Including Cable Handling Patents (Class 378/194)
  • Publication number: 20090154652
    Abstract: An X-ray irradiating apparatus includes an X-ray tube attached to a front end of a column suspended from a carriage, the carriage being displaceable along a rail parallel to a ceiling. The X-ray irradiating apparatus includes a power supply cable fixed at one end thereof to the carriage, a guide mechanism for guiding the cable along the rail upon displacement of the carriage, and a reaction force mechanism for applying to the carriage a reaction force which withstands a tension induced by slackening of the cable outside the guide mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Xiong Yi
  • Publication number: 20090147924
    Abstract: A medical examination device is provided. At least some of the supply lines used to operate the examination device are routed from above to the examination device, with the supply lines being arranged on a gallows which is mounted rotatably on a rail-guided carriage and being attached to a longitudinal section by at least one Bowden cable arranged on the gallows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Stefan Gross, Franz Schmeisser
  • Patent number: 7448800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ceiling support for a medico-technical radiation source. The inventive support comprises a telescopic element (2) consisting of several tubes (3) which fit in each other and are connected to a compensation weight device of the radiation source connected to the free end (E) of said telescopic element (2) with the aid of a first cable (12). The inventive weight compensation device comprises a cable drum (11) for winding and unwinding said first cable (12), a helical winch (15) associated thereto and connected to a sliding element (8) by means a second cable, said sliding element being displaceable against a pressure spring (6). The radius of said helical winch (15) gradually reduces according to the increasing force of the pressure spring (6) in such a way that the compensation couple of the weight remains identical aside from the respective length of the telescopic element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hans Pausch GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rainer Steger, Michael Brill
  • Publication number: 20080247516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ceiling support system for a movable component (7) of a diagnostic X-ray device (1). The system comprises a horizontally movable carriage (8), a crane (9) attached to the carriage (8), which crane (9) is vertically extensible and contractible by means of telescoping sections (10), and at least one flexible electrical cable (17) for the power supply and/or for the control of the movable component (7). In order to provide such a ceiling support system with improved movability of the X-ray tube and/or the X-ray image detector, the invention suggests that the electrical cable (17) is led from the carriage (8) through the telescoping sections (10) of the crane (9), wherein a cable drum (18) is arranged at the top end of the crane (9) for winding the electrical cable (17) during vertical movement of the component (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Henning Fink, Uwe Meyer-Douque, Horst-Hartwig Schwieker, Janos Csikos, Gyorgy Medgyesi
  • Publication number: 20080069307
    Abstract: An x-ray tool for determining a characteristic of an oilfield fluid. The tool may include a generator portion housing a collimator about a target from which x-rays are emitted. In this manner x-rays may be attenuated right at the target such that a majority of shielding otherwise necessary for safety concerns may be eliminated. Rather, by employing the target within the collimator, shielding of the generator may be limited to a single shielding plate within the generator portion that is positioned parallel to the target at the opposite end of an x-ray tube therebetween. As a result of this configuration, an x-ray tool for analysis of oilfield fluids may be provided that is no more than about 50 lbs. in total weight. Thus, hand-held user friendly embodiments may be safely employed at the oilfield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Rod Shampine, Peter Wraight, Joel L. Groves, Anthony Durkowski, Etienne Vallee
  • Publication number: 20070291903
    Abstract: A shielded high-voltage cable connector assembly configured and arranged to control the unintended emission of x-rays from certain regions of an x-ray tube. The cable connector assembly includes a body comprising a material that is substantially non-transmissive to x-rays. The body is configured accommodate a plurality of conductive elements and position the plurality of conductive elements to interface with corresponding conductive elements of an x-ray device. The cable connector assembly can also include a connector housing filled with a material that is substantially non-transmissive to x-rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Bradley D. Canfield
  • Patent number: 7106829
    Abstract: An x-ray emitting window is formed at a front end face, and a taper surface tilted with respect to the x-ray emitting direction is formed near the emitting window, whereby an object to be inspected can be prevented from abutting against the front end face even if the object is pivoted about an axis intersecting the emitting direction while the object is disposed closer to the x-ray emitting window. As a consequence, while the object is disposed closer to the x-ray emitting position, the orientation of the object can be changed. Therefore, when inspecting the internal structure of the object and the like by irradiating the object with x-rays and detecting the x-rays transmitted through the object, not only a magnified penetration image of the object with a high magnification rate is obtained, but also the internal structure of the object and the like can be verified in detail by changing the orientation of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ochiai, Tutomu Inazuru
  • Patent number: 6814488
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray generator capable of compensating for the volume expansion of an insulating oil without the necessity of labor-intensive maintenance. A tubular body is included to penetrate through a tank that is sealed while accommodating a high-voltage assembly and an X-ray tube assembly and having an insulating oil poured thereinto. The lumen of the tubular body opens onto the ambient space at both ends of the tubular body. The tubular body expands or contracts depending on a difference between the pressure in the lumen and the internal pressure of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Lijo Joseph Thandiackal, Denis Perrillat
  • Patent number: 6542577
    Abstract: A connection device (70) provides electrical connection between a stator motor (50) of an x-ray tube and a stator cord (56). The connection device is connected with the x-ray tube housing (30) by threading a threaded portion (80) into a corresponding threaded aperture (82) in the housing to create a leak-tight seal. The threaded portion is rigidly connected with a connecting portion (100), such as a bayonet socket, which receives a corresponding fitting (102) of the stator cord. An electrical conduction path (125), hermetically sealed in the connecting device, provides electrical connection between the socket and the interior of the housing. The connection device allows the stator cord to be quickly connected or disconnected from the housing yet provides a seal which resists leakage of cooling oil from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Kaczmarek, Mark S. Maska
  • Patent number: 6508586
    Abstract: An IVR-CT apparatus of the present invention includes a bed including a table top movable in its longitudinal direction, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus including an arm movably placed in the vicinity of the bed, an X-ray CT apparatus including a CT gantry movably placed in the vicinity of the bed, a position memory for storing a plurality of position data sets containing position data of the arm and position data of the CT gantry, a control panel including a plurality of positioning switches for selecting an arbitrary one of the plurality of position data sets, and a controller for controlling the movements of the arm and the movements of the CT gantry in accordance with the selected position data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Satoshi Oota
  • Patent number: 6494618
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices for improved radiation attenuation in devices which generate x-ray radiation. A high voltage receptacle is disclosed, the receptacle being adapted to accommodate a high voltage connector to supply power to an x-ray tube and being formed of a mixture of a dielectric material and an x-ray attenuating material, such as an x-ray attenuating metal compound. X-ray radiation impinging upon the high voltage receptacle that would otherwise pass through the unshielded receptacle is absorbed or scattered by the x-ray attenuating material without the need for additional x-ray shielding. Also disclosed is an x-ray housing assembly including an x-ray housing adapted to contain an x-ray tube, and a high voltage receptacle, wherein the high-voltage receptacle and optionally a portion of the x-ray housing is formed of a mixture of a dielectric material and an x-ray attenuating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Moulton
  • Patent number: 6485176
    Abstract: Inspection systems with rho-theata x-ray source motion for inspection of populated printed circuit boards and the like. The inspection systems include a transport system for transporting articles to be inspected into and out of the inspection system. An x-ray source is mounted on a first radial translation system adjacent one side of the article to be inspected for translation along an axis parallel to the article to be inspected. The first translation system is rotatably mounted about an axis perpendicular to the article to be inspected so that the x-ray source may be positioned and moved anywhere within an area by proper coordination of the angle of rotation of the rotary transport system and the translational position of the first translational system. The exemplary embodiment disclosed also includes a second translational system supported on the first translational system for movement of the x-ray source in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary transport system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Photon Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Liang Chen, Jason T. McGaffey, Clifford S. Schuring
  • Patent number: 6327327
    Abstract: A computerized tomography system includes a stationary section (A) and a rotating section electrically linked by at least one interconnecting slip ring (D). On one side the slip ring (D) is configured as a series of electrically conductive segments (20A-20H) separated by non-conductive interruptions (22A-22H). On the other side a like number of transmitters (26A-26H) is in selective electrical contact with the conductive segments (20) depending on a position of the rotating frame. Also included is a de-multiplexer (40) which takes image data from the plurality of receivers (RxA-RxH) and rearranges the image data in a determined sequence. Also shown is an angular encoder (46) for providing angular displacement signals (44) to the de-multiplexer (40) for assistance in reconstructing the data channels (30) in the determined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Picker International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Herold, Theodore A. Resnick
  • Patent number: 5980107
    Abstract: An apparatus has an arrangement for the transmission, via conductors, of electrical energy and/or signals from an apparatus part to electrical devices which are displaceable relative to the apparatus part. The arrangement has a rotatable reel onto which another conductor is wound when one conductor is unwound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jochen Kusch
  • Patent number: 5483957
    Abstract: Medical apparatus includes a stand with an approximately L-shaped arm having a first portion (1) and a second portion (3) which extends approximately perpendicularly to the first portion and a free end of which supports at least one medical apparatus (7, 9). The first portion (1) has a free end which is connected, to, for example a floor (13) of an examination space via, a bearing (17), in such a manner that it can be rotated from a neutral position in opposite directions through an angle of .DELTA. radians in a plane of rotation parallel to the floor. A bundle of cables (21) extends from a space (19) at the side of the floor (13) which is remote from the examination space to parts of the device. The bundle of cables (21) is shaped approximately as a flat ribbon having a largest thickness t equal to the thickness of the thickest cable and a width w equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Jozef T. A. Janssen, Theodorus J. M. Van Genechten
  • Patent number: 5450466
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus includes a C-shaped arm for supporting an X-ray tube at one end thereof and an image receiving unit at the other end, and an arm holder for slidably supporting the C-shaped arm for rotation about a center of an arc thereof. The arm holder has a hollow shaft supported therein to extend substantially parallel to an axis of the center of the arc, and a take-up drum supported on the hollow shaft. A drum drive device is operable in response to rotation of the C-shaped arm to rotate the take-up drum. A plurality of cables are connected to the X-ray tube and the image receiving unit, respectively. The cables are gathered into a bundle adjacent the X-ray tube or the image receiving unit, the bundle being guided by an outer periphery of the C-shaped arm to be wound on the take-up drum. The bundle further extends through the take-up drum and the hollow shaft into and then out of the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Kadowaki, Shojiro Yamaguchi, Hajime Takemoto, Toshiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5438603
    Abstract: A radiographic device for testing the welds of elongate, welded hollow bodies of metal without the use of film includes a liquid-cooled X-ray tube movable axially within the hollow body being tested and an X-ray image converter situated in the region irradiated by the X-ray tube. A high-voltage generator is fastened to a displaceable holder carriage for movement in directions parallel or vertical to the longitudinal axis of the hollow body being tested. At least one high-voltage cable is connected, via guide rollers arranged outside the hollow body being tested. The length of the cable is dimensioned to enable a displacement of the X-ray tube from one end to the other for the longest hollow body to be tested. Concrete shielding need only be slightly longer than the longest hollow body to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Norbert Schonartz
  • Patent number: 5436461
    Abstract: A medical apparatus has a C-arm which carries a radiation transmitter, and which is adjustably held by a mount so as to be movable along the circumference of the C-arm. The mount engages guideways which are provided at a rear side of the C-arm. The C-arm is in the form of a hollow, profiled part having a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The guideways are respectively disposed at the insides of the legs of the U-shaped cross-section. The C-arm has an interior channel therein with a rectangular cross-section, which is adapted for accepting electrical leads or supply lines for the radiation transmitter. The channel is laterally adjacent one leg of the U-shaped cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Edmund Saffer, Helmut Richter, Adelbert Kupfer, Josef Zettl
  • Patent number: 5339350
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a frame (1, 3, 5) which supports at least an X-ray source (7) and an X-ray detector (9) and is attached to a base (13) which is provided with wheels (19, 21) enabling displacement of the apparatus on an approximately horizontal floor surface. In order to prevent cables lying on the floor from colliding with the wheels (19, 21) during displacement, so that the wheels could be blocked, each of the wheels (19, 21) includes a cable deflector which consists of an approximately horizontally arranged collar (25) which is made of a rigid material and which encloses the wheel at a distance of less than 10 mm from the floor surface (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Jacobus A. Thelosen
  • Patent number: 5231653
    Abstract: A transmission link which couples data from a mobile x-ray apparatus to image electronics is provided with a data coupling, and a data plug is allocated to the x-ray apparatus and a data socket is allocated to the image electronics, such that data may be transmitted between the x-ray apparatus and the image electronics. The transmission link can include wireless transmission of image data from a mobile x-ray diagnostic apparatus, with an optical transmitter allocated to the x-ray apparatus and a wireless receiver allocated to the image electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Pfeiler, Gerd Wessels, Lothar Heinz, Peter Hoebel
  • Patent number: 5220588
    Abstract: The power brush block assembly (26) and a communication signal brush block assembly (28) are mounted to a rotating gantry portion (20) of a CT scanner in sliding communication with a stationary slip ring (16). The power communication brush block includes a plurality of like mounting blocks which when interconnected together in alignment define a locator aperture (64') and a shaft aperture (26') in radial alignment. A brush (70) includes a tip (72) and a shaft (76) around which a coil spring (100) is slidably received. The brush and spring assemblies are slidably received through the locator aperture until the brush tip is in sliding communication therewith and the shaft is in sliding communication with the shaft aperture. A retainer (102) prevents the spring from propelling the brush completely through the locator aperture. An electrical lead (104, 104') has a friction connector (106) which is connected to one end (78) of the brush shaft and connected at its other end with an electrical contact (88, 88' ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Picker International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Deucher, Leonard J. Visdos, Anton Z. Zupancic
  • Patent number: 5132999
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes an vacuum tube, which is biased by a high voltage power supply connected to the tube by two shielded cables. The cables collectively have a plurality of conductors which are coupled at one end to the high voltage power supply. The other end of each conductor is coupled to a component of the vacuum tube by a separate inductor. During a voltage breakdown of the vacuum tube, the inductors depress electrical current flow between the anode and the cathode of the tube to reduce the erosion of tube components which results from the discharge. This current is in part due to the energy stored in the cable, which is not depressed by conventional current limiting circuits in the high voltage power supply. Voltage limiting devices connected to the tube prevent ringing in the cables from generating excessively high voltage levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: William F. Wirth
  • Patent number: 5008912
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray tube, which is biased by a high voltage power supply connected to the tube by one or two shielded cables which have a characteristic impedance. The cables are coupled to the X-ray tube by a resistance which is substantially equal to the characteristic impedance when a single cable is used or to twice the characteristic impedance when two cables are used. During a breakdown of the X-ray tube, the resistance depresses electrical current flow between the anode and the cathode of the tube. This current is in part due to the energy stored in the cable, which is not depressed by conventional current limiting circuits in the high voltage power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George A. Farrall, Steven D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4877973
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a cable of an industrial robot having a support casing and a swivel casing axially supported by a swivel shaft bearing includes a cable guide. The guide has an end of an upper arm axially supported on a swivel axis inside the swivel casing, and an end of a lower arm axially supported on the swivel axis inside the support casing. A back column formed between the upper and lower arms guide passes through first and second arcuate cut-out portions provided in the swivel casing and support casing. A cable is passed from the support casing into the swivel casing along the cable guide back column, and moves proportionately to angular movement of the swivel casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutoshi Torii, Hitoshi Mizuno, Kyoji Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 4816617
    Abstract: A cable handling system for routing a group of cables to a rotatable hub having an arm extending therefrom has a sleeve which partitions the group of cables into side-by-side subgroups. The sleeve is flexible and allows the cables to slide and flex within it. Forward and rearward straps attach the sleeve to a forward position on the arm and a fixed rearward position to hold the sleeve longitudinally in place and subject it to longitudinal and transverse tension. A cable rotator holds the cables next to the hub where they enter the hub area and allows them to pivot in the plane of rotation of the hub as the hub is rotated but does not allow longitudinal sliding of the cables. In the arm area, rigid longitudinal partitions maintain the subgrouping of the cables and the cables are enclosed on the top and bottom to longitudinally support the cables against buckling and facilitate sliding among the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Charles J. Valosen
  • Patent number: 4802197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile X-ray examination unit including a C-bend that carries an X-radiator and a radiation receiver at its ends and that is displaceably seated on a carriage which includes a horizontally disposed boom, whereby the C-bend is displaceably seated in a holder along its circumference. The holder is arranged on the boom in height-adjustable fashion, preferably via a scissors rodding. The cables for X-radiator and radiation receiver are conducted out of view within the C-bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Juergens
  • Patent number: 4769832
    Abstract: An isocentric examination stand for radio-logical examinations of a patient comprising a cradle in the form of an arc of a circle which is circularly displaceable, a cradle support, an X-ray source and a radiation detector, the cradle being composed of mechanically assembled elements forming a structure defining the geometry of the cradle. The structure permits the passage of a supply cable of the source and of the detector into the cradle support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Andra E. Louiday
  • Patent number: 4646333
    Abstract: An X-ray CT scanner contains a cable-handling device provided with a ring-shaped housing for receiving a cable member. A plurality of rollers are interposed between a rotatable inner peripheral and a fixed outer peripheral member of the ring-shaped housing. The cable member is wound around the inner peripheral member at least once, then wound about half the periphery of a specified roller, and finally wound around the outside of the group of the rollers in a direction opposite to that in which the cable member is wound within the housing. The end portions of the cable member facing the inner and outer peripheral members of the housing are fixed thereto. Mounted on a rotating frame are an X-ray tube, X-ray detector and high voltage generator. The high voltage generator and X-ray tube are connected together by a short high voltage cable. The inner peripheral member is rotated with the rotating frame. The cable member is wound around the inner peripheral member or unwound therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tadatoki Yoshida, Kouji Natori
  • Patent number: 4397032
    Abstract: A cable guide for X-ray scanners includes a guide roller which rolls between concentric parallel sectors of drums, one end of the cable being fastened to one drum and passing around the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Jan Kuipers
  • Patent number: 4366577
    Abstract: A cable retractor for a computed tomography scanner that is driven with a motor and a belt through two revolutions between clockwise and counterclockwise limits about a horizontal axis. An inner drum is fixed on the scanner for rotation therewith and a stationary outer drum is concentric to the inner drum. Cables are fastened where they enter the outer drum and exit the inner drum on their way to the scanner. A loop is formed in the cable in the circular channel defined by the concentric drums to provide enough cable length for the scanner to make two revolutions. A disk facing the channel is journalled for rotation on the inner drum. Pulleys extend axially from the disk to support the cable loop. The disk is belt driven so its angular motion is a constant fraction of the motion of the scanner whereby the pulleys move at the same rate as the loop to keep it supported as cable is reeled between the drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard T. Brandt