Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A tomography scanner system including a gantry having an outer, non-rotating support ring, and an inner rotatable component ring supported for rotation within the support ring about a rotation axis of the gantry. An x-ray source and an x-ray detector array are secured to the rotatable component ring for rotation with the component ring, and an x-ray containment shield encloses the x-ray source and the x-ray detector array and is secured to the rotatable component ring for rotation with the component ring.

Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography scanning system adapted to scan air cargo containers or other larger containers for detection of explosives, drugs, and other contraband. The system includes a table that rotates about an axis of rotation for supporting a cargo container, an X-ray source movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on one side of the table, and an X-ray detector movable parallel to the rotation axis of the table on another side of the table.

Abstract: A frame for a tomography scanner system includes a gantry having two, separate annular inner races supported for independent rotation within an annular outer support, wherein the inner races are for respectively supporting x-ray CT scanner components and PET scanner components for rotation with the races about a shared rotation axis of the races within the gantry, and wherein the inner races are spaced along the rotation axis.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of and system for locating a targeted region in a patient uses a CT imaging subsystem and a radiotherapy subsystem arranged so the targeted region can be imaged with the imaging system and treated with a beam of therapeutic X-ray radiation using a radiotherapy subsystem. The beam of therapeutic X-rays is in a plane that is substantially fixed relative to, and preferably coplanar with, a slice plane of the CT imaging subsystem so that the targeted region can be imaged during a planning phase, and imaged and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays during the treatment phase without the necessity of moving the patient.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A novel dental implant comprising an implant fixture assembly for attachment to a jaw bone at a first end thereof, the fixture assembly having a longitudinal axis; an abutment for mounting on a second end of the fixture assembly, the abutment having a longitudinal axis; and a fastener for connecting the abutment to the second end of the implant fixture assembly such that the abutment is movable on the second end of the implant fixture assembly and, upon disposition of the abutment axis at a selected angle to the implant fixture assembly axis, for connecting the abutment to the second end of the implant fixture assembly such that the abutment is fixed on the implant fixture assembly at the selected angle. A novel tool for deploying the novel dental implant is also disclosed. And a novel method for effecting a dental restoration is also disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A frame for an x-ray tomography device allows a gantry of the frame to be tilted with a minimum applied force. The frame includes a stand including two substantially upright arms, a gantry positioned between and pivotally mounted to the arms of the stand for tilting about a tilt axis extending between the arms, a tilt guide secured to one of the gantry and the stand, and at least two spaced-apart wheels, each wheel operatively engaging the tilt guide such that turning the wheels applies a force to the tilt guide so that the gantry tilts about the tilt axis.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A dental implant system and method for effecting a dental restoration using the same.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator including providing a plate-like body, coating a predetermined portion of a surface of the body with an x-ray absorbing material, and machining at least one collimating slit through the coating and the plate-like body. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coating is applied through a thermal spray process. According to another exemplary embodiment, wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) is used to machine the collimating slits. A collimator manufactured in accordance with the presently disclosed method produces precise energy beam cross-sections, yet is less expensive to manufacture.

Abstract: An oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a powered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mounted thereon, includes a housing adapted for attachment to the handle, the housing having a recess therein for receiving a cartridge containing the oral solution, a pump disposed in the housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge, and an outlet nozzle extending from the housing and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from the pump and from the housing. A head having bristles thereon is adapted to interconnect with the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle, to facilitate powered movement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from the outlet nozzle to proximate the bristles.

Abstract: A method of and system for locating a targeted region in a patient uses a CT imaging subsystem and a radiotherapy subsystem arranged so the targeted region can be imaged with the imaging system and treated with a beam of therapeutic X-ray radiation using a radiotherapy subsystem. The beam of therapeutic X-rays is in a plane that is substantially fixed relative to, and preferably coplanar with, a slice plane of the CT imaging subsystem so that the targeted region can be imaged during a planning phase, and imaged and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays during the treatment phase without the necessity of moving the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for mounting an x-ray tube to a gantry disk of a CT scanner. The system is designed to make lifting and handling a heavy and cumbersome x-ray tube easier for a person removing or replacing the x-ray tube in a CT scanner. The system includes a harness adapted to be secured to the x-ray tube, at least two elongated rods secured to the harness, and two elongated tracks adapted to be secured to the gantry disk such that the tracks extend generally parallel with a z-axis of the CT scanner. Each track includes a channel for slidingly receiving one of the rods. The present disclosure also provides a method of mounting an x-ray tube in a gantry of a CT scanner.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for mounting an x-ray tube to a gantry disk of a CT scanner. The system is designed to make lifting and handling a heavy and cumbersome x-ray tube easier for a person removing or replacing the x-ray tube in a CT scanner. The system includes a harness adapted to be secured to the x-ray tube, at least two elongated rods secured to the harness, and two elongated tracks adapted to be secured to the gantry disk such that the tracks extend generally parallel with a z-axis of the CT scanner. Each track includes a channel for slidingly receiving one of the rods. The present disclosure also provides a method of mounting an x-ray tube in a gantry of a CT scanner.