Detachable Control Unit for Medical Imaging Cassette
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation detector cassettes in medical imaging are cumbersome due to connected cables and suffer from reduced transmission sensitivity and increased power consumption when wireless communication is used, and they are also prone to damage from direct X-ray exposure, leading to weight issues due to the need for X-ray shielding.
Innovation Solution
A cassette system with a detachable control unit that includes a battery and wireless communication, allowing for easy reorientation to enhance antenna directivity and reduce power consumption, while minimizing the use of X-ray shielding materials by separating electronic components, thus reducing the overall weight and size of the cassette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used to transmit radiation image information, then cable connection is eliminated and ease of operation is improved, but transmission and reception sensitivity is greatly reduced when antenna directivity is not aligned
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is made detachable from the cassette, allowing dynamic repositioning and reorientation of the antenna relative to the cassette. This enables the antenna directivity to be dynamically adjusted to align with the receiving antenna, thereby maintaining reliable wireless communication while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate components: the cassette containing the radiation detector and the control unit containing the transmitting antenna. This segmentation allows the control unit to be positioned and oriented independently to optimize antenna alignment, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and transmission sensitivity.
2Reliability
If intensity of radio wave transmitted from the antenna is increased to improve transmission and reception sensitivity, then reliability is improved, but power consumption of the cassette increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing transmission power, the system dynamically adjusts the physical orientation of the transmitting antenna via detachable control unit positioning. This maintains reliable communication through optimal antenna alignment while avoiding increased power consumption.
3Reliability
If X-ray shielding materials are added to protect electronic components from direct X-ray exposure, then reliability is improved, but weight of the cassette increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic components (control unit) are extracted from the cassette and placed in a separate detachable unit. This eliminates the need for heavy X-ray shielding materials within the cassette, significantly reducing its weight while maintaining protection of electronic components through physical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into the radiation-sensitive cassette and the electronic control unit. This separation allows the cassette to be lightweight without shielding, while the control unit can be positioned away from direct X-ray exposure paths, maintaining reliability without adding weight to the cassette.
4Ease of operation
If the cassette is made compact to reduce size and weight, then ease of operation is improved, but space for electronic components and shielding is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Electronic components are extracted from the cassette and placed in a separate control unit. This allows the cassette to be minimized in size and weight for ease of operation, while the control unit houses all necessary electronic components and power supply separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into a compact cassette for radiation detection and a separate control unit for electronics. This segmentation enables the cassette to be optimized for portability and ease of use, while the control unit contains all electronic components, power supply, and communication antennas, resolving the space constraint.
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 system allows for efficient wireless communication, reduced power consumption, and minimized exposure to X-rays, enabling easier handling and placement during imaging while maintaining high-quality radiation image capture with reduced weight and size.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation detector for detecting a radiation that has passed through a subject and converting the detected radiation into radiation image information
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight cassette system comprises a cassette for detecting radiation image and a control unit for communicating with a console, the control unit being connected to the cassette. The control unit, which includes electronic components such as an interface circuit, a cassette controller, and a communication unit, is separably connected to the cassette which includes a radiation detector by connectors and a cable.