Foot Switch Control for Fast Angulation in X-ray Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monoplane x-ray systems face difficulties in quickly and accurately adjusting angulation for capturing necessary spatial information during medical procedures due to the need to stop radiation emission and manually adjust the C-arm, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A foot switch control method that temporarily reassigns the function of one foot pedal from radiation triggering to angulation control, allowing for rapid angulation changes without interrupting x-ray emission, and optionally utilizes pre-programmed positions and user interface inputs to automate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the physician manually adjusts the C-arm angulation using traditional controls (levers, push buttons, or foot switches), then the viewing direction can be changed, but the procedure requires stopping radiation emission and manually repositioning the C-arm, which is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The foot switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can trigger radiation emission and also control C-arm angulation movement. By integrating these functions into a single control device, the system eliminates the need to switch between different controls, allowing the physician to perform both radiation triggering and angulation adjustment using foot movements alone, thereby maintaining procedural efficiency while simplifying operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-programs specific angulation positions and automatically positions the C-arm to these pre-determined angles when the foot switch is activated. This preliminary programming of positions allows the physician to quickly jump between common viewing angles without manual adjustment, significantly reducing the time required for angulation changes while maintaining ease of operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-programmed positions are used to assist angulation changes, then the selection process is simplified, but the physician still needs to stop radiation, select from a list of positions, and manually actuate controls, which maintains complexity and does not sufficiently improve productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The foot switch integrates multiple control functions into a single device: it can trigger radiation emission, select pre-programmed angulation positions, and initiate automatic C-arm positioning all through foot pedal actuation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate controls for each operation, reducing the overall control sequence complexity while maintaining adaptability to different procedural needs
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the selection of pre-programmed positions and the actuation of positioning into a single foot switch operation. Instead of requiring the physician to separately select a position from a list and then actuate a separate control, the foot switch combines these actions, allowing the physician to initiate automated positioning with a single pedal press, thereby reducing control complexity while maintaining versatility
3Productivity
If the foot pedal function is temporarily reassigned from radiation triggering to angulation control, then rapid angulation changes can be achieved without interrupting x-ray emission, but the control function must be dynamically changed, which requires sophisticated control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The foot switch control system dynamically changes the function of the foot pedal based on the current operational state. When the C-arm is stationary, the foot pedal triggers radiation emission; when the C-arm is in motion or positioned at a pre-programmed angle, the same foot pedal initiates automated positioning to the next pre-programmed position. This dynamic function assignment allows rapid angulation changes without interrupting radiation, while the control system manages the complexity through state-dependent logic that automatically adapts to the current operational context
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for fast angulation changes in a C-arm x-ray system, and a foot switch for effecting such fast angulation, a pedal of the foot switch that normally has a function not related to angulation of the C-arm is either permanently, or temporarily programmed, to operate as a pedal that, when depressed, automatically moves the C-arm to a predetermined angulation. The pedal can be movable between two positions, in order to selectively, automatically move the C-arm to either of two predetermined angulation positions, or can be used in conjunction with another pedal for that purpose. The pedal can also be temporarily given a security function and/or a radiation triggering function.