Compound Curve Cable Chain for Tangle-Free Gantry Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile three-dimensional imaging systems are limited by their freedom of movement, hindering their acceptance and use in operating rooms and other care settings, as they often require the patient to be repositioned for effective imaging.
Innovation Solution
A cable chain system comprising split tubing and links with magnets, allowing cables to be managed internally within a gantry, enabling 360° scanning without entanglement or damage, and supporting flexible movement and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile three-dimensional imaging systems are designed with flexible movement capability, then the system can access patients from any direction or height, but the cables may become entangled or damaged during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cable chain structure nests multiple cables within a protective housing that is divided into discrete links. Each link contains a portion of the cable bundle, allowing the cables to be organized and protected while maintaining flexibility. The nested design prevents cable entanglement and damage during gantry movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable chain uses a flexible corrugated tubing structure that allows the cable bundle to bend and flex without damage. The corrugated design provides protection while maintaining the flexibility needed for the gantry's range of motion, enabling access from any direction or height without compromising cable integrity.
2Device complexity
If cables are managed externally within the gantry, then the system structure is simpler, but the cables may become entangled during 360° scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The cables are nested within the cable chain links, which are themselves nested within the gantry structure. This hierarchical nesting organizes the cables in a controlled manner, preventing entanglement during 360° scanning while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable management system is segmented into discrete links along the cable chain. Each link independently contains and protects a portion of the cable bundle, allowing the system to handle complex 360° scanning movements without cable entanglement, while keeping each individual link simple in design.
3Reliability
If the cable chain uses a rigid structure for cable protection, then cable integrity is maintained, but the system loses flexibility in movement and orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable chain employs a flexible corrugated tubing structure that provides mechanical protection to the cables while maintaining the flexibility needed for gantry movement. The corrugated design allows bending and flexing without compromising cable integrity, enabling the system to achieve full range of motion for accessing patients from any direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable chain is designed as a dynamic structure with discrete links that can move relative to each other, allowing the cable protection system to adapt to the gantry's movements. This dynamic design maintains cable protection during operation while preserving the flexibility and range of motion required for versatile patient positioning.
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
Enables high-quality 3-D imaging from any direction or height without patient repositioning, ensuring cable protection and smooth operation within the gantry.
Implementation Method 1
The outer surface comprises a magnet
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments generally relate to routing a bundle of loose cables with a cable chain during a medical procedure. The cable chain comprises split tubing and a plurality of links extending discretely along a length of the split tubing. Each link comprises a housing including an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface comprises a magnet and the inner surface forms a recess in the link. The split tubing is disposed within the recesses of the links.