C-Arc Cable Chain Layout for Low-Friction Joint Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems with C-shaped gantries face challenges in effectively managing cables, particularly high-voltage monopolar cables, which are prone to degradation due to excessive joint rotation and friction within the imaging system.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cable chain management system that includes pivotable joints with limited rotation ranges and rollers to confine cables, preventing them from contacting the joint's upper edges and reducing friction and degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cables are allowed to move freely within the imaging system, then ease of operation is improved, but cable degradation occurs due to excessive joint rotation and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a cable chain system that acts as a flexible protective structure, confining cables within a series of articulated links. This flexible shell allows the cables to move with the C-arc and pivot arm while protecting them from excessive rotation and friction, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and cable longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable chain serves as an intermediary mechanism between the moving C-arc assembly and the stationary cable connections. It mediates the movement by providing a controlled path for the cables, allowing necessary motion while preventing harmful excessive rotation and friction that would lead to degradation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the C-arc is made rotatable for multiple imaging positions, then adaptability is improved, but cable degradation increases due to excessive joint rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated cable chain structure provides a flexible protective enclosure that accommodates the rotatable C-arc's movement across multiple imaging positions. The flexible links allow rotation while confining the cables to prevent excessive joint rotation and friction, enabling adaptability without sacrificing cable durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable chain is designed as a dynamic structure with articulated links that can adapt their configuration as the C-arc rotates to different imaging positions. This dynamic structure allows the system to maintain cable protection throughout the range of motion, resolving the contradiction between rotational adaptability and cable durability.
3Reliability
If rollers are added to confine cables, then cable reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable chain divides the cable management function into multiple articulated link segments, each containing rollers. This segmentation distributes the cable confinement function across several simple units rather than requiring one complex mechanism, protecting cables through progressive confinement while keeping individual components simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the cable chain structure: the articulated links provide structural support, the rollers provide cable confinement, and the entire assembly provides protection against excessive rotation. By combining these functions into an integrated system, the overall device complexity is managed while achieving reliable cable protection.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided for a medical imaging system. In one example, the medical imaging system includes a C-arc with a radiation source coupled to a first end and a detector coupled to a second end of the C-arc, opposite to the radiation source, where the detector is configured to receive radiation from the radiation source The medical imaging system further includes a pivot arm configured to adjust a position of the C-arc and a cable chain coupled to each of the C-arc and the pivot arm via rotatable joints wherein the cable chain extends upwardly from each of the rotatable joints at each of a plurality of positions of the C-arc.