Computerized tomographic x-ray scanner system and gantry assembly

• US 5,014,293 A
• Filed: 10/04/1989
• Issued: 05/07/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Imatron, Inc. (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: Boyd, Douglas P., Lanzara, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Westin, Edward P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, DON KITSUN
• Application Number:
  US07/416,921
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 378/4, 378/39, 378/193, 378/22, 378/196, 378/11, 378/21, 378/55, 378/197, 378/198
• US Class Current: 378/197
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4441 the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4464 the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/1016 X-ray
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/419 computed tomograph
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/646 flaws, defects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/046 using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]

Abstract

A scanner assembly having a C-shaped gantry rotatably supported by a support head. An x-ray source and a detector assembly are mounted on said gantry for independent movement with respect to one another along said gantry.

Claims

1. A scanner assembly comprising

a support head,

a C-shaped gantry,

means for supporting said gantry in said support head for rotating movement,

an x-ray source mounted on one side of said gantry for independent movement with respect to a detector array along said gantry, said x-ray source projecting x-rays across said gantry, and

a detector array mounted on the other side of a gantry for independent movement with respect to said x-ray source along said gantry, said detector array serving to receive said projected x-rays.

2. A scanner as in claim 1 including head support means for rotatably mounting said support head for rotation about an axis which is perpendicular to a rotational axis of said gantry.

3. A scanner as in claim 2 including means for mounting said head support for moving and positioning said support head whereby the gantry is placed in cooperative relationship with an object being scanned.

4. A scanner as in claim 3 in which said means for mounting said head support comprises a tiltable guideway.