Medical Scanner Phantom Delivery for Automated Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical scanner calibration processes require expert service personnel, leading to high travel and maintenance costs, and system downtime, which could be reduced by automating the calibration process.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a phantom storage and delivery system within the medical scanner, enabling automated or remote calibration by positioning a phantom in the scanner bore, utilizing existing patient support systems or robotic mechanisms, and incorporating monitoring systems for safety and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical phantoms are used for calibration, then calibration accuracy is maintained, but system downtime and service personnel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom is pre-positioned in the phantom storage area by the delivery system before the calibration procedure is needed. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for on-site phantom preparation and reduces system downtime, as the phantom is ready for immediate use when calibration is initiated.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system automatically transports the phantom from the storage area to the scanner bore without requiring manual intervention by service personnel. This self-service mechanism reduces both the time and expertise needed for calibration operations.
2Reliability
If expert service personnel perform calibration, then calibration reliability is ensured, but travel costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system enables self-service calibration operations where the scanner automatically positions the phantom and executes the calibration procedure. This eliminates the need for expert service personnel to be physically present, reducing travel costs and operational complexity while maintaining calibration reliability through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of physically transporting and positioning phantoms by service personnel is replaced with an automated delivery system and control mechanism. This substitution maintains calibration reliability while significantly reducing operational complexity and personnel requirements.
3Volume of stationary object
If phantom is stored outside scanner bore, then storage space is optimized, but phantom positioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support is segmented into a primary scanning portion and an extended storage portion. The storage portion can be positioned outside the scanner bore to optimize storage space, while the delivery system handles the phantom positioning complexity by coordinating movement between the storage area and the scanner bore.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the phantom storage area (outside the scanner bore) and the scanner bore. This intermediary system manages the positioning complexity by automatically transporting and positioning the phantom, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical imaging scanner has a phantom stored at a phantom storage area. The phantom is moved from the phantom storage area into a scanner bore of the scanner when a scanner calibration is desired. In this way, the phantom becomes part of the scanner and the calibration can be performed remotely or even automatically by the scanner controller.