CT Gantry Tilt Axis Elevation Reduces Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computed tomography (CT) scanners have large, heavy, and expensive designs due to high lateral stiffness requirements, which restrict gantry imbalance and increase costs, while tilting mechanisms lead to reduced scannable range and increased wear from friction, necessitating tighter floor flatness tolerances and longer table tops to compensate.
Innovation Solution
An annular-shaped rotating gantry with a tilt system where the tilt axis is located between the gantry base and the rotation axis, allowing for a smaller and lighter stationary gantry, and using elastic members to define the tilt axis, enabling flexible tilt actuation and reduced system size and weight, while maintaining scannable range and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional high lateral stiffness design is used, then gantry stability is improved, but system size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of tilt axis location from the conventional position (at gantry base level) to a position above the gantry base. This parameter change allows the stationary gantry to achieve sufficient lateral stiffness with reduced mass, as the elevated tilt axis creates a more efficient structural lever arm that resists lateral forces without requiring heavy base structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension consideration by positioning the tilt axis at a height above the gantry base rather than at the base level. This dimensional repositioning transforms the structural mechanics, allowing the stationary gantry to achieve stability through a different geometric configuration that reduces material requirements and overall weight.
2Ease of operation
If tilt axis is positioned at conventional location, then structural simplicity is maintained, but scannable range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By repositioning the tilt axis to a higher vertical dimension above the gantry base, the patent extends the scannable range. This dimensional change allows the gantry to tilt through a larger angular range without the support structure interfering with the examination region, thereby improving operational capability despite increased structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional tilt support design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but floor flatness tolerance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the tilt axis location parameter to a position above the gantry base, which fundamentally alters the load distribution and structural geometry. This parameter change reduces the system's sensitivity to floor flatness variations, as the elevated tilt axis creates a more favorable mechanical configuration that compensates for minor installation surface irregularities.
4Ease of operation
If tilt frame extends past gantry base, then tilt mechanism functionality is achieved, but system footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the footprint issue by repositioning the tilt axis vertically above the gantry base rather than requiring horizontal extension of the tilt frame past the base. This dimensional repositioning maintains full tilt functionality while confining the stationary gantry structure within a smaller horizontal footprint, as the tilt moment is generated through vertical positioning rather than horizontal leverage.
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 reduces the size and weight of the CT scanner by up to 75%, extends the scannable range, and decreases costs by minimizing the need for extensive floor flatness tolerances and reducing wear-related issues, while maintaining structural integrity and operational performance.
Implementation Method 1
using elastic members to define the tilt axis, enabling flexible tilt actuation
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system (500) includes an annular shaped rotating gantry (504) having an aperture (501) and configured to support at least a radiation source, wherein the rotating gantry rotates about a rotation axis (508) around an examination region, and wherein the rotation axis is located within the aperture in a center region (508) of the examination region. The imaging system further includes a stationary gantry (502), configured to rotatably support the rotating gantry. The stationary gantry includes a gantry base (516), an annular shaped tilt frame (518) that rotatably supports the rotating gantry, and a tilt system (520) affixed to and between the gantry base and the tilt frame, wherein the tilt system defines a tilt axis (522) of the stationary gantry, the tilt axis is located between the gantry base and the rotation axis, and the tilt frame tilts about the tilt axis.