Picker International, Inc.

Robert E Levar

William H Amor, Sr

Anton Z Zupancic

Rodney Arnold Mattson

Anthony M Palermo, Jr

John L Dobbs

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 radiographic apparatus (10) includes an x-ray tube (16), an off-focal radiation collimator (20), a shutter (22), and a primary beam defining collimator (24) between the x-ray tube and patient receiving region (14). The off-focal collimator is mounted within a collar (48) which surrounds an x-ray port (36) of the x-ray tube. The tube port is sealed from the atmosphere by an aluminum window (46). A plate (62) of a radiation blocking material is rotatably mounted by a bearing (70) within the collar closely adjacent the aluminum window. By rotating the moveable plate, aperture or radiation passing slots or portions (62, 64) of different sizes are selectively brought into alignment between a focal spot (34) of the x-ray tube and a radiation passing region or slot (52) of a stationary plate (50) at the distal end of the collar. The aligned slots block the passage of off-focal radiation. Moreover, rotating slots of different sizes into alignment changes the size or angle of the x-ray fan beam.

Adjustable off-focal aperture for x-ray tubes

A computed tomography scanner having a brake which is automatically engaged in the event dynamic motor braking fails to stop scanner motion. Within a predetermined range of motion two brake mechanisms are employed. One has a brake shoe to contact a braking surface and stop rotation of the scanner in one direction and a second has a second brake shoe which stops rotation in an opposite direction. The brake shoes are engaged and retracted by a cam surface which as the scanner rotates, moves into contact with one of two bearings connected to associated ones of the brake shoes.

Brake method and apparatus

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.

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Willoughby, OH, United States of America

Robert E Levar