Automatically reconfigurable x-ray positioner
AssigneeGE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
InventorsMichael M. Crain, Daniel I. Kerpelman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Two independently articulated arms supporting an x-ray tube and x-ray detector, respectively, are mounted offset to the patient and controlled to simulate a wide variety of conventional x-ray positioners. The articulated arms provide for at least two axes of independent motion. An axis controller sends movement signals to each axis, and receives position signals from each axis to coordinate movement of the axes of the articulated arms according to a contained program. A network interface communicates with the axis controller for receiving at least a portion of the program over a network.
Claims20
A multi-operating mode x-ray machine comprising:
- an x-ray source producing an x-ray beam directed along a source centerline;
- an x-ray detector detecting x-rays received along a detector centerline;
- a first and second articulated arm, the first articulated arm holding the x-ray source, the second articulated arm holding the x-ray detector, the first and second articulated arms providing for at least two axes of independent motion;
- an axis controller sending movement signals to each axis and receiving position signals from each axis to coordinate movement of the axes of the first and second arms according to a contained program, wherein the program provides a mode of operation, and
- a network interface communicating with the axis controller for receiving at least a portion of the program over a network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.