Picker Corporation

Picker X-ray Mfg. Limited

Leslie James Sell

An X-ray apparatus which is readily convertible for conventional radiographic or tomographic operation includes an X-ray source and an imaging device movably supported on opposite sides of a patient support. For tomographic procedures, the source and the imaging device are interconnected by shielded drive system components to effect coordinated movement of the source and the device. For conventional radiography, the drive components are disconnected to permit independent movement of the source and the imaging device. The drive components are disconnected for conventional radiography by lowering the X-ray source and by operating a latch located near the imaging device. The drive components are connected for tomography by raising the X-ray source and by operating the latch. Other improvements such as the use of rotary encoders to provide a digital readout of the location of a tomographic examination plane and to control the operation of the source during tomographic procedures are described.

X-ray apparatus

Relative translational movement between a pair of X-ray apparatus components is selectively arrested by a bidirectional lineal lock structure including an elongated locking rod carried by one of the components and a locking unit carried by the other component. The locking unit is movable along the locking rod and includes two sets of balls which selectively engage the peripheral surface of the rod. Two clamping systems normally wedge the balls into clamping engagement with the peripheral surface, preventing relative, component movement. A pair of electromagnets are operative, when energized, to bias the clamping systems toward release positions to permit relative componet movement. Either of the electromagnets may be selectively energized to permit unidirectional relative movement between the components. An energizing circuit is provided for briefly reversing the polarity of the electromagnets immediately before they are de-energized, to faciliate re-establishment of the clamping engagement.

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Orangeville, Canada

Leslie James Sell