Patient Positioning System with Turret Mechanism for 0.1 mm Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning systems lack the necessary accuracy, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly in radiation therapy and medical imaging, where precise positioning and quick adaptation to different treatment or imaging modalities are required, often leading to inefficiencies and increased risk of positioning errors.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning system with multiple degrees of freedom, featuring a unique turret-based mechanism that allows for precise movement and orientation of patients, combined with a modular patient support system that can be easily changed, enabling accurate alignment and reduced setup time across various medical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional patient positioning systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the positioning accuracy is insufficient and cannot achieve 0.1 mm or smaller accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into multiple independent degrees of freedom (x, y, z translations and rotational movements), each controlled by separate actuators. This segmentation allows precise control of each movement axis while maintaining overall system manageability, achieving 0.1 mm positioning accuracy through coordinated operation of multiple modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including encoders on motors and transducers that continuously monitor patient support position and orientation. This real-time feedback enables closed-loop control, allowing the system to achieve and maintain positioning accuracy of 0.1 mm or smaller by constantly comparing actual position with target position and making corrective adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If the patient positioning system is designed for high accuracy and multiple degrees of freedom, then the positioning accuracy and flexibility are improved, but the minimum height increases making patient loading and unloading difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support system incorporates dynamic height adjustment capability through actuators that can raise and lower the support surface. The system can dynamically change from a low minimum height configuration for easy patient loading/unloading to a higher position for treatment, maintaining both accessibility and positioning precision through active height control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the patient support system is designed as a fixed single structure, then the system is simple, but the adaptability to different treatment or imaging modalities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support system is designed as a universal platform capable of interfacing with multiple treatment and imaging modalities including radiation therapy systems, MRI scanners, and CT scanners. The support structure incorporates standardized interfaces and multiple degrees of freedom that allow adaptation to different modalities without requiring modality-specific support structures, achieving multi-functionality through a single versatile system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates quick-change mechanisms that allow the patient support structure to be dynamically reconfigured for different treatment or imaging procedures. Actuators and adjustable components enable the support to adapt its configuration based on the specific modality or treatment requirements, providing versatility through active reconfiguration rather than fixed design.
4Measurement precision
If manual positioning methods are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the positioning time is long and accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system incorporates automated positioning capabilities where the control system automatically adjusts the patient support to the correct position based on pre-programmed coordinates or imaging feedback. The system performs self-alignment and correction without requiring manual intervention, achieving both high positioning accuracy and reduced positioning time through autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from transducers and imaging systems enables automated position verification and correction. The control system continuously monitors patient support position and automatically makes adjustments to achieve the target position with 0.1 mm accuracy, eliminating the time-consuming manual trial-and-error positioning process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient positioning system employs an arm having a first portion and a second portion which is telescopic relative to the first portion. A first positioning device may be coupled to the first portion of the arm providing support for the arm. The first positioning device is rotatable on a first axis, allowing the arm to rotate with the first positioning device. The second positioning device is coupled to the second portion of the arm and movable with the second portion of the arm relative to the first portion of the arm. The second positioning device is operable to rotate a patient support at least on a second axis.