Gantry Move-Away Path for Small X-Ray Rooms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging systems face challenges in moving within small examination rooms without frequently repositioning patients, due to limited space, which complicates tasks requiring the gantry to be moved away from the patient table.
Innovation Solution
A compact move-away solution for the gantry structure, utilizing a virtual wall definition and a controller to guide the gantry to a predefined position parallel to the virtual wall through a direct, non-crossing motion, allowing the gantry to be moved efficiently without touching or exceeding the wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gantry structure is moved away from the patient table in a conventional manner, then space adjacent the patient table is freed up, but the gantry structure may touch or cross the virtual wall in small examination rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from simple linear gantry movement to a multi-dimensional motion trajectory that combines translation and rotation. The gantry moves along a curved path defined by a center point and radius, allowing it to bypass the virtual wall constraint while still achieving the goal of freeing space adjacent to the patient table. This dimensional change in motion space resolves the contradiction between movement capability and wall avoidance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gantry structure is moved to a predefined position parallel to the virtual wall, then space is efficiently utilized in narrow examination rooms, but the motion path becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical motion control with a computational geometry approach. Instead of designing complex mechanical linkages or guides to achieve the curved motion path, the system uses software algorithms to calculate the optimal trajectory (defined by center point, radius, and angle parameters) and controls the gantry accordingly. This substitution of mechanical complexity with computational logic resolves the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
3Productivity
If the gantry structure performs a direct compact motion without touching the virtual wall, then space adjacent the patient table is freed up efficiently, but the movement requires precise control to avoid the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the motion trajectory before executing the gantry movement. The controller pre-computes the optimal path parameters (center point coordinates, radius, and sweep angle) based on the gantry's starting position and the virtual wall location. This preliminary action ensures that the subsequent movement can be executed with standard control precision while still achieving the goal of efficiently freeing space without wall contact.
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray radiation source and an X-ray detector disposed on a gantry structure. The X-ray imaging system includes a controller configured to perform actions. The actions include defining a virtual wall within a room that the X-ray imaging system is disposed within and receiving a selection of a predefined position to move the gantry structure to from a start position where the gantry structure is located, wherein at the start position the gantry structure is disposed adjacent to or about a patient table for imaging a subject with the X-ray imaging system, and wherein the predefined position is parallel to the virtual wall. The actions include receiving an activation signal to move the gantry structure from the start position to the predefined position in a compact motion and moving the gantry structure from the start position to the predefined position in the compact motion.