Telescopic Gantry Imaging Device for 360-Degree Tomography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging devices are cumbersome, limiting their mobility and functionality, as they require complex rotation mechanisms and have limited angular amplitude, resulting in poor-quality images and reduced functional flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic gantry system with a circular trajectory that can extend to 360°, allowing for easy patient maneuvering and imaging from various angles without the need for complex rotation mechanisms, while maintaining the image acquisition unit and source within a stable casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an O-shaped gantry is used to enable 360° rotation for tomography imaging, then image acquisition from all angles is achieved, but the device becomes particularly cumbersome and cannot be manoeuvred through doors or openings
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry is divided into multiple curved modules that can be reciprocally moved relative to each other. These modules can be assembled to form an O-shaped gantry for 360° tomography imaging or configured as a C-shaped gantry for reduced footprint and improved mobility. The segmentation allows the device to adapt between full imaging capability and maneuverability as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gantry configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The curved modules can be reciprocally moved to change the gantry shape between O-shaped and C-shaped configurations. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the device to switch between different operational states: full 360° imaging mode and compact mobile mode, resolving the contradiction between imaging versatility and ease of maneuvering.
2Ease of operation
If a C-shaped gantry is used to reduce device size and improve mobility, then ease of manoeuvring is improved, but the angular amplitude is limited to not more than 200° resulting in poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The curved modules can be reciprocally moved to change the gantry shape between O-shaped and C-shaped configurations. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the device to switch between different operational states: full 360° imaging mode and compact mobile mode, resolving the contradiction between imaging versatility and ease of maneuvering.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions through a single adjustable gantry system. The same device can function as both an O-shaped gantry for high-quality tomography imaging and a C-shaped gantry for mobile applications. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices and allows optimization of image quality or mobility based on clinical requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex rotation mechanisms are used to enable 360° rotation of the gantry, then full angular coverage for tomography is achieved, but the device complexity increases and becomes laborious to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry is divided into multiple curved modules that can be reciprocally moved relative to each other. Instead of using a complex rotation mechanism to rotate the entire gantry, the segmentation allows individual modules to be adjusted independently to form the desired gantry configuration, simplifying the mechanical structure while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gantry configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than requiring complex rotation mechanisms. The curved modules can be reciprocally moved to change the gantry shape, providing a simpler mechanical approach compared to traditional rotation mechanisms while still enabling full 360° imaging when configured as an O-shaped gantry.
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 easy patient positioning and imaging from any angle, improving image quality and flexibility, reducing the need for patient relocation, and allowing for continuous monitoring and emergency surgical procedures without disrupting standard hospital operations.
Implementation Method 1
Inside the gantry there are an X-ray source; a detector that receives the X-rays after these have traversed the bed and the patient
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device including a gantry defining an analysis zone and a circular trajectory of extension extending around a central axis. The gantry includes an acquisition unit having at least a detector suitable to receive said radiation after said radiation has passed through the analysis zone, and a casing defining a housing volume for the detector and including a curved base module and a curved mobile module movable relative to the curved base module so as to vary the angular extension of the casing. A carriage is housed in the housing volume to which the image acquisition unit is attached. There is a base guideway integral with the curved base module defining a base sliding trajectory for the carriage in the curved base module, and a mobile guideway integral with and inside the curved mobile module and defining a mobile sliding trajectory for the carriage in the curved mobile module.