C-Arm Roller-Belt Support for Low-Vibration 3D X-Ray Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in achieving 3D reconstruction with high-quality images due to increased vibration and cost from double-slide mechanisms, or image degradation from single-slide mechanisms with C-arm detachment and attachment.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a C-arm supported by grooved portions and rollers with belts that mitigate vibration by continuous contact during sliding, allowing 180° or more angular range collection without detachment, using a single-slide mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a double-slide mechanism is used to ensure a sliding range of 180° or more, then the sliding range is improved, but the number of components and driving units increases, leading to increased cost and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The C-arm is divided into a first C-arm and a second C-arm that can be independently controlled. The first C-arm handles the primary sliding motion while the second C-arm provides supplementary motion to achieve the full 180° or more sliding range, allowing each component to be simpler while collectively achieving the complex motion requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between single-slide and double-slide modes based on the required sliding angle. When 180° or more is needed, the second C-arm is activated; when less is needed, only the first C-arm is used. This dynamic adaptation reduces the number of active components and minimizes vibration during normal operation
2Device complexity
If a single-slide mechanism is used to reduce components, then device complexity is reduced, but the C-arm must be detached and reattached during sliding, causing vibration and image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The C-arm is segmented into two independently controllable parts (first C-arm and second C-arm) that can work together to maintain continuous contact during sliding. This segmentation allows the system to achieve 180° or more sliding range without detachment, eliminating the vibration and image quality degradation caused by repeated attachment and detachment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The first C-arm and second C-arm work in coordination to maintain continuous contact throughout the sliding motion. The first C-arm performs the primary sliding while the second C-arm supplements the motion, ensuring that the C-arm remains continuously engaged with the patient and avoiding interruption in the imaging process
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus comprising: an arm, a pair of grooved portions, a plurality of rollers, and a plurality of belts. The arm is configured to support an X-ray tube at one end and an X-ray detector at another end and has a shape of an arc. The grooved portions are formed on side surfaces of the arm. The plurality of rollers are configured to run in the grooved portions and slidably support the arm along the arc. Each of the belts passes over at least two of the rollers and at least partially abuts on inner walls of the grooved portions.