Sensor Arrangement with Reproducible Positioning for Medical Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

In medical imaging examinations, especially those requiring extended measurement times like magnetic resonance and PET scans, patient movement leads to artifacts in images, and existing movement detectors are difficult to reproducibly position, making accurate movement correction challenging.

Innovation Solution

A sensor arrangement with a support apparatus and sensor elements, such as cameras, that can be reproducibly positioned within the patient receiving zone using strut-like support elements and positioning elements, allowing for precise detection of patient movement and easy adaptation to different medical imaging apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If movement detectors are removably arranged within the patient receiving zone, then it is possible to eliminate hindrance to the patient, but it becomes difficult to re-establish the original fastening position for reproducible measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePatient comfort and space availabilityVSAvoidReproducibility of movement detector position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A support apparatus with positioning elements serves as an intermediary between the movement detector and the patient receiving zone. The positioning elements (such as limit stops or reference marks) ensure that the support apparatus can be reproducibly positioned, which in turn ensures reproducible positioning of the movement detector, while still allowing easy removal when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support apparatus with its positioning elements is prepared in advance to establish a predetermined position within the patient receiving zone. This preliminary positioning structure ensures that when the movement detector is attached to the support apparatus, it automatically achieves the correct reproducible position without requiring complex adjustment procedures during each measurement session.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If sensor elements are permanently fixed within the patient receiving zone, then reproducible positioning is achieved, but cleaning and adaptation to different apparatuses becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveReproducibility of sensor positionVSAvoidCleanability and adaptability of the apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is segmented into three separable components: the support apparatus, the positioning elements, and the sensor elements (such as cameras). The support apparatus with positioning elements can be reproducibly positioned within the patient receiving zone, while the sensor elements can be easily attached and detached. This segmentation allows the support apparatus to remain for reproducible positioning, while sensor elements can be removed for cleaning or adapted for different measurement tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensor elements are used to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccuracy of patient movement detectionVSAvoidNumber of sensor elements and their arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support apparatus is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of sensor elements (such as multiple cameras or other movement detectors). The positioning elements ensure that regardless of which sensor elements are attached, they will always be positioned correctly for accurate measurement. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various sensor configurations without increasing the fundamental complexity of the positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11478197B2Medical imaging apparatus and sensor arrangement therefor for acquiring at least one item of patient movement information during a medical imaging examination

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

A medical imaging apparatus, and a sensor arrangement for acquiring at least one item of patient movement information during a medical imaging examination, have at least one sensor element and a support apparatus, with the at least one sensor element arranged on the support apparatus. The support apparatus has a positioning element for positioning the support apparatus and at least one strut-like support element on which the at least one sensor element is removably arranged.