Mobile CT Scanner Fiducial Alignment With Patient Supports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aligning the scan field of a mobile CT imaging system with a patient support can be problematic, especially for larger systems, requiring substantial manual effort due to their weight and size.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising fiducial markers on the patient support, a camera on the scanner for detection, a transport mechanism, and a computing system to automatically align the scanner with the patient support by calculating angular and positional adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment of the scanner is performed, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but substantial manual effort is required due to the weight and size of larger systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses fiducial markers mounted on the patient support and a camera on the scanner to automatically detect and calculate alignment parameters. The computing system then autonomously controls the transport mechanism to position the scanner, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated optical-mechanical system. A camera captures images of fiducial markers, computational algorithms calculate the required alignment adjustments, and a transport mechanism executes the positioning, substituting human physical effort with an integrated sensing-computing-actuating system.
2Ease of operation
If automatic alignment is implemented, then manual effort is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The fiducial markers serve multiple functions: they provide alignment reference points for the camera, enable calculation of angular and positional parameters, and guide the transport mechanism. The camera system similarly serves both alignment detection and potential scanning functions, reducing overall system complexity through multi-functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiducial markers act as intermediaries between the patient support and the scanner's camera system, providing a common reference framework that enables automatic alignment without requiring direct complex interactions between the scanner and patient support structures.
3Volume of moving object
If the scanner is made larger for full-body scans, then scanning capability is improved, but alignment becomes more difficult due to increased weight and size
Solution Approach 1:
The automated alignment system allows large, heavy scanners to perform self-alignment by detecting fiducial markers and autonomously adjusting their position via the transport mechanism, eliminating the need for manual handling that would be prohibitively difficult for full-size scanning systems.
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
Automatically aligns the scanner with the patient support, reducing manual effort and ensuring precise positioning for scanning.
Implementation Method 1
A camera on the scanner detects a fiducial marker on a patient support
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for aligning a scan field of a medical scanner with a patient support, the apparatus comprising: at least one fiducial marker mounted to the patient support; a camera mounted to the medical scanner for imaging the at least one fiducial marker mounted to the patient support; a transport mechanism for moving the medical scanner relative to the patient support; and a computing system for instructing the transport mechanism to move the medical scanner to align the scan field of the medical scanner with the patient support.