X-ray detector monitoring

In an x-ray imaging system comprising a source of x-rays and a digital detector comprising pixel elements arranged in rows and columns for creating data suitable for generating an x-ray image of a portion of a patient, a method of monitoring the detector comprising:

• calibrating the detector during a calibration phase of operation;
• powering the detector during use phases of operation occurring at different times;
• energizing the source of x-rays in an exposure mode of operation during the use phases of operation so that x-rays are transmitted to the detector;
• inhibiting the source of x-rays in a dark mode of operation during the use phases of operation;
• reading the data created by said pixel elements during a dark mode of operation;
• analyzing the read data by determining whether the data values read during the dark mode of operation are within a range of predetermined levels;
• and
• identifying pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the calibration phase of operation and during a predetermined portion of a plurality of the use phases of operation.

In an x-ray imaging system comprising a source of x-rays and a digital detector comprising pixel elements arranged in rows and columns for creating data suitable for generating an x-ray image of a portion of a patient, apparatus for monitoring the detector comprising:

• a memory;
• a control arranged to
• calibrate the detector during a calibration phase of operation,
• power the detector during use phases of operation occurring at different times,
• energize the source of x-rays in an exposure mode of operation during the use phases of operation so that x-rays are transmitted to the detector, and
• inhibit the source of x-rays in a dark mode of operation during the use phases of operation;
• and
• a processor arranged to
• read the data created by said pixel elements,
• analyze the read data,
• identify pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the calibration phase of operation and during a predetermined portion of a plurality of the use phases of operation,
• store in the memory a first map identifying pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the most recent calibration phase of operation,
• store in the memory a second map identifying pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the current use phase of operation, and
• store in the memory a third map identifying pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during a predetermined portion of a plurality of use phases of operation occurring prior to the current use phase of operation.

In an x-ray imaging system comprising a source of x-rays and a digital detector comprising pixel elements arranged in rows and columns for creating data suitable for generating an x-ray image of a portion of a patient, a method of monitoring the detector comprising:

• calibrating the detector during a calibration phase of operation;
• powering the detector during use phases of operation occurring at different times;
• energizing the source of x-rays in an exposure mode of operation during the use phases of operation so that x-rays are transmitted to the detector;
• inhibiting the source of x-rays in a dark mode of opertion during the use phases of operation;
• reading the data created by said pixel elements;
• analyzing the read data;
• identifying pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the calibration phase of operation and during a predetermined portion of a plurality of the use phases of operation;
• storing a first map identify pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the most recent calibration phase of operation;
• storing a second map identify pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during the current use phase of operation;
• and
• storing a third map identify pixel elements corresponding to data indicating defective pixel elements during a predetermined portion of a plurality of use phases of operation occurring prior to the current use phase of opertion.