X-ray Diagnosis Unit Collision Detection via Drive Force Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray diagnosis devices, such as undercouch fluoroscopy systems, lack effective mechanisms to ensure patient safety during operations by promptly detecting and preventing collisions between the diagnosis unit and the patient, especially when the patient couch is in differently inclined positions.
Innovation Solution
A diagnosis device equipped with a motor drive and an adjustment mechanism that measures and evaluates drive forces to detect potential collisions, featuring a control unit that automatically stops the diagnosis unit if excessive forces are detected, and utilizes a measuring device like force sensors or torque sensors to monitor drive forces and prevent increased forces from reaching the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a counterweight system is used to balance the diagnosis unit, then the device can operate in differently inclined positions, but the overall mass and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the counterweight system entirely from the device architecture. Instead of balancing the diagnosis unit mechanically, the system uses a motor drive with force measurement and control capabilities to actively manage the diagnosis unit's movement and position, eliminating the need for heavy counterweights while maintaining adaptability to different inclined positions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical counterweight balancing system with an active electronic control system that uses motor torque measurement, force sensors, and control algorithms to achieve the same functional goal of operating in differently inclined positions without the mass penalty
2Device complexity
If manual handling is used to move the diagnosis unit, then the device structure can be simpler, but patient safety cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where force sensors continuously measure the forces required to move the diagnosis unit, and this information is fed back to a control unit that monitors for abnormal force patterns indicating potential collisions, enabling automatic safety responses while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses force measurement signals as indicators of collision risk, where normal force patterns indicate safe operation and abnormal force patterns (such as sudden force increases) trigger safety responses, functioning as a diagnostic indicator system for collision detection
3Manufacturing precision
If the diagnosis unit is moved closer to the patient, then recording quality improves, but the risk of collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary collision detection by continuously measuring forces during the approach of the diagnosis unit to the patient, identifying potential collisions before they result in harmful contact, and triggering preventive actions such as stopping or reversing the movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by detecting abnormal force patterns that precede harmful collisions and automatically counteracting them through control system responses that stop or reverse the diagnosis unit's movement, preventing the harmful effect from occurring
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
The solution ensures safe and efficient operation by automatically detecting and preventing collisions, reducing the risk of patient injury and minimizing the need for manual handling, while also reducing the overall mass and space requirements of the device.
Implementation Method 1
A force sensor or a torque sensor is used for measuring the forces required to move the diagnosis unit
Implementation Method 2
A force sensor or a torque sensor is used for measuring the forces required to move the diagnosis unit
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnosis device, in particular an x-ray device, includes a patient couch which is rotatably mounted on a carrier device as well as a diagnosis unit, which is likewise mounted on the carrier device and can be moved along a longitudinal direction in parallel to the patient couch by a motor drive and an adjustment mechanism. A measuring device for measuring a measurement signal of a measured variable correlated with the drive force is provided in order to promptly identify a collision between the diagnosis unit and a patient mounted on the patient couch. A control unit is provided to evaluate the measurement signal. The control unit is designed in order to trigger a reaction when a predetermined value in respect of the measurement signal is exceeded.