Abstract: Among other things, a computed tomography (CT) imaging modality is provided. The imaging modality includes a radiation source that emits radiation. The imaging modality includes a detector array that detects at least a portion of the radiation. The imaging modality includes a rotating structure that rotates about an axis. The rotating structure includes a first support portion having a first shape. The rotating structure includes a second support portion having a second shape different than the first shape. The radiation source and the detector array are mounted to the second support portion.

Abstract: Among other things, a computed tomography (CT) imaging modality is provided. The imaging modality includes a radiation source that emits radiation. The imaging modality includes a detector array that detects at least a portion of the radiation. The imaging modality includes a rotating structure that rotates about an axis. The rotating structure includes a first support portion having a first shape. The rotating structure includes a second support portion having a second shape different than the first shape. The radiation source and the detector array are mounted to the second support portion.

Abstract: Among other things, a computed tomography (CT) imaging modality is provided. The imaging modality includes a radiation source that emits radiation. The imaging modality includes a detector array that detects at least a portion of the radiation. The imaging modality includes a rotating structure that rotates about an axis. The rotating structure includes a first support portion having a first shape. The rotating structure includes a second support portion having a second shape different than the first shape. The radiation source and the detector array are mounted to the second support portion.

Abstract: Among other things, a rotatable drum for a radiology imaging modality is provided herein. The rotatable drum comprises a bore, defined by an inner circumference of a sidewall of the rotatable drum. In one embodiment, the sidewall comprises one or more apertures through which radiation may pass. By way of example, a radiation source and a detector array may be mounted outside of the bore (e.g., on an outside surface of the sidewall) and apertures in the sidewall may permit radiation to pass from the radiation source to the detector array without being attenuated by the sidewall of the drum. In another embodiment, the detector array may be comprised of a plurality of detector modules that may be individually mounted/dismounted from the rotatable drum, and in one example, may provide structural support to the rotatable drum.

Abstract: Among other things, a rotatable drum for a radiology imaging modality is provided herein. The rotatable drum comprises a bore, defined by an inner circumference of a sidewall of the rotatable drum. In one embodiment, the sidewall comprises one or more apertures through which radiation may pass. By way of example, a radiation source and a detector array may be mounted outside of the bore (e.g., on an outside surface of the sidewall) and apertures in the sidewall may permit radiation to pass from the radiation source to the detector array without being attenuated by the sidewall of the drum. In another embodiment, the detector array may be comprised of a plurality of detector modules that may be individually mounted/dismounted from the rotatable drum, and in one example, may provide structural support to the rotatable drum.

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 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 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: 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.

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: 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 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 having two arms, and the annular gantry is positioned between the two arms and has an outer support pivotally mounted to the arms of the stand for tilting of the gantry about a tilt is of the gantry extending between the arms. An inner support is rotatable within and with respect to the outer support about a spin axis of the gantry extending substantially normal to the tilt axis. The inner support is adapted to hold x-ray tomography components for rotation therewith. The frame also includes a tilt guide secured to one of the gantry and the stand at an outermost circumference of the gantry, and a drive mechanism secured to the other of the gantry and the stand for applying a force to the tilt guide so that the gantry tilts about the tilt axis.

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 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 having two arms, and the annular gantry is positioned between the two arms and has an outer support pivotally mounted to the arms of the stand for tilting of the gantry about a tilt axis of the gantry extending between the arms. An inner support is rotatable within and with respect to the outer support about a spin axis of the gantry extending substantially normal to the tilt axis. The inner support is adapted to hold x-ray tomography components for rotation therewith. The frame also includes a tilt guide secured to one of the gantry and the stand at an outermost circumference of the gantry, and a drive mechanism secured to the other of the gantry and the stand for applying a force to the tilt guide so that the gantry tilts about the tilt axis.

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.

Abstract: A light-weight, portable X-ray tomography system having an annular frame supporting therein a concentric apertured dram rotatable in its plane about a rotational axis, and a plurality of components for performing a tomographic scan all mounted on the drum with respect to both sides of the mean plane of the drum so as to be dynamically balanced for rotation with the drum about the rotational axis, and so that the center of the mass moment of inertia, the center of rotation, the center of thermal expansion of the drum and components mounted thereon, and the center of the scanning plane substantially coincident on that rotational axis.