Weightbearing Simulation Assembly for CT and MRI Lower-Limb Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging systems, such as CT and MRI scanners, struggle to accurately simulate weightbearing conditions for lower extremities due to constraints in creating loadbearing conditions during imaging, with vertical bore scanners being expensive and difficult to use, and horizontal scanners lacking widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A weightbearing simulation assembly comprising a substrate with a mounting surface and a pedal assembly that measures compressive force, allowing for adjustable positioning and resistance to simulate weightbearing conditions, compatible with existing imaging systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vertical bore scanners are used to allow subjects to stand during scanning, then weightbearing imaging capability is achieved, but cost and operational difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the weightbearing simulation function into a separate, portable assembly that can be attached to existing horizontal scanners. This segmentation allows the complex weightbearing capability to be added without modifying the entire scanner system, thus avoiding the high cost and complexity of vertical bore scanners while still achieving reliable weightbearing imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
A pedal assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the subject's foot and the imaging system. This intermediary component provides the necessary resistance and force measurement to simulate weightbearing conditions without requiring the entire scanner to be redesigned, thereby achieving weightbearing capability with minimal impact on the base scanner system.
2Device complexity
If horizontal bore scanners are used for imaging, then cost is reduced and accessibility improved, but ability to create loadbearing conditions during imaging is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the weightbearing simulation assembly with the existing horizontal scanner system. By combining these two previously separate functions into a unified system, the patent achieves both the accessibility and cost benefits of horizontal scanners while adding the previously missing loadbearing simulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal assembly incorporates adjustable resistance mechanisms that dynamically adapt to different subjects and imaging requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the horizontal scanner to reliably simulate various weightbearing conditions, transforming a static limitation into a flexible, adaptive solution.
3Measurement precision
If custom weightbearing fixtures are designed for each imaging system, then accurate weightbearing simulation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is designed as a universal component that can be attached to multiple types of existing imaging systems. This multi-functional design achieves accurate weightbearing simulation without requiring custom-designed fixtures for each scanner, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly incorporates adjustable parameters such as resistance levels and pedal positioning that can be modified to match different imaging requirements and subject characteristics. This adjustability maintains simulation accuracy across various applications without requiring complex custom fixtures for each scenario.
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 three-dimensional functional imaging of lower extremities at a lower cost by ensuring accurate weightbearing simulation, compatible with both CT and MRI scanners, and adaptable to various imaging positions and subjects.
Implementation Method 1
a contact plate that receives a compressive force from a subject, measures the compressive force, and provides an indication that the compressive force corresponds to a weightbearing condition of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A weightbearing simulation assembly, includes a substrate having a mounting surface, the substrate further including a first section and second section hingedly coupled together such that the first section and second section are foldable relative one another. A subject support is disposed on a first section of the mounting surface, and a pedal assembly is disposed on a second section of the mounting surface. The pedal assembly is spaced apart from the subject support by a distance, and includes a contact plate that receives a compressive force from a subject, measures the compressive force, and provides an indication that the compressive force corresponds to a weightbearing condition of the subject.