CT Top Plate Control for Back-Entry Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatuses lack an effective interlock mechanism to prevent damage to subjects when the top plate moves during volume imaging of parts placed at the gantry back, particularly when an operator inadvertently selects a helical imaging plan.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes a control system that limits the movement of the top plate based on an input imaging plan, specifically fixing the top plate to a support frame when a partial region imaging plan is selected, ensuring the subject's safety by preventing unintended movement during imaging from the back surface side of the gantry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the top plate is allowed to move freely during imaging operations, then imaging flexibility and operational efficiency are improved, but subject safety deteriorates due to potential unintended movement during partial region scans
Solution Approach 1:
The top plate control system dynamically adjusts its state based on the imaging mode. In regular imaging mode, the top plate moves freely to maintain productivity. In partial region imaging mode, the system automatically transitions to a fixed state to ensure subject safety, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging flexibility and subject safety through dynamic adaptation to different operational contexts
Solution Approach 2:
The control system receives feedback about the selected imaging plan type and automatically adjusts the top plate movement restrictions accordingly. When the control unit detects a partial region imaging plan is selected, it activates the movement restriction mechanism, creating a feedback loop that ensures safety without compromising overall operational efficiency
2Reliability
If an interlock mechanism is added to prevent top plate movement during partial region imaging, then subject safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it manages both regular imaging operations and partial region imaging operations, and automatically determines the appropriate top plate control strategy based on the selected imaging plan. This multi-functionality avoids the need for separate dedicated interlock mechanisms, thereby limiting subject safety improvement without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically detects the imaging plan type and self-regulates the top plate movement restrictions without requiring additional manual intervention or complex external monitoring systems. The system serves itself by integrating the safety logic into the existing control architecture, thus improving subject safety while minimizing increases in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes a gantry, bed, input interface circuitry, and control circuitry. The gantry includes an X-ray tube generating X-rays and an X-ray detector detecting the X-rays transmitted through a subject. The bed arranged at a front surface side of the gantry includes a top plate moving toward an opening of the gantry. The input interface circuitry inputs an imaging plan concerning imaging of the subject. The control circuitry controls the bed to limit movement of the top plate when the input interface circuitry inputs an imaging plan to image part of the subject inserted from a back surface side of the gantry into the opening.