Multi-Modality Imaging System Rail-Mounted Footprint Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-modality imaging systems face challenges in accommodating extended scanning ranges without increasing the footprint, as the patient bed's length must be extended, leading to sagging issues that result in misregistration of image data due to varying distances from the table.
Innovation Solution
The imaging systems are slidingly mounted on rails, allowing the pallet to extend through both imaging systems' scan ranges while maintaining proximity to each other, with overlapping scan ranges to ensure consistent sag and improved data registration, and the pallet is supported to prevent sagging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the pallet length is extended to increase the scanning range, then the scanning range is improved, but the footprint of the system increases and the pallet sags under patient weight
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging systems are made movable along the rails rather than being fixed, allowing dynamic repositioning to achieve overlapping scan ranges. This enables the system to maintain a compact footprint while preserving the full scanning range through coordinated movement of imaging systems rather than extending the pallet
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from extending the pallet in one dimension (length) to achieving extended coverage through movement in another dimension (position of imaging systems along rails). By moving the imaging systems along the rails to create overlapping scan ranges, the system achieves the functional equivalent of a longer pallet without the physical extension
2Length of moving object
If the pallet length is extended to increase the scanning range, then the scanning range is improved, but the pallet sags under patient weight causing misregistration
Solution Approach 1:
By making the imaging systems movable rather than extending the pallet statically, the system maintains consistent pallet support conditions throughout the scan. The dynamic repositioning of imaging systems creates overlapping scan ranges without requiring the pallet to extend beyond its supported length, thereby preventing sag-induced misregistration
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping scan ranges create redundant coverage of the same anatomical region. This allows the system to acquire image data from multiple positions, effectively copying the scan of overlapping regions, which improves registration accuracy by providing multiple reference points while keeping the pallet within its supported length
3Length of moving object
If the imaging systems are positioned far from the table to maximize scan range, then the scanning range is improved, but the room size required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging systems are positioned close to each other on the rails and moved dynamically to achieve the required scan coverage. This eliminates the need for a large room that would be required if systems were fixed far from the table, as the movable systems can create overlapping scan ranges in a compact configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The two imaging systems are positioned proximate to each other rather than being separated, merging their spatial footprint. By combining their positions and using coordinated movement along shared rails with overlapping scan ranges, the system achieves extended scanning capability within a smaller room volume
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-modality imaging system includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system that is different from the first imaging system. The first and second imaging systems are slidingly mounted on at least one rail. A table has a movable pallet configured to extend through a scan range of the first imaging system while the first and second imaging systems are positioned proximate each other at one position along the at least one rail. The pallet is further configured to extend through a scan range of the second imaging system while the first and second imaging systems are positioned proximate each other at a different position along the at least one rail. At least a portion of the scan ranges overlap each other.