Modified Grid Cabinet Assembly for Digital X-Ray Retrofit
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional x-ray facilities using film cassettes are not compatible with digital imaging systems, limiting their ability to be retrofitted for modern digital technology, especially for patients who cannot be moved to a conventional x-ray table.
Innovation Solution
A modified grid cabinet or 'bucky' assembly that allows for the retrofitting of conventional film bucky systems to accommodate a digital sensor plate, enabling it to be used with both x-ray tables and upright chest stands, with a tray system that can be easily oriented in portrait or landscape positions and securely mounted with a latch assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional film bucky is used, then the x-ray facility maintains compatibility with traditional film cassettes, but it cannot be retrofitted for digital imaging systems
Solution Approach 1:
The grid cabinet is divided into separate functional components: a frame structure, a tray assembly, and a sensor plate. This segmentation allows the sensor plate to be independently installed and removed without affecting the entire system, enabling retrofitting of digital imaging capability into conventional film bucky structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified grid cabinet assembly serves multiple functions: it can accommodate both conventional film cassettes and digital sensor plates, support various patient positions (upright, supine, lateral), and interface with different x-ray table configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by maintaining backward compatibility while adding digital imaging capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a digital sensor plate is installed in a conventional film bucky, then digital imaging capability is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor plate is nested within the existing tray structure of the film bucky. The tray assembly serves as a container that can hold either film cassettes or digital sensor plates, allowing the digital component to be integrated without adding external structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray assembly acts as an intermediary component between the film bucky frame and the sensor plate. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the integration of digital imaging components into the conventional structure, reducing overall structural complexity.
3Productivity
If the tray is designed to be reciprocally slidable for easy loading and unloading, then operational efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed with reciprocal sliding capability, allowing it to move dynamically between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic design enables quick loading and unloading of sensor plates while maintaining a compact form factor when not in use, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray mechanism is designed to be manually operated without requiring complex motorized systems. The reciprocal sliding action can be performed by simple manual manipulation, allowing the tray to serve itself in the loading and unloading process while minimizing the addition of complex components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor plate can be oriented in multiple positions, then adaptability to different patient positions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray and sensor plate assembly utilizes asymmetric geometric features that naturally guide the sensor plate into correct orientations. The asymmetric shape of retaining features and the corresponding asymmetric geometry of the sensor plate create self-aligning configurations for different operative positions without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accommodates multiple orientations by allowing rotation of the sensor plate within the tray, utilizing the angular dimension rather than adding linear adjustment mechanisms. This dimensional approach enables portrait and landscape orientations as well as various angled positions without increasing mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A modified grid cabinet or “bucky” assembly intended for use with a digital imaging system and dimensioned and structured to retrofit a conventional film type x-ray device originally intended for use in combination with a conventional film bucky. The bucky assembly includes a frame having an at least partially hollow interior and a tray movably connected to the frame and slidably positionable between an outwardly extending open position and an inwardly disposed closed position. The tray is structured to support and position a digital sensor into an imaging position relative to the operative image capturing components of the digital imaging system. The tray includes a retaining assembly disposed and structured to removably retain the digital sensor in any a plurality of operative orientations including a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation.