Polyarticulated Patient Positioning Robot with Horizontal Rail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning devices for radiotherapy are bulky, require deep pits for installation, and suffer from mechanical elasticity issues, limiting precision and increasing costs, while also posing safety risks due to complex movements and potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A compact, rigid positioning robot with a polyarticulated design featuring a linear horizontal displacement rail, a pivoting connecting part, and a robotic arm with concurrent axes, allowing for precise movements with reduced depth requirements and enhanced safety through advanced sensor integration and 3D modeling for collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional SCARA robotic arms with vertical translation axes are used for patient positioning, then positioning capability is achieved, but mechanical elasticity increases and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional vertical translation axis with a horizontal displacement rail system. The robotic arm moves horizontally along the rail instead of translating vertically, eliminating the need for a deep pit and reducing mechanical elasticity issues associated with extended vertical links. This substitution maintains positioning capability while improving mechanical stability.
2Ease of operation
If deep pits are used to house vertical translation axes, then robotic arm movement is enabled, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the robotic arm vertically downward into a deep pit, the invention inverts the approach by using a horizontal displacement rail that allows the arm to move laterally. This eliminates the need for deep pits while maintaining full range of motion capability, significantly simplifying installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bulky positioning devices with large pits are used, then patient positioning capability is achieved, but treatment room space is consumed and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical space configuration (requiring deep pits) to a horizontal space configuration (using lateral displacement along a rail). This dimensional change allows the same positioning capability to be achieved while consuming less vertical space and fitting better in conventional treatment rooms without requiring large pits.
4Reliability
If complex electromechanical positioning systems are used, then positioning function is achieved, but safety risks increase due to potential collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect the presence of patients and operators in real-time, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the robotic arm to automatically adjust its trajectory or stop movement when potential collisions are detected, significantly reducing safety risks while maintaining positioning functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided for positioning a patient with respect to a radiation, the device being a polyarticulated robot including: —at least one linear horizontal displacement rail, —a connecting part capable of carrying out translations with respect to the linear rail and pivoting about an axis of rotation vertical to that linear rail, and —a robotic arm connected to the connecting part, the robotic arm including a wrist with concurrent axes of rotation connected to a patient support.