Rotating Gantry X-ray System for Weight-Bearing Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging devices, such as CT and MR imaging devices, are typically large and limited in the types of imaging operations they can perform, as they require patients to enter in a lying position, restricting the range of imaging possibilities.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a gantry that is displaceable and rotatable, allowing for imaging in vertical, horizontal, and tilted orientations, enabling scans of patients in weight-bearing positions and providing greater flexibility in imaging operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed bore imaging devices are used, then device structure is simple, but imaging versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry is made dynamically reconfigurable through vertical displacement capability and rotatability between vertical and horizontal orientations. The imaging component can rotate within the gantry, and the entire gantry can be displaced vertically along the support column, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different imaging requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple imaging functions including vertical scans, horizontal scans, and scans at tilted angles. The single gantry structure can be positioned in different orientations and configurations to accommodate various patient positions (standing, lying, tilted) and imaging protocols, making one device serve multiple purposes.
2Measurement precision
If patients are imaged in lying position only, then device operation is simple, but diagnostic accuracy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the gantry orientation and patient positioning to match the specific diagnostic requirement. Patients can be imaged in standing, lying, or tilted positions depending on the clinical need, with the gantry configuration adapting accordingly to maintain optimal imaging geometry for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system changes operational parameters including gantry orientation angle, vertical position, and patient support table angle to optimize imaging conditions for different diagnostic scenarios. These parameter adjustments enable accurate imaging in weight-bearing positions while maintaining system controllability.
3Loss of information
If single orientation imaging is used, then imaging speed is fast, but diagnostic information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous imaging across multiple orientations and positions without requiring complete cessation between scans. The gantry can smoothly transition between vertical, horizontal, and tilted configurations, and the imaging component can rotate continuously to capture data from all necessary angles in a seamless workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system adds angular and positional dimensions to the imaging process by enabling scans in vertical, horizontal, and tilted orientations. This multi-dimensional approach captures anatomical structures from multiple perspectives simultaneously, providing comprehensive diagnostic information without significantly increasing total scan time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables more accurate and specific diagnoses by allowing imaging in weight-bearing positions, improving the assessment of anatomical changes and kinematics, particularly useful for conditions like degenerative spinal disorders and renal artery issues, while also facilitating more complex scan orientations.
Implementation Method 1
the imaging component(s), such as an x-ray source and/or x-ray detector
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.