Mobile Tomography Detectors for Patient-Adaptive 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tomography imaging systems, such as CT and PET, are typically fixed in place, making them costly and inconvenient for patients, as they require patients to be brought to the scanner, rather than allowing the scanner to adapt to the patient's environment and movement.
Innovation Solution
A mobile tomography imaging system using a swarm of independently movable vehicles, such as drones or wheeled vehicles, equipped with detectors that can move around the object to be imaged, allowing for adaptive scanning and reconstruction of internal regions without the need for a dedicated room or gantry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large planar detector is used to cover the entire patient torso, then imaging completeness is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple smaller detector units that can be distributed across multiple vehicles. Instead of using one large planar detector, the system employs several smaller detectors on separate mobile platforms, each capturing a portion of the object from different positions, thereby achieving complete imaging without requiring a single large detector
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar detector arrangement to a three-dimensional mobile detector system. Multiple detectors are positioned at different spatial locations and can move along trajectories around the object, adding the time dimension for dynamic positioning. This enables complete volumetric imaging through motion rather than requiring a large static detector area
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed imaging system is used, then imaging stability is improved, but patient convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the detectors mobile rather than the patient. Instead of bringing the patient to a fixed imaging system, the imaging system moves to the patient, reversing the traditional patient transport paradigm while maintaining imaging stability through controlled detector motion and trajectory management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic mobility to the imaging system through multiple vehicles that can move along predetermined or adaptive trajectories. The system transitions from a static fixed scanner to a dynamic mobile imaging platform, where detectors can reposition themselves around the object while maintaining stable image reconstruction through coordinated motion control
3Measurement precision
If a dedicated room with fixed scanner is used, then imaging quality is improved, but cost and adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal imaging system that can operate in multiple environments rather than requiring a dedicated room. The mobile detector vehicles can be deployed in various settings (hospital rooms, outpatient clinics, remote locations) and adapt to different objects and environments, providing high-quality imaging without the need for specialized facility infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical fixed gantry system with lighter mobile vehicles equipped with detectors. This substitution enables the imaging system to move freely to different locations and adapt to various environments while maintaining imaging quality through software-based trajectory control and iterative reconstruction algorithms
4Ease of operation
If patients are brought to the imaging system, then imaging accessibility is improved, but patient burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the traditional patient transport model by bringing the imaging system to the patient's location. Instead of patients traveling to a fixed scanner, mobile detector vehicles come to where the patient is, eliminating the need for patient transport and reducing time loss while maintaining imaging accessibility
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 flexible and adaptive tomography imaging, reducing costs and improving convenience by allowing the scanner to move to the patient, accommodating patient movement and environment, and providing high-quality three-dimensional representations of internal structures.
Implementation Method 1
Radiation (e.g., x-ray or nuclear emission) from the object is sensed with the detector during the moving
Data Source
AI summary
A detector used for tomography imaging is mobile, allowing the detector to move about an object (e.g., patient to be imaged). A swarm of such detectors, such as a swarm of drones with detectors, may be used for tomography imaging. The trajectory or trajectories of the mobile detectors may account for the pose and/or movement of the object being imaged. The trajectory or trajectories may be based, in part, on the sampling for desired tomography. An image of an internal region of the object is reconstructed from detected signals of the mobile detectors using tomography.