Abstract: An assembly including a base and first and second spaced-apart shafts secured to the base and extending generally perpendicular to an elongated aperture of the base. A carrier includes a first support member slidingly receiving the first shaft, a second support member receiving the second shaft, and an elongated opening extending between the support members and generally perpendicular to the shafts. The elongated opening of the carrier is for aligning with the aperture of the base and an elongated slit of a collimator supported on the carrier for passage of an x-ray beam therethrough. A backlash-resistant nut assembly is threadingly received on a threaded portion of the second shaft and secured to the second support member.

Abstract: A backlash-resistant sliding assembly for supporting a collimator. The assembly includes a base having an elongated aperture for passage of an x-ray beam therethrough, a first shaft secured to the base and extending generally perpendicular to the aperture of the base, a second shaft spaced from, and extending substantially parallel to the first shaft, the second shaft rotatably secured to the base and having a threaded portion and at least one non-threaded portion. The assembly also includes a carrier adapted to support a collimator having at least one elongated slit, the carrier including a first support member having a bore slidingly receiving the first shaft, a second support member having a bore receiving the non-threaded portion of the second shaft, and an elongated opening extending between the support members and generally perpendicular to the shafts.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a collimator of an X-ray imaging device includes a carrier which is adapted for translation in the z-direction along two parallel shafts. One of the shafts is coupled to a driver, such as a motor, by a backlash-resistant nut assembly.