Length-Adjustable Arm Structure for X-Ray Diagnostic Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray diagnostic apparatuses with fixed C-shape arms are difficult to install in buildings with general floor heights, as they require a maximal source-to-image distance (SID) that exceeds typical building heights, and adjusting for horizontal photography with a standing patient is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A medical diagnostic apparatus with a length-adjustable U-shape arm structure, featuring a guide rod and guide groove system with rollers and limit switches, allowing for adjustable arm lengths and reduced main body length, enabling flexible installation and maintaining maximal SID for both horizontal and vertical photography.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed C-shape arm structure is used to maintain maximal SID for horizontal photographing, then the source-to-image distance is sufficient, but the apparatus height exceeds general building floor heights making installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed C-shape arm with a telescopic arm that can dynamically adjust its length. The telescopic arm includes multiple telescopic sections that can extend and retract, allowing the apparatus height to be adjusted between 2.5m and 3.5m. This enables the system to maintain the required source-to-image distance when needed while reducing to a compact height for installation in buildings with general floor heights.
2Length of stationary object
If the C-shape arm length is reduced to fit general building floor heights, then installation becomes feasible, but the maximal SID for horizontal photographing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic arm structure allows the apparatus to dynamically adjust between two states: a compact state with reduced height for installation in general buildings, and an extended state with sufficient source-to-image distance for horizontal photographing. The telescopic sections can be extended to provide the required 2.5m-3.5m apparatus height and corresponding source-to-image distance when performing horizontal photographs, while retracting to a compact form for installation purposes.
3Manufacturing precision
If the main body length is increased to accommodate the elevator unit movement range, then the maximal SID is secured, but the overall apparatus size becomes too large for general building installation
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic arm structure decouples the relationship between main body size and source-to-image distance. The main body can be kept compact while the telescopic arm extends to provide the required source-to-image distance. This allows the elevator unit to have sufficient movement range within a compact main body, as the extended telescopic arm compensates for the reduced main body dimensions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fixed length arms are used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the apparatus cannot adapt to different photographing positions and building height constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic arm structure introduces controlled complexity through movable telescopic sections with drive mechanisms, but this complexity is justified by the significant gain in adaptability. The arm can now adjust its length to accommodate different photographing positions (horizontal and vertical) and different building height constraints, transforming the apparatus from a fixed-configuration system to an adaptable one that can optimize performance for various clinical scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates installation in buildings with general floor heights while ensuring maximal SID for both horizontal and vertical photography, reducing the length of arms and main body while maintaining required imaging distances.
Implementation Method 1
a guide groove unit including a guide rod hole formed with a screw thread for screw-fitting with the guide rod to insert therein the guide rod
Data Source
AI summary
A medical diagnostic apparatus using X-ray photography and having a length-adjustable arm structure is disclosed. The medical diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises an X-ray generation unit, a first arm moving the X-ray generation unit forward and backward, a detector unit, a second arm connected to the detector unit, and a main body, a vertical drive motor and a rotational drive motor. The second arm comprises a guide rod connected to the main body; a drive motor rotating the guide rod; and a guide groove unit including a guide rod hole which is screw-fitting with the guide rod; a second guide plate disposed on both sides of the guide rod, and a guide rail formed on an inside of the second guide plate; a plurality of rollers to contact with the guide rail, and a guide rail groove to insert the guide rail therein.