X-ray system and method with digital image acquisition

1. An X-ray imaging system comprising:

an X-ray radiation source;

a source controller coupled to the source and configured to command X-ray emission of X-rays for image exposures;

a digital X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from the source controller, wherein the detector comprises a matrix of image pixels, and the detector is configured to detect the beginning of an X-ray exposure by both continuously sampling the matrix of image pixels and recharging the image pixels between sampling prior to and during the X-ray exposure; and

a portable detector control device configured to communicate with the digital X-ray detector.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured to detect the beginning and end of an X-ray exposure, generate X-ray image data, and transfer a reconstructed image based upon the X-ray image data to the portable detector control device through wired or wireless communication.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured to at least partially process the X-ray image data.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the portable detector control device is configured to at least partially process the X-ray image data.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the portable detector control device is configured to display a reconstructed image based upon the X-ray image data, to allow a user to view the image, select a region of interest in the image, add position marks to the image, and to input patient information and X-ray technique into an image header for the reconstructed image.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detector and/or the portable detector control device is configured to generate a DICOM compliant data file based upon the X-ray image data.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detector and the portable detector control device are configured to communicate with one another wirelessly and/or through a wire.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detector and/or the portable detector control device is configured to transmit processed X-ray image data to an institution image review and storage system and/or an image printer.

9. An X-ray imaging method comprising:

commanding a detector preparation signal from a portable detector control device to a digital X-ray detector wherein the detector comprises a matrix of image pixels;

commanding an X-ray radiation source to perform an X-ray exposure via a source controller coupled to the source, the source controller not being in communication with the X-ray detector;

detecting the beginning of an X-ray exposure by both continuously sampling the matrix of image pixels and recharging the image pixels between sampling prior to and during the X-ray exposure; and

acquiring X-ray image data from the detector via the portable detector control device.

10. The method of claim 9 , comprising receiving on the portable detector control device a detector ready signal from the detector prior to commanding the source to perform the exposure.

11. The method of claim 9 , comprising acquiring at least one offset image on the detector prior to the exposure.

12. The method of claim 9 , comprising determining when the exposure ends based upon comparison of sampled image data generated by the detector.

13. The method of claim 9 , comprising at least partially processing the X-ray image data on the detector.

14. The method of claim 9 , comprising at least partially processing the X-ray image data on the portable detector control device.

15. The method of claim 9 , comprising displaying a reconstructed image based upon the X-ray image data.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the reconstructed image is displayed on the portable detector control device while an imaging subject is present in a location wherein the X-ray image data is acquired.

17. The method of claim 16 , comprising repositioning the imaging subject for a further exposure based upon the reconstructed image displayed on the portable detector control device.

18. The method of claim 9 , wherein the detector and/or the portable detector control device is configured to generate a DICOM compliant data file based upon the X-ray image data.

19. The method of claim 9 , wherein the detector and the portable detector control device are configured to communicate with one another wirelessly and/or through a wire.

20. The method of claim 9 , wherein the detector and/or the portable detector control device is configured to transmit processed X-ray image data to an institution image review and storage system and/or an image printer.

21. An X-ray imaging system comprising:

a digital X-ray detector configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from a source controller and to send the X-ray image data to a portable detector control device for processing and image preview, wherein the source controller is configured to command X-ray emissions of X-rays from an X-ray radiation source for image exposures, and wherein the detector comprises a matrix of image pixels, and the detector is configured to detect the beginning of an X-ray exposure by both continuously sampling the matrix of image pixels and recharging the image pixels between sampling prior to and during the X-ray exposure.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the detector is configured to prepare for X-ray exposure in response to instructions from the portable detector control device, and to transmit a detector ready signal to the portable detector control device indicating that the detector is prepared to receive the X-ray exposure.

23. The system of claim 21 , wherein the detector is configured to at least partially process the X-ray image data.

24. A digital X-ray detector comprising:

a matrix of image pixels;

circuitry configured to acquire X-ray image data without communication from a source controller, wherein the source controller is configured to command X-ray emissions of X-rays from an X-ray radiation source for image exposures, and wherein the circuitry is configured to detect the beginning of an X-ray exposure by both continuously sampling the matrix of image pixels and recharging the image pixels between sampling prior to and during the X-ray exposure.

25. The digital X-ray detector of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is configured to detect the beginning and end of an X-ray exposure.

26. The digital X-ray detector of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is configured to at least partially process the X-ray image data.

27. The digital X-ray detector of claim 26 , wherein the circuitry is configured to completely process the X-ray image data.

28. The digital X-ray detector of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is configured to generate a DICOM compliant data file based upon the X-ray image data.

29. The digital X-ray detector of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is configured to generate X-ray image data and to enable transfer of a reconstructed image based upon the X-ray image data to a portable detector control device through wired or wireless communication.

30. The digital X-ray detector of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is configured to enable wired or wireless communication with a portable detector control device.

31. The digital X-ray detector of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is configured to determine when an exposure ends based upon comparison of sampled image data generated by the detector.

32. The digital X-ray detector of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is configured to prepare the detector for an X-ray exposure in response to instructions from a portable detector control device, and to enable transmission of a detector ready signal to the portable detector control device indicating that the detector is prepared to receive the X-ray exposure.

33. The digital X-ray detector of claim 24 , wherein the circuitry is configured to enable transmission of processed X-ray image data to an institution image review and storage system and/or an image printer.