Sterile Drape Adapter for X-Ray Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing localizing units for X-ray diagnostic systems covered with sterile drapes face difficulties in position detection due to the mechanical characteristics of the drape, such as thickness and folds, leading to sterility issues and inaccurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizable localizing unit with an adapter that includes means for detachable and reproducible positioning on the system, featuring a puncturing mechanism and an elastically deformable seal to secure the drape, along with a locking mechanism using a pushbutton and ball bearings, allowing for precise and sterile attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sterile drape is positioned close to the localizing unit and temporarily affixed, then the position detection system can detect the localizing unit, but the sterile drape may be punctured causing loss of sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the localizing unit with its detection marks remains intact and sterile, while the drape is secured separately through the adapter's sealing mechanism. This segmentation allows position detection without requiring the drape to be in direct contact with or punctured near the localizing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the drape and the localizing unit. It provides a sealing mechanism that secures the drape without requiring puncture near the localizing unit, thereby maintaining sterility while enabling position detection through the adapter's own detection marks.
2Measurement precision
If the localizing unit is held in the operating position with the drape positioned on the housing, then accurate positioning can be achieved, but the mechanical characteristics of the drape (thickness, folds, seams) make positioning difficult and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter provides self-aligning features including a conical centering element that automatically centers the localizing unit on the bore hole, and detection marks with known positions that enable automatic coordinate transformation. This eliminates the need for manual positioning adjustments despite drape variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compensates for drape mechanical variations by using detection marks with known positions and performing coordinate transformations. The position detection system detects the marks regardless of drape characteristics, and the known positions of the marks allow mathematical transformation to the diagnostic device coordinate system, making the system insensitive to drape parameter variations.
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 the localizing unit to operate independently of the drape's characteristics, ensuring accurate positioning and maintaining sterility by allowing reproducible and secure attachment of the drape to the system.
Implementation Method 1
The means for temporarily securing the sterile drape on the housing may comprise an elastically deformable, surrounding seal, which produces a force on the sterile drape in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the housing during the positioning of the adapter.
Implementation Method 2
The adapter having at least one mark that can be detected by a position detection system. The spatial configuration and position of the X-ray device can be determined.
Data Source
AI summary
A localizing unit for an X-ray diagnostic system covered with a sterile drape is provided. In one embodiment, the localizing unit can be sterilized and has an adapter, which includes a mechanism for puncturing the sterile drape and a mechanism for temporarily securing the sterile drape on a housing of the X-ray diagnostic system. The adapter may be detachably held in predetermined holders on the housing of the X-ray diagnostic system and may be positioned on the housing in a reproducible manner. In some embodiments, the mechanism for temporarily securing the sterile drape on the housing includes an elastically deformable, surrounding seal, which upon positioning the adapter, produces a force on the sterile drape in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the housing.