Inflatable Body Part Support for Motion-Free Medical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging techniques face challenges in obtaining clear and accurate images due to body part movement during image capture, leading to detrimental image artefacts and reduced quality.
Innovation Solution
A body part support device comprising a frame with a cover and base portion, and an inflatable bladder that can be inflated to encircle the body part, reducing movement and providing stable immobilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional restraints or support mechanisms are used to immobilize a body part during imaging, then image quality may be improved, but subject comfort deteriorates causing the subject to move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inflatable bladder within the support device that can be inflated to gently secure the body part in position. This pneumatic mechanism provides stable immobilization without the discomfort of rigid restraints, allowing the subject to remain still during imaging while maintaining comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device incorporates a flexible support element that can adapt to the contours of the body part. This flexible structure provides gentle containment rather than rigid restriction, improving subject comfort while still achieving the immobilization needed for high-quality imaging.
2Measurement precision
If rigid restraints are used to prevent body part movement, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support device utilizes changes in the inflation state of the bladder to achieve immobilization. By adjusting the inflation parameter, the device can adapt to different body part sizes and shapes, providing effective support without requiring multiple complex components for different imaging scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is designed to accommodate various body parts through a single versatile structure with an adjustable inflatable bladder. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized restraints for different body parts, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining imaging quality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple restraints are used to restrict movement in multiple axes, then immobilization effectiveness improves, but subject comfort and ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support element and inflatable bladder work together to provide gentle containment that restricts movement in multiple axes simultaneously. The flexibility allows the structure to adapt to the body part's shape, providing multi-directional stabilization without the discomfort of multiple rigid restraints.
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
The device effectively minimizes body part movement, enhancing image quality and reliability by maintaining the body part in a substantially immobile state during imaging.
Implementation Method 1
inflation of the inflatable bladder causes a reduction of a gap formed between the interior of the frame and encircled portion of the exterior surface of the body part
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects and embodiments relate to a body part support, a device comprising a body part support and a method of supporting a body part. More particularly, aspects and embodiments may relate to a medical imaging body part support. The imaging support of various aspects and embodiments comprises an inflatable bladder. Aspects and embodiments provide a body part support comprising: a frame and an inflatable bladder. The frame comprises a cover portion and a base portion. The cover and base portion are reversibly moveable with respect to each other between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the body part is locatable within the base portion. In the closed position the cover portion and base portion are securable together to encircle at least a portion of the body part locatable within the base portion. The inflatable bladder is mountable on the frame, located such that inflation of the inflatable bladder causes a reduction of a gap formed between the interior of the frame and encircled portion of the body part locatable within the base portion. An arrangement in accordance with described aspects mitigates body part movement within the support.