Lateral X-Ray Imaging Assembly for Supine Patient Stitching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray imaging systems struggle to capture lateral views of patients who cannot maintain a lateral supine position due to injury or medical conditions, necessitating prolonged and uncomfortable maintenance of an unnatural posture.

Innovation Solution

The system positions the X-ray head and detector on opposing lateral sides of a bed platform, allowing for lateral projection imaging while the patient is supine, using mechanical mechanisms to move the X-ray head and detector to multiple positions for stitching multiple exposures into a complete image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the patient maintains a lateral supine position for lateral view imaging, then the lateral projection can be captured, but the patient experiences prolonged physical strain and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral view imaging capabilityVSAvoidpatient physical strain
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the patient to rotate into a lateral supine position, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the patient in a comfortable supine position and rotating the X-ray head and detector assembly to achieve the lateral projection angle. This reverses the traditional imaging geometry to eliminate patient discomfort while maintaining imaging capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a dynamically adjustable X-ray head and detector assembly that can rotate and reposition itself relative to the patient. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt the imaging angle without requiring patient movement, enabling lateral view acquisition while the patient remains in a fixed, comfortable supine position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the X-ray head and detector are positioned on opposing lateral sides of the bed platform, then lateral projection imaging is enabled with patient in supine position, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral projection imaging capabilityVSAvoidmechanical positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the X-ray head and detector into a single integrated assembly that moves together as one unit. This combination simplifies the mechanical structure by reducing the number of independent components and coordination mechanisms required, while still achieving the lateral projection capability through the unified assembly's positioning system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The X-ray head and detector assembly is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both lateral projection imaging and positioning operations from a single integrated structure. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatile imaging capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple exposures are taken and stitched together to form a complete lateral view image, then the imaging completeness is improved, but the imaging time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage completenessVSAvoidimaging duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning of the X-ray head and detector assembly to multiple predetermined locations along the patient's body before actual imaging begins. Exposure parameters and travel points are pre-calculated and stored, allowing the automated stitching process to proceed efficiently without real-time decision-making delays, thus reducing overall imaging time while maintaining complete image coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables comfortable and efficient capture of lateral views without requiring patients to maintain an unnatural posture, reducing physical strain and improving imaging efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The X-ray head serves as a component for emitting X-rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray emission: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

the detector functions as a component for receiving X-rays penetrating through the object under examination. The detector forms images by receiving the X-rays and ultimately converting them into electrical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray detection and conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4678111A1X-ray imaging system and imaging method thereof
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4678111A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4678111A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4678111A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed are an X-ray imaging system and an imaging method thereof, wherein: a bed platform supports an object under examination in a supine posture along a first direction and has first and second sides along the first direction; an X-ray head is capable of being positioned at the first side via a first support assembly, and a detector is capable of being positioned at the second side via a second support assembly, such that the X-ray and detector face a lateral view of the object to obtain a lateral X-ray image; in response to an exposure instruction for a first body part to be stitched, the X-ray head and detector are controlled to cooperatively image the first body part to obtain at least two lateral X-ray images stitched to obtain a radiograph. This enables imaging and stitching of the lateral view of the object laid supine.