Telescopic Gantry for Compact Radiological Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiological imaging devices are bulky, limiting their mobility and flexibility, as they require complex rotation mechanisms and can only perform scans within a limited angular range, restricting their use to specific functions like fluoroscopy due to the O-gantry's large diameter and limited 200° rotation amplitude.
Innovation Solution
A radiological imaging device with a telescopic gantry that can extend from a compact rest configuration to a full 360° configuration, allowing the source and detector to move freely around the patient, utilizing a telescopic design with overlapping arched modules and a thrust assembly to achieve full angular scanning without increasing the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an O-gantry structure is used to enable 360° rotation for full angular scanning, then the angular scanning amplitude is improved, but the device becomes bulky and cannot pass through standard hospital doors
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry is divided into multiple arched modules (first arched module, second arched module, third arched module) that can be segmented and reconfigured. These modules can be stored in a compact configuration within the bearing structure and deployed to form a complete or partial circular gantry when needed, enabling full 360° scanning capability while maintaining a compact footprint for transportation through standard hospital doors.
2Length of moving object
If a C-arm design with limited rotation is used to reduce device size, then the device can pass through hospital doors, but the angular scanning amplitude is limited to 200° reducing imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The arched modules can be repositioned and reconfigured to provide different scanning amplitudes as needed. The system can transition between compact storage mode and extended scanning mode, and can be configured to provide anywhere from limited to full 360° scanning depending on the clinical requirement, thus resolving the contradiction between portability and scanning capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex rotation members are used to enable 360° rotation, then full angular scanning is achieved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation capability is segmented across multiple independent arched modules rather than requiring a single complex rotation mechanism. Each module can be independently positioned and secured, eliminating the need for complex continuous rotation mechanisms while achieving the same 360° scanning capability through modular assembly and positioning.
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 scanning from any angle without moving the patient, reducing risks, and allowing continuous monitoring and imaging in various hospital settings, while maintaining compact dimensions for easy transportation and reduced maintenance complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray source, a detector which receives the X-rays after they have passed through the bed, and the patient are positioned inside the gantry
Data Source
AI summary
A radiological imaging device includes a gantry defining an analysis area configured to contain at least a portion of a patient to be analyzed and a circular extension trajectory extending around a central axis. The gantry includes a source configured to emit radiation, a detector configured to receive the radiation after the radiation has passed through the analysis area, and a casing defining a housing volume for at least the source and the detector. The casing includes a bottom arched module, an arched module mobile with respect to the bottom arched module, and a movement apparatus. The mobile arched module is housed in the bottom arched module and configured to vary the angular extension of the casing and of the housing volume keeping the source and the detector in the housing volume. The movement apparatus, outside the housing volume, is configured to move the arched modules. The radiological imaging device performs at least two of tomography, fluoroscopy, and X-ray.