Detachable Collimator Plate for CT System Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT systems require high assembly effort and costs due to complex component integration and maintenance challenges, particularly with the collimator unit, which involves costly and resource-intensive procedures for replacing defective parts.
Innovation Solution
A CT system design where the collimator plate is releasably attached to the additional structure, allowing for direct detachment and replacement without dismantling the entire system, and incorporating a collimator drive for adjustable passage openings to match patient body parts, reducing the need for multiple passage openings and minimizing defects in the additional structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the collimator plate is permanently integrated into the additional structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator plate is segmented from the additional structure as a separate, detachable component. This allows the collimator plate to be independently removed and replaced without affecting the stability of the additional structure, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of repair.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple passage openings are provided in the collimator plate for different body parts, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator plate is made dynamically adjustable with movable passage openings that can be repositioned along the plate. This dynamic configuration allows a single collimator plate to adapt to different body parts and examination requirements, eliminating the need for multiple fixed aperture plates and reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the entire collimator unit is removed to replace a defective individual part, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator plate is segmented as an independent replaceable component within the collimator unit. This segmentation enables direct replacement of only the defective collimator plate without removing the entire collimator unit or base body, significantly reducing maintenance time while maintaining system reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If the collimator plate has fixed aperture configuration, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator plate incorporates movable passage openings that can be repositioned to different locations on the plate. This dynamic design maintains manufacturing precision through standardized mounting positions while providing adaptability to match different body parts and examination requirements, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-aperture plates.
Data Source
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AI summary
A CT system comprises a base structure, an auxiliary structure, an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a collimator plate. The auxiliary structure is rotatably mounted on the base structure, allowing it to rotate around a rotational axis relative to the base structure. The X-ray source and the X-ray detector are attached to the auxiliary structure in such a way that they are fixed relative to each other. Between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector, along the axis of rotation, lies an examination area in which a patient or a part of a patient's body can be positioned. The collimator plate is detachably mounted on the auxiliary structure between the X-ray source and the examination area. It is itself detachable from the auxiliary structure.