Radiation Device Transport Assistance with Obstacle Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation-irradiation devices face difficulties in setting appropriate positions for imaging due to obstacles, as current methods rely solely on relative positional relationships between the radiation source and detector without considering obstacle proximity, leading to potential collisions or interference during transport and imaging.

Innovation Solution

A transport assisting method and device that sets a target position for the radiation-irradiation device, detects its current position and obstacles, and notifies the user to avoid collisions, allowing secure positioning for imaging by changing the transport direction or path as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the radiation-irradiation device is positioned based solely on relative positional relationship between radiation source and detector, then the imaging setup is simplified, but the device may collide with obstacles or fail to secure proper work space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning methodVSAvoidcollision avoidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles and work space requirements before finalizing the device position. The control unit detects obstacles in the movable range and calculates appropriate positions in advance, preventing collisions before they occur during the imaging procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the environment around the radiation-irradiation device, detects obstacles, and provides feedback to adjust the device position. This closed-loop control ensures the device maintains a safe distance from obstacles while achieving proper imaging geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the radiation-irradiation device is manually transported by operator, then the device can be moved to imaging site, but collision with obstacles during transport cannot be avoided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual transportVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the physical environment. It detects obstacles that the operator cannot see, calculates safe paths, and guides the operator during transport, mediating the interaction between manual operation and environmental hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces purely mechanical manual transport with an intelligent guidance system. Sensors detect obstacles and the control unit calculates optimal paths, substituting human judgment with automated environmental perception and path planning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the device is positioned close to achieve proper imaging geometry, then imaging quality improves, but the device may interfere with obstacles or lack adequate work space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging geometryVSAvoidwork space availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system solves the spatial conflict by utilizing multiple dimensions. When horizontal space is limited due to obstacles, the arm unit can adjust vertical positioning and angular orientation to achieve proper imaging geometry without encroaching on horizontal work space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3348193B1Conveyance assistance method and conveyance assistance device for radiation emitting device, and radiological imaging device

Publication Date: 2022.06.01 FUJIFILM CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A transport assisting method and a transport assisting device for a radiation-irradiation device that can set the position of a radiation-irradiation device holding a radiation source, which is obtained at the time of imaging, to an appropriate position and a radiographic imaging apparatus are obtained. Transport assisting means includes means for setting a target position of a radiation-irradiation device where a radiation source can be disposed at a radiation-irradiation position where a radiation image can be taken with respect to a radiation image recording medium in a movable range of a radiation source holding unit and a work space can be secured around the radiation-irradiation device, means for detecting a current position of the radiation-irradiation device, means for detecting a position of an obstacle, and means for notifying a user of the transport assistance of the radiation-irradiation device to the target position on the basis of the target position, the current position, and the position of the obstacle. Target position setting means, current position detecting means, and obstacle position detecting means are composed of cameras (28A to 28D) and a control unit (22), and notification means is composed of the cameras (28A to 28D), the control unit (22), a monitor (23), and a speaker (18).