# US 12,109,053 B2 · Device for use in dynamic radiological image acquisition

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- Number: US 12,109,053 B2
- Document ID: US12109053B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/909,542
- Filed: 2021-03-02
- Published: 2023-04-20
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-06
- Assignees: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Applicants: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Inventors: Luca Buzzatti; Benyameen Keelson; Erik Cattrysse; Nico Buls; Gert Van Gompel; Johan De Mey; Thierry Scheerlinck; Jef Vandemeulebroucke; Jean-Pierre Baeyens; Kevin Langlois; Dirk Lefeber; Carlos David Rodriguez Guerrero
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109053B2

## CPC

- A61B 6/0407: {Supports, e.g. tables or beds, for the body or parts of the body}
- A61B 5/704: {Tables}
- A61B 6/0442: {made of non-metallic materials}
- A61B 6/4411: {the apparatus being modular (A61B6/4283 takes precedence)}
- A61B 6/486: {involving generating temporal series of image data}
- A61B 6/50: specially adapted for specific body parts; specially adapted for specific clinical applications
- A61B 6/035: {Mechanical aspects of CT}
- A61B 6/505: {for diagnosis of bone}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A device for use with a four-dimensional radiological imaging modality includes: a base structure and a table slidably mounted with respect to one another. The base structure is at one end provided with a platform at an angle relative to the table, and a counteracting structure is arranged to apply to the table a load exerting force in a direction towards the one end provided with the platform from the opposite end of the base structure or vice versa.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for use with a four-dimensional radiological imaging modality, the device comprising:
a base structure and a table slidably mounted with respect to one another, said base structure being at one end provided with a platform making an angle relative to said table, and
a counteracting structure arranged to apply to said table a load exerting force in a direction towards said one end provided with said platform from the opposite end of said base structure or vice versa.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, wherein said base structure and said table are made in a radiolucent and/or non-ferromagnetic material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, wherein said table is provided with adjustable shoulder supporting means.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, wherein said counteracting structure is movable.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, wherein said counteracting structure is implemented with counterweights.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device as in claim 5, wherein said counteracting structure comprises a plurality of wheels, each provided with a floor lock.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, wherein said counteracting structure is actuator-driven.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, comprising stopping means at the end opposite the end provided with said platform for stopping movement of said table in a direction away from said platform.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, comprising further stopping means to keep said base structure in a fixed position with respect to said counteracting structure.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device as in claim 9, wherein said further stopping means are a part of said counteracting structure.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, comprising a lock to keep said table in a fixed position with respect to said base structure.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, comprising a removable part to be put on said table in front of said platform, said removable part so dimensioned as to form an angle of 90° relative to said table.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The device as in claim 1, wherein said angle relative to said table is adjustable.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A method for acquiring a four-dimensional radiological image of a lower limb of a patient, using a device as in claim 1, the method comprising:
positioning said base structure with said table mounted thereon on a scanner table, positioning a patient with the feet on said platform of said base structure and with said lower limb inside a scan field of view of a radiological imaging modality scanner,
applying a load to said table of said device, said load being related to said patient's weight and exerting force in a direction towards said one end provided with said platform from the opposite end of said base, or vice versa,
acquiring said four-dimensional image of said lower limb, while said patient performs a movement to counter said force exerted by said load.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method for acquiring as in claim 14, wherein the movement is a cyclic movement of flexion and extension.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method for acquiring as in claim 14, comprising securing the table mounted on the base structure to the scanner table.