Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes elongated rigid guide rails having equivalent symmetrical shapes. Carriages attached to the guide rails are configured to move along a length of the guide rails and to support a portion of the imaging apparatus and to facilitate movement thereof along the guide rails. A first type spherical bearing assembly allows a gimbaled connection thereto while allowing substantially no axial movement. A second type spherical bearing assembly allows a gimbaled connection thereto while allowing a limited amount of axial movement. Frame mounts are each attached to one of the first type and second type spherical bearing assemblies to facilitate movement having a one sided tolerance along the guide rails.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes elongated rigid guide rails having equivalent symmetrical shapes. Carriages attached to the guide rails are configured to move along a length of the guide rails and to support a portion of the imaging apparatus and to facilitate movement thereof along the guide rails. A first type spherical bearing assembly allows a gimbaled connection thereto while allowing substantially no axial movement. A second type spherical bearing assembly allows a gimbaled connection thereto while allowing a limited amount of axial movement. Frame mounts are each attached to one of the first type and second type spherical bearing assemblies to facilitate movement having a one sided tolerance along the guide rails.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus revolves a digital radiation detector and a radiation source about an imaging area where a subject is positioned to be imaged. A housing encloses the source and the detector, and includes an open housing gap to allow movement of the subject into the imaging area by moving through the open gap. A housing extension may be deployed to close the housing gap and to enclose the detector as it revolves. Shielding assemblies prevent exterior access into the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus revolves a digital radiation detector and a radiation source about an imaging area where a subject is positioned to be imaged. A housing encloses the source and the detector, and includes an open housing gap to allow movement of the subject into the imaging area by moving through the open gap. A housing extension may be deployed to close the housing gap and to enclose the detector as it revolves. Shielding assemblies prevent exterior access into the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography can include a support structure, a scanner assembly coupled to the support structure for controlled movement in at least x, y and z orientations, the scanner assembly can include a DR detector configured to move along at least a portion of a detector path that extends at least partially around a scan volume with a distance D1 that is sufficiently long to allow the scan volume to be positioned within the detector path; a radiation source configured to move along at least a portion of a source path outside the detector path, the source path having a distance D2 greater than the distance D1, the distance D2 being sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the scan volume for an image capture by the detector; and a first gap in the detector path.

Abstract: An external cavity laser includes a lasing cavity and an optically coupled feedback cavity having differently spaced resonant lasing and feedback mode frequencies. The lasing modes can be collectively or individually matched to selected feedback modes. For example, a current driving the lasing cavity can be adjusted to shift individual lasing modes into alignment with the selected feedback modes.

Abstract: A camera assembly has a mount defining an optical axis. The mount has opposed first and second stops. A rocker pivots between the stops. An over-center mechanism biases the rocker toward the nearer stop. A lens turret has primary and secondary openings. The lens turret rotates with the rocker between a first configuration and a second configuration upon pivoting of the rocker between first and second positions. The rocker is movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis, independent of the lens turret in both configurations.

Abstract: A camera assembly has a mount defining an optical axis. The mount has opposed first and second stops. A rocker pivots between the stops. An over-center mechanism biases the rocker toward the nearer stop. A lens turret has primary and secondary openings. The lens turret rotates with the rocker between a first configuration and a second configuration upon pivoting of the rocker between first and second positions. The rocker is movable in a direction parallel to the optical axis, independent of the lens turret in both configurations.

Abstract: A panel assembly has a slider that is a one-piece plastic casting. The casting has a closure having a margin and a pair of opposed arms joined to the closure. The arms and closure together have a continuous inner surface and a continuous outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces are opposed and define a thickness dimension. The inner and outer surfaces adjoin the margin. The arms are each resiliently bendable about a respective bending axis. The bending axes are each perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: A panel assembly has a slider that is a one-piece plastic casting. The casting has a closure having a margin and a pair of opposed arms joined to the closure. The arms and closure together have a continuous inner surface and a continuous outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces are opposed and define a thickness dimension. The inner and outer surfaces adjoin the margin. The arms are each resiliently bendable about a respective bending axis. The bending axes are each perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces.