Cantilevered gantry apparatus for X-ray imaging
US8308361B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2223/419
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An x-ray scanning imaging apparatus with a rotatably fixed generally O-shaped gantry ring, which is connected on one end of the ring to support structure, such as a mobile cart, ceiling, floor, wall, or patient table, in a cantilevered fashion. The circular gantry housing remains rotatably fixed and carries an x-ray image-scanning device that can be rotated inside the gantry around the object being imaged either continuously or in a step-wise fashion. The ring can be connected rigidly to the support, or can be connected to the support via a ring positioning unit that is able to translate or tilt the gantry relative to the support on one or more axes. Multiple other embodiments exist in which the gantry housing is connected on one end only to the floor, wall, or ceiling. The x-ray device is particularly useful for two-dimensional multi-planar x-ray imaging and/or three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.