Gantry-Mounted Image Guiding Device for Radiotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image guiding devices for radiotherapy suffer from low data transmission rates between the imager and image server due to indirect connections via slip rings, leading to inaccurate image guidance and high maintenance costs due to the susceptibility and high cost of slip ring arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The image guiding device mounts the imaging source, imager, and image server directly on the gantry, allowing for high-speed data transmission between the imager and image server, eliminating the need for slip rings and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If slip rings are used to connect the imager and image server on the rotating gantry, then the device can rotate 360 degrees, but the data transmission rate is low and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the slip ring component from the system. By mounting both the imager and image server directly on the gantry, the invention eliminates the need for slip rings to transmit data during rotation, thereby resolving the contradiction between rotation capability and data transmission rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the imager and image server onto the same rotating gantry structure. This integration allows both components to rotate together as a unified system, eliminating the need for data transmission through slip rings and achieving high-speed data transfer while maintaining 360-degree rotation capability.
2Reliability
If slip rings are used to connect the imager and image server, then the device can transmit data during rotation, but the maintenance costs are high due to susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the slip ring component entirely from the system. By mounting both the imager and image server on the gantry, the invention eliminates the fragile slip ring interface that requires maintenance, thereby improving reliability while reducing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system becomes self-sufficient by processing and storing images directly on the gantry-mounted image server. This eliminates the need for external data transmission interfaces like slip rings, making the system more reliable and easier to maintain.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the imager and image server are mounted separately, then the device structure is flexible, but the positioning accuracy and image guidance quality are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imager and image server onto the same gantry structure, positioning them in close proximity. This integration improves positioning accuracy by reducing spatial separation between image acquisition and processing components, while the modular gantry design maintains structural flexibility.
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 enhances image accuracy and quality, improves positioning and guiding effects, and decreases manufacturing and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for slip rings.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging source mounted on the gantry and configured to emit X-rays
Implementation Method 2
an imager arranged on the gantry in a fashion of facing the imaging source at 180 degrees, and configured to receive the X-rays passing through an affected part of a patient and generate projection data according to the received X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
An image guiding device includes a gantry, an imaging source, an imager, and an image server. The imaging source, the imager and the image server are all mounted on the gantry. The imager is connected to the image server. The imaging source is arranged to face the imager. The imaging source emits X-rays. The imager receives X-rays passing through an affected part of a patient, generates projection data based on the received X-rays, and sends the projection data to the image server. The image server processes the projection data to obtain an image of the affected part.