Compliant Variable Capacitor for Respiratory Motion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging systems face challenges in reducing image artifacts caused by patient motion, particularly respiratory motion, due to the inefficiency of existing respiratory triggering devices, which are often bulky, expensive, and uncomfortable for extended use.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device equipped with a compliant variable capacitor that changes capacitance in response to thoracic or abdominal cavity expansion and contraction, generating a signal for motion compensation, which can be synchronized with medical imaging systems to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional respiratory triggering devices are used to reduce image artifacts, then image quality is improved, but the devices are bulky, expensive, and uncomfortable for extended use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential respiratory triggering function from complex conventional devices and implements it using a simplified capacitive sensor system. The monitoring device includes a capacitor that directly senses respiratory motion through capacitance changes, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical components while maintaining the ability to generate triggering signals for motion compensation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical respiratory triggering devices with an electrical sensing system based on capacitance measurements. The capacitive sensor detects respiratory motion through changes in electrical capacitance rather than mechanical displacement, providing a more compact and comfortable solution that maintains reliability for reducing image artifacts
2Reliability
If existing respiratory triggering technologies are used, then motion compensation is achieved, but the setup is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive monitoring device is designed to be self-adapting to the patient's anatomy. The capacitor automatically adjusts to the contours of the chest wall and begins sensing respiratory motion immediately upon contact, eliminating complex manual setup procedures while maintaining effective motion compensation capability
3Duration of action of moving object
If conventional monitoring devices are used for extended periods, then respiratory data is acquired, but patient comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible capacitive sensor that conforms to the patient's chest wall contours. This thin, flexible monitoring device can be worn comfortably for extended periods while continuously acquiring respiratory data, significantly improving patient comfort compared to rigid conventional devices
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
The device provides a cost-effective, unobtrusive, and comfortable means to acquire respiratory or cardiac cycle data, improving image quality by generating a reliable triggering signal for motion compensation, thus reducing artifacts and enhancing workflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the movement sensor includes a compliant variable capacitor that changes capacitance as the size, including both the thickness and the surface area, of the compliant variable capacitor changes
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring device for obtaining data from a patient during a respiratory and/or cardiac cycle of the patient. The monitoring device includes a compliant variable capacitor securely attached to the patient. The capacitance of the compliant variable capacitor changes during movement of the patient caused by the respiratory cycle and/or a cardiac cycle. The changing capacitance is used to generate a monitoring signal that includes the frequency, timing and amplitude of either the respiratory or cardiac cycle. The signal from the monitoring device is provided to a medical imaging system such that the medical imaging system can compensate for the motion of the patient during the reparatory/cardiac cycle.