Movable Table Display System for Medical Imaging Patient Immersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gantry-based medical imaging and therapeutic systems often cause patient anxiety due to the confined space and motion-induced image distortion, which limits the immersive experience and types of media that can be presented.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a projector, projection screen, and mirror secured to a movable table, maintaining a fixed spatial relationship to project images with a constant field size, reducing motion perception and anxiety, and using optical elements to create a virtual image depth beyond the gantry's confines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a stationary projector and projection screen are used, then the system structure is simple, but the projected image field size changes during table motion causing motion perception and patient anxiety
Solution Approach 1:
The projector and projection screen are mounted on the movable table rather than being stationary, allowing them to move dynamically with the table. This dynamic mounting ensures that the spatial relationship between the projector, screen, and patient remains constant during table translation, maintaining a stable projected image field size and eliminating motion perception artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
A mirror is introduced as an intermediary optical element to redirect the projected images toward the patient's eyes. The mirror is positioned at an angle to reflect the projection screen's image onto the patient's line of sight, enabling the patient to view images while lying on the table and reducing the perceived confined space of the gantry bore.
2Ease of operation
If the patient is positioned deep within the gantry bore, then the imaging procedure can be performed, but the confined space creates claustrophobic sensations and anxiety
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror redirects the projection screen's image to appear in a different spatial dimension relative to the patient. By reflecting the image at an angle, the system creates a virtual image space that extends beyond the physical confines of the gantry bore, giving the patient a sense of openness and reducing claustrophobic sensations while still allowing the imaging procedure to be performed.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed projector position is used, then the system is easy to operate, but the projected image appears to move and change size during table translation
Solution Approach 1:
The projector is mounted on the movable table, allowing it to move dynamically with the table during translation. This dynamic positioning ensures that the relative position between the projector and projection screen remains constant, preventing image motion and size changes while maintaining simple system operation.
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
Enhances patient immersion and reduces anxiety by maintaining a constant projected image field size during table motion and creating a perceived virtual image depth, thus minimizing claustrophobic sensations and allowing for a wider range of media presentation.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror supported relative to the projection screen such that the images projected onto the projection screen are viewable through the mirror by a patient when the patient is residing on the table
Implementation Method 2
a projector; a projection screen, wherein the projection screen is positioned, relative to the projector, to provide a display surface for images projected by the projector
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for delivering images to a patient before and/or during a medical procedure in which a patient is translated on a table relative to a gantry. In various example embodiments, images are projected to the patient while preserving the projected field size during table motion, thereby potentially reducing patient anxiety by providing a more immersive patient viewing experience. In some embodiments, the projected field size is maintained by a display system that is secured to the table such that both a projector and a projection screen are fixed relative to the table, and relative to the patient, during translation of the table. In some example embodiments, a reduction in patient anxiety may be achieved by projecting images as virtual images that are perceived by the patient as residing at a depth that lies beyond the confined spatial region in which the patient resides.