CT Tabletop Edge Thinning for Aid Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In X-ray CT apparatuses, the insufficient space between the gantry and the tabletop edge hinders the removal and attachment of aids, requiring cumbersome vertical movements of the tabletop, increasing operational effort.
Innovation Solution
The CT scanning tabletop is designed with a thinner end portion to minimize X-ray transmission loss and allow the aid to be attached and detached vertically without gantry interference, featuring recesses and protrusions for easy attachment and detachment of aids like headrests and armrests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tabletop is lowered to boarding height for easy patient access, then patient convenience is improved, but the gantry hinders aid removal/attachment requiring additional vertical movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the direction of aid attachment/detachment from horizontal (parallel to tabletop surface) to vertical (perpendicular to tabletop surface). By providing attachment holes and protrusions in the vertical direction at the edge portion, aids can be attached/detached by moving vertically, which is the same direction the tabletop moves for height adjustment. This eliminates the need for horizontal movement that would be hindered by the gantry.
2Ease of operation
If the tabletop is raised to allow aid removal/attachment, then aid accessibility is improved, but operational time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the aid attachment/detachment operation with the tabletop height adjustment operation. By positioning attachment holes at the edge portion where aids attach/detach in the vertical direction, the same vertical movement that adjusts tabletop height also enables aid attachment/detachment. This combines two operations into one, reducing operational time and effort.
3Loss of energy
If the tabletop end portion is made thinner to reduce X-ray transmission loss, then X-ray transmission is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the edge portion (where aids attach) thinner to reduce X-ray transmission loss, while keeping the main body of the tabletop sufficiently thick to maintain structural strength. This localized thinning approach minimizes the impact on overall strength while achieving the goal of reduced X-ray attenuation at the critical attachment area.
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 design enables efficient attachment and detachment of aids without raising the tabletop, reducing operational time and effort, while maintaining minimal X-ray transmission loss.
Implementation Method 1
the tabletop body (43) is formed in a manner that an X-ray transmission loss by a one end portion (43a) in a longitudinal direction thereof is smaller than an X-ray transmission loss by a portion other than the one end portion (43a)
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a CT scanning tabletop includes a tabletop body and an aid. The tabletop body has a placement surface where a subject is to be placed, and is formed in a manner that an X-ray transmission loss by one end portion in a longitudinal direction thereof is smaller than an X-ray transmission loss by a portion of the tabletop body other than the one end portion. The aid is provided on the one end portion in a manner that the aid is attachable and detachable by moving in advancing and retreating directions toward and away from the placement surface, the aid is configured to hold a part of the subject.