Scattered X-ray detection to detect misuse and prevent harm
An apparatus and related method for supporting X-ray imaging. The apparatus comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving an X-radiation scatter measurement obtained by an X-ray sensor (SX i ) during operation of an X-ray imager (XI) for imaging a first object (PAT). A predictor component (PC) is configured to predict, based on said measurement, whether or not: i) a second object (P) is present, or ii) there is sufficient X-ray exposure of said first object (PAT). The apparatus comprises an output interface (OUT) for outputting a predictor signal indicative of an outcome of said prediction.
1. An imaging system, comprising:
an X-ray imager;
at least one X-ray sensor;
an input interface for receiving an X-radiation scatter obtained by the at least one X-ray sensor during operation of the X-ray imager for imaging a first object;
a processor configured to predict, based on the scatter, whether a second, not imaged, object is present in an examination room, wherein the at least one X-ray sensor is arranged away from the second object and configured to detect an additional scatter which is above a normal scatter to be expected if the second object is not present in the examination room other than the first object, or there is sufficient X-ray exposure of the first object if the normal scatter to be expected for the first object having a known mass is detected by the at least one X-ray sensor; and
an output interface for outputting a predictor signal indicative of an outcome of said prediction.
2. The imaging system according to claim 1 , further comprising a transducer configured to issue an alert signal in response to the predictor signal, said transducer being at least one of auditory and optical.
3. The imaging system according to claim 1 , further comprising displaying on a display a message in relation to the predictor signal.
4. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein a message in relation to said predictor signal is transmitted over a communication network to a recipient.
5. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein an action is caused to affect the dose of X-radiation received at the first object based on the predictor signal.
6. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the X-ray imager comprises an X-ray detector for imaging the first object, and where the at least one sensor is different from said X-ray detector.
7. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the X-ray imager comprises an X-ray detector, wherein the at least one sensor is part of the X-ray detector.
8. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein operation of the processor is based on a machine learning algorithm trained by one or more samples of X-radiation scatter measurements.
9. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to compare the scatter against one or more pre-defined X-radiation scatter thresholds.
10. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the X-ray imager is located in a room with the at least one X-ray sensor arranged on at least one of a wall, a floor, and a ceiling of said room.
11. The imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one X-ray sensor is located on the X-ray imager.
12. A method of supporting X-ray imaging, comprising:
receiving an X-radiation scatter obtained by at least one X-ray sensor during operation of an X-ray source of an X-ray imager to expose a first object to X-radiation for imaging;
making a prediction, based on the scatter, whether a second, not imaged, object is present in an examination room, wherein the at least one X-ray sensor is arranged away from the second object and configured to detect an additional scatter which is above a normal scatter to be expected if the second object is not present in the examination room other than the first object, or there is sufficient X-ray exposure of the first object if the normal scatter to be expected for the first object having a known mass is detected by the at least one X-ray sensor; and
outputting a predictor signal indicative of an outcome of said prediction.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having one or more executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method for supporting X-ray imaging, the method comprising:
receiving an X-radiation scatter obtained by at least one X-ray sensor during operation of an X-ray source of an X-ray imager to expose a first object to X-radiation for imaging;
making a prediction, based on the scatter, whether a second, not imaged, object is present in an examination room, wherein the at least one X-ray sensor is arranged away from the second object and configured to detect an additional scatter which is above a normal scatter to be expected if the second object is not present in the examination room other than the first object, or there is sufficient X-ray exposure of the first object if the normal scatter to be expected for the first object having a known mass is detected by the at least one X-ray sensor; and
outputting a predictor signal indicative of an outcome of said prediction.