Head Fixation Structure With Temporal Viewing Window Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head fixation devices for medical imaging lack accurate registration of the head with reference lines and often have complex structures, leading to inefficiencies in capturing tomographic images.
Innovation Solution
A head fixation device with an occipital region placement portion and temporal region support portions that include a viewing window allowing visual recognition of the temporal region as a reference, along with breathability features and optional lens protection, enabling precise head registration and a simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a head fixation device is designed with a simple configuration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to accurately register the head with reference lines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temporal region support portion includes a viewing window that allows the subject to visually self-align their head with the reference line by observing the temporal region, eliminating the need for complex external alignment mechanisms. The subject independently performs the registration task through visual feedback provided by the viewing window.
Solution Approach 2:
The viewing window provides visual feedback by allowing observation of the temporal region, enabling the subject to see when their head is properly aligned with the reference line. This visual indication system replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If a head fixation device is designed with accurate head registration capability, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables the subject to perform their own head alignment through the viewing window, eliminating the need for operators to manually adjust complex alignment mechanisms. The subject uses visual feedback from the viewing window to self-align their head with the reference line.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for alignment (visual observation of the temporal region) and removes unnecessary complex mechanical alignment mechanisms. The viewing window provides the minimal necessary visual feedback for accurate registration without requiring elaborate structures.
3Ease of operation
If the temporal region is fully supported by the temporal region support portion, then the support comfort is improved, but the ability to visually recognize the reference region deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temporal region support portion has different properties in different regions: it provides full support in most areas while creating a local opening (viewing window) in the specific region where visual observation is needed. This allows the support structure to maintain comfort while providing visual access to the temporal region for alignment purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a head fixation device that can accurately register a head and has a simple configuration. A head fixation device for use in a medical imaging apparatus, including: an occipital region placement portion on which an occipital region of a head of a subject is placed; and a temporal region support portion that is continuously provided from both sides of the occipital region placement portion and supports both sides of a temporal region of the head, in which the temporal region support portion includes a viewing window portion which is configured so that a region of the temporal region, which is a reference in a case of capturing a tomographic image of the head, is visually recognizable in a state where the occipital region is placed on the occipital region placement portion.