X-ray imaging system failure detection apparatus

A medical imaging system comprising:

• an X-ray imaging system;
• a processing unit;
• a transceiver system;
• an analyser;
• and
• an output unit;
• wherein the processing unit is configured to control at least one mode of operation of the X-ray imaging system;
• wherein the transceiver system is located relative to a component of the X-ray imaging system,
• wherein the transceiver system is configured to emit RF radiation, and wherein the RF radiation comprises radiation emitted over a period of time;
• wherein the transceiver system is configured to irradiate at least one part of the component with first RF radiation that is at least a portion of the emitted RF radiation, and wherein the first RF radiation comprises radiation that irradiates the at least one part of the component over the period of time;
• wherein the transceiver system is configured to collect second RF radiation, wherein the second RF radiation is at least a portion of the first HR RF radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted by the component, and wherein the second RF radiation comprises radiation collected over the period of time;
• wherein the transceiver system is configured to provide the analyser with data indicative of the second RF radiation;
• wherein the analyser is configured to determine that the component has a fault or is developing a fault, wherein the determination that the component has a fault or is developing a fault comprises utilization of the data indicative of the second RF radiation, and wherein the determination that the component has a fault or is developing a fault comprises a detection of a change in the second RF radiation over the period of time;
• and
• wherein the output unit is configured to output information that the component has a fault or is developing a fault upon the determination by the analyser that the component has a fault or is developing a fault.

An X-ray imaging system failure detection method, the method comprising:

• locating a transceiver system relative to a component of the X-ray imaging system;
• emitting by the transceiver system RF radiation, and wherein the RF radiation comprises radiation emitted over a period of time;
• irradiating by the transceiver system at least one part of the component with first RF radiation that is at least a portion of the emitted RF radiation, and wherein the first RF radiation comprises radiation that irradiates the at least one part of the component over the period of time;
• collecting by the transceiver system second RF radiation, wherein the second RF radiation is at least a portion of the first HR RF radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted by the component, and wherein the second RF radiation comprises radiation collected over the period of time;
• providing by the transceiver system an analyser with data indicative of the second RF radiation;
• determining by the analyser that the component has a fault or is developing a fault, wherein the determining that the component has a fault or is developing a fault comprises utilizing the data indicative of the second RF radiation, and wherein the determining that the component has a fault or is developing a fault comprises detecting a change in the second RF radiation over the period of time;
• and
• outputting by an output unit information that the component has a fault or is developing a fault upon the determination by the analyser that the component has a fault or is developing a fault.