CT Gantry Source and Detector Longitudinal Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CT scanners require a tilt support and control system to adjust the gantry, which increases cost, space consumption, weight, and risk of collisions, while tilting reduces the effective aperture size and necessitates patient repositioning.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging system with a stationary gantry and a rotating gantry that translates the radiation source and detector array along the longitudinal axis, allowing for tilt angles without tilting the stationary gantry, using moveable collimators and positioning systems to maintain focus and avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stationary gantry is tilted to achieve a particular radiation source trajectory, then the radiation source trajectory can be controlled (e.g., elliptical trajectory), but the system requires a tilt support and control system that increases overall system cost, weight, and footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the radiation source and detector array moveable relative to the rotating gantry. The source and detector can translate along the longitudinal axis and rotate independently, allowing dynamic adjustment of the radiation beam trajectory without tilting the entire stationary gantry. This dynamic positioning capability achieves elliptical and other complex trajectories through coordinated movement of individual components rather than through gantry tilting.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the stationary gantry is tilted to avoid exposing radiation sensitive anatomy, then radiation safety can be improved, but the system consumes more space and requires collision avoidance algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gantry system into a stationary gantry structure and a rotating gantry with moveable source and detector arrays. This segmentation allows independent control of the radiation beam trajectory through the rotating components, enabling avoidance of radiation-sensitive areas without requiring the entire stationary gantry to tilt, thus maintaining a compact footprint while achieving radiation safety goals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stationary gantry is tilted, then the radiation source trajectory can be adjusted, but the effective aperture size of the examination region is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic movement of the radiation source and detector array along the longitudinal axis and rotation of the rotating gantry to achieve various beam trajectories. This dynamic positioning allows the system to maintain a large effective aperture size while still being able to adjust the radiation source trajectory through coordinated movement of the source, detector, and rotating gantry components.
4Weight of stationary object
If the radiation source and detector array are moveably affixed to the rotating gantry, then system weight and size are reduced, but positioning precision must be maintained during rotation and translation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through position detection systems that monitor the location of the radiation source and detector array during rotation and translation. This feedback information is used to control the moveable mounting system, ensuring that positioning precision is maintained despite the reduced weight and simplified structure of the rotating gantry components.
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
This solution reduces system weight, size, and cost, while maintaining effective imaging capabilities without the need for patient repositioning and collision avoidance algorithms, allowing for various tilt trajectories without tilting the stationary gantry.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source that emits a radiation beam that traverses the examination region
Implementation Method 2
a detector array that detects the radiation beam that traverses the examination region and generates a signal indicative thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging system includes a generally stationary gantry (102) and a rotating gantry (106), rotatably supported by the generally stationary gantry (102), that rotates about a longitudinal axis around an examination region. The medical imaging system further includes a radiation source (112) that emits a radiation beam that traverses the examination region. The radiation source (112) is moveably affixed to the rotating gantry (106) so as to translate in a direction of the longitudinal axis with respect to the rotating gantry (106) while scanning a subject in the examination region. The medical imaging system further includes a detector array (120) that detects the radiation beam that traverses the examination region and generates a signal indicative thereof. The detector array (120) is moveably affixed to the rotating gantry (106) so as to move in coordination with the radiation source (112) while scanning the subject in the examination region.