Movable CT Gantry Platform for Standing Animal Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CT devices are unsuitable for performing scans on standing large animals, requiring them to be anesthetized and posing risks due to the need to move the animal within the gantry, and existing solutions like sliding gantries or lifting platforms are space-intensive and risky.
Innovation Solution
A CT device mounted on a platform with a positioning system that allows the CT table to remain stationary relative to the animal by compensating its movement with the platform's opposite movement, using a synchronized motor system to mimic the gantry's motion over the animal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a CT device is designed as a fixed annular gantry with a movable CT table, then the CT device can perform standard CT scans on lying animals under anesthesia, but it cannot scan standing large animals without requiring complex lifting platforms or rail systems
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the CT table into the gantry as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by moving the entire gantry over the stationary CT table and animal. The gantry is mounted on a movable platform that can be positioned horizontally relative to the supporting surface, allowing the gantry to move over the animal while the CT table remains stationary beneath it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a movable copy of the gantry system on a separate platform that can be independently positioned. This movable gantry platform replicates the scanning function without requiring the animal to be moved or positioned on complex lifting mechanisms, effectively copying the scanning capability to a mobile platform.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sliding gantry on rails is used to scan standing large animals, then the head and neck can be examined, but the limbs cannot be examined and significantly more space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The movable platform carrying the gantry can be positioned at multiple locations around the animal, enabling examination of various body parts including head, neck, and limbs. The same gantry system can scan different anatomical regions by repositioning the platform, making the device universal for examining all body parts without requiring separate specialized systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a lifting platform is used to position the CT device for standing animal scans, then scans can be performed on standing animals, but the animal must be lifted slowly which significantly increases examination duration and poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vertical lifting mechanical system with a horizontal positioning system. Instead of lifting the heavy gantry vertically onto the animal, the gantry is moved horizontally along the longitudinal axis of the animal using a positioning device with first and second drives. This substitution of mechanical approach eliminates the time-consuming and risky vertical lifting operation.
4Ease of operation
If the CT table moves into the gantry during scanning, then standard CT scanning can be performed, but the animal must be anesthetized and positioned which increases risk and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional scanning approach by keeping the CT table and animal stationary while moving the gantry over them. This eliminates the need to move the animal onto and through the gantry, thereby eliminating the risks associated with anesthesia and positioning while maintaining standard CT scanning capabilities.
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 reliable CT scanning of standing large animals without anesthesia, reducing stress and risk, and utilizing standard CT devices without modification, allowing scans of multiple body parts at varying heights.
Implementation Method 1
The X-ray tube emits a fan beam of X-rays in the direction of the detector system. When a patient or an examination subject on the CT table has been moved into the central opening in the annular gantry, the X-rays penetrate the area to be examined and their intensity is reduced depending on the absorption properties within the illuminated area.
Implementation Method 2
The detector detects a two-dimensional projection of the usually three-dimensional illuminated subject, whereby the projection represents an intensity map of the detected X-rays.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus for use with an imaging device in order to image a subject. The imaging device includes an annular gantry having an opening and a table to accommodate the subject or a portion thereof for imaging. The imaging apparatus includes a platform and a positioning device. The imaging device is mounted to the platform. The annular gantry is in a fixed position relative to the platform. The table is horizontally displaceable relative to the annular gantry. The positioning device supports the platform and is configured to horizontally displace the platform relative to a supporting surface for the subject. The positioning device is configured to position the platform with the imaging device in at least one operational state in such a way that, during a relative movement of the table with respect to the annular gantry, the table remains stationary relative to the supporting surface.