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US 2016/0249871 A1Published application
Interface for gantry and component
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsBrandon Smith, Edward Emaci
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support structure and an imaging component are provided in an imaging system. The imaging component comprises a port extension that frames an opening for x-ray emission. The support structure comprises a recess for receiving the port extension, the recess also framing an opening for x-ray transmission. The imaging system may be a computed tomography (CT) imaging system, x-ray diagnostic system, or other imaging system.
Claims21
An x-ray tube apparatus, comprising:
- an x-ray tube for emitting x-rays;
- and
- a port extension, wherein the port extension:
- protrudes outwards from the side of the x-ray tube where the x-ray tube apparatus can attach to a support structure;
- frames an opening from the x-ray tube to allow x-rays to emit from the x-ray tube;
- and
- provides shielding around the inside edges of the frame to attenuate x-ray transmission through the edge of the frame.
4 more elements
A support structure, comprising:
- an attachment mechanism to allow imaging components to be attached thereto;
- a recess to receive a protruding portion of an attached imaging component;
- wherein the recess:
- frames an opening for unattenuated transmission of imaging beans through the support structure;
- and
- provides shielding around the inside edge of the frame to attenuate x-ray transmission through the edge of the frame.
3 more elements
A gantry, comprising:
- a support structure, comprising:
- an attachment mechanism to allow imaging components to be attached thereto;
- and a recess to receive a protruding portion of an attached imaging component;
- wherein the recess frames an opening for unattenuated transmission of imaging beans through the support structure from the imaging component and provides shielding around the inside edge of the frame to attenuate x-ray transmission through the edge of the frame;
- and
- an imaging component attached to the support structure and that emits x-rays;
- the imaging component comprising a port extension that:
- (a) protrudes outwards from the side of the imaging component where the imaging component attaches to the support structure;
- (b) frames an opening from the imaging component to allow unattenuated x-rays to emit from the imaging component towards the support structure;
- and (c) provides shielding around the edge of the frame to attenuate x-ray transmission through the edge of the frame.
7 more elements
A method of interfacing an x-ray tube with a support structure, comprising:
- sliding an x-ray tube across the surface of a support structure;
- wherein the x-ray tube comprises
- a port extension that protrudes outwards from the side of the imaging component where the imaging component attaches to the support structure;
- and
- a pin extending outward from the imaging component in the same direction as the port extension, wherein the height of the pin is larger than the height of the port extension;
- wherein the support structure comprises a button that extends outward from the support structure at a height that is larger than the height of the port extension;
- wherein the height of the button and the height of the pin are substantially the same;
- and
- wherein, during the sliding of the x-ray tube across the surface of the support structure, the pin and button force separation between the x-ray tube and support structure such that the port extension does not come into contact with the support structure.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.