Automated detector balance
AssigneePicker International, Inc.
InventorJeffrey S. Ray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gamma camera and a counterweight are mounted to a support structure. A motor causes the support structure to move about a pivot axis. A controller measures the rate of motion of the support structure and compares that rate to a predetermined rate. The controller causes a second motor to move the counterweight a distance based on the difference between the measured and predetermined rates. The process is repeated until the difference is less than a threshold value. In a second embodiment, the current drawn by the motor is measured. The controller causes the counterweight to move a distance based on the measured current. The support structure is rotated about an axis of rotation to a 90 degree position prior to moving the support structure and to a 0 degree position prior to moving the counterweight.
Claims25
An apparatus for balancing the weight of a gamma camera, the apparatus comprising:
- a support structure comprising a detector and a counterweight and having a center of mass;
- means for moving the support structure;
- means for measuring the velocity of the support structure;
- and
- means for adjusting the center of mass of the support structure based on the measured velocity.
An apparatus for balancing the weight of a gamma camera, the apparatus comprising:
- a support structure comprising a detector and a counterweight and having a center of mass;
- motor means for moving the support structure;
- means for determining the torque supplied by the motor means required to move the support structure;
- and
- means for adjusting the center of mass of the support structure based on the determined torque.
An apparatus for balancing the weight of a gamma camera, the apparatus comprising:
- a support structure comprising a detector and a counterweight and having a center of mass;
- means for moving the support structure;
- means for determining the force required to move the support structure;
- and
- means for adjusting the center of mass of the support structure based on the determined force.
In a gamma camera, a method of balancing a support structure comprising a detector, the support structure having a center of mass, the method comprising the steps of:
- causing a means for moving the support structure to move the support structure;
- measuring the velocity of the support structure;
- and
- adjusting the center of mass based on the measured velocity.
In a gamma camera, a method of balancing a support structure comprising a detector, the support structure having a center of mass, the method comprising the steps of:
- causing a motor to move the support structure;
- measuring the current drawn by the motor;
- and
- adjusting the center of mass based on the current drawn by the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.