Method and system for computed radiography

Abstract

A method for obtaining an X-ray image of a subject on a flexible information carrier plate for computed radiography. A memory is affixed to a surface of the plate, wherein the affixed memory stores information about the plate and is in wireless communication with a computer. A first scan date is stored in the affixed memory. Obtaining the X-ray image uses steps of storing at least a job identifier and a scan status for the plate in the affixed memory; acquiring image data from a scan of the plate following exposure to X-rays, acquiring at least the job identifier from the affixed memory, and associating the acquired image data with the acquired job identifier; incrementing a scan count value and updating the scan status in the affixed memory; erasing image content from the plate; and storing the acquired image data in a second, computer-accessible memory according to the acquired job identifier.

1 . A method for obtaining an intra-oral X-ray image of a subject on a flexible information carrier plate for computed radiography, comprising:
 affixing a memory to a surface of the information carrier plate, wherein the affixed memory stores information about the plate and wherein the affixed memory is in wireless communication with a computer;   storing at least a first scan date in the affixed memory; and   obtaining the intra-oral X-ray image of the subject by;
 (i) storing at least a job identifier and a scan states for the plate in the affixed memory; 
 (ii) acquiring image data from a scan of the flexible information carrier plate following exposure to X-rays, acquiring at least the job identifier from the affixed memory, and associating the acquired image data with the acquired job identifier; 
 (iii) incrementing a scan count value and updating the scan status in the affixed memory of the exposed flexible information carrier plate; 
 (iv) erasing image content from the flexible information carrier plate; and 
 (v) storing the acquired image data in a second, computer-accessible memory according to the acquired job identifier. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the X-ray image further comprises storing a destination address for the acquired image data in the affixed memory. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the X-ray image further comprises storing a resolution value for the obtained image in the affixed memory. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  farther comprising wirelessly tracking the use of the flexible information carrier plate by checking the scan count. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein storing the job identifier further comprises associating the job identifier with a data field within an electronic template that comprises a plurality of data fields. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising displaying the acquired image within the electronic template. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the X-ray image further comprises associating the acquired image with an electronic study folder. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising associating patient data with the study folder. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein acquiring the image data further comprises sending an instruction to reserve a scanner. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising sending an instruction to un-reserve a scanner following acquisition of the image data. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein storing the acquired image comprises storing the image in DICOM format. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein storing the job identifier in the affixed memory further comprises obtaining data over a wireless network connection. 
     
     
         13 . A method for tracking a plurality of flexible information carrier plates having intra-oral dental images associated with a patient, comprising:
 affixing a memory to a surface of each of the information carrier plates, wherein the affixed memory is accessible using wireless communication and wherein the affixed memory stores at least a manufacturing date for the plate and provides storage for information related to a job;   forming a study folder in a second, computer-accessible memory external to the information carrier plates, wherein the study folder is associated with the patient; and   for each carrier plate associated With the patient:
 (i) storing at least a job identifier and scan status for the carrier plate in the affixed memory; 
 (ii) acquiring image data from a scan of the flexible information carrier plate following exposure to X-rays, acquiring at least the job identifier from the affixed memory, and associating the acquired image data with the acquired job identifier; 
 (iii) incrementing a scan count value and updating the scan status in the affixed memory of the exposed flexible information carrier plate; 
 (iv) erasing image content from the flexible information carrier plate; and 
 (v) storing the acquired image in the study folder of the computer-accessible memory according to the job identifier. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising associating the study folder with a displayed template of user images obtained for the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising comparing the scan count value to a threshold count value and reporting a carrier plate whose scan count meets or exceeds the threshold count value. 
     
     
         16 . A method for associating a plurality of images to a patient, comprising:
 affixing a memory to a surface of each of a plurality of information carrier plates, whereto the affixed memory stores at least a manufacturing date for the plate and provides storage for information related to patient images and wherein the affixed memory is accessible using wireless communication;   forming a study folder m a second computer-accessible memory external to the information carrier plates, wherein the study folder is associated with the patient; and   for each of the plurality of carrier plates:
 (i) storing at least a job identifier associated with the patient and scan status for the plate in the affixed memory using wireless communication; 
 (ii) acquiring image data from a scan of the flexible information carrier plate following exposure of the patient to X-rays; 
 (iii) incrementing a scan count value and updating the scan status in the affixed memory of the exposed flexible information carrier plate using wireless communication: 
 (iv) erasing image content from the flexible information carrier plate; 
 (v) storing the acquired image in the study folder of the second computer-accessible memory according to the job identifier; and 
 (vi) displaying image contents of the study folder of the second computer-accessible memory as part of a template. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein storing the job identifier further comprises associating the plate with a position in the template. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising checking the scan count value to determine usage of the carrier plate. 
     
     
         19 . A system for obtaining an intra-oral X-ray of a patient, the system comprising:
 one or more information carrier plates, each information carrier plate having an affixed memory;   at least one processing arid acquisition station in communication with a secondary wireless tagging device that is operable to read and write temporary information into the affixed memory of the one or more information carrier plates over a first wireless communication channel; and   at least one scanner in communication with a primary wireless tagging device that is operable to read and write temporary information into the affixed memory over a second wireless communication channel, wherein the at least one scanner is actuable to obtain an image from each of the one or more information carrier plates.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the affixed memory is part of a radio-frequency identification device. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the one or more information carrier plates are computed radiography plates. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising a disposable envelope enclosing any of the one or more information carrier plates. 
     
     
         23 . A dental computed radiography plate comprising a flexible information carrier plate, wherein the information carrier plate is substantially flat, with two opposing sides, wherein one of the sides has an affixed radio frequency identification device with a memory storing a job identifier.