to at least two models during the operation of the apparatus and (repeatedly) calculates the expected future value on the basis of at least two estimates during the operation of the apparatus; e.g. it can calculate a simple mean of two estimates or a weighted mean of two estimates.

A very effective possibility is to determine the estimates through a Kalman filter. It is to be noted that the present disclosure does not exclude a model being able to be subject to adjustments during the control of the apparatus; e.g. in the formula F3, the coefficient m(k) can (slightly) vary from sample to sample (or better, sample after sample, the coefficient converges or should converge towards a certain value, which is not known a priori).

Typically, the estimates are based on a known trend hypothesis of the signal received from the X-ray transducer (indicated with <NUM> in the example of <FIG>).

When various estimates are used simultaneously, it is possible for a score to be assigned by the control unit to each estimate, such score representing, in particular, the quality of the estimate. The quality of the estimate can be determined, for example, by calculating the difference between the real value and the estimate. When various models are used simultaneously, it is possible for a score to be assigned repeatedly by the control unit to each predetermined model, such score representing, in particular, the quality of the model. The quality of the model can be determined, for example, by calculating, at each sampling time, the difference between the real value and the value provided by the model and then adding together such differences; the model having such lower sum can be considered the best model.

If the score of all the models (at a certain time) is less than a minimum value, it may be envisaged that the control unit signals an abnormal operating condition so that, for example, an intervention can be arranged on the apparatus. The signal may be acoustic and intended for example for an operator and/or visual and intended for example for an operator or can consist simply of the storage of such abnormal operation condition in an appropriate memory and/or sending information so that such abnormal operating condition crosses any transmission means.

If the score of all the models is less than a minimum value for a predetermined time interval, it may be envisaged that the control unit signals an abnormal operating condition so that, for example, an intervention can be arranged on the apparatus. The signal may be acoustic and intended for example for an operator and/or visual and intended for example for an operator or can consist simply of the storage of such abnormal operation condition in an appropriate memory and/or sending information so that such abnormal operating condition crosses any transmission means.

The methods described above are particularly suitable to be implemented by a computerized control unit such as, for example, the unit <NUM> of <FIG>. The method envisages repeating a series of operations. Typically, such repetition takes place with a "predetermined period", e.g. <NUM>-<NUM>; however, such "predetermined period" is not to be considered very rigorous, therefore variations of <NUM>% or <NUM>% are perfectly tolerable.

<FIG> shows a partial flow diagram <NUM> of an embodiment of a control method according to the present invention, which uses two models; the diagram <NUM> can be considered a part of a complete diagram that corresponds to a "computer program" or simply "program"; the rectangular blocks of the diagram correspond to portions of code.

A value <NUM> measured at time "t" by the transducer <NUM> is provided as a input to the two models, a first model <NUM> and a second model <NUM>, which correspond in particular to two "procedures" or "functions" of the "program".

In relation to the first model <NUM>, at the step <NUM> the score of the model itself is updated (which is an index of the quality of the model) in light of the value <NUM> and provides it as an output <NUM>, at the step <NUM>, the expected value at time "t+dt" is calculated by the first model also on the basis (not necessarily only) of the value <NUM> and provides it as an output <NUM>, at step <NUM>, the expected value is calculated by the first model at time "tm" also on the basis (not necessarily only) of the value <NUM> and it is provided as an output <NUM>.

In relation to the second model <NUM>, at the step <NUM> the score of the model itself is updated (which is an index of the quality of the model) in light of the value <NUM> and provides it as an output <NUM>, at the step <NUM>, the expected value is calculated by the second model at time "t+dt" also on the basis (not necessarily only) of the value <NUM> and provides it as an output <NUM>, at step <NUM>, the expected value is calculated by the second model at time "tm" also on the basis (not necessarily only) of the value <NUM> and it is provided as an output <NUM>.

The terms "input" and "output" were previously used with reference to "procedure" or "functions" of a "program" and not with reference to a human-machine interface, e.g. the interface <NUM>.

On the basis of the values <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> can make the choice as to whether to deactivate the emission of X-rays by the emitter <NUM> or not; the simplest and most effective solution (but not the only possible one) is to use for the choice the results of the model having the highest score on an individual basis.

Claim 1:
Method for controlling a radiological apparatus (<NUM>) through the use of:
a) a control unit (<NUM>) adapted to activate X-ray emission from an X-ray emitter (<NUM>) of the radiological apparatus at the beginning of an exposure and deactivating X-ray emission from said X-ray emitter (<NUM>) subsequently, and
b) an X-ray transducer (<NUM>) associated with an image detector (<NUM>) of the radiological apparatus;
wherein said control unit (<NUM>) repeatedly determines, simultaneously or with a different frequency,
a first and a second predicted values of total X-ray dose based on a signal received from said X-ray transducer (<NUM>), and
wherein said control unit (<NUM>) deactivates the X-ray emission based on at least said first and second predicted values;
wherein in order to determine said first and second predicted values, said control unit (<NUM>) repeatedly performs total X-ray dose estimates according to a model,
wherein one or more parameters of said model are determined and modified during operation of the radiological apparatus (<NUM>);
wherein said first predicted value is calculated at a time "t" and corresponds to an expected value at a subsequent time "t+dt" of total X-ray dose absorbed by said X-ray transducer (<NUM>) starting from the beginning of said exposure, and wherein said control unit (<NUM>) makes a comparison between said first predicted value and a predetermined value and deactivates X-ray emission if said comparison indicates that said first predicted value is greater than or equal to said predetermined value; wherein said second predicted value is calculated at a time "t" and corresponds to an expected value at a predetermined subsequent time "tm" of total X-ray dose absorbed by said X-ray transducer (<NUM>) starting from the beginning of said exposure, and wherein said control unit (<NUM>) makes a comparison between said second predicted value and a predetermined value and deactivates X-ray emission if said comparison indicates that said second predicted value is lower to said predetermined value; wherein the predetermined subsequent time "tm" is a maximum exposure time.