Portable C-Arm Collimator Lateral Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems, particularly in non-radiology departments, face limitations in mobility and flexibility, making it difficult to position patients effectively for high-quality three-dimensional imaging, especially in dynamic environments like operating rooms and emergency departments.
Innovation Solution
A portable medical imaging system with a movable c-arm, a detector panel, and an X-ray beam transmitter, equipped with a collimator that allows lateral movement and telescoping capabilities, controlled by a controller for precise positioning and scanning, enabling 180-degree or 360-degree movement and flexible imaging in any direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging system is made mobile for use in non-radiology departments, then accessibility to patients is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator automatically steers the X-ray beam laterally across the detector panel using motor assemblies that move shutters along tracks, enabling the system to self-position the beam without requiring manual adjustment of the entire imaging system
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator is divided into independent shutter components that can be individually controlled to adjust the X-ray beam direction, separating the beam steering function from the overall system positioning
2Adaptability or versatility
If the collimator steers the X-ray beam laterally across the detector panel, then imaging coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assemblies serve dual functions by both positioning the shutters to adjust beam width and steering the beam laterally across the detector panel, consolidating multiple functions into single components
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system where shutters can move along tracks to change beam direction, enabling flexible imaging coverage without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration
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
This solution allows for precise and flexible positioning of medical imaging systems, enabling high-quality three-dimensional imaging without the need to move patients, improving diagnostic capabilities in various healthcare settings by providing a range of motion and reducing X-ray scatter effects.
Implementation Method 1
The collimator is configured to move the widow in a lateral direction across a direction of the arc. The controller is configured to control movement of the window by the collimator to steer the X-ray beam laterally across the detector panel.
Implementation Method 2
The movable station includes a C-arm having a first end and a second end that are movable along an arc relative to the movable station. The detector panel is attached to the first end of the movable C-arm. The X-ray beam transmitter faces the detector panel and is attached to the second end of the C-arm.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable medical imaging system includes a movable station, a detector panel, an X-ray beam transmitter, and a controller. The movable station includes a c-arm having a first end and a second end that are movable along an arc relative to the movable station. The detector panel is attached to the first end of the movable c-arm. The X-ray beam transmitter faces the detector panel and is attached to the second end of the c-arm. The X-ray beam transmitter contains a collimator that forms a window through which an X-ray beam is transmitted toward the detector panel. The collimator is configured to move the widow in a lateral direction across a direction of the arc. The controller is configured to control movement of the window by the collimator to steer the X-ray beam laterally across the detector panel.