Dynamic Gantry Airflow Ports for X-ray CT Heat Exhaust

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Solution Overview

Problem

X-ray CT apparatuses face reduced heat exhaust efficiency and hygiene issues when switching between lying, standing, and sitting imaging positions, as the existing heat exhaust mechanisms are not optimized for these changes, leading to inefficient air flow and potential operator discomfort.

Innovation Solution

The X-ray CT apparatus incorporates a gantry and column system with adjustable intake and exhaust ports, allowing for optimal air flow paths to be selected based on imaging position, with driven-type ducts that reconfigure to maintain efficient heat exhaust and minimize noise and discomfort during switching between lying, standing, and sitting positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed heat exhaust mechanism is provided in the gantry for lying state imaging, then heat exhaust efficiency is high in lying state, but heat exhaust efficiency lowers and hygiene deteriorates in standing and sitting states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exhaust efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to different imaging positions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the air intake ports and exhaust ports movable rather than fixed. The ports are configured to change their positions and orientations according to the gantry's tilt angle, allowing the heat exhaust mechanism to adapt dynamically to different imaging positions (lying, sitting, standing) while maintaining high exhaust efficiency and preventing hot air from striking the subject or operator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If air is exhausted from the side surface in standing and sitting states, then the heat exhaust mechanism can be used across positions, but a blast of hot air strikes the subject and operator causing hygiene and comfort issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-position capabilityVSAvoidhot air blast to subject and operator

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the local quality principle by configuring the exhaust ports to direct exhaust air toward specific directions based on the imaging position. The ports are designed to orient exhaust away from the subject and operator in standing and sitting positions, while directing it appropriately in lying position, thus locally optimizing the exhaust direction for each position to eliminate hot air blasts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the gantry bore direction changes by 90° between lying and standing/sitting states, then multi-position imaging is enabled, but the fixed heat exhaust mechanism becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging position flexibilityVSAvoidheat exhaust efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the air intake and exhaust ports dynamic by linking their positioning mechanism to the gantry's tilt angle. As the gantry tilts between 0° (lying position) and 90° (standing/sitting position), the ports automatically adjust their positions and orientations to maintain optimal airflow paths, ensuring consistent heat exhaust efficiency across all imaging positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If a fixed heat exhaust mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but noise generated by air drawing and exhaust becomes unpleasant for subject and operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exhaust mechanism simplicityVSAvoidnoise to subject and operator

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic port positioning to redirect airflow paths based on gantry tilt angle. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize airflow patterns that reduce turbulence and noise generation, particularly in standing and sitting positions where the fixed mechanism previously caused unpleasant noise, while adding only moderate complexity through actuated port mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration ensures improved heat exhaust efficiency and reduced noise and discomfort for both the patient and operator across different imaging positions, enhancing the quality of X-ray CT images by minimizing artifacts caused by vibration.

Implementation Method 1

a first gantry intake port and a second gantry intake port; a first column exhaust port and a second column exhaust port... the first gantry intake port draws air in the first state; the second gantry intake port draws air in the second state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10206640B2X-ray computed tomography imaging apparatus and gantry apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYST CORP

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an X ray computed tomography imaging apparatus includes a gantry and a column. The gantry includes a first gantry intake port, and a second gantry intake port. The first gantry intake port draws air in the first state. The second gantry intake port draws air in the second state. The column includes a first column exhaust port and a second column exhaust port. The first column exhaust port communicates with the first gantry intake port in the first state. The second column exhaust port communicates with the second gantry intake port in the second state.