Neckerchief for inhibiting thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts

Abstract

The utility model relates to a neckerchief for inhibiting thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts, which comprises a neckerchief main body formed by sequentially connecting three accommodating bags, a second accommodating bag (3) and a third accommodating bag (4) are respectively connected to two ends of a first accommodating bag (1), and the third accommodating bag (4) is longer than the second accommodating bag (3); a neck pillow (2) attached to the neck is arranged in the first containing bag (1), and normal saline bags (5) matched with the first containing bag (3) and the third containing bag (4) in size are arranged in the second containing bag (3) and the third containing bag (4). The side, opposite to the first containing bag (1), of the second containing bag (3) is connected with a buckle (6) and an adjusting belt (7) capable of penetrating through the buckle (6), and the adjusting belt (7) is provided with a pasting assembly (8) and a corresponding pasting face (81). Compared with the prior art, the device can effectively restrain beam hardening artifacts during thyroid CT scanning, and meanwhile has the advantages of being simple and convenient in operation process, good in fitting performance, high in comfort degree and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical instruments, in particular to a neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts. Background Art

[0002] Computer tomography (CT) is now widely used in clinical practice, especially in the cervical thyroid, where it has a very significant auxiliary diagnostic effect. CT can make up for the limitations of ultrasound (US) in thyroid imaging. It can display the entire lesion through tomographic reconstruction, clarify the scope of the lesion and its relationship with the surrounding tissues, and is better than US in displaying the central group of cervical lymph nodes and calcification in the lesion. It plays a very important role in the preoperative evaluation and postoperative review of thyroid diseases.

[0003] However, due to the CT imaging principle and the tissue structure of the human shoulder and neck, thyroid CT will produce beam hardening artifacts in the relevant same-plane images of the bilateral shoulder joints and clavicles. Its generation mechanism is that the X-ray tube emits an X-ray beam with mixed energy. When this beam passes through high-density tissues such as the shoulder joint and clavicle from the side of the human body, the low-energy X-rays are absorbed by the tissue, resulting in an increase in the average energy of the X-ray beam after penetration and the hardening of the X-ray beam. When these hardened X-ray beams continue to pass through soft tissues such as the thyroid gland, the attenuation coefficient of the X-rays will decrease significantly, appearing as low-density dark strips in the image, affecting the local observation and diagnosis of the thyroid gland.

[0004] At present, common clinical solutions include: ① modifying scanning parameters to improve scanning conditions (KV and mAs) during the examination; ② using spectral scanning to reconstruct high kVp single energy images of spectral scanning data; ③ optimizing iterative reconstruction algorithms; and ④ using extracorporeal auxiliary devices.

[0005] Considering that the thyroid gland is an organ in the human body that is relatively sensitive to radiation, the above solutions ① and ② are not recommended for routine use. Due to differences among companies, the iterative reconstruction algorithm cannot be unified in terms of suppressing beam hardening artifacts, and the version of the iterative reconstruction algorithm depends on the CT equipment model. Many remote areas and lower-level hospitals do not have high-end CT machines and the most advanced iterative reconstruction algorithms. Therefore, in vitro auxiliary devices that can effectively suppress thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts without increasing radiation dose and with universal applicability have been proposed one after another.

[0006] CN113143308A discloses a medical imaging scanning auxiliary neck pillow, which adjusts the height and width knobs to raise the back of the patient's neck and fix it with an elastic strap, so as to fully expose the thyroid gland and cervical lymph node area and perform CT scanning, thereby improving the imaging quality.

[0007] CN219374697U discloses a cervical collar for CT examination, which includes a cylindrical saline bag and a flexible cloth. The saline bag at both ends of the flexible cloth is adjusted so that the inner side of the saline bag is closely attached to both sides of the patient's neck before a CT scan is performed. The X-ray attenuation principle is utilized to effectively suppress beam hardening artifacts at the neck and the entrance of the thorax.

[0008] CN116919443A discloses a neck brace for CT imaging that eliminates neck hardening artifacts. The device includes a base plate and two symmetrical arc-shaped baffles, and a bag filled with saline solution is provided on the relatively outer sides of the connection. The patient's neck is effectively fixed by the neck brace before a CT scan is performed. The saline solution on both sides of the neck brace improves the uniformity of the shoulder, neck, neck and thoracic inlet tissues, thereby effectively suppressing beam hardening artifacts.

[0009] The above three existing methods all consider using a neck brace to fully expose the patient's neck and effectively fix it before performing a CT scan. The latter two methods add saline bags on both sides of the patient's neck on the basis of the neck brace device, thereby effectively suppressing beam hardening artifacts during CT scanning. However, in actual operation, the following problems still exist: from placing the device, adjusting the device, fixing the patient's neck, to the final CT scan, the entire process is relatively complicated and cumbersome; and the fit design of the saline bag to the neck is poor, and the thyroid area cannot be fully covered, which greatly reduces the effect of suppressing beam hardening artifacts; if a neck brace device equipped with a saline bag is used in winter, the patient's physical sensation and overall comfort will be reduced.

[0010] Therefore, an extracorporeal auxiliary device that is easy to operate and has improved comfort and fit to suppress thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts still needs to be developed. Utility Model Content

[0011] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts in order to overcome the defects of the existing auxiliary devices, such as cumbersome operation and poor fit with the neck, so as to effectively suppress the beam hardening artifacts during thyroid CT scanning.

[0012] The purpose of the utility model can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0013] A neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts, comprising a neckband body formed by connecting three receiving bags in sequence; wherein the first receiving bag has a built-in neck pillow that fits the neck, the second receiving bag and the third receiving bag are respectively connected to two ends of the first receiving bag, and the third receiving bag is longer than the second receiving bag;

[0014] The second containing bag and the third containing bag both have built-in physiological saline bags;

[0015] The second accommodating bag is connected with a buckle and an adjusting belt that can pass through the buckle on a side opposite to the first accommodating bag, and the adjusting belt is provided with an adhesive component and a corresponding veneer.

[0016] Furthermore, adjacent receiving pockets of the neck gaiter body are connected by sewing, and the cavities in the receiving pockets are independent of each other.

[0017] Furthermore, each containing pocket of the neck gaiter body is made of breathable and skin-friendly fabric, preferably skin-friendly sweat-absorbing cotton.

[0018] Furthermore, the physiological saline bag and the corresponding receiving bag are matched in size, so that the physiological saline bag will not move significantly in the receiving bag and can remain relatively fixed.

[0019] Furthermore, the neck pillow is a memory foam cushion that conforms to the ergonomic curve of the human cervical spine to improve the patient's comfort during CT examination.

[0020] Furthermore, the size and shape of the saline bag are adapted to the corresponding receiving bag, that is, the size of the saline bag is slightly smaller than the corresponding receiving bag, so that it remains relatively fixed in the receiving bag and can undergo slight displacement and deformation. The saline bag is preferably a flat rectangular parallelepiped.

[0021] Furthermore, the saline bag is a hollow prosthesis wrapped in a silicone shell, and a corresponding volume of saline is injected into the prosthesis. The elastic silicone prosthesis can be deformed accordingly when the neckband is used so as to always keep fitting with the neck.

[0022] Furthermore, the volume of the physiological saline bag in the second containing bag is 400-600 mL, and the volume of the physiological saline bag in the third containing bag is 800-1200 mL.

[0023] Furthermore, the length of the first receiving bag along the direction of the neck gaiter body is 14-20 cm, and the width is 18-22 cm.

[0024] Furthermore, the second receiving bag has a length of 18-22 cm and a width of 11-15 cm along the direction of the neck gaiter body.

[0025] Furthermore, the third containing bag has a length of 35-45 cm along the direction of the neck gaiter body and a width of 11-15 cm.

[0026] Furthermore, the length of the adjustment belt is 30-40 cm and the width is 11-15 cm.

[0027] Furthermore, the adhesive component and the veneer are both arranged on the same surface of the adjustment belt.

[0028] Furthermore, the adhesive component is a commonly used Velcro, specifically a quilled surface of the Velcro, and the corresponding veneer surface is a round quilled surface.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] (1) The scarf of the present invention is provided with a plurality of storage bags containing physiological saline bags, so that the physiological saline bags cover the thyroid area as comprehensively as possible, which can significantly improve the suppression effect of beam hardening artifacts during thyroid CT examination.

[0031] (2) The neck collar of the utility model has a simple structure and is easy to operate. There is no need to make complicated adjustments to the patient's position, which greatly simplifies the CT examination process.

[0032] (3) The first receiving bag of the utility model is provided with a neck pillow that fits the neck, thereby exposing the neck area and increasing the comfort of the patient during CT examination.

[0033] (4) The scarf of the utility model is provided with skin-friendly fabric, which increases the comfort and breathability while also playing a role in keeping warm. Even if it is used in winter, it will not affect the body feeling, thereby increasing the usage rate of the scarf of the utility model in winter.

[0034] (5) The neck gaiter of the present invention is provided with an adjustable adjustment belt and an adhesive component, which can be adjusted according to different body shapes of patients.

[0035] (6) The utility model transforms cold instrumental devices into common items that are more acceptable to patients, thereby reducing patients’ fear of unfamiliar devices and improving patients’ cooperation in examinations.

[0036] (7) The scarf of the utility model is cheap, has wide applicability, high repeatability, is easy to take and store, and is suitable for large-scale production and achievement transformation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 The utility model is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the neck gaiter.

[0038] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the neck scarf of the utility model after being laid flat.

[0039] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the first receiving bag of the present invention fitting against the neck.

[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the specific dimensions of the neck scarf according to Example 3 of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the specific dimensions of the adhesive assembly and veneer of Example 3 of the utility model.

[0042] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of before and after CT examination after wearing the neckband of the utility model.

[0043] Description of the markings in the figure:

[0044] 1-first receiving bag, 2-neck pillow, 3-second receiving bag, 4-third receiving bag, 5-physiological saline bag, 6-buckle, 7-adjusting belt, 8-adhesive component, 81-veneer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. This embodiment is implemented based on the technical solution of the present invention, and provides a detailed implementation method and a specific operation process, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0046] In the present utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific position, be constructed and operated in a specific position, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present utility model; the terms "first", "second", and "third" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance; in addition, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a communication between the two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0047] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0048] Embodiment 1:

[0049] A neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts comprises a neckband body formed by connecting three receiving bags in sequence. The second receiving bag 3 and the third receiving bag 4 are respectively connected to the two ends of the first receiving bag 1, and the length of the third receiving bag 4 is longer than the second receiving bag 3. The first receiving bag 1 is equipped with a neck pillow 2 that fits the neck, and the second receiving bag 3 and the third receiving bag 4 are both equipped with a physiological saline bag 5 of a suitable size. The second receiving bag 3 is connected to a buckle 6 and an adjustment belt 7 that can pass through the buckle 6 on the side opposite to the first receiving bag 1, and the adjustment belt 7 is provided with an adhesive component 8 and a corresponding veneer 81.

[0050] When a patient needs to undergo a thyroid CT examination, the patient's neck is placed on the first receiving bag 1, and the position is adjusted so that the neck fits the neck pillow 2 in the first receiving bag 1 and the thyroid area is fully exposed. Then the third receiving bag 4 is placed on the outer side of the adjustment belt 7, and the adjustment belt 7 is passed through the buckle 6. After adjusting according to the different body shapes of the patient, the adhesive component 8 and the corresponding veneer 81 are bonded, thereby achieving relative fixation of the neck collar body during the thyroid CT examination, and starting the CT scan. At this time, the saline bag 5 in the neck collar body can fully cover the thyroid area along the direction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, thereby effectively suppressing the thyroid CT beam hardening artifact.

[0051] Embodiment 2:

[0052] A collar to suppress beam hardening artifacts in thyroid CT, such as Figure 1-2 As shown, it includes a neck girdle body composed of a first receiving bag 1, a second receiving bag 3 and a third receiving bag 4 connected in sequence, wherein the second receiving bag 3 and the third receiving bag 4 are respectively connected to the two ends of the first receiving bag 1, and the length of the third receiving bag 4 is longer than the second receiving bag 3. Each adjacent receiving bag of the neck girdle body is connected by sewing, and the cavities in the receiving bags are independent of each other. Each receiving bag of the neck girdle body is made of breathable, skin-friendly, sweat-absorbing fabric to enhance the comfort of the patient.

[0053] The first receiving bag 1 has a built-in neck pillow 2 that fits the neck. Figure 3As shown, the neck pillow 2 of this embodiment is a memory foam cushion that conforms to the ergonomic curve of the human cervical spine, which is used to fix the patient's neck and improve the patient's comfort during CT examination. The second storage bag 3 and the third storage bag 4 are both built-in with a physiological saline bag 5 of adapted size, which can effectively suppress the beam hardening artifacts of thyroid CT. Among them, the volume of the physiological saline bag 5 in the second storage bag 3 is 500mL, and the volume of the physiological saline bag 5 in the third storage bag 4 is 1000mL, so that the size of the physiological saline bag 5 is adapted to the corresponding storage bag, so that the position of the physiological saline bag 5 in the storage bag is relatively fixed and will not move significantly. In this embodiment, the physiological saline bag 5 uses a hollow prosthesis wrapped in a silicone shell, and a corresponding volume of physiological saline is injected into the prosthesis. The elastic silicone prosthesis can be deformed accordingly when the neckband is used so as to always keep fit with the neck.

[0054] The second storage bag 3 is connected with a plastic buckle 6 and an adjustment belt 7 that can pass through the buckle 6 on the side opposite to the first storage bag 1. The adjustment belt 7 in this embodiment is a flexible cloth strip. An adhesive component 8 and a corresponding veneer 81 are provided on the inner side of the adjustment belt 7. The adhesive component 8 is a commonly used Velcro, specifically the burr side of Velcro, and the corresponding veneer 81 is a round burr side.

[0055] like Figure 6 As shown, when a patient needs to undergo a thyroid CT examination, the patient's neck is placed on the first receiving bag 1, and the position is adjusted so that the neck fits the neck pillow 2 in the first receiving bag 1 and the thyroid area is fully exposed ( Figure 6 The third receiving bag 4 is then placed on the outer side of the adjusting belt 7, the movable end of the adjusting belt 7 is passed over the third receiving bag 4 and the adjusting belt 7 is passed through the buckle 6, and then adjusted according to the different body shapes of the patient, the bristle surface of the Velcro and the corresponding round bristle surface are bonded, thereby achieving relative fixation of the neckband body. At this time, the physiological saline bag 5 in the neckband body can fully cover the thyroid region along the direction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, thereby effectively suppressing beam hardening artifacts during thyroid CT scanning.

[0056] Embodiment 3:

[0057] This embodiment provides a specific neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts and its specific size. Figure 4-5 As shown, in this embodiment, the length of the first receiving bag 1 along the direction of the neck girdle body is 16 cm, and the width is 20 cm. The length of the second receiving bag 3 along the direction of the neck girdle body is 20 cm, and the width is 13 cm. The length of the third receiving bag 4 along the direction of the neck girdle body is 40 cm, and the width is 13 cm. The length of the adjusting belt 7 is 35 cm, and the width is 13 cm. The length of the spicate side and the round spicate side of the Velcro is 10 cm.

[0058] The above description of the embodiments is to facilitate the understanding and use of the utility model by those skilled in the art. It is obvious that those familiar with the art can easily make various modifications to these embodiments and apply the general principles described herein to other embodiments without creative work. Therefore, the utility model is not limited to the above embodiments, and improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the utility model without departing from the scope of the utility model should be within the scope of protection of the utility model.

Claims

1. A scarf for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts, characterized in that: The neck gaiter comprises a neck gaiter body formed by connecting three receiving bags in sequence, wherein the second receiving bag (3) and the third receiving bag (4) are respectively connected to two ends of the first receiving bag (1), and the length of the third receiving bag (4) is longer than that of the second receiving bag (3); The first receiving bag (1) contains a neck pillow (2) that fits the neck, and the second receiving bag (3) and the third receiving bag (4) both contain physiological saline bags (5); The second containing bag (3) is connected to a buckle (6) and an adjustment belt (7) that can pass through the buckle (6) on a side opposite to the first containing bag (1), and the adjustment belt (7) is provided with an adhesive component (8) and a corresponding veneer (81).

2. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: Adjacent receiving pockets of the neck gaiter body are connected by sewing, and the cavities in the receiving pockets are independent of each other.

3. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each receiving pocket of the neck gaiter body is made of breathable and skin-friendly fabric.

4. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cervical pillow (2) is a memory foam cushion that conforms to the ergonomic curve of the human cervical spine.

5. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The physiological saline bag (5) is adapted to the size and shape of the corresponding containing bag.

6. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The volume of the physiological saline bag (5) in the second containing bag (3) is 400-600 mL, and the volume of the physiological saline bag (5) in the third containing bag (4) is 800-1200 mL.

7. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the first containing bag (1) along the direction of the neck gaiter body is 14-20 cm, and the width is 18-22 cm.

8. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second receiving bag (3) has a length of 18-22 cm along the direction of the neck gaiter body and a width of 11-15 cm; The length of the third containing bag (4) along the direction of the neck gaiter body is 35-45 cm, and the width is 11-15 cm.

9. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the adjustment belt (7) is 30-40 cm, and the width is 11-15 cm.

10. The neckband for suppressing thyroid CT beam hardening artifacts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adhesive component (8) and the veneer (81) are both arranged on the same surface of the adjustment belt (7).

Images