Cable management system and method for C-arm imaging systems
A C-arm x-ray imaging device includes a base, a carriage operably connected to the base and having at least one axis of movement with respect to the base, a C-arm movably connected to the carriage, the C-arm including a cable management system having a housing disposed on the carriage, the housing defining an interior, a number of cables extending from the base into the interior of the housing, a cable chain having a first end secured within the interior of the housing and a second end affixed to the C-arm, the cable chain defining a channel therein that receives the number of cables to direct the number of cables from the base to the C-arm. The cable management system operate to retain the number of cables in alignment with the C-arm in any orientation of the C-arm relative to the base.
1. A C-arm x-ray imaging device comprising:
a base;
a carriage operably connected to the base and having at least one axis of movement with respect to the base
a C-arm movably connected to the carriage, the C-arm including an x-ray source and an x-ray detector disposed thereon in alignment with one another; and
a cable management system comprising:
a housing disposed on the carriage, the housing defining an interior;
a number of cables extending from the base into the interior of the housing;
a cable chain having a first end secured within the interior of the housing and a second end affixed to the C-arm, the cable chain defining a channel therein that receives the number of cables to direct the number of cables from the base to the C-arm,
wherein the C-arm includes a groove extending along an outer surface of the C-arm capable of receiving a portion of the cable chain therein,
wherein the C-arm includes a number of engagement members disposed within the groove and releasably engageable with the cable chain, and
wherein the number of engagement members are selected from a cam operated holding member, or a flexible or spring-biased holding member, or combinations thereof.
2. The C-arm x-ray imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a number of engagement members disposed within the interior of the housing and releasably engageable with the cable chain.
3. The C-arm x-ray imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the cable chain is secured to the housing opposite the carriage.
4. The C-arm x-ray imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the cable chain is secured to the housing adjacent the carriage.
5. The C-arm x-ray imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an upper portion extending upwardly from the carriage and a lower portion extending downwardly from the carriage.
6. The C-arm x-ray imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the cable management system retains the number of cables in alignment with the C-arm in any orientation of the C-arm relative to the base.
7. The C-arm x-ray imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the cable management system retains the number of cables within a profile of the housing and the C-arm in any orientation of the C-arm relative to the base.
8. A cable management system for a C-arm X-ray imaging device, the cable management system comprising:
a housing adapted to be secured on a rotating component of a base for the imaging device, the housing defining an interior;
a number of cables adapted to be connected between the base for the imaging system and a C-arm;
a cable chain having a first end secured within the interior of the housing and a second end adapted to be secured to the C-arm, the cable chain defining a channel therein that receives the number of cables to direct the number of cables from the base to the C-arm,
wherein the cable management system is configured to retain the number of cables in alignment with the C-arm in any orientation of the C-arm relative to the base, the C-arm including a groove formed in an outer surface of the C-arm and in which the cable chain is at least partially disposed, and a number of engagement members disposed within the groove and releasably engageable with the cable chain,
wherein the number of engagement members are selected from a cam operated holding member, or a flexible or spring-biased holding member, or combinations thereof.
9. The cable management system of claim 8 , further comprising a number of engagement members disposed within the interior of the housing and releasably engageable with the cable chain.
10. The cable management system of claim 8 , wherein cable chain curves upwardly within the housing.
11. The cable management system of claim 8 , wherein cable chain curves downwardly within the housing.
12. The cable management system of claim 8 , wherein the groove has dimensions that enable the groove to receive the cable chain entirely within a profile of the C-arm.
13. A method of managing the position of cables connecting a detector and an x-ray source of a C-arm to a base of a C-arm x-ray imaging device, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a C-arm x-ray imaging device comprising:
a base;
a carriage operably connected to the base and having at least one axis of movement with respect to the base;
a C-arm movably connected to the carriage, the C-arm including an x-ray source and an x-ray detector disposed thereon in alignment with one another; and
a cable management system comprising:
a housing disposed on the carriage, the housing defining an interior;
a number of cables extending from the base into the interior of the housing;
a cable chain having a first end secured within the interior of the housing and a second end affixed to the C-arm, the cable chain defining a channel therein that receives the number of cables to direct the number of cables from the base to the C-arm;
placing the number of cables within the cable chain; and
moving the C-arm relative to the carriage; and
maintaining the cable chain within a profile of at least one of the housing or the C-arm,
wherein the C-arm includes a groove formed in an outer surface of the C-arm,
wherein the step of maintaining the cable chain within the profile of at least one of the housing or the C-arm comprises positioning the cable chain within the groove,
wherein the step of positioning the cable chain within the groove comprises engaging the cable chain with a number of releasable engagement members disposed within the groove, and
wherein the number of releasable engagement members are selected from a cam operated holding member, or a flexible or spring-biased holding member, or combinations thereof.
14. The method of 13 , wherein the step of maintaining the cable chain within the profile of at least one of the housing or the C-arm, comprises engaging the cable chain with a number releasable engagement members within the housing.