Mobile Imaging System Offset Arm and Elbow Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical diagnostic imaging systems, such as mobile C-arm systems, face challenges in achieving enhanced mobility and reduced interference in crowded work environments, limiting their ability to be readily positioned in arbitrary locations without affecting clinicians or patients.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly with a mobile radiation source and detector, featuring a pivotally coupled offset arm and elbow mechanism, allows for flexible positioning and rotation to acquire radiological images while maintaining alignment with a central longitudinal axis, enabling the system to be operated remotely and reducing radiation exposure for personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional mobile C-arm system is used, then the system can be moved in relation to the imaged subject, but the system interferes with clinicians and patients in crowded work environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional C-arm configuration to an overhead bridge configuration, moving the imaging system from a side-positioned mobile cart to a top-positioned bridge structure spanning over the patient table. This dimensional change allows the system to be positioned above the workspace rather than beside it, eliminating interference with clinicians and patients while maintaining imaging capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging system is positioned in arbitrary locations, then mobility is enhanced, but radiation exposure to personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radiation source and detector from the conventional mobile C-arm unit and repositions them on a separate overhead bridge structure. This separation allows the imaging system to be positioned in arbitrary locations above the patient without requiring the radiation-generating components to be in the same mobile unit, thereby reducing radiation exposure to personnel while maintaining positioning flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If a mobile C-arm system is used, then the system can be readily positioned, but the system structure is complex and occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging system into separate functional components: the overhead bridge structure for positioning, the radiation source, and the detector. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and positioned, simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining the capability to be readily positioned in various locations.
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
This configuration enhances mobility and accessibility, allowing the imaging system to be positioned in arbitrary locations without interfering with clinicians or patients, while maintaining effective image acquisition capabilities, thus improving operational efficiency in medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
radiation from a radiation source through a table to a radiation detector
Data Source
AI summary
A support assembly for an image detector operable to acquire an image of a subject on a table is provided. The support assembly includes an offset arm pivotally coupled from a carriage about a first axis. An elbow is pivotally coupled at the offset arm about a second axis. The first and second axes are vertically aligned and spaced an offset distance from one another. A mobile arm supports the image detector. The mobile arm is pivotally coupled at the elbow about a third axis that is horizontal aligned and in alignment with a central longitudinal axis of a table in a vertical plane. The mobile arm is also supported to rotate about a fourth axis that is horizontal aligned and in perpendicular alignment relative to the third axis. The first, second, third, and fourth axes all include a common point of intersection with one another.