Method for controlling the spatial position of a direct digital X-ray detector

1. A medical imaging system comprising:

a radiographic work station including a processor for controlling for a planned radiographic exposure a spatial position of a portable digital direct x-ray detector in the medical imaging system including a plurality of radiographic exposure stands, the processor including:

means for creating a three-dimensional spatial model of the medical imaging system;

means for determining within the three-dimensional spatial model the spatial position of the detector based on input received from three gravity sensors provided within the detector;

means for determining within the three-dimensional spatial model a three-dimensional volume space for each of the plurality of radiographic exposure stands in the medical imaging system; and

means for checking whether for the planned radiographic exposure the spatial position of the detector to be used in the exposure fits within the three-dimensional volume space of the radiographic exposure stand to be used in the exposure;

an x-ray source including means for determining a spatial position of the x-ray source, wherein the spatial position of the X-ray source is communicated to the radiographic workstation; and

tracking means for positioning or repositioning the x-ray source to be in alignment with the detector.

2. The medical imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional spatial model includes reference spatial positions for the detector.

3. The medical imaging system according to claim 2 , wherein the reference spatial positions for the detector relate to one or more of the following stands: wall, table, storage, and/or docking position.

4. The medical imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the gravity sensors provided within the detector include accelerometer sensors and a gyroscope to determine an orientation of a radiographic panel, apart from a spatial position of the radiographic panel.

5. The medical imaging system according to claim 4 , wherein the spatial position of the detector is determined based on a movement of the detector relative to reference points by double integration of acceleration values measured by the accelerometer sensors.

6. A medical imaging system comprising:

a radiographic work station including a processor configured or programmed to control for a planned radiographic exposure a spatial position of a portable digital direct x-ray detector in the medical imaging system including a plurality of radiographic exposure stands, the processor being configured or programmed to:

create a three-dimensional spatial model of the medical imaging system;

to determine within the three-dimensional spatial model the spatial position of the detector based on input received from three gravity sensors provided within the detector;

to determine within the three-dimensional spatial model a three-dimensional volume space for each of the plurality of radiographic exposure stands in the medical imaging system; and

to check whether for the planned radiographic exposure the spatial position of the detector to be used in the exposure fits within the three-dimensional volume space of the radiographic exposure stand to be used in the exposure;

an x-ray source programmed or configured to determine a spatial position of the x-ray source, wherein the spatial position of the x-ray source is communicated to the radiographic workstation; and

a tracking device configured to position or reposition the x-ray source to be in alignment with the detector.

7. The medical imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the three-dimensional spatial model includes reference spatial positions for the detector.

8. The medical imaging system according to claim 7 , wherein the reference spatial positions for the detector relate to one or more of the following stands: wall, table, storage, and/or docking position.

9. The medical imaging system according to claim 6 , wherein the gravity sensors provided within the detector include accelerometer sensors and a gyroscope to determine an orientation of a radiographic panel, apart from a spatial position of the radiographic panel.

10. The medical imaging system according to claim 9 , wherein the spatial position of the detector is determined based on a movement of the detector relative to reference points by double integration of acceleration values measured by the accelerometer sensors.