General Electric Company

Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Jonathan C Boomgaarden

Matthew Aaron Halsmer

Jon Charles Omernick

Vincent Stanley Polkus

Robert M Stetz

Thomas L Toth

Ross Christopher Stalter

Douglas P Dietz

August O Englert

Michael John Pajerski

Harold J Kidd

Todd Schueneman

David W Ambrose

Gary John Thumann

Andrew Scott Argersinger

Ignatius M Zettel

Daniel P Miller

William O Schoenbeck

Steven R Frank

Charles R Davis

Bruce Q Bautista

Marlene R Bandoian

Michael Harland

Lori A Schultz

An ultrasound imaging device includes an exterior housing including a panel, a processor positioned within the exterior housing, and an acoustic exciter attached to the panel and electrically connected to the processor. The processor is configured to drive the acoustic exciter in order to vibrate the panel and transmit audible sounds. A method of providing audible sounds from an ultrasound device includes attaching an acoustic exciter to a panel, electrically connecting the acoustic exciter to a processor, providing signals to the acoustic exciter from the processor, vibrating the acoustic exciter in response to the signals, and transmitting audible sounds from the panel connected to the acoustic exciter.

Ultrasound imaging device and method for transmitting audible sounds

In one embodiment, a portable X-ray imaging system is provided with a base unit and at least one front wheel on which the base unit is mounted. The base unit is also mounted on a pair of rear wheels. The imaging system is provided with a suspension system coupled to the base unit and to the rear wheels. The suspension system is arranged to permit flexible movement of the base unit and the rear wheels with respect to one another.

Portable X-ray machine with drive wheel suspension

Systems, methods and apparatus are described in which in some embodiments, an automatic tensioner employs a puller assembly with a first indicia coupled to a fix base by a movement mechanism, a belt side assembly with a second indicia attached to one end of a belt, and a spring mechanism having a first end coupled to the puller assembly and a second end coupled to the belt side assembly. In some embodiments, the movement of the puller assembly in a first direction increases tension on the belt and movement of the puller assembly in a second direction decreases tension on the belt. In some embodiments, the spring mechanism compressed to exert a force in the first direction. In some embodiments, a movement mechanism is then adjusted until the first indicia and the second indicia are coincidental.

Automatic tensioning mount for belts

A positioning system for imaging devices is provided. The positioning system includes an imaging element and a tilting arm support having the imaging element coupled thereto. The tilting arm support includes a linkage to tilt the imaging element when the tilting arm support moves.

Positioning system with tilting arm support for imaging devices

A positioning system configured to move a patient or support into position or in a guided manner. The system includes a table that is configured to hold the patient or object and a column that is coupled to the table. The column is configured to support and move the table and includes a plurality of links pivotably coupled to each other in series. Adjacent links are configured to pivot in only one direction from a linear stacked arrangement. The system also includes a guide that is configured to receive and direct the links of the column into the linear stacked arrangement when the links are moved by a lifting force along the guide.

Positioning systems and methods

A system is provided for rotating a detector of an imaging system about an axis of rotation. The system includes a shaft extending a length between a pair of opposite end portions. The shaft is threaded on an exterior surface thereof. A carriage is mounted on the shaft. The carriage is threadably connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft moves the carriage along the length of the shaft. A connection member has a first portion mounted on the carriage, and a second portion configured to be connected to the detector such that movement of the carriage along the shaft rotates the detector about the axis of rotation.

Method and apparatus for rotating an imaging system detector

A ceiling mount x-ray imaging assembly is provided comprising a track assembly. A carriage assembly is mounted to the track assembly and allows linear movement of said carriage assembly. An extendable column is rotatably mounted to the carriage assembly and has a carriage mount end and a patient directional end. The carriage mount end is rotatable about a vertical axis located at a vertical rotation location positioned in proximity to the carriage mount end. An x-ray tube assembly is rotatably mounted to the extendable column adjacent a patient directional end and is rotatable about a horizontal axis located at a horizontal rotation location positioned. A communication cable assembly provides communication between the x-ray tube assembly and the carriage assembly. The vertical rotation location and the horizontal rotation location are positioned at opposing ends of the extendable column.

Ceiling mounted x-ray tube support

An x-ray generating assembly is provided comprising an x-ray source assembly mounted to a mounting element. The assembly further includes a support assembly comprising a motor element and a gear assembly in communication with the motor element. An output shaft is in communication with the gear assembly such that the output shaft rotates in response to the motor element. The mounting element is positioned around the output shaft. An electromechanical lock is engaged to the mounting element such that the electromechanical lock rotates in concert with the mounting element. The electromechanical lock has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. The electromechanical lock engages the mounting element when the electromechanical lock is in the engaged condition such that the mounting element rotates with the output shaft. The mounting element is free to rotate when the electromechanical lock is in the disengaged condition.

X-ray source support assembly

The present technique provides a laterally adjustable patient support for a medical imaging system. The laterally adjustable patient support is attachable to a receptor for the medical imaging system via a lateral rail structure, which allows sliding movement along the lateral rail structure in infinitesimal increments. The lateral rail structure also may form a curvilinear path, such as a convex path, which provides additional angular and lateral adjustability of the laterally adjustable patient support. The laterally adjustable patient support also may use a supported weight of the patient to create a positional holding force between the laterally adjustable patient support and the receptor.

Adjustable patient lateral support

A method for producing an image in a x-ray imaging system is provided. The x-ray imaging system includes an x-ray source which projects an x-ray beam collimated by a collimation assembly to pass through an object and impinge on an x-ray receptor to produce the image. The method includes rotating the collimation assembly about a focal point while the x-ray source is substantially fixed and producing x-rays. The method further includes adjusting the position of the x-ray receptor during rotation of the collimation assembly to receive the x-ray beam.

Methods and apparatus for x-ray images

An electronic detent apparatus and method for simulating a mechanical detent comprises a sensor connected to a microprocessor. A servo-motor is connected to the microprocessor and has a motor drive connected to a clutch. The clutch may engage a wheel disposed upon a rail or surface to effect the simulation of a mechanical detent through the microprocessor controlled servo-motor. The method for simulating a mechanical detent comprises the steps of moving an axis and monitoring the position and velocity of the axis. The position and velocity of the axis is then compared to a pre-specified position threshold value and a pre-specified velocity threshold value using a microprocessor disposed on the axis. A servo-motor is activated to accelerate the axis to a pre-specified position using a clutch controlled by the servo-motor when the position and velocity of the axis exceed the pre-specified position and velocity threshold values. Prior to engaging the clutch, the servo-motor drive speed is adjusted to nearly match the speed of the axis. The clutch operates on a wheel that is connected to the clutch and that is disposed upon a rail. The step of monitoring the position and velocity of the axis may be limited to monitoring only the position or velocity of the axis depending on the desired control characteristics of the electronic detent.

Method and apparatus for accurate powered deceleration and immobilization of manually operated mechanism

A method is provided for determining source-to-image distance (SID) setpoints in a digital imaging system. SID setpoints are determined during a setup and calibration procedure which includes generating radiation beams while varying certain system parameters, such as the radiation source position, and detecting and determining the size of the radiation beams that impact on the digital detector. SID values and a separation gain constant can then be determined based on the calculated sizes of the detected radiation beams and the feedback signals which are representative of the various system parameters that were varied (e.g., source position, etc.) during the setup and calibration procedure. The separation gain constant and the calculated, empirical SID values can then be used to position the radiation source at any user-selected SID based on position sensor feedback signals. The procedure also provides for a calibrated readout of the SID, which can be displayed to a user of the imaging system.

Method and system for determining a source-to-image distance in a digital imaging system

A method is provided for determining source-to-image distance (SID) setpoints in a digital radiographic imaging system. SID setpoints are determined during a setup and calibration procedure which includes generating x-ray beams while varying certain system parameters, such as the x-ray source position or the size of the collimator opening, and detecting and determining the size of the x-ray beams that impact on the digital detector. SID values and a separation gain constant can then be determined based on the calculated sizes of the detected x-ray beams and the feedback signals which are representative of the various system parameters that were varied (e.g., source position, collimator blade position, etc.) during the setup and calibration procedure. The separation gain constant and the calculated, empirical SID values can then be used to position the x-ray source at any user-selected SID based on position sensor feedback signals. The procedure also provides for a calibrated readout of the actual SID, which can be displayed to a user of the imaging system.

The present technique provides a method for calculating the source-to-image distance of an imaging system utilizing the intensity of the x-ray. The present technique involves measuring the source-to-image distance using the x-ray intensity and the inverse square relationship between the intensity and the distance. The present technique can be implemented with a digital detector system using fixed timing, relying on the measuring capability of the digital detector to determine intensity, or it can be implemented using a phototiming approach, using either a digital detector or a conventional ion chamber to measure total exposure.

Method and system for determining a source-to-image distance in a digital radiographic imaging system

Apparatus for routing a resilient cable of specified length, such as an electric power transmission cable, across a rotary joint between first and second members, wherein the first member is supported for rotation with respect to the second member. The apparatus includes a first guide element disposed to rotate with the first member, for guiding a first component or portion of a cable along a first arcuate path of specified radius, the length of the first cable component disposed to vary as the first member rotates. The apparatus further includes a second guide element, in fixed relationship to the second member, for guiding a second component of the cable along a second arcuate path, the length of the second cable component disposed to vary in inverse relation to the length of the first cable component. The first and second guide elements are mounted in spaced-apart relationship, to provide a spacing therebetween which is selected to form a third component of the cable, extending between the first and second cable components, into a loop of specified configuration. The first and second guide elements are provided with first and second annular channels, respectively, each arcuate cable path lying along a portion of one of the annular channels.

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Waukesha, WI, United States of America

Jonathan C Boomgaarden