Abstract: A gantry and pallet assembly using scintillation cameras to acquire data emitted from radiopharmaceuticals previously introduced into a patient. The radiopharmaceuticals accumulate in a predetermined region of interest within the patient. The gantry can perform both whole body and single photon emission computed tomograph (SPECT) scans. The gantry has two scintillation cameras mounted in a diametrically opposed manner on and in close proximity to a rotation ring. Each camera can be radially translated relative to the rotation ring simultaneously with the rotation of the rotation ring. The gantry is capable of being translated along a pair of translation tracks so that a pallet upon which a patient lies passes therethrough. The pallet assembly has a storage carriage which supports a substantially rectangular flat pallet upon a slidable frame, and a curved pallet upon an extension assembly. The storage carriage can be slid away from the gantry or close to the gantry.

Abstract: A curved beam apparatus adapted for mounting thereon a scintillation detector. The apparatus comprises a circular C-arm which is balanced with a counterweight at one end and a scintillation detector pivotally mounted by means of a yoke at the other end. The C-arm is mounted in a carrier member which in turn is attached to a base. The carrier member is rotatable about an axis passing through its center. In addition, the C-arm rotates circumferentially along a plane defined by the shape of the C-arm and intersecting said axis. The combination of the rotation of the C-arm and the rotation of the carrier member permits the scintillation detector to be quickly and easily manually positioned to any desired location on an imaginary sphere surrounding a portion of patient to be examined.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for decelerating and positively stopping the support apparatus of a rotating scintillation detector subsequent to completion of a full 360.degree. of rotation as needed for a tomographic study. There is provided a laterally deflectable striker member positioned between two shock absorbers. The support structure of the scintillation detector is either manually rotated or is motor driven by a gear which is provided with a laterally extending striker pin configured and arranged to rotate with said gear and deflect the striker member in a lateral direction as the gear is completing its rotation in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Once the striker pin engages the striker, the striker is deflected either to the right or to the left depending on whether the gear is rotating in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In either direction, the striker contacts one of the shock absorbers which serves to decelerate the rotating mass and safely slow it down.

Abstract: A pneumatically buffered drive system is provided which quickly moves a movable member, such as a press safety curtain or press bolster, a predetermined length in three sequential speed stages to prevent maximum acceleration from occurring at the end of the predetermined length. The movable member is coupled to a differential pressure piston which is initially pressurized on only one side of the piston to initiate movement. After traversing approximately half the predetermined length both sides of the piston are pressurized to decelerate the piston during the member movement for approximately the next third of the predetermined length. The remaining length is traversed with the decelerating pressure being vented to positively finish the motion along the predetermined path. In vertical moving members having significant mass such as press safety curtains, a higher pressure is used to decelerate the piston than the pressure used to drive the piston.