Dual stage telescoping imaging table
AssigneeGE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
InventorJeffrey Wayne Pattee
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Abstract
A system and method for positioning a medical imaging table in an imaging apparatus is presented. The imaging table includes a fixed plate, a second stage, a first stage and a gearing system. The first stage includes an imaging tabletop. The gearing system includes a pinion gear and gear racks mounted on the first and second stages. The stages of the system are geared together to move simultaneously. The imaging table is able to extend and or retract smoothly because the stages are geared together. Further, because the imaging table extends through a first stage, a second stage, and a fixed plate, the tabletop of the imaging table is more compact with a larger imaging area.
Claims16
A system for positioning an imaging table in an imaging apparatus, said system including:
- a first stage;
- a second stage;
- a fixed plate;
- and
- a pinion gear mounted in said second stage wherein said pinion gear includes a first engaging gear and a second engaging gear;
- said first engaging gear engaging a first stage gear rack to move said first stage relative to said second stage;
- said second engaging gear engaging a second stage gear rack to move said second stage relative to said fixed plate.
A method for positioning an imaging table in an imaging system, said imaging system including a first stage, a second stage, a fixed plate, and a pinion gear mounted in said second stage wherein said pinion gear includes a first engaging gear and a second engaging gear, said method including the steps of:
- said first engaging gear engaging a first stage gear rack to move said first stage relative to said second stage;
- said second engaging gear engaging a second stage gear rack to move said second stage relative to said fixed plate.
A system for positioning an imaging table in an imaging apparatus, said system including:
- three or more stages;
- and
- a pinion gear operating to move said three or more stages relative to each other.
A system for positioning an imaging table in an imaging apparatus, said system including:
- three or more stages;
- and
- a pinion gear operating to move at least three of said three or more stages relative to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.