Spring-Based Patient Table for MRI Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient tables for imaging equipment, such as MRI, require significant operating force for vertical lifting, which is inefficient and power-consuming, and may interfere with sensitive magnetic fields due to the use of ferrum magnetic substances in drive mechanisms, posing safety hazards and affecting imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
A patient table design utilizing a spring structure, such as a gas spring or coil spring, that minimizes the operating force required for lifting by leveraging elastic force, reducing power consumption, and avoiding ferrum magnetic substances to minimize interference with magnetic fields, allowing manual operation and integration with MRI equipment without compromising imaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a vertical lifting drive apparatus with electric motor is used to lift the patient table, then the lifting capability is improved, but electrical interference with MRI equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical lifting system with a spring-based mechanical system. The spring structure provides the lifting force through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for electric motors and thus preventing electrical interference with the sensitive MRI equipment while maintaining the patient table's vertical movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a gas spring mechanism to provide the lifting force. The gas spring uses compressed gas to generate elastic force, which drives the vertical movement of the patient table. This pneumatic approach replaces electrical actuation, solving the interference problem while preserving lifting functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual vertical lifting auxiliary tools with mechanical self-locking are used, then the cost is reduced, but the operating time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-based lifting system is designed to automatically provide lifting force without requiring manual operation of complex locking mechanisms. The spring's elastic force naturally drives the table upward, and the system self-regulates through the connecting rod structure, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual pin insertion and mechanical locking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, step-by-step manual lifting process into a dynamic, continuous motion driven by spring expansion. The connecting rod structure converts the spring's linear expansion into smooth vertical movement of the patient table, enabling rapid and effortless height adjustment compared to static pin-hole positioning systems.
3Strength
If ferrum magnetic substances are used in the drive mechanism, then the structural strength is improved, but the magnetic field interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional ferrum magnetic substances with non-magnetic or weakly magnetic materials in the spring and connecting rod structures. This may involve using materials like stainless steel, aluminum alloys, or composite materials that provide sufficient structural strength without generating significant magnetic fields, thereby protecting the MRI's magnetic field integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material properties of the lifting mechanism components from ferromagnetic to non-magnetic or weakly magnetic materials. This parameter change in material composition maintains the mechanical strength required for supporting the patient table while eliminating the harmful magnetic field interference that would disrupt MRI imaging.
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
The spring-based patient table reduces the operating force needed for vertical motion, lowers energy consumption, and minimizes magnetic interference, ensuring safe and effective operation within MRI environments without compromising imaging performance.
Implementation Method 1
a spring structure (4) operable to drive the lifting motion of the rack (2) and/or to bear the table body (1). Both ends of the spring structure (4) are fixed. At least a first end of the spring structure (4) is hinged to the connecting rod structure (3)
Data Source
AI summary
A patient table includes a table body configured for bearing a patient, a connecting rod structure configured for supporting the table body, and a spring structure. The connecting rod structure is operable such that the table body may perform a lifting motion between a high position and a low position. Both ends of the spring structure are fixed. At least a first end of the spring structure is hinged to the connecting rod structure. The spring structure may be used for driving the lifting motion of the connecting rod structure and/or bearing the table body. The patient table may be used for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging equipment.