CT Rotating Structure Geometry for Low-Deflection Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
CT scanners and other radiation imaging modalities face issues with deflection and vibrations in rotating structures due to inertial loads, leading to reduced image quality, especially at high speeds required for minimal patient movement in medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A rotating structure with a first cylindrical support portion and a second non-cylindrical support portion, where the radiation source and detector array are mounted to the second support portion, reducing deflections and vibrations by distributing loads and providing additional rigidity through a unique geometric configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the disk or drum is rotated at high speeds to shorten imaging time, then productivity is improved, but the rotating structure is subjected to large inertial loads that cause deflection and vibrations, worsening measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating structure is divided into two distinct support portions: a first support portion with a substantially cylindrical interior cavity and a second support portion with a non-cylindrical interior cavity. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for different functions, with the second support portion specifically designed to reduce inertial loads and deflections at high rotational speeds while maintaining the necessary mounting capabilities for radiation sources and detector arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The second support portion is designed with a non-cylindrical interior cavity, representing an asymmetric geometry that departs from the conventional symmetric cylindrical shape. This asymmetric design is specifically configured to reduce inertial loads and minimize deflections during high-speed rotation, thereby maintaining alignment precision between radiation sources and detector arrays even at elevated rotational speeds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the disk or drum size is increased to accommodate the object in the center bore, then adaptability is improved, but the rotating structure becomes more susceptible to deflection under inertial loads, worsening measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating structure is divided into two distinct support portions: a first support portion with a substantially cylindrical interior cavity and a second support portion with a non-cylindrical interior cavity. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for different functions, with the second support portion specifically designed to reduce inertial loads and deflections while maintaining the necessary mounting capabilities for radiation sources and detector arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the rotating structure are given different geometric qualities: the first support portion has a substantially cylindrical interior cavity suitable for accommodating objects, while the second support portion has a non-cylindrical interior cavity specifically designed to reduce inertial loads and deflections. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve adaptability for various objects and precision for imaging.
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, a computed tomography (CT) imaging modality is provided. The imaging modality includes a radiation source that emits radiation. The imaging modality includes a detector array that detects at least a portion of the radiation. The imaging modality includes a rotating structure that rotates about an axis. The rotating structure includes a first support portion having a first shape. The rotating structure includes a second support portion having a second shape different than the first shape. The radiation source and the detector array are mounted to the second support portion.