Integrated Couch Mechanism for PET-CT Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and high cost of PET-CT apparatuses are due to separately structured couch horizontal transferring and top vertical transferring units, leading to large size and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A couch device with an X-link, sliders, guide rails, a screw member, a clutch unit, and a binding unit that integrates horizontal and vertical transferring mechanisms, allowing for simultaneous horizontal and vertical adjustments of the couch to minimize deflections and simplify the apparatus configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the couch horizontal transferring unit and the top vertical transferring unit are separately structured, then the functional image/morphological image diagnosis apparatus can achieve precise positioning for both PET and CT imaging, but the apparatus structure becomes complicated, leading to large size and high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the couch horizontal transferring unit and the top vertical transferring unit into a single integrated mechanism. The X-link mechanism with link members allows the couch to perform both horizontal transfer (for positioning between PET and CT imaging areas) and vertical transfer (for adjusting couch height) through coordinated movement of the link members, eliminating the need for separate transferring units and reducing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated X-link mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides horizontal transfer of the couch, vertical transfer of the couch, and maintains positioning precision for both PET and CT imaging. The link members are designed to achieve both horizontal and vertical movements through their coordinated motion, making the mechanism universal for multiple transferring tasks
2Measurement precision
If separate transferring units are used for couch horizontal transfer and top vertical transfer, then precise positioning is achieved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the horizontal and vertical transferring functions into a single integrated X-link mechanism, reducing the space required for separate transferring units. The link members are arranged to perform both horizontal and vertical movements within a compact configuration, minimizing the overall apparatus footprint while maintaining positioning precision
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 integrated mechanism reduces the complexity and size of the apparatus, lowering costs while maintaining precise positional adjustments for both PET and CT imaging positions, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A screw member is arranged along the guide rail, is threadably mounted on each nut member, and applies a driving force to each slider when the screw member is relatively rotated for each nut member, and, due to the driving force, substantially horizontally transfers each slider
Implementation Method 2
The X link is formed of a long shape, and includes two link members arranged in an X-shape, wherein the couch supported by the upper ends of both link members is raised by narrowing the space between the lower ends of both link members and lowered by widening the space between the lower ends
Data Source
AI summary
A couch device including sliders axially supported by lower ends of both of link members, and including nut members. Guide rails substantially horizontally guide each slider. A screw member is arranged along the guide rail and is configured to apply a driving force to each slider when it is relatively rotated for each nut member and, due to the driving force, substantially horizontally transfer each slider. A clutch unit selectively carries out the operations of rotating one nut member integrated with the screw member such that the driving force is prevented from being applied to one slider, or relatively rotating one nut member for the screw member such that the driving force is applied to one slider. A binding unit binds one slider to the guide rail when the driving force is not applied to the one slider.