Real Time Dimension Capturing System To Check Feasibility of

Transportation and Ergonomics Of Huge Machines

Harish Kumar H C [1], Srujana C [2], Nisarga M .K [3],
[1]
Assistant Professor, [2, 3] U.G Student
[1, 2, 3]
Department of Computer Science & Engineering,
[1, 2, 3]
Dr. Ambedkar Institute Of Technology, Bangalore, India

Abstract - The new era of innovation and technology has wherever it’s required the foremost, at the purpose of
begun to rise exponentially, new techniques are emerging to patient treatment.
provide optimal outcomes for most of the business pain Its unique combination of adept image quality, ease of use
areas. One such conception of huge medical equipment and robust performance makes Allura Centron a superb
portability, poses a major challenge to today's engineers. solution among the Allura series [11,12].
Delivery of medical devices from industry to hospital
exposes such expensive machine to the risk of being Its key benefits involve: High versatility of the system, focused
damaged and unfit for customer delivery. This paper is a on Cardiac procedures with flexibility to handle vascular
study about transporting one such huge medical interventional procedures; highly reliable robust performance
instrument, iXR (Interventional X-Ray) machine, an X-Ray and proven ease of use.
machine and aids in understanding the present situations
involved in transporting this machine to hospitals. This
article brings out the challenges faced during the
circumstance, followed by the techniques and procedures
currently used to overcome the difficulties. As the current-
day proficiency has only about 40% efficiency rate, this
work aims in bringing out solutions in future.

Key Terms— iXR-Interventional X-Ray, Allura Centron,

Field service engineer (FSE), Dimensional Analysis,
Feasibility, Ergonomics

I. INTRODUCTION
iXR– Interventional X-Ray is an X-Ray machine which
handles variety of medical procedures at an excellent pace and Figure 1: Allura Centron iXR machine
provides accurate diagnosis. It is perfect for today’s hospital to
With these characteristics iXR machine is preferred over many
manage high procedure load with variety of functionality.[1]
other X-ray instruments.
Thus a company gets demand for such instruments very often.
Packaging and delivery of the IXR machine – Allura Centron,
Further it involves the company to deliver the instrument safely
involves 10 different crate boxes. Among them, there are four
to the hospital.
major components which pose challenging situations to the
The field service engineers take up the task of surveying the
field service engineers, while transporting and deporting the
site. Measurements are done manually using Measuring tapes,
machine to hospitals. They are:
Tools and Laser device, like- Laser Line Level, Standard toolkit
TC129, Spirit Level TC153, Fat Max CL2, etc. These tools
provide only single dimensional data. It takes very long time for 1. CLEA floor
the complete measurement to be computed. Also, the manual
measurements will certainly have some amount of error. 2. MCS monitors (3/4-Monitors)
Therefore accurate results cannot be obtained and requires a
novel solution.[1,2] 3. AD5i table top
Allura centron being the largest and most efficient among iXRs,
designing solution for this instrument would assure feasibility 4. AD5i base (fixed)
with the transport of other such machines. Hence
this paper describes procedures with respect to this model. The C-arm and L-arm together form CLEA unit. This alone
weighs approximately 1.5 tonnes posing the maximum
difficulty in handling. Though C-arm and L-arm can be
II. ALLURA CENTRON disassembled and assembled while installing, it is not suggested
Allura Centron is a robust interventional X-ray machine to do so. Assembly over the site requires sophisticated tools and
designed to handle a variety of procedures at an excellent the functionality which cannot guarantee the assemblage.
pace. As foremost versatile and economical interventional Hence this is carried as a complete unit.
X-ray systems, Allura Centron delivers clinical price

Figure 2: CLEA (C-arm + L-arm)
Allura Centron operates with the temperature range of 18°C to
28°C, with a maximum temperature gradient of 0.5
Celsius/Minute. The stock or transport temperature varies
between -10°C to 55°C. The machine can sustain a shock pulse
of duration 6-10 milliseconds. While shifting the machine, the
instrument will be liable to vibrations. The system sustainability
of vibration ranges between 10-150 Hz. Therefore the FSE must
take care of this parameter too [11,12].
III. CHALLENGES FACED
Generally a site survey and planning activity is carried out by
Field Service Engineers, before the machine is transported.
They manually measure various dimensions and record the
details according to their checklist [1]. But these measurements
are not reliable as it certainly involves some amount of human
error in measurement. Such faulty analysis leads to several
problems while machine shifting takes place. Hence the field
engineers may end up in extremities of solutions like breaking
of walls, damaging the building infrastructure as well as risking
the machine safety. There are many other companies which are
facing similar sort of inconvenience in delivering huge
equipment to their customers. The overall success rate in this
task is only about 40%. Hence, there is a need for accurate and
reliable solution to the problem stated [2].
Figure 3: Breaking of wall to shift the machine into Cath lab
The dimension and the weight of each part are specified in the
table below, which also provides the necessary information
regarding iXR transporting.
Considering the dimensional and mechanical data of Allura
Centron, there is a preferred site layout that has to be met before
placing an order for the machine. This includes:
• Preferred room height for allura centron is 2.9 m. This is
the height from floor to false ceiling.
• Absolute technical minimum ceiling height is 2.8 m
which is because of the MCS.
• Preferred room length for allura centron is 6.925 m
• Minimum room length of 5.5 m
• Preferred room width for allura centron is 5.390 m. Only
in this case AD5i pivot can rotate 90°degrees in both
directions.
• Minimum room width is 4.2 m (then ad5i pivot can rotate
in ±90°).
• In case of non–pivot table configuration the minimum
room width can be 3.7 m
IV.ERGONOMIC CONDITIONS
The ergonomic considerations for the iXR positioning are
decided based on some of the aspects such as:
• The Mechanical relation between the CLEA and the
patient table (AD5i).
• The MCS monitor to be positioned in the viewing area
of the doctor/Operator, so that optimum viewing height
is achieved.
• Enough space for the rotation of CLEA in the possible
90⁰ with respect to the patient table, to be made
available.
• The height of the MCS monitor from false ceiling
depends on the site.
Figure 4: AD5i Table Top Positioning
The above image gives an idea of the location of the machine
inside the room. A sufficient area must be provided for the
machine to easily rotate through various angles. As shown in
the image above, the patient table must be located 1.5m away
from the boundaries of the room [2,6].
With the features such as augmented reality, audio / video
processing, and near field communication sensing can be used
to develop a prototype that supports industrial field service
engineers in the contemporary field service.
 V. AUGMENTED REALITY
Augmented reality (AR) is the real-time use of information in
the form of text,
graphics, audio and other virtual enhancements integrated with
real-world objects. It is a live direct or indirect view of a
physical, real-world environment whose elements are
augmented (or supplemented) by computer-generated sensory
input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. AR aims to
enhance users' interaction with the environment, rather than
separating them from it. Augmented reality is changing the
way we view the world. AR is used to bridge the digital and
physical world. This has an impact on both internal- and
external-facing solutions. With the help of advanced
AR technology (like adding computer vision and object
recognition) the information about the surrounding real world
of the user becomes interactive and digitally manipulable.
Artificial information about the environment and its objects can
be overlaid on the real world [6,7].
Figure 5: AR Architecture Design application Experimental setting and layout
of the real-world referents and the virtual target rectangle.
VI. PROPOSED SYSTEM
In this paper, a system has been proposed to input the
dimensions of the object to be shifted from the user and
simultaneously capture three dimensional values using
ultrasonic distance measuring sensors and generate the
feasibility report, to resolve the problem and get quick results
of feasibility in a remotely controlled manner.
Figure 5: Circuit diagram of Proposed system
Fig.5 shows the complete set up of the proposed system which
facilitates Field service engineers to analyse the feasibility of a
huge object being shifted to target area even shifting it in real.
Three Ultrasonic sensors [8] are used to capture dimensions
from three dimensions. The data obtained is compared with the
inputted dimensions of the Object, the source i.e., the machine.
The dimensions and the feasibility results are displayed over the
screen of the Android application connected through
NodeMCU WiFi Module.
The Chassis Driver L293D is used to control the two motors
used in the two-wheeled chassis. The Arduino has been
programmed to control the chassis via WiFi Module.
VII. CONSTRUCTION
1. Initially the program checks if a serial input is
available. If it is available, it checks what input it is.
There are 3 main processes in the prototype, which
include controlling the motor, measuring the target
dimensions and generating feasibility report.
2. The motor is run by the commands input to the
program, a key to run the motor, to turn it left, right or
to stop it.
3. Different commands are checked to measure the
dimensions of various targets, using the three
ultrasonic sensors
4. The program also checks for 2Dimensional and
3Dimensional feasibility of instrument with respect to
the target to output a feasibility message.[1,2]
Figure 6: Block Diagram of the Proposed methodology
VIII. NodeMCU Wi-Fi MODULE FOR
COMMUNICATION
NodeMCU is an open source IoT platform. It includes
firmware which runs on the ESP8266 Wi-Fi SoC from Espressif
Systems, and hardware which is based on the ESP-12 module.
The term "NodeMCU" by default refers to the firmware rather
than the development kits.[14]

Figure 6: NodeMCU Wi-Fi Module Configuration
ESP8266 is a low-cost, WiFi Module chip that can be
configured to connect to the Internet for Internet of Things(IoT)
and similar Technology Projects.Basically, normal Electrical
and Mechanical equipments cannot connect to the Internet on
their own. They don’t have the in-built setup to do so. Node
MCU is an embedded IOT platform , the bord is just like an
arduino which comes with a (ESP8266) wifi module built-in. It
let's you jam wifi connections within the perimeter of your
location [14].
IX. ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS
Advantages:
1. The project "Real Time Dimension Capturing System" has
been successfully designed and tested. Presence of every
module has been reasoned out and placed carefully thus
contributing to the best working of the unit.
2. The system which is developed in the project will facilitate
the FSEs to evaluate & survey the site very quickly with
accurate results.
3. This would also provide them with an easy and simple
interaction, as the smartphone application is known for its UI
features.
4. The limitations of the single dimension measuring tool are
overcome by this prototype.
5.The tedious work of pre-evaluation and feasibility check is
reduced to a click.
Limitations:
1. There is small amount of error in the calculated dimensions
of the target as the ultrasonic distance measuring sensors
depend on ambient temperature and the prototype is calibrated
assuming the speed of ultrasonic to be 340 m/s.
2. The dimensions measured creates a negligible error when
compared to the target dimensions as a whole. The error can be
removed by introducing temperature sensor in the prototype
and calibrating the sensors accordingly.
3. In the report we have presented the implementation of a
complete prototype, which calculates the dimensions of various
targets along the pathway in the hospital and checks for the
instrument feasibility through the target.
X. CONCLUSION
FSEs must conduct site planning activity with utmost care,
taking into view all the necessary ergonomic conditions. The
machine is highly sensitive to impairments. Damage to the
machine may cause malfunctioning, unfit to be delivered and
the company incurs loss due to it. Hence proper & accurate pre-
evaluation of the site is the responsible job of an FSE.
There is a need for an efficient solution which facilitates FSEs
to evaluate & survey the site quickly with accurate results along
with an easy and simple user interaction system. select 0.9V
from main supply. The output of multiplexer is given to the
power supply point of the processer.
REFERENCES
[1] "System Planning Data, Allura Centron, Site Readiness
Checklist Allura Centron R1.0", Philips Reference
Material, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., 2013.
[2] "Planning Reference Data, General Site Planning
Guidelines Allura Centron R1.0", Philips Reference
Material, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., 2013.
[3] Tesfay B., Markus Aleksy, Karl Andersson, Marko
Lehtola, "Mobile Computing Application for Industrial
Field Service Engineering, A Case for ABB Service
Engineers", 7th IEEE LCN Workshop on User Mobility
and Vehicular Networks, 2013, pp.188-193.
[4] Markus Aleksy, Bernd Stieger, Gerhard Vollmar, "Case
Study on Utilizing Mobile Applications in Industrial
Field Service", IEEE Conference on Commerce and
Enterprise Computing, 2009, pp.333-336.
[5] "Planning Reference Data, Manpower, Tools and
Materials - Allura Centron", Philips Reference Material,
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., 2013.
[6] Zenati N., Zerhouni N., Achour K., "Design Area for
Assistance to Maintenance based on Augmented
Reality", IEEE Conference on Advanced Technology
Development, 2006, pp.2960-2965.
[7] Edward Swan J., Mark Livingston, "Egocentric Depth
Judgments in Optical, See-Through Augmented
Reality", IEEE Transactions on Visualization and
Computer Graphics, Vol. 13, No. 3, May/June 2007,
pp.429-442.
[8] Chen Wang, Yong Ding, Li Xiao, "Virtual Ruler,
Mobile Beacon Based Distance Measurements for
Indoor Sensor Localization", IEEE International
Conference on Mobile Adhoc and Sensor Systems, 2006,
pp.326-335.
[9] Thuong N., Hoang, Bruce H., Thomas, "Distance-Based
Modeling and Manipulation Techniques Using
Ultrasonic Gloves" IEEE International Symposium on
Mixed and Augmented Reality, 2012, pp.287-288.

[10] Min-Ho Kim, Min-Cheol Lee, "A Path Generation

Method for Path Tracking Algorithms that use the
Augmented Reality", International Conference on
Control Automation and Systems, Oct 27-30, 2010,
pp.1487-1490.

[11] “Making the difference with Philips Live Image

Guidance”, Philips Allura Centron X-ray system
specifications, Feb 2014

[12] “Making the difference with Philips Live Image

Guidance”, Philips Allura Centron brochure, Jan 2014.

[13] Yetao Huang, Yue Liu and Yongtian Wang, "AR-View,

an Augmented Reality Device or Digital Reconstruction
of Yuangmingyuan" IEEE International Symposium on
Mixed and Augmented Reality, 2009, pp. 3-7.

[14] L Anjari and A H S Budi, “The Development Of Smart

Parking System Based On NodeMCU 1.0 using Internet
Of Things” IOP Conference Series ‘Materials Science
And Engineering, Vol.384, conference 1’