Abstract: A surgical table includes a base, a tabletop, first and second frameworks, a cable, and a cable take-up mechanism. The first and second frameworks are moveable relative to one another to move the tabletop relative to the base in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The cable has a first end, a second end that is opposite the first end, and an intermediate portion. The first and second ends are mounted to the respective first and second frameworks. The cable take-up mechanism includes a constant-force spring coupled to the intermediate portion of the cable to take up slack in the cable as the first and second frameworks move relative to one another to move the tabletop relative to the base.

Abstract: A computed tomography system (100) includes a stationary gantry (104) that houses at least one x-ray source (112) that rotates about an examining region (120) and at least one detector (116) that resides opposite the examining region (120) from the at least one x-ray source (112). The stationary gantry (104) further includes an annular ring (132) disposed about the examination region (120) in a path of the x-ray beam between the at least one x-ray source (112) and the at least one detector (116), wherein the annular ring (132) is substantially opaque to visible light.