Articulating Arm for Portable C-Arms with Three-Axis Positioning
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile C-arm radiographic imaging systems face limitations in maneuverability and positioning due to their horizontally translating boom structures, which restrict the flexibility and stability of the imaging structure's orientation relative to the patient.
Innovation Solution
A mobile C-arm system with a rigid support arm secured by an articulating segmented arm, featuring three pivot mechanisms that allow manual translation and rotation about three vertical axes, enhancing maneuverability and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a horizontally translating boom structure is used to support the imaging structure, then the system can achieve horizontal translation, but the maneuverability and positioning flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The boom structure is divided into multiple segmented arms connected by pivot mechanisms, allowing each segment to rotate independently about vertical axes. This segmentation enables flexible positioning and maneuverability while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure transitions from a rigid horizontal boom to a dynamic articulated arm system with multiple pivot points. The arms can rotate and articulate in three-dimensional space, providing adaptive positioning capability that improves maneuverability during imaging procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating element with limited rotational travel is used to keep the center of mass within a designated range, then stability is ensured, but the positioning flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single rotating element is segmented into multiple arms with independent rotation capabilities. Each arm can rotate about vertical axes, allowing the center of mass to be dynamically adjusted within a broader range while maintaining stability through controlled articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds rotational freedom in multiple vertical dimensions rather than relying on a single rotation axis. This multi-dimensional rotation enables greater positioning flexibility while the articulated structure maintains stability through coordinated movement of multiple segments.
3Ease of operation
If the imaging structure is translated horizontally and rotated about a vertical axis simultaneously, then the imaging region can be selectively moved, but the maneuverability is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging structure is supported by segmented arms that can be independently positioned. This allows the imaging region to be selectively moved through coordinated rotation of individual arms, improving maneuverability without compromising imaging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm structure enables dynamic positioning of the imaging region through controlled rotation about vertical axes. The system can efficiently move between different imaging positions while maintaining the ability to rotate and translate as needed for optimal patient positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile C-arm radiographic imaging system provides a rigid C shaped support arm for securing an x-ray source and an x-ray detector in a fixed spatial relationship relative to each other. A mobile base supports the rigid support arm using an articulating segmented arm attached to the base and to the rigid support arm. The articulating arm comprises three pivot mechanisms configured to manually translate the support arm relative to the base and to manually rotate the support arm relative to the base about any one or more of three different vertical axes.