PORTABLE HEAD CT SCANNER
A portable CT scanner may include a rotatable frame with separable portions. An x-ray source may be coupled to one portion of the rotatable frame, and an x-ray detector may be coupled to another portion of the rotatable frame. During storage and transportation, one portion of the rotatable frame may be housed in a first enclosure, and another portion of the rotatable frame may be housed in a second enclosure. When operation of the scanner is desired, the two enclosures may be connected, and/or the rotatable frame portions may be connected with the enclosures abutting one another, to allow for rotation of the rotatable frame about an aperture formed by the enclosures.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/219,846, filed Mar. 19, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to x-ray imaging scanners, and more particularly to portable computer tomography (CT) scanners.
CT scanners are commonly used in healthcare applications, generally for diagnostic purposes. CT scanners usually include an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The x-ray source and the x-ray detector are generally positioned on a rotatable frame such that the x-ray source and the x-ray detector are generally on, or centered on, opposite sides of an aperture. In use, a patient is positioned at least partially in the aperture, and rotation of the frame allows for multiple images of the portion of the patient within the aperture. In some instances, the patient may also be moved through the aperture, allowing for what may be termed a helical scan. In any event, image information, for example from measurement at varying angles, from the detector using measurements at varying angles is generally computationally operated on to form cross-sectional two-dimensional images of the patient.
In many instances CT scanners are limited to hospital or clinical settings. Although the diagnostic information provided by CT scanners may be useful outside of such settings, there are difficulties in use of CT scanners elsewhere. CT scanners are often relatively heavy, decreasing mobility of the scanners and some scanners may need to be mounted to solid foundations. CT scanners generally require a sufficiently large aperture to allow for passage of a human body, or significant parts thereof, resulting in a size requirement that may be unsuitable for use in, or transport through, compact spaces and for transport through conventional doors. Electrical power requirements for generating x-rays from an x-ray source are often significant, thereby often requiring access to utility line power sources. CT scanners may also require controlled environments for use or storage, for example with regard to temperature. In short, a variety of factors, for example weight, aperture size requirements, electrical power requirements, and storage and usage environment requirements impede the use of CT scanners outside of hospital and clinical settings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAspects of the invention provide for a portable CT scanner and for various parts useful for a portable CT scanner. One aspect of the invention provides a portable scanning device for use in x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning, comprising: a first enclosure containing a first portion of a rotatable frame, and an x-ray source fixedly coupled to the first portion of the rotatable frame; and a second enclosure containing a second portion of the rotatable frame, the second portion of the rotatable frame not coupled to the first portion of the rotatable frame when the first enclosure and the second enclosure are separated, and an x-ray detector fixedly coupled to the second portion of the rotatable frame.
In some aspects each of the first enclosure and the second enclosure include a wall defining a portion of an annular cavity, with the walls defining an annular cavity when the first enclosure and second enclosure are connected. In some aspects each of the first enclosure and the second enclosure have an arch-like shape. In some aspects the first enclosure and the second enclosure are couplable to form a structure with an aperture therethrough, with the rotatable frame rotatable, within the structure, about the aperture. In some aspects one of the first enclosure and the second enclosure includes a motor for rotating the rotatable frame. In some aspects one of the first enclosure and the second enclosure includes a battery for powering the motor. In some aspects the first portion of the rotatable frame includes a battery for powering the x-ray source and in some aspects, the detector. In some aspects the x-ray source is a tribocharging x-ray source. In some aspects the first portion of the rotatable frame and the second portion of the rotatable frame, when coupled, form an annular shape. In some aspects the first enclosure includes a pair of first enclosure openings normally covered by first enclosure opening covers, with the first portion of the rotatable frame rotatable so as to extend from either of the first enclosure openings. In some aspects the second enclosure includes a pair of second enclosure openings normally covered by second enclosure opening covers, with the second portion of the rotatable frame rotatable so as to extend from either of the second enclosure openings. In some aspects the first enclosure opening covers and the second enclosure opening covers are rotatable with the first portion of the rotatable frame and the second portion of the rotatable frame when the first enclosure and the second enclosure are connected. In some aspects the first enclosure opening covers are rotatable through the second enclosure openings when the first enclosure and the second enclosure are connected, and the second enclosure opening covers are rotatable through the first enclosure openings when the first enclosure and the second enclosure are connected. In some aspects the first enclosure opening covers are coupled to opposing ends of the first portion of the rotatable frame, and the second enclosure opening covers are coupled to opposing ends of the second portion of the rotatable frame. In some aspects the portable scanning device further comprises a first casing to cover the first enclosure and a second casing to cover the second enclosure, wherein the first casing is latchably connectable to the first enclosure and the second casing is latchably connectable to the second enclosure. In some aspects the first casing and the second casing each include a human holdable handle. In some aspects at least one of the first enclosure and the second enclosure includes a base for supporting the first enclosure, and the second enclosure when connected to the first enclosure, on a surface. In some aspects at least one of the first enclosure and the second enclosure has an upper surface abutments on opposing sides of a central portion providing a semi-circular cutout, with the upper surface being on an opposing side of at least one of the first and second enclosure than the base, with the upper surface and the base connected by side walls. In some aspects the first enclosure, the second enclosure, and contents of the first enclosure and the second enclosure, together weigh less than 54.43 kilograms or 120 pounds. In some aspects the rotatable frame is hand-rotatable.
In some aspects the invention provides a portable device for use in computed tomography (CT) scanning, comprising: a first enclosure containing a first portion of a rotatable frame, the first portion of the rotatable frame having a semicircular shape, with first opening covers mounted to ends of the semicircular shape, the first opening covers dimensioned so as to fill openings in the first enclosure through which the first portion of the rotatable frame may extend during rotation; a second enclosure containing a second portion of the rotatable frame, the second portion of the rotatable frame having a semicircular shape, with second opening covers mounted to ends of the semicircular shape, the second opening covers dimensioned so as to fill openings in the second enclosure through which the second portion of the rotatable frame may extend during rotation; a high energy radiation source fixedly coupled to the rotatable frame; and a high energy radiation detector fixedly coupled to the rotatable frame.
In some aspects the invention provides a portable device for use in computed tomography (CT) scanning, comprising: a first enclosure having a first pair of openings; a first portion of a rotatable frame within the first enclosure; a pair of first opening covers, each fixedly coupled to opposing ends of the first portion of the rotatable frame, and each dimensioned to substantially fill at least one of the openings in the first enclosure; a high energy radiation source fixedly coupled to the first portion of the rotatable frame; a second enclosure having a second pair of openings; a second portion of the rotatable frame within the second enclosure; a pair of second opening covers, each fixedly coupled to opposing ends of the second portion of the rotatable frame, and each dimensioned to substantially fill at least one of the openings in the second enclosure; and a high energy radiation detector coupled to the second portion of the rotatable frame.
In some aspects the invention provides a portable head CT scanner that is light enough and small enough to be transported in two or more containers, for example each about the size of large suitcase. In some aspects components are mounted on a rotatable frame that can be split into multiple sections, a plurality of which include components, and stored in the containers for transportation.
These and other aspects of the invention are more fully comprehended upon review of this disclosure.
Tops of the opposing side abutments 211a and 211b each include an enclosure opening cover 217a and 217b, respectively. The enclosure opening covers 217a and 217b conveniently cover openings in walls of the first enclosure 111 through which a portion of a rotatable frame within the first enclosure 111 may project during operation. In some embodiments the enclosure opening covers 217a and 217b cover the openings by being dimensioned so as to substantially fill the openings.
The rotatable frame is substantially annular, with the rotatable frame formed of a first portion 311a and a second portion 311b. The first portion 311a and the second portion 311b may be separated when the CT scanner is not in use, with for example the first portion 311a separately housed in the first enclosure 111 of the CT scanner of
In the embodiment of
As shown in
Rotation of the rotatable frame about the aperture may be driven by one or more drive motors. In the embodiment at
A rotatable frame mounted battery 325 may be used to power the x-ray source 313. The rotatable frame mounted battery 325 may also power the x-ray detector 315, with for example the covers, or one pair of the covers, including electrical contacts to pass electrical power from one portion of the rotatable frame to the other. An electronics battery 323 may also be used to power CT scanner electronics 321, with the electronics battery 323 and the CT scanner electronics 321 mounted within one or the other of the first enclosure 111 and the second enclosure 113. In many embodiments the CT scanner electronics 321 may include control circuitry for controlling operation of the drive motor 317, x-ray source 313, and x-ray detector 315, and circuitry for receiving and/or processing x-ray detector information. In many embodiments the CT scanner electronics 321 includes wireless communication circuitry for communicating with the drive motor 317, x-ray source 313, and/or x-ray detector 315, and/or external devices in communication with the CT scanner, for example external command interfaces and/or image processing circuitry. In some embodiments the CT scanner electronics 321 may, in whole or in part, be instead or in addition be mounted on one or both parts of the rotatable frame.
The rotatable frame is shown in
Also visible in
The enclosure opening covers 217a and 217b include a mechanical coupling feature, shown as item 713 for the enclosure opening cover 217b, to provide for coupling of the enclosure opening covers 227a and 217b with corresponding enclosure opening covers 327a and 327b of the second enclosure 113. The coupling feature 713 may, in some embodiments, include an electrical coupling feature, for example electrical contacts, for passing electrical power between the covers, provided for example by one portion of the rotatable frame and received by the other portion of the rotatable frame.
Although the invention has been discussed with respect to various embodiments, it should be recognized that the invention comprises the novel and non-obvious claims supported by this disclosure.
Claims
1. A portable scanning device for use in computed tomography (CT) scanning, comprising:
- a first enclosure including a first abutment and a second abutment, the first abutment and the second abutment coupled by a first arch, the first abutment including a first opening and the second abutment including a second opening;
- a first portion of a rotatable frame within the first enclosure;
- a high energy radiation source within the first enclosure, the high energy radiation source fixedly coupled to the first portion of the rotatable frame; and
- a second enclosure including a third abutment and a fourth abutment, the third abutment and the fourth abutment coupled by a second arch, the third abutment including a third opening and the fourth abutment including a fourth opening;
- a second portion of the rotatable frame within the second enclosure, and separated from the first portion of the rotatable frame when the first enclosure and the second enclosure are apart; and
- a high energy radiation detector fixedly coupled to the second portion of the rotatable frame.
2.-3. (canceled)
4. The portable scanning device of claim 1, wherein the first enclosure and the second enclosure are couplable to form a structure with an aperture, the aperture defined by the first arch and the second arch.
5. The portable scanning device of claim 1, further comprising a motor for rotating the rotatable frame, the motor within at least one of the first enclosure and the second enclosure.
6. The portable scanning device of claim 5, further comprising a battery, the battery within the one of the first enclosure and the second enclosure containing the motor.
7.-8. (canceled)
9. The portable scanning device of claim 1, wherein the high energy radiation source is an x-ray source.
10. The portable scanning device of claim 9, wherein the x-ray source is a tribocharging x-ray source.
11.-19. (canceled)
20. The portable scanning device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first enclosure and the second enclosure includes a base for supporting the first enclosure, and the second enclosure when connected to the first enclosure, on a surface.
21.-26. (canceled)
27. A portable device for use in computed tomography (CT) scanning, comprising:
- a first enclosure having a first pair of openings;
- a first portion of a rotatable frame within the first enclosure;
- a high energy radiation source fixedly coupled to the first portion of the rotatable frame;
- a second enclosure having a second pair of openings;
- a second portion of the rotatable frame within the second enclosure;
- a pair of first opening covers, each fixedly coupled to opposing ends of the first portion of the rotatable frame, the pair of first opening covers rotatable through the second pair of openings of the second enclosure;
- a pair of second opening covers, each fixedly coupled to opposing ends of the second portion of the rotatable frame, the pair of second opening covers rotatable through the first pair of openings of the first enclosure; and
- a high energy radiation detector coupled to the second portion of the rotatable frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2016
Publication Date: Nov 10, 2016
Inventors: Carl Crawford (Glendale, WI), Dale Fox (Los Angeles, CA), Carlos Camara (Los Angeles, CA), Aldis Rauda (Los Angeles, CA)
Application Number: 15/212,854