Dual-Ring X-Ray CT Scanner for Equine Limbs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CT scanning devices are unsuitable for imaging large animal limbs, particularly equines, due to size constraints and the risk of anesthesia, and existing solutions face challenges in providing weight-bearing support and efficient data collection.
Innovation Solution
An x-ray CT scanning apparatus with an x-ray generator and detector mounted on outer and inner rings, respectively, using a gearing arrangement to rotate at the same angular speed, allowing for weight-bearing support and efficient data collection while minimizing interference with the animal's stance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single large gantry is used to accommodate the entire animal, then the animal can be scanned without anesthesia, but the device becomes prohibitively expensive and mechanically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The CT scanning system is divided into two separate gantries: an outer gantry that rotates around the animal's body, and an inner gantry that rotates around the specific limb to be imaged. This segmentation allows the system to scan large animals without requiring a single oversized gantry, reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to scan animals without anesthesia
2Measurement precision
If the x-ray detector is placed closer to the limb on an inner ring, then image sharpness improves due to reduced scatter, but providing weight-bearing support between the rings becomes mechanically challenging
Solution Approach 1:
A gear mechanism acts as an intermediary between the outer and inner rings, enabling synchronized rotation while allowing the inner ring to be positioned closer to the limb for improved image quality. The gear system transmits rotational motion from the outer ring to the inner ring, coordinating their movements without requiring complex independent drive systems
Solution Approach 2:
The use of circular/annular paths for both gantries allows for smooth, continuous rotation around the animal and limb. The curved geometry of the rings enables weight-bearing support structures to be distributed evenly around the circumference, reducing mechanical stress points and simplifying the support structure compared to linear or angular configurations
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outer and inner rings rotate at different speeds, then each can be optimized for its specific path, but the gearing arrangement becomes more complex to synchronize their movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the outer and inner rings to rotate at different angular speeds optimized for their respective imaging tasks, while a gear mechanism maintains the correct rotational relationship. The gear ratio can be adjusted to match the different circumferences of the rings, enabling each to complete rotations at appropriate speeds for data collection synchronization without requiring overly complex control systems
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
Enables safe and efficient scanning of large animal limbs without the need for anesthesia, providing sharper images and reducing costs by allowing the animal to stand during scanning, with a portable and versatile design.
Implementation Method 1
x-ray radiation emitted by the generator passes through or around the object before reaching the detector
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for x-ray CT scanning of an object includes an x-ray generator 1 mounted on a first support 3 on an outer ring 4 and an x-ray detector 2 mounted on a second support 10 on an inner ring 11, and a drive mechanism arranged to rotate the outer and inner rings 4, 11. The outer and inner rings have a first common axis of rotation and the diameter of the outer ring 4 is greater than the diameter of the inner ring 11 The drive mechanism includes a gearing arrangement connecting the outer and inner rings 4,11. The gearing arrangement comprises first and second toothed rotary gears 14,16. The ratio of the number of teeth on the outer and inner rings 4,11 are the same as the ratio of the number of teeth on the first and second rotary gears 14,16 so that the outer and inner rings 4,11 rotate at substantially the same angular speed in the same direction, whereby x-ray radiation emitted by the x-ray generator 1 is directed towards the x-ray detector 2 whilst the first and second supports 3,10, on which the x-ray generator 1 and x-ray detector 2 are respectively mounted, are moving along respective first and second annular concentric paths defined by the outer and inner rings 4,11.