US 6,275,559 B1 · Method and system for diagnosing faults in imaging scanners

Abstract

A system is provided for identifying faults in a non-OEM computed tomography system having components in connection with the detectors to reconstruct an image. Then, correlation values are derived from baseline reference data files and current data files collected after a fault is suspected in the CT system. The correlation values are compared against a threshold to identify suspect detectors and a pattern recognition algorithm is applied to determine if the suspect detectors are faulty or if one of the components processing the output signals has failed. If baseline files are unavailable, the identification of faulty components is accomplished by performing correlation between the current data files and average profile values.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A diagnostic system for identifying faults in an imaging system having a plurality of detectors generating output signals and a plurality of components in connection with the detectors for reconstructing images from the output signals generated by the plurality of detectors, said diagnostic system comprising:

a memory storing at least one current data file which includes data output by one of the plurality of components after a fault is suspected in the imaging system;
and
a processor in connection with the memory for processing said at least one current data file to identify faulty detector and component.

A diagnostic system for identifying faults in a non-OEM imaging system without utilizing proprietary information, said non-OEM imaging system having a plurality of detectors generating output signals and a plurality of components in connection with the detectors for reconstructing images from the output signals generated by the plurality of detectors, said diagnostic system comprising:

means for collecting at least one current data file including data output by one of the plurality of components after a fault is suspected in the imaging system, said at least one current data file including processed output signals generated by said plurality of detectors at a plurality of scan angles;
means for obtaining at least one baseline reference data file including data that would be output by said one of the plurality of components if the imaging system is operating faultlessly;
means for comparing said at least one current data file with said at least one baseline reference data file using a correlation operation to produce correlation values;
and
means for identifying faulty detector and component based on the correlation values.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for diagnosing faults in imaging scanners

Life of this patent

Method and system for diagnosing faults in imaging scanners

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31