Counterbalanced Gantry Ring for Side-Access CT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CT X-ray scanners are large, stationary devices that are difficult to employ in environments like operating rooms due to their size and require patients to enter from the front or rear, limiting their use during surgeries, and the unbalanced rotor in O-arm imaging devices causes vertical deflection and image degradation.
Innovation Solution
A counterbalanced imaging device with a detachable segment and C-shaped rotor, utilizing counterbalance measures such as weights or heavier materials to align the center of gravity with the center of rotation, allowing the device to straddle patients and improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional CT X-ray scanner is used, then imaging capability is provided, but the device is large and stationary, making it difficult to employ in operating rooms and limiting patient access to front or rear only
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry is divided into a C-shaped rotor and a detachable segment. The detachable segment can be removed to create an opening, allowing patients to enter from the side rather than only from the front or rear. This segmentation enables the device to adapt to different surgical environments and patient positioning requirements while maintaining the imaging capability.
2Reliability
If an unbalanced rotor is used in the imaging device, then the device structure is simpler, but vertical deflection occurs causing image degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Counterbalance weights are integrated into the detachable segment of the gantry. When the detachable segment is attached, these weights counterbalance the C-shaped rotor, aligning the center of gravity with the center of rotation. This eliminates vertical deflection during rotor rotation, preventing image degradation and improving imaging reliability.
3Reliability
If the detachable segment is attached to cover the opening, then counterbalancing is achieved, but patient access is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable segment can be dynamically attached or detached based on operational requirements. When patient access is needed, the segment is detached; when imaging is performed, the segment is attached to provide counterbalancing. This dynamic configuration allows the system to switch between different operational states, maintaining both accessibility and imaging stability as needed.
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 CT X-ray scanning during surgeries by allowing patient access from the side and improves image data quality by stabilizing the rotor, reducing vertical deflection and enhancing imaging precision.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the detachable segment comprises one or more weights to counterbalance the C-shaped rotor thereby moving a center of gravity of the C-shaped rotor and the detachable segment towards the central axis of the gantry ring
Implementation Method 2
The imaging source is an X-ray source
Implementation Method 3
an imaging source configured to project radiation as the source rotates about the central axis, and wherein the imaging detector is positioned to detect the projected radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A counterbalanced imaging device is provided and includes an imaging source and an imaging detector. The counterbalanced imaging device also includes a gantry ring that physically supports the imaging source and the imaging detector. The gantry ring also enables the imaging source and the imaging detector to simultaneously rotate about a center of rotation. The gantry ring may also comprise a detachable segment having one or more counterbalance measures contained therein to align a center of gravity of the gantry ring with the center of rotation when the detachable segment is mounted onto the gantry ring.