Foldable Imaging Arm Control for Precise Mobile X-Ray Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aligning a medical imaging device and a detector is challenging, especially for mobile devices, due to the difficulty in manually placing and aligning a heavy source assembly, which affects image quality and exposes users to radiation.

Innovation Solution

A mobile medical imaging device with a high-degree-of-freedom arm system, including a first and second arm connected by joint parts, controlled by a smart actuator, allows for easy alignment and positioning of the source assembly relative to the detector, using torque and user input to adjust angles and movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a heavy source assembly is manually positioned and aligned, then the imaging device can be operated, but user effort increases and alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of source assembly positioningVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated arm system that includes a first arm and second arm with multiple joint parts. The controller automatically controls the movement and positioning of the source assembly mounted on the arm, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical systems that provide both ease of operation and precise alignment control through electronic control signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The arm system with first and second arms acts as an intermediary between the operator and the heavy source assembly. This intermediary mechanism includes joint parts with actuators that can precisely position the source assembly without requiring direct manual handling, thereby reducing user effort while maintaining alignment precision through controlled movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the source assembly is positioned close to the patient, then image quality improves, but radiation exposure to the user increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The automated arm system allows the source assembly to be positioned close to the patient for high-quality imaging without requiring the user to be in close proximity. The controller automatically maneuvers the arm and source assembly into the optimal position, enabling the user to operate the device from a safer distance while maintaining precise positioning for image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-positioning through the automated arm mechanism controlled by the controller. The source assembly is automatically moved to the required position near the patient without human physical intervention, allowing the user to initiate the process from a distance and reducing their exposure to radiation during the positioning and imaging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile medical imaging device is used, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but the complexity of positioning and aligning the source assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of mobile deviceVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning and aligning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arm system is segmented into a first arm and a second arm with multiple joint parts, each capable of independent controlled movement. This segmentation allows the complex positioning task to be broken down into simpler rotational movements at each joint, which are individually controlled by actuators and coordinated by the controller, making the overall system more manageable despite its mobility and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm system incorporates dynamic elements with joint parts that can rotate and adjust to different positions. The controller dynamically coordinates the movement of each arm segment to achieve the desired source assembly position and orientation. This dynamic capability provides flexibility for mobile operation while the automated control reduces the complexity of manual positioning and alignment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260013814A1Mobile medical imaging device having foldable arm and method for operating medical imaging device

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 DRTECH CORP

AI summary

A medical imaging device of the present disclosure includes a main body that is able to travel, a first arm coupled to the main body by a first joint part, a second arm coupled to the first arm by a second joint part including a smart actuator, and a controller for controlling a joint part including at least one of the first joint part and the second joint part.