Fluoroscopic X-Ray Field Centering When Table Motion Is Locked
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical examinations where instruments are introduced into the body, adjusting the center position of the X-ray irradiation field is difficult when the table movement is prohibited for safety reasons, making it challenging to maintain optimal visibility.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus with a controller that moves the table and adjusts the X-ray irradiation field center on the display without physically moving the table, using a table lock mechanism and shielding vanes to control the X-ray field, allowing intuitive adjustment by operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the table movement is prohibited for safety during examination, then the safety is improved, but the ability to adjust the center position of X-ray irradiation field deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collimator as an intermediary device to adjust the X-ray irradiation field center position. When the table is locked, the collimator moves independently to change the irradiation field position, serving as a mediator between the operator's intent and the X-ray imaging function without requiring table movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the collimator can move independently of the table based on operational mode. In the first control mode (table movable), the table moves to adjust the field center. In the second control mode (table locked), the collimator moves to adjust the field center, allowing continuous adaptability despite table restriction.
2Ease of operation
If the table operation unit is used to adjust X-ray irradiation field center when table is locked, then the ease of operation is improved, but the table movement mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table operation unit is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both to control table movement in normal operation mode and to control collimator movement when the table is locked. This universal design allows a single operation unit to handle both functions, reducing the need for separate controls while managing system complexity through integrated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback about the table lock state and automatically switches between controlling table movement and collimator movement based on whether the table is locked or not. This feedback mechanism simplifies the user interface while managing the complexity of the control system through automated mode switching.
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 the center position of the X-ray irradiation field to be adjusted intuitively even when table movement is prohibited, ensuring optimal visibility during examinations.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray tube (X-ray irradiator) that radiates X-rays
Implementation Method 2
an X-ray image detector (X-ray detector) that detects the X-rays radiated to a subject
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus (100) includes a table (2), a table operation unit (51), and a controller (31). The controller is configured or programmed to move the table based on an operation input to the table operation unit in a first control performed when movement of the table is not prohibited, and move a center (42a) of an X-ray irradiation field (42) of an X-ray image (41) on a display (40) without moving the table based on the operation input to the table operation unit in a second control performed when the movement of the table is prohibited.