Imager control system with contact detector
First Claim
1. A ranging system for positioning a movable arm having an imaging system component disposed thereon with respect to a subject, the ranging system having subject contact detection capability and comprising:
- a collar assembly disposed around at least a portion of said imaging system component disposed towards a subject region;
a plurality of sensor elements disposed in a sensing pattern in said collar assembly, each sensor element comprising a plurality of segments of elastomeric electrodes electrically coupled together in series;
a processing unit further comprising a multiplexer, said multiplexer being coupled to each of said sensor elements to selectively electrically couple said sensor elements in one of a plurality of contact localization sensing arrangements, each of said contact localization sensing arrangements comprising at least one of said sensor elements, said processing unit being coupled to said sensor elements via said multiplexer so as to generate a subject contact signal in correspondence with an electrical signal passing from respective sensor element elastomeric electrodes, said electrical signal varying in correspondence with changes in the electrical resistance of said elastomeric electrodes resulting from deformation of said elastomeric electrodes in said sensor elements, said contact signal further providing contact location in said sensing pattern around said collar assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An imager control system with contact detection capability for positioning a movable imaging element structure with respect to a subject includes a collar assembly disposed around at least a portion of the imaging element structure disposed towards a subject region; a plurality of sensor elements disposed in a sensing pattern in the collar assembly, each sensor element having a number elastomeric electrodes coupled together in series; and a processing unit coupled to the sensor elements so as to detect contact between the collar assembly and a subject of examination as a function of a change in resistance in one or more elastomeric electrode resulting from deformation of the electrode upon contact with the subject. The elastomeric electrodes are made of a flexible material in which conductive particles have been embedded such that electrode exhibits a change in electrical resistance in response to physical deformation.
37 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A ranging system for positioning a movable arm having an imaging system component disposed thereon with respect to a subject, the ranging system having subject contact detection capability and comprising:
-
a collar assembly disposed around at least a portion of said imaging system component disposed towards a subject region; a plurality of sensor elements disposed in a sensing pattern in said collar assembly, each sensor element comprising a plurality of segments of elastomeric electrodes electrically coupled together in series; a processing unit further comprising a multiplexer, said multiplexer being coupled to each of said sensor elements to selectively electrically couple said sensor elements in one of a plurality of contact localization sensing arrangements, each of said contact localization sensing arrangements comprising at least one of said sensor elements, said processing unit being coupled to said sensor elements via said multiplexer so as to generate a subject contact signal in correspondence with an electrical signal passing from respective sensor element elastomeric electrodes, said electrical signal varying in correspondence with changes in the electrical resistance of said elastomeric electrodes resulting from deformation of said elastomeric electrodes in said sensor elements, said contact signal further providing contact location in said sensing pattern around said collar assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification