Anatomical imaging system with centipede scanning drive, bottom notch to accommodate base of patient support, and motorized drive for transporting the system between scanning locations
Inventors
Bailey, Eric M. • Tybinkowski, Andrew P.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10178981-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
An imaging system including a scanner for scanning an object and creating an image of the same; and a transport mechanism mounted to the scanner for moving the scanner, wherein the transport mechanism includes a gross movement mechanism for transporting the scanner between scanning locations; and a fine movement mechanism for moving the scanner precisely, relative to the object being scanned, during scanning of the object; wherein the gross movement mechanism comprises at least one motorized wheel.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an anatomical CT imaging system scaled up from a mobile CT system. A CT machine is configured as a scanner for scanning an object and creating an image of the same, and the scanner moves on a surface using a gross movement mechanism and a fine movement mechanism, with gross transport carried out by motorized wheel(s) and fine positioning carried out by centipede belt drives.
The system introduces a bottom notch in the scanner skirt to accommodate the base of a surgical patient support, so the machine can encompass the patient’s torso during scanning. The scanner includes a central opening (torus) and a skirt with the notch, arranged to support scanning of an anatomical region while accommodating a patient support/platform.
The disclosure also describes optional motorized wheel drive configurations for steering and transporting between scanning locations, and optional video camera/display systems for operator navigation. In scanning/drive modes, the camera view is automatically displayed to screens at about eye level, in coordination with movement of the scanner across the surface.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage centers on 6 inventive features.
Camera output automatically displayed during powered wheel movement
The output of the camera is automatically displayed on the viewing screen when the scanner is moved across the surface using at least one powered drive wheel.
Camera disposed on the first end to capture ahead-of-first-end space
The camera is disposed on the first end of the scanner so as to capture an image of the space ahead of the first end of the scanner during movement of the scanner across the surface using the at least one powered drive wheel.
Automatic activation of camera and viewing screen by drive control use
The camera and the viewing screen are configured to automatically activate when the at least one drive control is used to move the scanner across the surface using the at least one powered drive wheel.
Viewing screen located at the second end
The viewing screen is located at the second end of the scanner.
Second camera and second viewing screen on opposite scanner ends
A second camera and a second viewing screen are provided, wherein the output of the second camera is displayed on the second viewing screen and the second camera and second viewing screen are disposed on the second end while the camera and viewing screen are disposed on the first end.
Drive-control-initiated movement while capturing ahead-of-first-end image
Using the at least one drive control to operate the at least one powered drive wheel so as to move the scanner across the surface while using the camera to capture an image of the space ahead of the first end of the scanner.
The independent claim coverage centers on an imaging apparatus and method in which a scanner with at least one powered drive wheel moves across a surface under drive control, while a camera disposed on a first end captures space ahead of that first end and the camera output is automatically displayed on a viewing screen; the camera and viewing screen automatically activate when the drive control is used. Dependent features further locate the viewing screen at a second end and add a second camera/viewing screen disposed at opposite ends for separate end-specific output display.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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