Orientation sensing apparatus for radiation imaging system

An apparatus for use to retrofit an existing radiation imaging system of a type including a radiation head and a radiation image detection device, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing, the housing being adapted to be sequentially coupled first to the detection device and second to the radiation head;
• a measurement sensor in the housing for continuously providing three-dimensional data for continuously determining changes in angular orientation of the housing while the housing
• (i) is coupled to the detection device,
• (ii) is being moved from a benchmark position in which the housing is coupled to the detection device to a position in which the housing is coupled to the radiation head, and
• (iii) is coupled to the radiation head;
• and
• a processor responsive to the three-dimensional data from the measurement sensor to continuously determine a change in three-dimensional angular orientation of the housing, whereby the change in three-dimensional angular orientation for use by an operator of the existing radiation imaging system to manually adjust angular orientation of the radiation head in at least one direction to align the radiation head to the image detection device.

A method for obtaining a radiation image, using a radiation imaging system including a radiation head having a radiation source, a radiation aiming light for projecting a target onto a patient to be imaged and a radiation image detection device having a photostimulable medium for recording images according to radiation emitted from the radiation head, the method comprising steps of:

• providing a single measurement sensor apparatus, the measurement sensor apparatus comprising a housing, the housing being adapted to be sequentially coupled first to the radiation image detection device and second to the radiation head, the measurement sensor apparatus continuously providing three-dimensional data for continuously determining changes in angular orientation of the measurement sensor apparatus while the measurement sensor apparatus
• (i) is coupled to the detection device,
• (ii) is being moved from a benchmark position in which the measurement sensor apparatus is coupled to the detection device to a position in which the measurement sensor apparatus is coupled to the radiation head, and
• (iii) is coupled to the radiation head;
• first coupling the measurement sensor apparatus to the detection device;
• establishing a first set of benchmark three-dimensional data from the measurement sensor apparatus as coupled to the detection device;
• while the sensor apparatus continuously provides the three-dimensional data, removing the measurement sensor apparatus from the detection device and second coupling the measurement sensor apparatus to the radiation head;
• establishing a second set of three-dimensional data from the measurement sensor apparatus as coupled to the radiation head;
• using a processor responsive to the sets of data from the measurement sensor apparatus, continuously determining changes in three-dimensional angular orientation of the measurement sensor apparatus, whereby the change in three-dimensional angular orientation for use by an operator of the radiation imaging system to manually adjust angular orientation of the radiation head in at least one direction;
• indicating to the operator at least one angular orientation adjustment of the radiation head to be made manually by the operator in at least one direction;
• projecting the target onto the patient;
• and
• with the measurement sensor apparatus coupled to the radiation head, manually adjusting the angular orientation of the radiation head according to the angular orientation adjustment to align the radiation head to the image detection device, while manually maintaining the target in a desired location on the patient.