Radiological Imaging Coordination via Positional Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiological imaging systems, including both fixed and mobile C-arm systems, face limitations in achieving a full range of motion and collision avoidance due to the lack of real-time positional information of their components, such as imaging tables and gantries, which restricts advanced positioning and imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A communication-based system where communication devices on the radiological imaging subsystem and its components, like imaging tables, exchange positional information to determine their relationship, enabling coordinated motion and advanced gantry functions, including collision avoidance, through active or passive communication mediums like radio frequency, optical, or sonic methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time positional information communication is implemented between imaging subsystem and components, then coordinated motion and collision avoidance are enabled, but device complexity increases due to additional communication devices and coordination mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A coordination device is introduced as an intermediary component that receives positional information from communication devices on the imaging subsystem and table, processes this data, and generates coordinated motion commands. This mediator architecture centralizes the complexity of real-time coordination and collision avoidance logic in a single dedicated component, rather than distributing it across multiple subsystems, thereby enabling reliable collision avoidance while managing system complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where communication devices on the imaging subsystem and table transmit real-time positional information to the coordination device, which then adjusts motion commands based on the current spatial relationship. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic collision avoidance by constantly monitoring component positions and adjusting coordinated motion to prevent harmful interactions, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and complexity increase through intelligent control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication devices and coordination mechanisms are added to enable synchronized motion, then imaging capabilities are enhanced, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coordination device is designed as a multi-functional component that handles multiple tasks: receiving positional data from multiple sources, processing spatial relationships, generating coordinated motion commands for both imaging subsystem and table, and implementing collision avoidance logic. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single universal coordinator, the system enhances imaging capabilities through synchronized motion while avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic coordination where the coordination device continuously adapts motion commands based on real-time positional feedback from communication devices. Rather than using fixed pre-programmed sequences, the system dynamically adjusts the timing, speed, and trajectory of imaging subsystem and table movements based on current spatial relationships. This dynamic approach enables versatile imaging capabilities while managing complexity through adaptive control rather than rigid mechanical design.
3Speed
If real-time positional tracking is implemented without communication devices, then full range of synchronized motion cannot be achieved, but adding communication devices increases information requirements and processing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical coupling mechanisms with electronic communication-based positional information exchange. Instead of using direct mechanical linkages to synchronize the imaging subsystem and table movements, communication devices transmit positional data electronically to the coordination device, which then generates appropriate motion commands. This substitution enables full-range synchronized motion at high speeds while managing information processing complexity through software-based coordination rather than complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for coordinating a radiological imaging subsystem with a component including: a first communication device located on the radiological imaging subsystem; and a second communication device located on the component, wherein the first and second communication devices are capable of communicating to indicate a positional relationship between the radiological imaging subsystem and the component. In an embodiment, the component includes an imaging table. In an embodiment, at least one range of motion of the radiological imaging system is determinable based at least in part on the communicating to indicate a positional relationship. In an embodiment, the at least one range of motion of the radiological imaging system includes at least one range of motion of a gantry.