Table Support for Mobile Imaging Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional table supports for mobile imaging systems, such as MRI, require complex multi-step installation and uninstallation procedures, wasting time that could be used for imaging due to their multiple fixtures and loose screws, and they do not effectively reduce vibrations during transportation which can degrade the patient table and its components.
Innovation Solution
A 'slide and go' table support with a three-part design including a table interface, a single fixture with an H-shaped frame and four posts, and a floor interface with locking clamps, allowing for quick and secure attachment to both the patient table and the floor without the need for loose screws, thereby reducing installation time and minimizing vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional table supports with multiple fixtures and loose screws are used, then the patient table can be securely attached to the floor, but the installation and uninstallation procedures become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The table support system is divided into three distinct segments: a table interface portion with mounting plates that attach to the patient table, a fixture portion with vertical posts and cross-bracing, and a floor interface portion with brackets that engage with floor panels. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, assembled, and installed, simplifying the overall installation procedure while maintaining secure attachment through standardized connection points.
2Reliability
If conventional table supports with multiple fixtures and loose screws are used, then the patient table can be securely attached to the floor, but the installation and uninstallation procedures become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The table interface and floor interface portions are pre-assembled with their respective mounting plates and brackets before deployment. The fixture portion is also pre-configured with its vertical posts and cross-bracing structure. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for complex on-site construction, allowing rapid installation by simply connecting the three pre-assembled portions together and securing them to the patient table and floor, thereby significantly reducing installation time while maintaining secure attachment.
3Reliability
If conventional table supports with loose screws are used, then the patient table can be attached to the floor, but vibrations during transportation are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The design eliminates loose screws from the attachment mechanism by extracting the fastening function into integrated mounting plates and brackets that mechanically engage with the patient table and floor panels. The table interface portion uses mounting plates that clamp onto the table, while the floor interface portion uses brackets that engage with floor panels, creating a screw-less attachment system that prevents vibration-induced loosening while maintaining secure attachment.
4Ease of operation
If a simplified single fixture design is used, then installation and uninstallation become quick and easy, but the structural strength to support the patient table may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The three portions of the table support system are merged into a single integrated fixture structure during operation. The table interface portion, fixture portion, and floor interface portion are mechanically connected to form one unified support structure that distributes the patient table's weight across multiple vertical posts and cross-braces, thereby maintaining structural strength while enabling quick installation and uninstallation as a single unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems are provided for a table support for a mobile imaging system. In one example, a table support for a mobile imaging system includes a fixture comprising a frame and a plurality of posts coupled to the frame, a table interface comprising a set of table flanges configured to be attached to a patient table of the mobile imaging system and a set of complementary table flange acceptors coupled to a top surface of the frame of the fixture, and a floor interface including a set of floor brackets removably coupleable to a set of floor panels configured to be attached to a floor of a unit configured to house the mobile imaging system, each floor bracket coupled to two respective posts of the plurality of posts.