Pre-patient Collimator Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing CT imaging systems require tedious and time-consuming procedures for aligning the pre-patient collimator, particularly when adjusting the bowtie filter, as it often necessitates moving heavy components or removing multiple parts, which complicates the process of centering the X-ray beam during system alignment.
Innovation Solution
An in-built alignment mechanism within the pre-patient collimator allows for precise and independent lateral and transverse adjustments of the bowtie filter, enabling it to be centered within the X-ray beam path without disassembling the collimator, using an actuator mechanism that can operate from outside the housing, thus simplifying the alignment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the entire collimator is moved to adjust the bowtie filter position, then the filter can be centered with the X-ray beam, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex due to the heavy weight of the collimator
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator assembly is segmented into movable and stationary parts. Specifically, the bowtie filter can be moved independently within the collimator housing along the X-axis and Y-axis, while the main collimator housing remains stationary. This segmentation allows precise filter positioning without moving the entire heavy collimator assembly, thereby reducing alignment time while maintaining centering precision.
2Ease of operation
If multiple components are removed to access the bowtie filter for adjustment, then the filter can be repositioned, but the device complexity increases and the procedure becomes more tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The bowtie filter is extracted as a separate, independently movable component from the collimator housing. It can be positioned and adjusted without removing any covers or disassembling the collimator structure. This extraction approach simplifies the adjustment procedure while maintaining the integrity and complexity of the overall collimator design.
3Measurement precision
If the bowtie filter is removed during system alignment, then the filter can be repositioned, but the alignment procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary adjustment mechanism is introduced between the bowtie filter and the collimator housing. This mechanism allows the filter to be positioned precisely relative to the X-ray beam without removal, using controlled movement along defined axes. The intermediary mechanism simplifies the alignment procedure while achieving the same centering precision that would otherwise require filter removal and reinstallation.
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-patient collimator for a CT imaging system is provided. The pre-patient collimator includes a collimator housing including a plurality of walls, wherein the plurality of walls includes a first wall configured to face an X-ray source when the pre-patient collimator is coupled to the CT imaging system and a second wall and a third wall flanking the first wall. The pre-patient collimator also includes a bowtie filter assembly disposed within the collimator housing and including a bowtie filter. The pre-patient collimator further includes an adjustment mechanism configured to move the bowtie filter assembly in a lateral direction between the second wall and the third wall within the collimator housing.