MOVEMENT INDICATOR FOR MOBILE MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS
A mobile x-ray system has a wheeled base for rollably transporting the mobile x-ray system. An x-ray source is attached to a support arm that is attached to the base. A handle on the base is provided to manually maneuver the mobile x-ray system while rollably transporting the system over a surface. A light source attached to the mobile x-ray system projects a visible pattern onto the surface in front of the wheeled base.
1 . A mobile x-ray system comprising:
a base comprising wheels for rollably transporting the mobile x-ray system;
a support arm attached to the base and movable relative to the base;
an x-ray source attached to an end of the support arm opposite the base;
a handle attached to the base, the handle configured to manually maneuver the mobile x-ray system while rollably transporting the mobile x-ray system over a travel surface; and
a light source attached to the mobile x-ray system, wherein the light source projects a visible pattern onto the travel surface.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a laser source.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the visible pattern comprises a pair of parallel lines projected adjacent to sides of the base of the mobile x-ray system.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the visible projection comprises a curved or linear line projected on the travel surface in front of the base of the mobile x-ray system, wherein the curved or linear line is positioned transverse to the pair of parallel lines.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising means for automatically activating the light source when the mobile x-ray system is transported over the travel surface.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising means for automatically activating the light source when the handle is touched by an operator.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the visible pattern comprises an area on the travel surface in front of the base illuminated by the light source.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the visible pattern comprises a logo.
9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the visible pattern comprises human readable text.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor to detect light from the visible pattern reflected back to the sensor, the sensor including means to transmit a signal in response to detecting light from the visible pattern.
11 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising means responsive to the transmitted signal for activating an audible warning, a blinking light, or change of color of the visible pattern.
12 . A method comprising:
detecting motion of a mobile medical imaging apparatus along a travel path; and
actuating a light source to project a visible light pattern on the travel path in response to the step of detecting motion.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising detecting reflected light from the visible light pattern and transmitting a signal in response thereto.
14 . A mobile x-ray system comprising:
a wheeled base for rolling the mobile x-ray system over a floor;
a support arm attached to the base;
an x-ray source attached to the support arm;
a handle attached to the base, the handle configured to manually control rolling the mobile x-ray system over the floor; and
a laser source attached to the mobile x-ray system to project a visible laser light pattern on the floor in front of the mobile x-ray system.
15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a light detector to detect the laser light pattern reflected back to the light detector, wherein the laser source is configured to change a color of the laser light pattern in response to a signal from the light detector.
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the visible laser light pattern comprises a pair of parallel lines projected adjacent to sides of the wheeled base of the mobile x-ray system.
17 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising means for automatically activating the laser source when the mobile x-ray system is in motion over the floor.
18 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising means for automatically activating the laser source when the handle is touched by an operator.
19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the visible laser light pattern comprises human readable text.
20 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a light detector to detect the laser light pattern reflected back to the light detector; and
a warning indicator that is activated in response to a signal from the light detector.