C-Arm Clamping Device for Portable X-Ray Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray devices, especially those with C-arm configurations, have limited mobility due to permanent or semi-permanent attachment to gantries or mobile bases, making it difficult to quickly and easily attach or detach them from support structures, which hinders their portability and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of clamping devices that include a cradle with a restraint for the C-arm, a mounting plate, a registration insert, a connecting member, and an attachment device, allowing for secure attachment and detachment of portable X-ray devices to external support structures using a single hand, while preventing accidental removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If permanent or semi-permanent attachment is used to secure the X-ray device to gantry or mobile base, then the device stability and structural integrity are improved, but the mobility and ease of attachment/detachment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a cradle with restraint mechanism for the C-arm, a mounting plate, a registration insert, a connecting member, and an attachment device. These segmented components can be independently assembled and disassembled, enabling quick attachment and detachment while maintaining structural integrity when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device incorporates movable components including a connecting member that moves laterally along the mounting plate and a registration insert that can move laterally to mate with openings in the C-arm. This dynamic design allows for easy engagement and disengagement while providing secure attachment when connected.
2Reliability
If complex attachment mechanisms are used to prevent accidental removal, then the security and reliability are improved, but the ease of operation and speed of attachment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is pre-configured with a restraint mechanism designed to fit into the upper opening of the C-arm, and the mounting plate is pre-positioned to support the bottom portion of the device. The registration insert is pre-aligned to mate with openings in the C-arm, enabling quick engagement without complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device is designed to be operable by a single hand, allowing the operator to secure or release the device independently without requiring assistance from another person. The mechanism automatically engages and locks when components are properly positioned, providing reliable attachment without complex manual procedures.
3Ease of operation
If single-hand operation is enabled for quick attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security and reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member acts as an intermediary element between the mounting plate and the C-arm restraint. It moves laterally to engage and disengage the attachment, providing a mechanical mediation that ensures secure connection while remaining operable by a single hand. The registration insert similarly mediates the alignment and engagement between components.
Data Source
AI summary
Clamping devices used to assist with operating small, portable x-ray devices are described in this application. In particular, this application describes clamping devices used to connect portable X-ray devices to external support structures. The clamping devices contain a cradle configured to support a portion of a C-arm of a portable x-ray device, the cradle comprising a restraint configured to fit in an upper opening of the C-arm, a mounting plate configured to support a bottom portion of the portable x-ray device, a registration insert configured to mate with an opening in the bottom portion of the portable x-ray device, the registration insert also configured to move laterally along the mounting plate, a connecting member configured to move laterally along the mounting plate, and an attachment device configured to move the connecting member and the registration insert to attach the portable x-ray device to the cradle. Other embodiments are described.