Vertical Gantry for Standing X-ray CT Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray computed tomography (CT) systems are not designed to perform scans on patients in a standing position, which is desirable for diagnosing deglutition disorders, due to limitations in gantry design and mobility.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray CT apparatus includes a gantry with a two-stage column structure that allows the gantry body to be slidably positioned vertically and rotated, enabling scans in both standing and lying positions without the need for a large, ceiling-mounted column, using motor control circuitry to adjust the gantry's height and orientation for optimal imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional fixed gantry design is used, then the apparatus maintains a compact size, but it cannot perform scans on patients in a standing position
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to move vertically along the column and rotate around the patient. The gantry body can be positioned at different heights and orientations to accommodate both standing and lying patient positions, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to various scanning requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into a vertical column and a movable gantry body. The column provides structural support while the gantry body can independently move along the column and rotate, allowing the system to achieve height adjustment and position flexibility without requiring a single large ceiling-mounted structure
2Length of moving object
If a ceiling-mounted column is used to enable standing position scans, then the gantry can reach sufficient height, but the apparatus size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the gantry horizontally from a ceiling-mounted column, the design utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the column on the floor and allowing the gantry to move up and down along it. This dimensional change allows the gantry to achieve the necessary height range while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The gantry body is designed to nest along the vertical column, similar to a nested doll structure. The gantry can be positioned at various heights along the column, effectively utilizing the vertical space without requiring a large ceiling-mounted structure, thus maintaining a compact overall apparatus size
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gantry is made movable and rotatable, then scanning flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gantry body serves multiple functions: it houses the X-ray tube and detector, provides structural support, and acts as the rotating component that enables angular positioning. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated structure, the design reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining scanning flexibility
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 whole-body imaging of patients in a standing position without increasing the size of the CT apparatus, allowing for flexible and efficient scanning in various positions while maintaining the compactness of conventional CT systems.
Implementation Method 1
a gantry (10) designed to perform X-ray CT for a subject
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes a gantry for imaging a subject by X-ray CT and a console communicably connected to the gantry. The gantry includes a gantry body and a column unit. The gantry body has a bore into which the subject is inserted when the subject is imaged by X-ray CT. The column unit includes a first column which supports the gantry body slidably in a direction perpendicular to a floor surface and a second column which supports the first column slidably in a vertical direction.