CT Gantry Roller Assemblies for Reduced Bearing Complexity

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CT imaging systems face high costs and complexity due to large, custom-made bearing systems for gantry rotation, limiting field of view and requiring significant time and expense for maintenance and component replacement.

Innovation Solution

A gantry system with a support rail featuring canted inner surfaces and roller assemblies, where each roller assembly includes a first and second roller sleeve to engage the canted portions, allowing for efficient rotation and self-alignment, using commercial off-the-shelf components to reduce costs and maintenance time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If large, custom-made bearing systems are used for gantry rotation, then the gantry can rotate at significant speeds, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegantry rotation speedVSAvoidbearing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing system is segmented into multiple independent roller assemblies (typically three) that support the gantry at different locations. Each roller assembly is a separate, standardized unit that can be independently manufactured and replaced, rather than using a single large custom bearing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The roller assemblies use universal, off-the-shelf components such as standard roller bearings and steel rollers that can be used across different CT scanner models. This eliminates the need for custom-made bearing components and allows interchangeability between systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If large, custom-made bearing systems are used for gantry rotation, then the gantry can rotate at significant speeds, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegantry rotation speedVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The roller assemblies are designed as replaceable, cost-effective components that can be easily replaced when worn. Using standard, mass-produced roller bearings and steel rollers reduces the cost compared to custom-made bearing systems, and the ability to replace only the worn rollers rather than the entire bearing system reduces maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Speed

If large bearing assemblies are used for gantry rotation, then the gantry can rotate at significant speeds, but the tunnel size and field of view are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegantry rotation speedVSAvoidtunnel size and field of view

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the bearing support into multiple small roller assemblies distributed around the gantry, the system eliminates the need for a single large bearing structure. This allows the tunnel opening to be larger and the field of view to be wider, as the roller assemblies can be positioned outside the tunnel opening area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Speed

If custom-made bearing components are used, then the gantry can rotate at significant speeds, but the time and cost for maintenance and replacement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegantry rotation speedVSAvoidmaintenance and replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The roller assemblies use universal, off-the-shelf components such as standard roller bearings and steel rollers that can be used across different CT scanner models. This eliminates the need for custom-made bearing components and allows interchangeability between systems, enabling rapid replacement without specialized tooling or custom fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The roller assemblies are designed as replaceable, cost-effective components that can be easily replaced when worn. Using standard, mass-produced roller bearings and steel rollers reduces the cost compared to custom-made bearing systems, and the ability to replace only the worn rollers rather than the entire bearing system reduces maintenance costs and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The solution enables reduced part count, lower costs, improved alignment accuracy, and faster maintenance by utilizing off-the-shelf components and eliminating the need for custom bearings, thus enhancing the efficiency and affordability of CT imaging systems.

Implementation Method 1

A gantry system with a support rail featuring canted inner surfaces and roller assemblies, where each roller assembly includes a first and second roller sleeve to engage the canted portions, allowing for efficient rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10024998B2Gantry system for CT imaging system and methods of assembling same

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 SMITHS DETECTION GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

A gantry system for use with a computed tomography (CT) imaging system is provided. The gantry system includes a gantry assembly configured to rotate about a rotational axis to collect imaging data from an object. The gantry assembly includes a support rail. A radially inner surface of the support rail includes a canted first portion and an oppositely canted second portion. The gantry system also includes a plurality of roller assemblies rotatably supporting the gantry assembly. Each of the plurality of roller assemblies comprises a first roller sleeve configured to engage the first portion and a second roller sleeve configured to engage the second portion.