CT Gantry Unified Drive Structure to Eliminate Assembly Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CT gantry structures require separate bolted assemblies and sub-assemblies, leading to time-consuming assembly processes and misalignments, which affect image quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An integrated gantry structure with a unified drive mechanism, incorporating a rotating component with an integrated drive mechanism and a wire race bearing, directly coupled to a stationary frame, eliminating the need for separate bearings and reducing assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate bolted assemblies and sub-assemblies are used in CT gantry structures, then the components can be manufactured independently, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and prone to misalignments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent component manufacturingVSAvoidAssembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rotating component and stationary component into a single integrated gantry structure with a unified drive mechanism, eliminating the need for separate bolted assemblies and reducing assembly time while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate bolted assemblies and sub-assemblies are used in CT gantry structures, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but misalignments occur that affect image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveComponent assembly flexibilityVSAvoidAlignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated gantry structure combines multiple components into a unified design with precision-machined interfaces, eliminating misalignments between separate bolted assemblies and ensuring consistent image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used in the gantry structure, then design adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDesign flexibilityVSAvoidNumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unified drive mechanism in the integrated gantry structure performs multiple functions simultaneously, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining the adaptability needed for different imaging configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 integrated gantry structure enhances motion performance, reduces assembly time, and improves image quality by eliminating misalignments and tolerance stack-up, while being more compact and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

a bearing disposed between the rotating component and the stationary component, wherein the bearing couples the rotating component to the stationary component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250366800A1Integrated stationary and rotating computed tomography gantry structure with a unified drive

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

An integrated gantry structure of a computed tomography (CT) imaging system includes a rotating component configured to couple to imaging components. The rotating component includes a drive mechanism integrated on the rotating component configured to drive rotation of the rotating component and the imaging components in response to a driving force, wherein the drive mechanism includes drive teeth. The integrated gantry structure also includes a stationary component configured to support the rotating component. The integrated gantry structure further includes a bearing disposed between the rotating component and the stationary component, wherein the bearing couples the rotating component to the stationary component.