Adjustable Imaging Head Holder With Spring-Locked Tilt Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable head holders for imaging scans are bulky, complex, and lack auto-regulating features, requiring significant operator effort and being prone to adjustment changes if patients move, potentially leading to positioning issues and image artifacts.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable head holder with a tilt adjustment mechanism and positive locking mechanism, featuring a spring-loaded tooth and ratchet assembly, allowing single-handed adjustment and secure locking of the head at desired angles, minimizing image artifacts and preventing unintended position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional adjustable head holder is used, then the head can be adjusted to different angles, but the device becomes bulky and complex requiring significant operator effort
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into discrete components: a tilt adjustment bar with notches, a toothed rack, and a pawl latch. This segmentation allows the complex adjustment function to be broken down into simple, manageable parts that can be operated easily while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded toothed rack and pawl latch mechanism is designed to automatically lock into position at each notch without requiring additional locking actions from the operator. The system self-regulates and self-locks, reducing operator effort while maintaining precise positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional adjustable head holder is used, then the head can be adjusted to different angles, but the device is prone to adjustment changes if patients move
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded toothed rack and pawl latch mechanism is designed to automatically lock into position at each notch without requiring additional locking actions from the operator. The system self-regulates and self-locks, reducing operator effort while maintaining precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism pre-positions the head holder at discrete, pre-calculated angles through the notched rack system. This preliminary positioning ensures that the head is always held at stable, predetermined angles, preventing unintended adjustments even if the patient moves.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent adjustment changes, then position stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded toothed rack and pawl latch mechanism is designed to automatically lock into position at each notch without requiring additional locking actions from the operator. The system self-regulates and self-locks, reducing operator effort while maintaining precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged with the adjustment mechanism itself. The pawl latch is integrated into the toothed rack system, so that the same components that enable adjustment also provide the locking function. This eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
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
Enables efficient, single-handed adjustment and secure locking of patient head positions, reducing operator effort and minimizing image artifacts by using non-metallic materials and a spring-based locking mechanism, ensuring stable imaging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-based locking mechanism
Implementation Method 2
spring-loaded tooth and ratchet assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems are provided for an adjustable tilting head holder. In one example, a system comprises an adjustable tilting head holder for use with an imaging system the adjustable head holder comprising a table attachment coupled to a first half of a hinge via a first extension arm and the adjustable head holder coupled to a second half of the hinge, and tilt adjustment bar comprising a first rod adjacent to a lever on a first end of the tilt adjustment bar, the first rod configured to engage with a ratchet system of a tilt adjustment mechanism, the tilt adjustment bar further comprising a second rod at a second end of the tilt adjustment bar that is engaged with a joint of a second extension of the table attachment, wherein the second rod is configured to pivot within the joint.