Noncontact type signal transmission device and x-ray computed tomography apparatus including the same

• US 6,718,005 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2000
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Hamada, Yuji, Nambu, Kyojiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kiknadze, Irakli
• Application Number:
  US09/559,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20030156678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,440 Days
• Field of Search: 378/15, 378/4, 378/19, 378/20, 378/84, 378/85, 250/551, 250/217, 250/208.1
• US Class Current: 378/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings

Abstract

A noncontact type signal transmission device performs noncontact transmission of signals between a first member and a second member by using light. The second member moves along a predetermined orbit relative to the first member. A plurality of light-emitting devices are arranged on one of the first and second members. A plurality of light-receiving devices are arranged on the other of the first and second members. Light emitted from the light-emitting devices is received by the light-receiving devices. Beam condensing devices are disposed between the light-emitting devices and the light-receiving devices. Each beam condensing device has a function of condensing light from the light-emitting device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the orbit. The function of each beam condensing device is to increase the amount of light received by each light-receiving device and to improve light reception sensitivity.

Claims

1. An X-ray computed tomography apparatus comprising:

an X-ray tube for irradiating an object with X-rays;

a detector for detecting X-rays transmitted through the object;

a noncontact type signal transmission device for transmitting a signal output from said detector;

a unit for generating image data on the basis of the signal transmitted through said noncontact type signal transmission device; and

a unit for displaying the image data,

wherein said noncontact type signal transmission device comprises;

a stationary portion;

a rotating ring disposed inside said stationary portion;

a plurality of light-emitting devices discretely arranged on an outer surface of said rotating ring;

a plurality of light-receiving devices discretely arranged on an inner surface of said stationary portion; and

a plurality of beam condensing devices arranged between said light-emitting devices and said light-receiving devices and having the function of condensing light in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the rotating ring.