Analogic Corporation

Foster-miller, Inc.

Vhc, Ltd.

Robert F Riemer

Andrew P Tybinkowski

Robert Williams

Eric M Bailey

John M Dobbs

Daniel Abenaim

Gilbert W McKenna

Ronald Elwin Swain

David Rozas

Simon George Harootian

David Braithwaite

Ann Ferriter

Augustus T Ashton, Iii

Techniques and systems for supplying fluid to a rotating gantry portion of a radiation treatment apparatus are disclosed where a first batch fluid is supplied to the rotating gantry when the rotating gantry is stationary a first time, discontinuing the supply when the rotating gantry is rotating, and supplying a second batch of fluid when the rotating gantry is stationary a second time. A storage component on the rotating gantry allows supplied fluid to be stored in the rotating gantry and used to shape a radiation beam and/or cool an ionizing radiation source, for example, while the rotating gantry is rotating. The techniques and systems may also be utilized to discharge a first fluid from the rotating gantry and supply a second fluid to replace the first fluid.

Fluid transfer for radiation treatment apparatus

A patient positioning system for radiation therapy, including an elongated table, a lock bar positioned on the table and extending perpendicular to a length of the table, and first and second clamps secured to opposing ends of the lock bar. The clamps are adapted to grip flat surfaces of sides of the table so as to secure the lock bar in a fixed position along the length of the table. The second clamp is adjustably secured on the lock bar so that the second clamp can be unsecured from the lock bar, the lock bar can be re-positioned on the table as desired, and the second clamp then re-secured to the lock bar to fix the lock bar in place on the table. The system also includes a patient restraint member secured to the lock bar and adapted to extend over a patient lying on the table.

Patient positioning device for radiation therapy

An apparatus for supporting a pallet extending horizontally from a patient table, including a horizontally extended pallet support for supporting a horizontally extendable pallet of a patient table, and a lifting assembly for vertically supporting the pallet support. The lifting assembly includes a lower base and at least one pair of non-intersecting front and rear lift arms holding the pallet support vertically above the lower base. Each lift arm includes a lower end pivotally connected to the lower base, an upper end pivotally connected to the pallet support, an elbow located between the lower end and the upper end, an elongated lower portion extending between the lower end and the elbow, and an elongated upper portion extending between the elbow to the upper end, with the lower portion and the upper portion connecting at an angle at the elbow.

Apparatus and method for supporting pallet extending from patient table

A patient table including an elongated table assembly extending between opposing ends, an elongated pallet mounted on the table assembly for linear motion between the opposing ends of the table assembly, and an elongated horizontal drive apparatus including a rotary motor, and an elongated rotary-to-linear motion converting mechanism extending between the opposing ends of the table assembly and substantially positioned at a midpoint between opposing sides of the table assembly. The rotary-to-linear motion converting mechanism connects the rotary motor to the pallet such that operation of the motor causes linear motion of the pallet on the table assembly. Among other feature and advantages, the centrally located rotary-to-linear motion converting mechanism has been found to provide smooth movement of the pallet on the table assembly.

Horizontal drive apparatus and method for patient table

A patient table including a table assembly and a pallet assembly supported on the table assembly. The pallet assembly includes a longitudinally extending lower portion that is longitudinally moveable with respect to the table assembly and has opposing ends that are laterally fixed with respect to the table assembly. The pallet assembly also includes a longitudinally extending upper portion that is longitudinally fixed with respect to the lower portion of the pallet assembly and has opposing ends that are each laterally moveable with respect to the ends of the lower portion. Among other features and advantages, a pallet assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention has opposing ends that are each laterally adjustable so that a patient lying on the pallet can be correctly positioned within medical diagnostic and therapy systems in a comfortable manner, and without being moved on the pallet.

Two-piece pallet assembly for patient table

A multi-scanner frame in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a base and a plurality of stands. Each stand supports a tomography gantry. The plurality of scanners supported by the gantries may represent a plurality of tomography modalities. A linear guide allows for the ready movement of at least one of the gantries relative to one or more remaining gantries.

Combined tomography scanners

A roller truck for supporting a rotating drum of a CT scanner, including a spring plate having opposing ends, top and bottom surfaces and unconstrained side edges. At least two axles are secured to the spring plate, and an attachment member is secured to the spring plate between the two axles. The attachment member is for securing the roller truck to one of a support frame of the CT scanner and the drum mounted for rotation on the frame. Rollers are rotatably mounted on each axle of the truck for supporting and allowing the instrument drum to rotate. The spring plate is free to resiliently bend about the attachment member and is adapted such that, when the instrument drum is rotated, resulting vibration frequencies are shifted by the roller truck to minimize distortions in images produced by the CT scanner.

Roller truck for CT scanner

A gantry of a combined tomography scanner including an annular outer support, an annular drum concentrically positioned within the outer support rotatable about a rotation axis of the drum, and an annular disk extending radially inwardly from an inner circumferential surface of the drum. At least one of the disk and the drum include structural members for receiving and supporting tomography scanning components on opposing first and second sides of the disk. Among other features and benefits, the gantry can be used for a combined tomography scanner system, e.g., combining an x-ray CT scanner and a PET scanner in a single machine.

Gantry for combined tomography scanner

A table docking system including a table having a base supported by at least two wheels, and at least one docking station having a plate, and a guide wall positioned and oriented with respect to the plate such that a pathway for the wheels of the patient table is defined between the guide wall and the plate. Another docking system constructed in accordance with the present inventions includes a table having a base defining a groove, and at least one docking station having a plate and at least one vertical projection extending from the plate and sized for receipt within the groove of the base of the patient table. Systems of the present inventions can be used, for example, to quickly and easily move a patient table between multiple tomography scanners.

Patient table docking system and method for tomography scanners

A lifting apparatus for supporting a table assembly of a patient table. The lifting apparatus includes a lower base, an upper base securable to the table assembly, and at least one pair of non-intersecting front and rear lift arms holding the upper base above the lower base. Each lift arm includes a lower end pivotally connected to the lower base, an upper end pivotally connected to the upper base, an elbow located between the lower and the upper ends, an elongated lower portion extending between the lower end and the elbow, and an elongated upper portion extending between the elbow to the upper end. The lower and the upper portions connect at an angle at the elbow. The lifting apparatus provides a combination of both vertical and horizontal movement of the table assembly and also nests in its lowered position in order to minimize the table's overall height when lowered.

Lifting apparatus and method for patient table

A system for sealing the nozzle of a steam generator including a collapsible nozzle dam and an installation pivot arm. The collapsible nozzle dam includes a base portion receivable through a manway in the steam generator for retaining an inflatable seal in place within the nozzle, a post extending from the base portion, a plurality of foot assemblies positioned radially about the post for engaging a nozzle ring around the nozzle of the steam generator, a truss structure for supporting the foot assemblies with respect to said base portion including compression legs interconnecting the foot assemblies with the base portion and tension legs interconnecting the foot assemblies with the post. The foot assemblies fold about the post for insertion thereof through the manway to unfold once inside the steam generator for engaging the nozzle ring and positioning the base portion within the nozzle. The installation pivot arm transports the collapsible nozzle dam from the manway to the nozzle and includes a support having a proximal end securable to the manway of the steam generator and a distal end securable to the nozzle ring, a nozzle dam attachment and positioning backing plate, and a four bar linkage.

System for sealing the nozzle of a steam generator

A gob guide apparatus for guiding the delivery of gobs of molten glass between a gob distributor scoop and a blank mold opening of a glassware forming machine. The apparatus includes a deflector, a trough pivotally mounted at its upper end to the machine frame and extending downwardly between the scoop and the deflector so that its lower end is aligned along a first axis, a holder mounted to the machine frame receiving the lower end of the trough, and a deflector exit adjustment means for pivotally adjusting the angular position of the lower end of the deflector relative to the entrance of the blank mold opening. The holder includes a carriage having first and second adjustment means for permitting respective longitudinal and transverse movement of the deflector relative to the first axis with the holder maintaining centerline alignment between the upper end of the deflector and the lower end of the trough during the movement of the deflector.

Growing community of inventors

Andover, MA, United States of America

Robert F Riemer