Flexible Thin-Film Pressure Sensing for CT Gantry Collision Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
CT machines pose a risk of bodily injury due to limb collisions with the gantry casing when the patient's limb is outside the scanning aperture during movement, necessitating manual intervention by a doctor to stop the patient table.
Innovation Solution
A medical apparatus equipped with a flexible thin-film pressure sensor affixed to the gantry casing, which detects pressure and triggers emergency braking via an analog-to-digital converter and controller to stop the support structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual monitoring through glass window is used, then the system structure remains simple, but response time is delayed and requires human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual monitoring system with an automated sensing system. The flexible thin-film pressure sensor detects collision forces mechanically, while the analog-to-digital converter and controller process this information electronically, substituting human visual inspection with automated sensor-based detection. This reduces response time from human reaction time to sensor detection speed while managing complexity through integrated electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-protection by automatically detecting collisions and triggering emergency braking without requiring human intervention. The sensing strip on the gantry casing autonomously monitors for patient limb contact and initiates stopping sequences, allowing the medical apparatus to protect itself and patients from accidental collisions during table movement.
2Reliability
If emergency button system is used, then the structure remains simple, but reliability is reduced due to dependence on human reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual emergency button system with automated pressure sensing. The flexible thin-film pressure sensor continuously monitors for collision forces, and the controller automatically triggers emergency braking when threshold forces are detected. This eliminates dependence on human reaction time and awareness, significantly improving reliability while using manageable electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through the sensing strip that monitors collision forces in real-time. When the pressure sensor detects forces exceeding safe thresholds, the controller receives this feedback signal and immediately activates the emergency braking sequence. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable collision protection by continuously monitoring and automatically responding to hazardous conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rigid pressure sensor is used, then detection precision is high, but adaptability to curved gantry surface is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible thin-film pressure sensor that can conform to the curved surface of the gantry casing. The flexible substrate and thin-film structure allow the sensor to bend and adapt to the cylindrical geometry while maintaining its pressure-sensitive properties. This enables precise collision detection on curved surfaces without compromising adaptability to the gantry's shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing strip uses composite material construction combining flexible substrate, thin-film pressure-sensitive layer, and protective coating. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed to conform to curved gantry surfaces and the precision required for accurate pressure detection. The layered composite design maintains structural integrity while enabling adaptation to complex geometries.
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
Automatically prevents bodily harm by quickly detecting collisions and initiating emergency braking, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing strip, affixed to a region on the casing that the object might touch, the sensing strip comprising a flexible thin-film pressure sensor and a soft elastic component, the flexible thin-film pressure sensor being tightly fitted between the soft elastic component and the casing, and outputting a pulse upon detecting pressure applied thereto
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a medical apparatus is provided, comprising a main body and a support structure, the support structure being able to carry and move an object, the main body having a casing, wherein the medical apparatus further comprises: a sensing strip, affixed to a region on the casing that the object might touch, the sensing strip comprising a flexible thin-film pressure sensor and a soft elastic component, the flexible thin-film pressure sensor being tightly fitted between the soft elastic component and the casing, and outputting a pulse; an analog-to-digital converter, which receives a pulse from the flexible thin-film pressure sensor, and converts the pulse to a digital signal; and a controller, which receives the digital signal, and on this basis stops movement of the support structure. The medical apparatus of the present disclosure detects pressure via the flexible thin-film pressure sensor, can be flexibly arranged in a region where collision might occur, and is highly responsive with a quick response. When a collision occurs, emergency braking is triggered automatically, avoiding bodily harm.