Calibration Phantom Holder With Slotted Loading for CT Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current calibration processes for photon counting CT scanners are physically demanding, time-consuming, and prone to misalignment due to the manual handling of large and heavy slabs of materials, which can lead to potential injuries and damage.
Innovation Solution
A calibration phantom holder with a horizontal member and vertical member, featuring parallel slots for side-loading of slabs, reducing user interactions and enabling easy maneuverability, and incorporating detents and rods for reproducible positioning, allowing for efficient stacking and scanning of multiple slab combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of large and heavy slabs is used for calibration, then the calibration process can be performed, but it becomes physically demanding and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration phantom is divided into multiple individual slabs that can be independently handled and stacked. Each slab is a separate component that can be easily manipulated, rather than handling one large heavy assembly. This segmentation allows operators to work with smaller, lighter pieces during the calibration process.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated phantom holder assembly serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the calibration slabs. The holder includes features like parallel slots and detents that facilitate easy loading and positioning of slabs, reducing the physical effort required by operators while maintaining calibration accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual handling of slabs is performed, then calibration can be conducted, but misalignment occurs due to improper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom holder incorporates localized alignment features at specific positions where slabs interface with the holder and with each other. Parallel slots provide precise lateral positioning, while detents at specific locations ensure proper vertical alignment. These localized features guarantee consistent positioning without requiring complex overall alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is pre-configured with parallel slots and detent positions that automatically guide slab placement into the correct alignment. This preliminary preparation of the holder structure eliminates the need for manual alignment adjustments during the calibration process, ensuring consistent positioning accuracy.
3Productivity
If multiple stacks of slabs are scanned during calibration, then comprehensive calibration is achieved, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom holder is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different slab configurations and combinations. The parallel slots and detent system provide a standardized interface that works with various slab types and arrangements, allowing comprehensive calibration through multiple stacks without requiring separate specialized holders for each configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A calibration phantom holder for an imaging system is provided. In one example, the calibration phantom holder includes a horizontal member with a plurality of parallel slots distributed along an upper surface of the horizontal member. Each parallel slot of the plurality of parallel slots is configured to support one or more calibration phantoms. The calibration phantom holder includes a vertical member perpendicularly coupled to the horizontal member. The vertical member configured to couple to a support system of the imaging system.