Separable C-Arm Protection Cover for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems with C-arms face challenges in collision avoidance, particularly during rotation, as previous solutions either fail to provide comprehensive protection, result in cumbersome systems, or increase complexity unnecessarily, and do not adequately address contamination risks from body fluids.
Innovation Solution
A modular medical imaging system with a separable C-arm and protection cover, where the C-arm and cover are supported by different vehicles, allowing for flexible deployment and easy cleaning, with an expandable protection cover that encompasses the full rotation path to prevent collisions from all directions and reduce contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full inner C of C-arm is set up to avoid collision in the gap, then collision risk is avoided, but the system becomes too cumbersome and integrates vibration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cover is divided into multiple separable modules (first protection cover and second protection cover) that can be independently installed and removed. This allows the system to provide collision protection when needed while avoiding the cumbersome full inner C structure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection cover is designed to be dynamically configurable - it can be installed when collision protection is needed and removed when not needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, providing protection without permanently increasing system bulkiness.
2Reliability
If an outer protection cover is set up to avoid collision from outward, then collision risk is avoided, but protection against inwards collision is insufficient and the system becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is segmented into directional components - the first protection cover protects against outward collisions while the second protection cover protects against inward collisions. This segmentation allows targeted protection without requiring a complete encirclement, reducing overall system bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different protection covers are applied in different spatial zones around the C-arm - outward protection in one direction and inward protection in another. This local quality approach ensures protection is provided only where needed, avoiding the bulkiness of a complete 360-degree protection structure.
3Reliability
If a one piece medical imaging system with full protection inner and outer C is set up, then collision risk is correctly tackled, but the added complexity is much higher and the apparatus is not usable for multi-use configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is divided into separable modules that can be independently configured based on the specific imaging task. This segmentation allows the system to provide full protection when needed for certain configurations while allowing reduced protection for other uses, maintaining versatility without requiring a complete one-piece protected structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection covers are designed to be dynamically installed and removed based on the imaging configuration requirements. This dynamic configurability allows the system to adapt to different use cases, providing high protection when needed while maintaining low complexity for routine imaging, thus achieving multi-use capability.
4Reliability
If the protection cover is integral with the C-arm, then collision protection is provided, but the system becomes too cumbersome when full protection is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cover is segmented into separable modules that can be independently installed and removed. This segmentation provides collision protection when needed while maintaining system flexibility for configurations where full protection is not required, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection cover design allows dynamic installation and removal based on operational needs. This dynamic approach ensures collision protection is provided when required while maintaining ease of operation for configurations where the cover is not needed, eliminating the burden of permanently integral structures.
5Productivity
If the C-arm rotates at high speed to capture images, then image capture efficiency is improved, but collision risk in the circular gap increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cover is installed on the C-arm before rotation begins, providing preliminary protection against collisions. This preliminary action allows the C-arm to rotate at high speed without increased collision risk, as the protective structure is already in place to prevent contact with surrounding objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection cover acts as a cushioning barrier installed beforehand on the C-arm. This beforehand cushioning protects the rotating C-arm from collisions with external objects, enabling high-speed rotation for efficient image capture while maintaining safety through the pre-installed protective structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
This invention relates to a medical imaging system comprising a C- arm (13, 14) supporting a radiation source (15) and a radiation detector (16), an external protection cover (2) of said C-arm (13, 14), wherein said C-arm (13, 14) and said cover (2) are separable from each other and are respectively supported by two different vehicles (3, 4) when separated from each other.