US 4,991,193 A · System safety monitor for CT scanners

Abstract

A gantry (A) of a CT scanner system has an x-ray tube (10) and radiation detectors (14) which produce patient diagnostic data. An operator using a keyboard (20) or other manual controls operates the x-ray tube and other components of the gantry. The operator also causes a central processing unit (C) to process the diagnostic data with a selected algorithm to provide diagnostic information for display on a display (24). The same keyboard and displays are also utilized in routine service and repair processes. A system monitor (E) compares operating conditions sensed by sensors (50), such as operating temperatures and compares them with acceptable operating conditions. When the sensed conditions are unacceptable, a timer (60) is started and shuts down (68) gantry operation after a preselected duration. The operator can override (72) the timed shut down, but each such override is recorded (74) in permanent storage (32). The comparing means also compares software identification codes either for software selected on touch sensitive areas (76) of the display screen or from new software identifications read on a disk drive (22). If the identification of the requested or received software matches an authorized software identification, the software is utilized for diagnostic or service purposes. Other use of the software is blocked and the identification of any software sought to be entered is stored in the memory (32). To initiate a CT scan, a ready button (40) starts a timer (44) which enables a start button (42) to control the power to the CT scanner for a selected short duration, e.g. 30 seconds.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A medical diagnostic scanner system comprising:

a gantry means for receiving a subject, performing a non-invasive examination thereof, and generating electrical examination signals indicative of the non-invasive examination;
an image reconstruction means for processing the examination signals into operation-readable diagnostic information;
a central processor unit for controlling the image reconstruction means;
control panel for selectively controlling the gantry means, the central processor unit and the reconstruction means;
a system monitor means for selectively interconnecting and enabling the gantry means, the central processor unit, and the control panel;
a plurality of condition sensors for sensing operating conditions of system components;
an acceptable operating condition storage means for selectively storing acceptable operating conditions;
an operating condition comparing means for comparing the sensed operating conditions with the stored acceptable operating conditions;
a shut-down timing means for cutting off power to the gantry means after a selected duration, the shut-down timing means being operatively connected with the comparing means such that the comparing means causes the timing means to start timing the selected duration;
an override control means operatively connected with the timing means for enabling an operator to override the timing means during the selected duration and continue operating the gantry means in spite of a sensed unacceptable operating condition;
a recording means for making a recorded record of each override.

8 more elements

A medical diagnostic scanner system comprising:

a gantry means for receiving a subject, performing a non-invasive examination thereof, and generating electrical examination signals indicative of the non-invasive examination;
an image reconstruction means for processing the examination signals into operation readable diagnostic information;
a central processing unit for controlling the image reconstruction means;
a control panel for selectively controlling the gantry means, the central processing unit and the reconstruction means;
a means for storing software routines, each routine being identified by a unique software identification;
an authorized software identification memory for storing a list of authorized software identifications;
means for entering into the central processing unit an identification of a selected software routine to be performed and an identification of a system in which the selected software routine has been installed;
an embedded authorized software comparing means separate from software in the central processor unit for comparing the entered software identification with identifications in the authorized software identification memory;
and,
a software loading means for loading software programs from the software storing means into the central processing unit, the comparing means controlling the software loading means for selectively enabling and blocking loading of software into the central processing unit in response to the software identification comparison.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System safety monitor for CT scanners

Life of this patent

System safety monitor for CT scanners

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18