Picker International, Inc.

Picker Corporation

Anton Z Zupancic

Joseph S Deucher

Robert A Cecil

William H Amor, Sr

Anthony M Palermo, Jr

Robert E Levar

Charles A Gardner

Anthony A Champa

John L Dobbs

Jeffrey Harold Yanof

James E Burke

Gregory S Breiding

Nicholas C Wislocki

Thomas R Miller

Fred C Jensen

Patrick P McNally

Karl J West

Leonard J Visdos

Nancy A Udovic

Charles L Cattell, Jr

Robert C Gilbert

Henry S Novak

Frank J Oblak

A frameless stereotactic tomographic scanner includes an imaging device defining a coordinate system in scanner space (.PI.). A localizer device includes a base portion mounted in a fixed relationship to the imaging device and a free end adapted for selective movement into varied positions near a patient body disposed on the imaging device. A position transducer associated with the localizer device generates, in a localizer space (), localizer device tip location information as the localizer device is moved near the patient body. A localizer space to scanner space transform processor converts the localizer tip location information to converted localizer tip location information in an image space (). The imaging device is adapted to generate patient body image information in the image space () regarding the patient body disposed on the device. A display unit is included for displaying the patient body image information together with the localizer tip position information on a human readable display monitor. The base portion of the localizer device is adapted for mounting onto the imaging device at a plurality of fixed positions. The imaging device includes an overhead track assembly defining the set of fixed localizer device positions. A calibration phantom is provided including a set of imagable touch point sites for generating a localizer space to scanner space vector based on a pair of centroids developed in the scanner space (TT) and the localizer space (RR) during a calibration and verification process.

Frameless stereotactic tomographic scanner for image guided

An anode (16), (16') and a cathode (14), (14') are mounted in an evacuated envelope (12), (12') of an x-ray tube (10). One of the anode and cathode is rotatably mounted on bearings (20), (20') relative to the evacuated envelope. In the embodiment in which the anode is rotatably mounted relative to the evacuated housing, a rolling ring assembly (40) provides a current path from the anode through the evacuated housing to ground without the current path passing through the bearing (20). In this manner, pitting and other damage to the bearing due to arcing is eliminated. In the embodiment in which the cathode is rotatably mounted relative to the evacuated envelope, the anode and envelope rotate as the cathode is held stationary (58, 60). A plurality of rolling ring assemblies (40'.sub.1, 40'.sub.2, . . . ) provide electrical communication between electrical control circuitry disposed outside the rotating housing and the cathode assembly (14'). The electrical communication includes providing current to filaments of cathodes (30'.sub.1, 30'.sub.2) of the cathode assembly.

Electrical coupling of rotating members of medical imaging devices

A CT scanner includes a stationary gantry (C) having an examination region (12) centrally therein. A rotating frame or gantry (C) which is mounted for rotation about the examination region carries an x-ray tube assembly (B), a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger (34), and a liquid-to-air heat exchanger (48) around a peripheral edge thereof. A first closed loop (30) carries a first cooling fluid, particularly oil, between a housing (22) which surrounds an x-ray tube (68) and the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger to remove heat from the x-ray tube. A second closed loop (40) conveys a second cooling fluid, particularly water, between the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and the peripheral liquid-to-air heat exchanger. The second closed loop includes a reservoir (44) for storing a substantial volume of water such that a significant portion of the heat generated during an x-ray examination can be stored by the water in the reservoir. After the x-ray examination while the patient is being repositioned or removed, the water continues to be circulated to the liquid-to-air heat exchanger cooling the water from the reservoir.

High capacity cooling system for CT gantry

A CT scanner has an x-ray tube (B) which is carried by a rotating gantry portion around a patient receiving region (12). A large diameter, annular radiator (30) is connected to the rotating gantry for rotation with the x-ray tube. A cooling oil is circulated around the x-ray tube and through passages (32, 74, 100) of the rotating radiator. An annular stationary member is mounted to a stationary gantry portion (A) of the CT scanner. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the stationary member is an annular tube (36) which substantially surrounds the rotating radiator except for an annular access aperture (38). Spray jets (40) spray the rotating radiator with water which is drained (42), circulated to a remote heat exchange or cooling apparatus (D), and recirculated to the spray nozzles. Baffles (52, 54), gutters (58), lip and baffle arrangements (54, 56), and the like, inhibit the sprayed water from escaping from the tube (36). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the water is sprayed on a wick member (76). Water evaporates from the wick, cooling the rotating radiator with evaporative cooling. In the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotating and stationary members include interleaved fins vanes (70, 82) between which heat is transferred by air flow. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a layer of water is carried by centrifugal force into the air gap between a horizontal rotating heat transfer surface (102) and a horizontal stationary heat transfer surface (108).

Heat transfer techniques for moving thermal energy from high power X-ray

The power brush block assembly (26) and a communication signal brush block assembly (28) are mounted to a rotating gantry portion (20) of a CT scanner in sliding communication with a stationary slip ring (16). The power communication brush block includes a plurality of like mounting blocks which when interconnected together in alignment define a locator aperture (64') and a shaft aperture (26') in radial alignment. A brush (70) includes a tip (72) and a shaft (76) around which a coil spring (100) is slidably received. The brush and spring assemblies are slidably received through the locator aperture until the brush tip is in sliding communication therewith and the shaft is in sliding communication with the shaft aperture. A retainer (102) prevents the spring from propelling the brush completely through the locator aperture. An electrical lead (104, 104') has a friction connector (106) which is connected to one end (78) of the brush shaft and connected at its other end with an electrical contact (88, 88' ). In the power brush block assembly, the locator and shaft apertures are defined by mounting together like mounting blocks (110). In the communication signal brush block assembly, the locator and shaft apertures are defined in circuit boards (60, 80) which are held in an arcuate figuration by identical spacer plates (44). Identical side plates (42) interconnect the slide plates and to provide a mounting arrangement for mounting the brush block to the rotating gantry portion.

Low inertia brush block assembly

CT scanner control console

Diagnostic scanner control console

In a stowed configuration, a gantry (32) of a CT scanner is mounted by helical, wire rope shock isolators (78) to a floor (12) of an ISO shelter at about a 60.degree. angle relative to a central axis (48) of the shelter. Mechanical assemblies (84, 100) limit movement of a tiltable gantry portion (82) relative to fixed gantry portions (60, 62, 64). A CT scanner control console (36) is mounted adjacent an opposite end of the ISO shelter on shock isolators (140). A patient couch (34) is mounted on shock isolators (122) in a stowed configuration in the available space between the gantry and the console. To deploy the system, foldable walls (26, 30), a foldable ceiling panel (28), and a foldable floor panel (24) of the ISO shelter are folded out. The patient couch is lowered onto casters (124) and moved into alignment with a central axis of the gantry. Jacks (128, 130) lower the patient couch from the casters and shock isolators onto the floor of the ISO shelter for fixed engagement. Jacks (70) lower the gantry from the isolators (78). Pivotal panels (42) of a lead screened viewing windows are pivoted about hinges (150) and lock (152) into an operating position. A track (162) is positioned over a patient access (54) to the ISO shelter and a lapped lead fabric curtain (190) is hung by hangers (170) from the track.

Deployable CT medical system

A deformable, inner ring (22) is mounted by spokes (24) to internal structure (26) of a CT scanner. A plurality of circuit boards (32) are bent in a circular arc that is concentric with an inner circular surface of the first ring and secured to the first ring such that the arcuate bend is maintained. Bending the flexible circuit boards into an arc stresses them such that they are cantilevered outward from the first ring, yet are held along the circular arc. A second ring (44) is connected to the outer ends of the circuit boards to assure that both ends of the circuit board are held in like diameter parallel circles. Brackets (52) hold the side edges of the circuit boards straight and linear. In this manner, the circuit boards on which radiation detectors (36) are mounted become a rigid, circular mounting assembly for the radiation detectors and provide the sole support for the second ring.

Composite detector mounting ring for CT scanners

A patient receiving region (12) is defined within a stationary CT scanner frame (A). An x-ray tube (B) is mounted on a rotating frame portion (40) for rotation about the patient receiving region on an annular bearing (44, 46, 48). A fluidic slip ring (60) is mounted between the rotating and stationary frames adjacent the bearing for conveying cooling fluid between the x-ray tube and a stationarily mounted, preferably off-site, chiller (D). The fluidic slip ring enables large amounts of heat to be removed from the x-ray tube to maintain the x-ray tube at proper operating temperatures without overheating the interior of the CT scanner, the CT scanner room, or the like.

Fluidic slip ring for CT scanners

A headrest assembly for a patient receiving couch includes an integrally formed support body and a structure for detachably securing the support body to an associated patient receiving couch. The support body includes a torso receiving region, a neck supporting region and a head receiving region. The securing structure includes a pair of side securing member for positioning a pair of sides of the support body in relation to the patient receiving couch.

Headrest for medical treatment couch

A medical diagnostic couch assembly for a patient undergoing medical diagnosis includes a base, a couch on which the patient reclines and a mounting frame for slidably supporting the couch. The mounting frame includes a longitudinally extending slot and a pair of parallel vertically spaced hard metal wear strips, one secured to a respective top and bottom surface of the slot. The couch includes at least one rail cover for enclosing the slot to retard the deposition of dirt and grime therein. The couch further includes at least one roller rotatably mounted to the rail cover wall so as to extend into the slot and between the pair of wear strips. A scissors structure supports the mounting frame. The scissors structure includes a first leg and a second leg with each of the legs being rotatably secured at a first end to the base and at a second end to the mounting frame. The two legs are also secured together at an intermediate portion of each leg. A motor is provided for selectively powering the scissors structure to pivot the structure and thereby move the couch and the mounting frame.

Patient support couch assembly

A peripheral cooling duct (36) is mounted on a removable front door panel (26) of a CT scanner (10). A pressure source (74) supplies ambient air at elevated pressure through air inlet means (70) defined by an inner wall (78) of the cooling duct. Concentric flanges (58, 60) extending inward toward the inner region (76) of the CT scanner define a slit-like circular nozzle opening (56). Air is directed from the cooling duct through the nozzle opening across radiation detectors (20) for cooling the detectors and other features of the CT scanner during scanner operation.

CT scanner cooling duct

A computerized tomographic scanning apparatus comprises a gantry assembly for performing tomographic examination and including a detector and data acquisition assembly carried on a first frame for selective rotation about a first axis. A base frame supports the first frame for limited tilting movement about a second axis which lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the first axis. A selectively operable drive assembly for tilting the gantry assembly about the first axis comprises first and second extensible and retractable rotary drive screw assemblies connected between the first frame and the second frame at locations spaced laterally outwardly on opposite sides of the first axis. Each drive screw assembly includes a first end connected to the base frame and a second end connected to the first frame at a point radially outwardly of the second axis. Electric motor and control units are provided for producing simultaneous operation of the first and second drive screw assemblies for producing controlled tilting movement of the first frame about the second axis. Also, the control units includes controls for deenergizing the electric motors if either of the drive screw assemblies fails to operate when its respective electric motor is energized.

Gantry tilt and support assembly for CT scanner

A computed tomography motor forming an integral part of the scanning apparatus. Motor laminations are mounted to a stationary computed tomography gantry while motor magnets are mounted directly and onto the cylindrical surface of a rotating race member opposite the field the field generating means to rotate with a rotatable computed tomography frame. Energization of the motor laminations cause relative movement between frame and gantry thereby causing an X-ray tube supported by the frame to rotate with the respect to a subject of interest.

Growing community of inventors

Kirtland, OH, United States of America

Anton Z Zupancic