Interface for gantry and component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10791999-B2
Application number	US-201615153989-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 13, 2016
Priority date	Feb 4, 2014
Publication date	Oct 6, 2020
Grant date	Oct 6, 2020

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An x-ray tube apparatus, comprising:
an x-ray tube for emitting x-rays comprising a fastener extending from the x-ray tube;
a primary attachment mechanism;
a secondary attachment mechanism; and
a port extension, wherein the port extension:
protrudes outwards from a side of the x-ray tube, wherein the x-ray tube attaches to a support structure of a gantry at the side via the primary attachment mechanism and the secondary attachment mechanism, wherein the secondary attachment mechanism is located in the support structure of the gantry and engages with the fastener extending from the x-ray tube;
frames an opening from the x-ray tube to allow x-rays to emit from the x-ray tube; and
provides shielding around inside edges of the opening to attenuate x-ray transmission through the inside edges of the opening.

2. The x-ray tube apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the port extension further comprises steel material.

3. The x-ray tube apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the x-ray tube attaches to the support structure via the primary attachment mechanism and the secondary attachment mechanism interfacing with corresponding attachment mechanisms of the support structure.

4. The x-ray tube apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:
the support structure comprises a stationary structure, a rotary member, a top cap, or a collimator, wherein the primary attachment mechanism and the secondary attachment mechanism are configured to interface with corresponding attachment mechanisms of the stationary structure, the rotary member, the top cap, or the collimator.

5. The x-ray tube apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
the opening is oval or rectangular.

6. The x-ray tube apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a pin extending outward from the x-ray tube in a same direction as the port extension, wherein a height of the pin is larger than a height of the port extension.

7. A support structure, comprising:
an attachment mechanism to allow imaging components to be attached thereto,
wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a primary attachment mechanism and a secondary attachment mechanism, and
wherein the primary attachment mechanism and the secondary attachment mechanism are different; and
a recess to receive a protruding portion of an attached imaging component, wherein the recess:
comprises an opening for unattenuated transmission of x-ray beams generated by the attached imaging component through the support structure;
provides shielding around an inside of an edge of the opening to attenuate x-ray transmission through the edge of the opening;
wherein the protruding portion is a port extension of the attached imaging component; and
wherein the support structure is a rotary member configured to rotate about a patient.

8. The support structure of claim 7 , further comprising:
a stationary structure, a top cap, or a collimator.

9. The support structure of claim 7 , further comprising:
a base; and
a button that extends outward from the base at a height that is larger than a depth of the recess.

10. A gantry, comprising:
a support structure, comprising: an attachment mechanism to allow imaging components to be attached thereto; and a recess to receive a port extension of an attached imaging component; wherein the recess comprises an opening for unattenuated transmission of x-rays through the support structure from an imaging component and provides shielding around an inside edge of the opening of the recess to attenuate x-ray transmission through the inside edge of the opening of the recess; and
an imaging component attached to the support structure and that emits x-rays; the imaging component comprising the port extension that: (a) protrudes outwards from a side of the imaging component wherefrom 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 an edge of an opening of the port extension to attenuate x-ray transmission through the edge of the opening of the port extension, wherein the port extension does not physically contact the support structure or the recess.

11. The gantry of claim 10 , wherein:
the port extension protrudes into the recess such that the edge of the opening of the port extension provides a primary shielding effect upon scatter x-ray radiation and the inside edge of the opening of the recess provides a secondary shielding effect upon the scatter x-ray radiation.

12. The gantry of claim 10 , wherein:
a depth of the recess is larger than a height of the port extension.

13. The gantry of claim 10 , wherein:
a width of the recess is larger than a width of the port extension; and
a length of the recess is larger than a length of the port extension.

14. The gantry of claim 10 , wherein:
the support structure comprises a stationary structure, a rotary member, a top cap, or a collimator.

15. The gantry of claim 10 , further comprising:
a computed tomography system gantry or a diagnostic x-ray system gantry.

16. The gantry of claim 10 , further comprising:
a detector assembly attached to the support structure for receiving x-rays and transmitting detected image data; and
an image reconstructor for receiving the transmitted detected image data and reconstructing images therefrom.

17. The gantry of claim 10 , wherein:
the attachment mechanism comprises a primary attachment mechanism and a secondary attachment mechanism;
the imaging component can be attached to the support structure by the primary attachment mechanism; and
the imaging component can be attached to the support structure by the secondary attachment mechanism, the secondary attachment mechanism being a T-slot interface.

18. The gantry of claim 10 , wherein:
the opening of the port extension and the opening of the recess are substantially a same shape and size.

19. The gantry of claim 10 , further comprising:
a button that extends outward from the support structure at a height that is larger than a depth of the recess; and
a pin extending outward from the imaging component in a same direction as the port extension, wherein a height of the pin is larger than a height of the port extension;
wherein the height of the button and the height of the pin are substantially the same.

20. A method of interfacing an x-ray tube with a support structure, comprising:
sliding the x-ray tube across a surface of the support structure;
wherein the x-ray tube comprises:
a port extension that protrudes outwards from a side of an imaging component, wherein the imaging component attaches to the support structure at the side; and
a pin extending outward from the imaging component in a same direction as the port extension, wherein a height of the pin is larger than a 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 sliding of the x-ray tube across the surface of the support structure, the pin and the button force separation between the x-ray tube and the support structure such that the port extension does not come into contact with the support structure.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Smith Brandon
• Emaci Edward

Classifications

• A61B6/4411

  the apparatus being modular (A61B6/4283 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B6/40

  Arrangements for generating radiation specially adapted for radiation diagnosis · CPC title

• A61B6/4435 Primary

  the source unit and the detector unit being coupled by a rigid structure · CPC title

• A61B6/4441

  the rigid structure being a C-arm or U-arm · CPC title

• A61B6/4225

  using image intensifiers · CPC title