Patent Description:
Infection control has emerged as being among the most critically important factors in healthcare delivery as a result of the global propagation of Covid <NUM>. One consequence of the pandemic is that it has precipitated and accelerated the innovation process in a multitude of healthcare product arenas, including in areas such as personal protective equipment, ventilators, assays for Covid <NUM> testing, antimicrobials, among many others. In this regard there is great interest in building better infection control into the medical imaging process. In particular, in the context of portable x-ray imaging of patients in intensive care units, in emergency departments, and other medical care facilities. One approach for x-ray imaging that represents a shift in the imaging process does not require mobile x-ray units. The present invention makes use of an in-room imaging system for purposes of automation and remote control, thereby allowing patients afflicted with infectious disease to remain in isolation from staff that would normally perform the imaging at the patient bedside.

New facilities construction might be required in some instances, wherein patients who are afflicted with infectious disease are placed in isolation, either in a bay that is designated specifically for patients who are sick with the same particular disease (i.e., a Covid <NUM> ward), and the caregiving staff (nurses, physicians, therapists, etc.) are able to monitor and provide care remotely, e.g., from behind a wall with windows, as a means to minimize patient contact, and thereby also minimize the need for use of PPE. In such a scenario, vital signs monitoring, voice and visual communication mechanisms, and imaging would all need to be performed remotely and, preferably to the extent that technology and logistics would permit, be performed by automated means.

<CIT> describes a method and an apparatus for conducting a medical procedure on a number of patients respectively disposed at a number of different locations. The component for implementing the medical procedure is moved along a pre-assembled track that extends to each of the locations. <CIT> describes a ceiling support for an x-ray tube whose height is adjustable, by means of a carriage which can be moved on at least one ceiling rail. <CIT> describes an x-ray system with a handheld x-ray interface device including a wireless interface for communicating with an imaging system and a tracking device configured to provide a location and to track movement of the interface device relative to the imaging system. <CIT> describes a method for geometric calibration of a radiography apparatus that disposes at least one radio-opaque marker in the field of view, <CIT> describes a radiography system for imaging an object with a radiation source located on a first side of the object for generating a plurality of beams, a detector located on a second side of the object for detecting the plurality of beams, a first a second sensor and a controller configured to reconstruct a 3D scene based on object related information obtained by the first sensor and detector-position related information obtained by the second sensor and to control an operation of at least one of the radiation source and the detector based on the reconstruction.

In accordance with the present invention, a radiography system and a method of operating a radiographic imaging system as set forth in claims <NUM> and <NUM> is provided. Preferred embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

A radiographic imaging system may be deployed in an ICU unit of a medical facility that may benefit from isolating patients and health care providers. The radiography system provides a plurality of patient beds each having a digital radiographic (DR) detector positioned therein. An x-ray source is operable to be selectively positioned relative to each of the patient beds using a remote control system. The remote control system also controls firing of the x-ray source. An advantage that may be realized in the practice of some disclosed embodiments of the radiographic imaging system is isolation of health care providers from communicable pathogens shed by patients being radiographically imaged.

In one embodiment, a radiography system is installed in a plurality of patient beds wherein each bed includes a DR detector positioned therein. An x-ray source is configured to be selectively moved and positioned relative to each of the patient beds via a remote control system and is operable to be fired by the remote control system to capture radiographic images of patients while maintaining isolation of health care personnel away from the patients.

In one embodiment, a DR detector may be placed in every bed designated to hold a patient, an overhead tube crane type of mechanism having a collimated x-ray source, and motion control, either remote or automated, to position the x-ray source relative to the patient and a DR detector for x-ray image capture. Various aspects of the detector may be modified to achieve an advantageous solution. Preferably, a large form factor DR detector may be used (perhaps <NUM> x <NUM> inch or greater, e.g., <NUM> x <NUM> inch) to allow tolerance for source to detector positioning and/or misalignments. Fiducial markers on the bed, bed frame, or patient in preselected locations are used to aid in the positioning of the x-ray tube (source) relative to patient and detector. An automatic exposure control (AEC) mechanism disposed in the bed may be used to control exposure times. In one embodiment, the DR detector may be tethered in the bed, so that it is always powered on, connected to facility digital communication network, and ready to capture exposure images without need for a battery. The DR detector may be selected for high frame rate to support advanced applications such as serial radiography, dual energy, and digital tomosynthesis. In one embodiment, the DR detector could be made inexpensively, such as by using GOS with artificial intelligence noise suppression vs. CsI, and without wireless capability. The housing could be simplified because the DR detector would not need to be manufactured robustly such as for preventing liquid ingress, breakage from drops, and other shocks.

The summary descriptions above are not meant to describe individual separate embodiments whose elements are not interchangeable. In fact, many of the elements described as related to a particular embodiment can be used together with, and possibly interchanged with, elements of other described embodiments.

This brief description of the invention is intended only to provide a brief overview of subject matter disclosed herein according to one or more illustrative embodiments, and does not serve as a guide to interpreting the claims or to define or limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. This brief description is provided to introduce an illustrative selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This brief description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

So that the manner in which the features of the invention can be understood, a detailed description of the invention may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawings below are intended to be drawn neither to any precise scale with respect to relative size, angular relationship, relative position, or timing relationship, nor to any combinational relationship with respect to interchangeability, substitution, or representation of a required implementation. , emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which:.

<FIG> illustrates exemplary radiographic imaging systems that may be deployed in medical imaging facilities such as in adjacent ICU patient rooms <NUM> and <NUM>. The adjacent ICU rooms <NUM>, <NUM> may be separated by a divider <NUM>, such as a fixed solid structural wall, a movable solid wall, a curtain, or a drape, for example. As shown in <FIG>, a movable tube head <NUM> includes an x-ray source, and has a collimator <NUM> attached thereto, which tube head <NUM> may be mounted on an overhead tube crane <NUM>. The collimator <NUM> may include an electronically controlled collimator <NUM> having four individually movable blades for controlling a size of a rectangular aperture. The overhead tube crane <NUM> may be attached to a first track <NUM> to allow remote controlled movement of the tube crane <NUM> along directions <NUM> thereon. The overhead tube crane <NUM> may also be attached to a second track <NUM> to allow remote controlled movement of the tube crane <NUM> along directions <NUM> thereon. Typically, the movement directions <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to be perpendicular to each other and both parallel to a ceiling of a room containing the radiographic imaging system. The overhead tube crane <NUM> may also be configured to be telescopically extended and retracted vertically along directions <NUM>. The tracks <NUM>, <NUM> may be attached to, and extend along, a ceiling bridging ICU patient rooms <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, the tube crane <NUM> may be used to controllably move the tube head <NUM> from one ICU room to another ICU room, such as above and over the divider <NUM>, within a medical facility having a plurality of ICU rooms. The tube crane <NUM> includes an electric motor for controllably driving the tube crane <NUM> along a selected track <NUM>, <NUM>. Movement of the tube crane <NUM> along tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, allows accurate positioning of the tube head <NUM> in relation to either of patient beds 109a, 109b. In particular, movement of the tube crane <NUM> along tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, allows controlled positioning of the tube head <NUM> in relation to either of DR detectors 112a and 112b positioned in patient beds 109a, 109b, respectively. After controllably positioning the tube head <NUM> in relation to DR detector 112a, for example, the x-ray source therewithin may be remotely and controllably fired to emit x-ray beam 104a to expose DR detector 112a. As described in detail herein, such positioning of the tube head <NUM> and x-ray exposures may be performed remotely without requiring personnel to be present in the ICU rooms <NUM>, <NUM>.

In a separate embodiment, a tube head <NUM> having multiple x-ray sources <NUM>, such as carbon nanotube or other cold cathode sources, may be similarly mounted on, and operated by, an overhead tube crane <NUM> as described herein above. Movement of the tube head <NUM> using tube crane <NUM> along tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, allows controlled positioning of the x-ray sources <NUM> in relation to either of DR detectors 112a and 112b positioned in patient beds 109a, 109b, respectively. After controllably positioning the x-ray sources <NUM> in relation to DR detector 112b, for example, the x-ray sources <NUM> may be remotely and controllably fired to emit one or more separate x-ray beams 104b to expose DR detector 112b. As described in detail herein, such positioning of the x-ray sources <NUM> and x-ray exposures may be performed remotely without requiring personnel to be present in the ICU rooms <NUM>, <NUM>. Although two different tube heads <NUM>, <NUM>, are shown together in <FIG> for illustrative purposes, it is to be understood that only one remote controlled movable tube head <NUM> or <NUM> is required by the present invention for movement along tracks <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary radiographic imaging system that may be deployed in medical imaging facilities such as ICU patient rooms <NUM> and <NUM>, described herein above. The ICU rooms <NUM>, <NUM> may be separated by a divider <NUM>, such as a fixed solid structural wall, a movable solid wall, a curtain, or a drape, for example. As shown in <FIG>, a tube head <NUM> having an x-ray source, and a collimator <NUM> attached thereto, may be fixably mounted on support 118A attached to a ceiling <NUM> of ICU room <NUM>. Alternatively, the tube head <NUM> containing an x-ray source and collimator <NUM> may be mounted on a wall of ICU room <NUM>. Similarly, a tube head <NUM> including multiple x-ray sources, such as carbon nanotube or other cold cathode sources, may be fixably mounted on a support 118b attached to the ceiling <NUM> of a ICU room <NUM>. Alternatively, the tube head <NUM> containing multiple x-ray sources may be mounted on a wall of ICU room <NUM>. The tube heads <NUM>, <NUM>, may be rotatably attached to supports 118a, 118b, respectively, such that the tube heads <NUM>, <NUM>, may be rotated about any of orthogonal axes x, y, or z in order to align the x-ray sources with DR detectors 112a, 112b, positioned in the patient beds 109a, 109b, respectively. The tube heads <NUM>, <NUM>, may also be extended and retracted vertically along directions <NUM>. The supports 118a, 118b, may each include a motor that is remotely controllable to rotate and extend/retract the tube heads <NUM>, <NUM>. Rotational and vertical movement of the tube heads <NUM>, <NUM>, allows accurate positioning of the x-ray sources therewithin in relation to the DR detectors 112a, 112b, respectively. After controllably positioning the tube head <NUM> in relation to DR detector 112a, for example, the x-ray source therewithin may be remotely and controllably fired to emit an x-ray beam 104a to expose DR detector 112a, as described herein above. After controllably positioning the tube head <NUM> in relation to DR detector 112b, for example, the x-ray sources <NUM> therewithin may be remotely and controllably fired to emit one or more an x-ray beams 104b to expose DR detector 112b, as described herein above. As further described in detail herein, such positioning of individual tube heads <NUM>, <NUM>, one in each patient room <NUM>, <NUM>, and their x-ray exposures may be performed remotely without requiring personnel to be present in the ICU rooms <NUM>, <NUM>.

The schematic diagram of <FIG> illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a radiographic imaging system as described herein. The embodiment described with respect to <FIG> may be used with any of the previous embodiments described herein with respect to <FIG>. A user control console <NUM> may include a processing system for remotely controlling operation of the radiographic imaging systems described herein. The processing system may include a wired coupling <NUM> or a wireless transmission capability <NUM> for communicating with and controlling movement and operation of the tube crane <NUM> as well as the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, and the x-ray sources therein, such as a power level and/or firing sequence of the x-ray sources, and timing of exposures to be captured by DR detector <NUM>. The control console <NUM> includes connected I/O devices such as a keyboard/mouse and a digital operator display <NUM> for operator O use. In addition, the control console <NUM> may communicate by wire or wirelessly with DR detector <NUM>, if the DR detector <NUM> is so equipped, such as to transmit captured radiographic images to the control console <NUM>, and for synchronizing an image capture sequence of the DR detector <NUM> with firing of the x-ray source(s) in tube head <NUM>, <NUM>. The control console <NUM> may then transmit captured radiographic images to other network connected devices over a wired or wireless channel, such as to hand held tablets and cell phones. The control console <NUM> may be electronically connected to a medical facility communication network where the radiographic imaging system is installed.

The control console <NUM> may be separated from the patient rooms <NUM>, <NUM>, by one or more walls <NUM>, to provide an environment for operator O that is isolated from the patient rooms <NUM>, <NUM>. The control console <NUM> may be used by operator O to obtain radiographic images of patients in patient rooms <NUM>, <NUM>, without requiring operator O to have a direct line of sight of the patient P (<FIG>) or patient rooms <NUM>, <NUM>. The control console <NUM> may be located in a control room of a medical facility on a different floor from the patient rooms <NUM>, <NUM>, or even in a different building of the medical facility. If the medical facility network, which includes the control console <NUM>, is connected to the internet then the control console <NUM> may be configured to be operable over the internet from hundreds of miles away, thereby allowing the radiography system disclosed herein to be used remotely by operators over large distances. In a separate embodiment, the control system <NUM> may be configured and located at a particular site so that operator O may have a line of sight view of the patient P and the patient bed <NUM>, such as by providing a window <NUM> in isolation wall <NUM> through which the operator O can directly view the patient P.

<FIG> illustrates a side view of the radiographic imaging system of the present invention. A patient P may be lying on an ICU room bed <NUM> having a DR detector <NUM> positioned therewithin as described with reference to <FIG> herein. A tube head <NUM>, <NUM> having an x-ray source <NUM> is controllably rotated in directions <NUM> about axis x, for example, and about axes z and y, as necessary, by an operator P using control console <NUM> as described herein. A light projector <NUM> attached, for example, inside the collimator <NUM> may be used to project a light beam <NUM> for illuminating a radiation field, or exposure area, on the patient P in order to verify alignment of the x-ray source <NUM> with an area of the patient P to be radiographically imaged. As is known to those skilled in the art, a light source <NUM> may be configured to transmit a light beam <NUM> through the aperture of collimator <NUM> that coincides with an optical path of an x-ray beam to be emitted by x-ray source <NUM> through the same aperture. The DR detector <NUM> may be fixed in position within the patient bed <NUM>. The DR detector <NUM> may be connected to the control console <NUM> by wire <NUM>, which wire <NUM> may include data communication lines as well as power supply lines for operating the detector <NUM>, or the DR detector <NUM> may communicate wirelessly <NUM> with the control console <NUM> if so equipped. The tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, and the DR detector <NUM> may each include a corresponding accelerometer <NUM> which transmits spatial orientation data to the control console <NUM> to aid in verifying alignment of the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, and the DR detector <NUM>. The accelerometer <NUM> associated with detector <NUM> may be positioned in or on the patient bed <NUM> in a known position and distance relative to the detector <NUM>. The term accelerometer may be used interchangeably herein with terms such as inclinometer, inertial sensor and tilt sensor. A range finder <NUM> attached to the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, using ultrasound signals or lasers aimed at the patient bed <NUM>, for example, may be implemented to precisely measure source to detector distance (SID). A video camera <NUM> may be mounted on the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, to aid in alignment of the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, by transmitting a video signal over wire <NUM>, or wirelessly, to the operator display <NUM>. Fiducial markers <NUM> may be positioned on the patient P or on the patient bed <NUM>, which fiducial markers <NUM> may be used by an operator to assist in aligning the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, with respect to DR detector <NUM>. The fiducial markers <NUM> may be positioned in locations having known distances and spatial orientations relative to the detector <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary configuration of a graphical user interface (GUI) <NUM> to display control data and to provide operator controls, which may be presented on digital operator display <NUM> as described herein with reference to <FIG>. The GUI <NUM> may be used to display a calculated SID <NUM> measured by range finder <NUM>, a calculated relative detector tilt angle <NUM>, a calculated relative tube head tilt angle <NUM>, a video camera display <NUM> transmitted by video camera <NUM> to display to an operator a video of the position of the patient P and the illuminated radiation area <NUM> as illuminated by light source <NUM>, and controls <NUM> for adjusting a spatial position of the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, along tracks <NUM>, <NUM>, or vertically along directions <NUM>, and angularly along axes x, y and z (<FIG>). GUI controls <NUM> may be selected by the operator to selectively display a different set of functions <NUM> to control other parameters of the radiographic imaging system as described herein, and to display other numerical data fields. The exemplary GUI <NUM> may be a part of a touch screen implementation for operator control of the radiographic imaging system and it may also serve as a status display wherein control devices, such as knobs, keyboards, mouse, buttons, etc., of the radiographic imaging system may be positioned on other components thereof. An operator may use remote positioning controls <NUM> while viewing the live video of patient P on camera display <NUM> in order to properly position the radiation field on patient P as illuminated by light source <NUM>. The operator can also use remote positioning controls <NUM> to move and align the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, into a parallel orientation with detector <NUM> using the detector tilt angle <NUM> and tube head tilt angle <NUM> displays so that the emitted x-rays <NUM> may be as close to a perpendicular (<NUM>°) orientation to the detector <NUM> as possible. After a proper alignment is achieved, the x-ray source(s) in the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, may be controllably fired, using source firing control <NUM>, to capture radiographic images of the patient P in the DR detector <NUM>. A precisely and selectively positioned fiducial marker <NUM> may be captured by video camera <NUM> and shown in video display <NUM> for use by an operator to properly align the tube head <NUM>,<NUM>, with the DR detector <NUM>. For example, operator display screen cursors <NUM>, provided in the GUI <NUM>, may be used by an operator while adjusting a position of the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, to establish proper alignment with the fiducial markers <NUM>. Such a fiducial alignment indicates to the operator that a proper alignment has been achieved as between the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, and the detector <NUM>. Thus, an operator may use the fiducial markers <NUM> and display cursors <NUM>, or the illuminated radiation area <NUM> appearing in the video camera display <NUM> for remote alignment purposes.

<FIG> is a schematic display of a tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, having an electronic collimator <NUM> with a rectangular aperture <NUM> and a three-dimensional inclinometer/accelerometer <NUM> to illustrate use of accelerometers <NUM> for alignment of the radiographic imaging system. Another inclinometer <NUM> is positioned in the patient bed <NUM> (<FIG>) in a known spatial relationship and distance D from the detector <NUM>. The inclinometers <NUM> may generate and transmit data to the control console <NUM>, as described herein, identifying their spatial orientation with respect to three dimensional coordinates x, y and z. Such three-dimensional coordinate data may be used by the processing system of control console <NUM> to calculate an angular value identifying a displacement of the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, and DR detector <NUM> away from a parallel orientation therebetween, whereby a parallel orientation may be represented by an angular displacement value of <NUM>°. In particular, an angular displacement of <NUM>° may also be interpreted to indicate that a substantially central ray 104c of an x-ray beam collimated by collimator <NUM> impacts the DR detector <NUM> at an angle close to about <NUM>°, i.e., the central ray 104c is perpendicular to a surface of the DR detector <NUM>. The angular displacement value may be interpreted as generally pertaining to planes occupied by a plane of the planar DR detector <NUM> and to the plane occupied by the rectangular aperture <NUM> of the collimator <NUM>.

The DR detector <NUM> may include a two dimensional array of addressable photosensitive cells (pixels). The DR detector <NUM> may be positioned within a patient bed, as described herein, to receive a collimated x-ray beam <NUM> passing through a patient P lying on a bed <NUM> during radiographic imaging. As shown in <FIG>, the radiographic imaging system may use an x-ray source that emits collimated x-rays, e.g. an x-ray beam <NUM>, selectively aimed at and passing through a preselected region of the patient P. The DR detector <NUM> is positioned underneath patient P in a perpendicular relation, as much as possible, to a substantially central ray 104c of the x-ray beam <NUM>. The DR detector <NUM> may communicate with the central control console <NUM> over a wireless transmitter or over a wired connection to transmit radiographic image data thereto. The control console <NUM> may include a processing system having electronic memory and may also be used to control the x-ray sources, an aperture size and shape of an electronic collimator <NUM>, a projection angle of the x-ray beam <NUM> relative to the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, by manipulating the electronic collimator aperture, the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, electric current magnitude to tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, and thus the fluence and energy level of x-rays in x-ray beam <NUM>. The control console <NUM> may transmit images and other data to the connected digital display <NUM> for display thereon. In one embodiment, the accelerometers <NUM> may be configured to transmit their three-dimensional tilt coordinates to the processing console <NUM>. The console <NUM> may be configured to calculate a respective planar positions of the DR detector <NUM> and the collimator <NUM> to determine an angular displacement of the DR detector <NUM> and the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, relative to a parallel orientation thereof. The angular displacement so determined may be displayed on the digital operator display <NUM>, which displacement may include a calculated displacement having a zero value which indicates that the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, and the detector <NUM> are disposed parallel to each other. The angular displacement may include a calculated displacement having an example <NUM>° value which indicates that the tube head <NUM>, <NUM>, and the DR detector <NUM> are displaced from a parallel orientation by <NUM>°.

Collimator blades contained in the electronic collimator <NUM> control a shape and size of an aperture <NUM> of the collimator and, thereby, a radiation area on the DR detector <NUM>, which radiation area receives x-rays of the x-ray beam <NUM> generated and emitted by an x-ray source <NUM>. The collimator blades may be configured as a pair of parallel blades forming a rectangular aperture, which blades may be individually adjustable under programmed motor control. Control instructions for adjusting the electronic collimator aperture <NUM> may be transmitted from the console <NUM>, which may also receive positioning feedback data from the collimator <NUM> indicating precise height and width dimensions of the electronic collimator aperture <NUM>, which precise height and width dimensions may then be numerically displayed on the digital display <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, small and inexpensive monoblock x-ray sources may be used with each patient bed or ICU room. The monoblock sources could be ceiling mounted or mounted on the wall adjacent to the bed. In one embodiment, an array of stationary sources (tube head <NUM>) might be used for digital tomosynthesis capture at high speed. The video camera <NUM> could also be used for respiratory gating to synchronize exposures of the patient P. Artificial intelligence (AI) software may be used for automated positioning before exposure such as by storing encoder data used in previous exposures. AI may also be used for automated exposure technique determination, for automated quality control of captured x-ray images, such as a reject/accept analysis, for gridless capture and image processing, for display processing optimization, noise cancellation, and companion view generation, for sparse sampling approaches to minimize capture time for SR, DT, and DE, for detection of acute degradation in patient respiratory status, and to generate alerts for primary care givers. The AI software may be used in a parallel data path for AI tomosynthesis capture, with AI findings layered on standard general radiation images (with synthesized optimal projection) for ICU physicians. The AI software may also be used for prognostic outlook prediction based on digital vital signs, drug dosages, history, more than two dimensional (& longitudinal) imagery, and for automated tube / line tip localization and monitoring catheter position.

In one embodiment, an integrated remote PC, such as in console <NUM>, may be used for motion control, patient communication, and patient monitoring. In one embodiment, a ceiling mounted visible light (and IR) camera can be used to monitor the patient <NUM> hours a day. Imagery from the camera can be used to automatically determine if an x-ray needs to be taken, e.g., by sensing respiratory distress or some other patient condition that is worsening. An infrared camera can be used to detect changes in patient temperature, such as coming from exhaled breath. Such a camera could be a stereo camera to monitor chest movement more precisely in 3D. Incorporated infection control features can include various uses of anti-microbials on surfaces. A microphone may be included that listens to patient <NUM> hours a day, coupled with AI automated interpretation to sense audio that might be coupled with patient distress. An air quality monitoring system could also be added to provide indications to hospital staff when it may be more or less safe to enter the patient room to provide care.

Advantages that may be realized in the practice of some disclosed embodiments of the automated intensive care unit include clinical, workflow, and financial benefits. A fully remote and semi-automated image acquisition procedure provides infection control, improved image quality and consistency versus mobile DR imaging, and ICU operation with fewer staff to reduce hospital operational costs. Standard and advanced x-ray capture modes are more easily enabled as compared to a portable x-ray machine. Higher dimensional (greater than 2D) imagery leads to improved patient care for patients that are either too sick to be moved, or for patients having respiratory infectious disease that can't be moved due to concerns over unnecessarily exposing hospital staff and equipment. Tomosynthesis, dynamic, and dual energy improves information content and thereby enabling AI interpretation and processing to be highly robust. Improved automated change analysis and associated alerts for staff in the event a decline in patient condition is detected.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "service," "circuit," "circuitry," "module," and/or "system.

Program code and/or executable instructions embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer (device), partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention.

Claim 1:
A radiography system comprising:
a plurality of patient beds (109a, 109b) each comprising a DR detector (112a, 112b) positioned therein;
a remote control system (<NUM>); and
an x-ray source (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>) configured to be selectively positioned relative to each of the patient beds (109a, 109b) via the remote control system (<NUM>) and configured to be fired via the remote control system (<NUM>);
characterized by further comprising:
a video camera (<NUM>) attached adjacent to the x-ray source (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>) and aimed at one of the patient beds (109a, 109b), and a digital display (<NUM>; <NUM>) configured to display a video captured by the video camera (<NUM>); and
at least one fiducial marker (<NUM>) placed on or proximate to each of the patient beds (109a, 109b), each of the at least one fiducial marker (<NUM>) positioned at a known position and distance relative to a corresponding DR detector (112a, 112b), the fiducial markers (<NUM>) each configured to be visible on the digital display (<NUM>; <NUM>) when the corresponding patient bed (109a, 109b) is displayed thereon.