Cradle Clamping Holder With Leveling for Stable CT Subject Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support systems for imaging subjects in CT imaging systems, such as phantoms and patient bodies, struggle to accommodate larger sizes and weights, leading to instability and difficulty in positioning and leveling, especially when cantilevered off the cradle, and are cumbersome to transport and store.
Innovation Solution
A cradle clamping holder with adjustable clamps and leveling members, including rods and a swivel joint, that securely attaches to the sides of the cradle, allowing for self-positioning and leveling, reducing size and weight, and supporting heavier imaging subjects without counterweights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional support systems are used to support larger imaging subjects, then the support system must increase in size and weight capacity, but this leads to increased device complexity and difficulty in positioning and leveling
Solution Approach 1:
The support system incorporates adjustable leveling members with rods that can be independently adjusted to change the vertical position of the platform. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different weight capacities while maintaining simple positioning and leveling operations, resolving the contradiction between weight capacity and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into modular components including a platform, multiple leveling members with rods, and a coupling clamp. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, enabling the system to support larger weights without proportionally increasing overall complexity
2Weight of moving object
If conventional support systems are designed to accommodate larger sizes and weights, then weight capacity increases, but stability decreases when cantilevered off the cradle
Solution Approach 1:
The support system uses the cradle itself as a counterweight by clamping to it. The coupling clamp secures the platform to the cradle, creating a stable anchor point that prevents deflection and deformation when supporting heavy imaging subjects in a cantilevered configuration, thus maintaining stability while accommodating larger weights
Solution Approach 2:
The system concentrates structural reinforcement and clamping mechanisms at the attachment point to the cradle, where the most stress occurs. This localized strengthening at the critical connection point provides maximum stability for cantilevered loads without requiring uniform reinforcement throughout the entire structure
3Weight of moving object
If conventional support systems are designed to support heavier imaging subjects, then weight capacity increases, but the systems become cumbersome to transport and store
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is designed as modular components (platform, leveling members with rods, coupling clamp) that can be disassembled into smaller parts. This segmentation enables the system to support heavy imaging subjects when assembled, yet be easily broken down for compact storage and transportation, resolving the contradiction between weight capacity and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems are provided for an imaging subject support system for an imaging system. The imaging subject support system may be a cradle clamping holder comprising: a platform; at least one leveling member, each of which includes at least one rod; a coupling clamp that is coupled to the platform at a first end of the platform, and where the coupling clamp is adjustable between a first position and a second position; and an attachment plate configured to support an imaging subject, the attachment plate directly or indirectly coupled to the platform at a second end of the platform, opposite the first end.