Calibration Phantom Holder With Slotted Loading for CT Slab 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 and loading of large, heavy slabs of material, 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 and apertures for handles, allowing easy maneuverability and reduced user interaction, and enabling reproducible positioning of slabs during calibration scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling and loading of large, heavy slabs is used, then calibration can be performed, but physical effort increases and risk of injury and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robotic manipulator system as an intermediary between the operator and the heavy calibration slabs. The manipulator includes a base, arm, gripper, and control system that automatically handles slab loading, positioning, and removal. This eliminates direct manual handling of heavy slabs, reducing physical effort and risk of injury while maintaining calibration functionality.
2Measurement precision
If multiple calibration scans are performed with different slab combinations, then calibration accuracy improves, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-programming multiple calibration scan protocols with different slab combinations into the control system. The robotic manipulator automatically executes these pre-planned sequences, loading and positioning slabs according to predetermined calibration requirements. This eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration between scans, maintaining calibration accuracy while significantly reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing an automated robotic system that performs calibration slab handling without interruption between scans. The manipulator continuously loads, positions, and removes slabs according to the calibration protocol, eliminating idle time and manual reconfiguration delays. This maintains the continuous flow of calibration operations, improving efficiency while preserving measurement precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If slabs are manually positioned during calibration, then calibration can be performed, but misalignment occurs and reproducibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical positioning system with an automated robotic manipulator system controlled by a computer. The manipulator uses sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to precisely position slabs in the calibration field. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated mechanical-electronic control eliminates human error in positioning, ensuring consistent and reproducible slab placement across multiple calibration scans.
Data Source
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AI summary
A calibration phantom holder (300) for an imaging system (100) is provided. In one example, the calibration phantom holder (300) includes a horizontal member (302) with a plurality of parallel slots (312, 314, 316) distributed along an upper surface of the horizontal member (303). Each parallel slot of the plurality of parallel slots (312, 314, 316) is configured to support one or more calibration phantoms (702, 1000, 1100). The calibration phantom holder (300) includes a vertical member (304) perpendicularly coupled to the horizontal member (302). The vertical member (304) configured to couple to a support system (116) of the imaging system.