CT Gantry Contact Avoidance Using Subject Contour Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CT apparatuses lack a contact avoidance mechanism to prevent the subject on the cradle from colliding with the gantry during automatic operation, leading to increased radiographer stress as operators must manually intervene to stop the table.
Innovation Solution
A contact avoidance apparatus using sensors to determine distance and generate contour data, deciding whether the subject is at risk of contacting the gantry based on predefined limits, allowing for automated prevention of collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the table is automatically operated to move the subject toward the bore of the gantry, then the radiographer's work stress is reduced, but the risk of contact between the subject and the gantry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring distance data before the table moves the subject into the gantry bore. The contour data is generated in advance, and the deciding means evaluates potential contact risks before the harmful contact can occur, allowing preventive intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the subject's position by acquiring distance data and generating updated contour data during table movement. The deciding means provides real-time feedback on contact risk, enabling the control unit to adjust or stop the table movement when danger is detected.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the operator manually monitors the table movement with a hand on the stop button, then contact between the subject and gantry is prevented, but the operator's work stress remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring the subject's position and evaluating contact risks without requiring operator intervention. The sensor section, contour-data generating means, and deciding means work autonomously to detect and prevent contact, freeing the operator from continuous manual monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical manual monitoring approach (operator's hand on stop button) with an automated sensor-based system. The sensor section electronically detects the subject's position, substituting the mechanical hand-on-button method with automated detection and evaluation.
3Device complexity
If no contact avoidance means is provided, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of automatic operation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary evaluation layer between the table movement control and the subject-gantry interface. The deciding means acts as a mediator that receives contour data and limit surface data, evaluates potential contact scenarios, and provides guidance to the control unit, adding reliability without requiring direct mechanical contact avoidance structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A CT apparatus comprises; a sensor section outputting distance data for determining a distance between the sensor section and at least part of a subject to be examined laid on a cradle; contour-data generating means for generating contour data representing a contour of the at least part of the subject based on the distance data obtained from the sensor section; and deciding means for deciding whether or not there is a risk for said subject to come into contact with said gantry while said gantry or said table is moving based on data representing a limit of a range up to which said subject can come close to the gantry and on said contour data.