IP Library Granted Patent US 10,772,577
Granted Patent B2
US 10,772,577 · App. 16/073,773 · Granted Sep 15, 2020

Radiological imaging device

Inventors: Damiano Fortuna (Rignano Sull'Arno, IT); Leonardo Manetti (Montevarchi, IT); Denis Mattia De Micheli (Navacchio di Cascina, IT)
Assignee: Epica International, Inc.
A61B6/032A61B6/0407A61B6/4405A61B34/30A61B2090/376A61B2090/3762
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,772,577
App. No.
16/073,773
Granted
Sep 15, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A radiological imaging device having a longitudinal axis includes a gantry suitable to perform radiological imaging and defining an area of analysis, a bearing structure supporting the gantry; and a robotic arm suitable to move a medical instrument with respect to the area of analysis. The bearing structure includes a guide defining a translation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis and a carriage suitable to move the gantry and robotic arm along the translation axis.

Claims (54)

1. A radiological imaging device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a gantry suitable to perform radiological imaging and defining an area of analysis;

a bearing structure supporting said gantry; and

a robotic arm suitable to move a medical instrument with respect to said area of analysis,

wherein said bearing structure comprises:

a guide defining a translation axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis; and

at least one carriage suitable to move said gantry and said robotic arm along said translation axis, said gantry being connected to said at least one carriage;

wherein said gantry comprises:

a radiation source;

a detector suitable to receive said radiation after said radiation has passed through said area of analysis;

a rotor supporting at least said source and said detector;

a stator supporting said rotor cantilevered; and

a rotation member of said rotor with respect to said stator; and

wherein said robotic arm is connected to said rotor.

2. The radiological imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein said robotic arm defines:

a retracted posture in which said robotic arm is contracted on itself and almost entirely enclosed in projections of said gantry along said longitudinal axis so as to not overlap said area of analysis; and

at least one expanded posture in which said robotic arm is at least partially extended so as to protrude from said projections of said gantry positioning said medical instrument in said area of analysis.

3. The radiological imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein said rotor comprises:

a rotor plate suitable to support said source and said detector cantilevered; and

a rotor casing comprising:

at least one protrusion defining, together with said rotor plate, a compartment for housing said source and said detector; and

at least one depression having a smaller axial extension than said at least one protrusion,

wherein said robotic arm is connected to said rotor casing at said at least one depression.

4. The radiological imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein said rotor casing comprises:

a first protrusion defining a first compartment for housing said source;

a second protrusion defining a second compartment for housing said detector; and

a first depression and a second depression mutually separated by said protrusions,

wherein:

said radiological imaging device comprises two of said robotic arms; and

each of said robotic arms is connected to said rotor casing at one of said depressions.

5. The radiological imaging device according to claim 3 , further comprising viewing means of said robotic arm connected to said rotor and placed at said at least one protrusion.

6. The radiological imaging device according to claim 5 , wherein said viewing means is arranged at the top of said at least one protrusion.

7. The radiological imaging device according to claim 5 , comprising two of said viewing means each arranged at a top of said protrusions.

8. The radiological imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising a bed defining an upper surface for supporting a patient,

wherein:

said bearing structure is suitable to support said bed in an elevated position defining a free chamber between said bearing structure and said bed; and

said robotic arm defines:

a retracted posture in which said robotic arm has a height substantially less than the height of said free chamber; and

at least one expanded posture in which said robotic arm is at least partially extended so as to position said medical instrument in said area of analysis.

9. The radiological imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein said bearing structure comprises a single carriage connected to said gantry and to said robotic arm, so as to simultaneously move said gantry and said robotic arm along said translation axis.

10. The radiological imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein said bearing structure comprises a first carriage connected to said gantry and a second carriage connected to said robotic arm so as to move independently of each other, said gantry and said robotic arm suitable to move along said translation axis.

11. The radiological imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one force sensor suitable to measure torques, forces, or both acting on said robotic arm.

12. The radiological imaging device according to claim 11 , further comprising a controller that selectively maintains the torque, force, or both acting on said robotic arm and detected by said force sensor substantially constant or to command a movement of said robotic arm substantially proportional to said torque, force, or both detected by said force sensor.

13. A radiological imaging device having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a gantry suitable to perform radiological imaging and defining an area of analysis;

a bearing structure supporting said gantry; and

a robotic arm suitable to move a medical instrument with respect to said area of analysis and comprising:

at least one rigid body;

at least one mechanical joint suitable to move said at least one rigid body; and

two force sensors separated by only one of said at least one rigid bodies so that interaction torques, forces, or both between said medical instrument and said patient and the interaction torques, forces, or both with an operator are detected by said two force sensors independently of each other suitable to measure torques, forces, or both acting on said robotic arm,

wherein said bearing structure comprises:

a guide defining a translation axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis; and

at least one carriage suitable to move said gantry and said robotic arm along said translation axis.

14. The radiological imaging device according to claim 13 , further comprising a controller that selectively maintains the torques, forces, or both acting on said robotic arm and detected by said force sensors substantially constant or to command a movement of said robotic arm substantially proportional to said torques, forces, or both detected by said force sensors.

Assignments (3)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY INTEREST AGENT AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 13, 2026
From: AVENUE VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.
To: QUANTUM SCAN HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 075093/0287 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2024
From: EPICA INTERNATIONAL, INC.; EPICA MEDICAL INNOVATIONS LLC
To: AVENUE VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 068503/0757 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2019
From: FORTUNA, DAMIANO, MR.; MANETTI, LEONARDO, MR.; DE MICHELI, DENIS MATTIA, MR.
To: EPICA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 048108/0763 →
Priority Claims (2)
IT UB2016A0047 · Feb 1, 2016 · national
IT UB2016A0102 · Feb 1, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190038240A1 · Feb 7, 2019
Cited By (3)
US 12,207,892 US 12,251,246 US 12,616,528