CT Gantry Wireless Data Link With Beam Steering for Spectral CT
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication solutions for CT scanners are expensive and inadequate for the high data rates required by spectral CT, which produce large amounts of data quickly, especially with detectors using multiple sensors per image pixel.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless communication system with radio transmitters and receivers arranged away from the gantry, using MIMO and antenna-array-based beam shaping, and a control logic to switch transmitters between duty and leisure modes to maintain a stable, high-throughput data transfer despite gantry rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical communication solutions are used for data transmission in CT scanners, then data transmission capability is provided, but the cost is high and data rates are insufficient for spectral CT
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical slip ring communication system with a wireless radio frequency communication system. The radio transmitter and receiver eliminate the need for physical optical connections through the rotating gantry, providing both higher data rates suitable for spectral CT and reduced hardware costs by using standard wireless communication components instead of custom optical hardware.
2Ease of operation
If a radio transmitter is arranged on the rotatable gantry, then wireless data transmission is enabled, but the transmission channel changes rapidly due to gantry rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic beam steering and adaptive modulation techniques to track the receiver and maintain a stable communication link despite the gantry's rotation. The system continuously adjusts the radio beam direction and transmission parameters to compensate for the changing spatial relationship between transmitter and receiver, ensuring reliable data transmission throughout the rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the receiver sends acknowledgment signals and channel quality information back to the transmitter. This feedback enables real-time adjustment of transmission parameters, power levels, and beam steering to maintain optimal communication performance despite the dynamic gantry rotation environment.
3Productivity
If high transmit energy is used continuously, then data transmission rate is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission bursts synchronized with the gantry rotation cycle. The radio transmitter operates at high power only during specific angular positions where the communication channel is optimal, then switches to low power or standby mode during other portions of the rotation. This periodic operation maintains required data transmission rates while dramatically reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous high-power transmission.
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 fast and stable data transmission at high rates, reducing costs and allowing for flexible setup and easier maintenance, while achieving data rates suitable for spectral CT systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one radio transmitter for generating a directed radio beam propagatable along a propagation axis to transmit the measurement data to a radio receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An imaging system (MIS), optionally a medical imaging system, with wireless communication capability and related method. The imaging system comprises a gantry (RG) rotatable around a rotation axis. The gantry includes a detector device (D) capable of recording, in plural spatial positions, measurement data in relation to a subject (such as a patient) (PAT) to be imaged. The system also includes a radio transmitter (TX) for generating a directed radio beam propagatable along a propagation axis to transmit the measurement data to a radio receiver (RX). The radio transmitter (TX) is arranged at the rotatable gantry and is operable so that the propagation direction intersects the rotation axis in a location that is situated away from the rotatable gantry.