Weight Compensation of Radiation Detectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016007941-A1
Application number	US-201414327178-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 9, 2014
Priority date	Jul 9, 2014
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus for capturing images is described herein. The apparatus may include a column attached to a gantry. The column may include a movable section and a radiation detector disposed in the movable section. The apparatus may include a weight compensation unit to apply a force on the movable section opposite to a force of gravity associated with at least the movable section and the radiation detector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for capturing images, comprising:
a column attached to a gantry, the column comprising a movable section and a radiation detector disposed in the movable section; and a weight compensation unit to apply a force on the movable section opposite to a force of gravity associated with at least the movable section and the radiation detector.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the weight compensation unit comprises a counter balance weight coupled to the movable section with a cable and pulley, and wherein the movable section is to move towards and away from a potential subject to be positioned towards a center of the gantry.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the weight of the counter balance weight is at least about twice the combined weight of the movable section and the radiation detector.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the column is one of a plurality of columns, and wherein all of the plurality of columns comprise a radiation detector disposed within a movable section of each column, and only a portion of the plurality of movable sections of the columns are connected to a weight compensation unit.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the portion of the plurality of columns without a weight compensation unit are within 45 degrees from a horizontal axis of the gantry.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a braking system to reduce movement of the movable section in the event of a disconnection of the counter balanced weight from the movable section.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a motor to move the movable section; and a torque limiting clutch to reduce movement of the movable section above a predetermined torque applied by the motor to the torque limiting clutch.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , an emergency release mechanism to release a pulley of the weight compensation unit cable to enable manual movement of the movable section without motor assistance.

9 . A camera system, comprising:
a gantry; a column extending from the gantry, the column comprising a movable radiation detector to move towards and away from a potential subject to be positioned towards a center of the gantry; and a counter balanced weight to apply a force on the radiation detector in a direction that is opposite to a gravitational force associated with at least the radiation detector.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the counter balanced weight is coupled to the radiation detector with a cable and pulley.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the weight of the counter balanced weight is at least about twice the weight of the radiation detector.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the column is one of a plurality of columns, and wherein all of the plurality of columns comprise a radiation detector disposed within a movable section of each column, and only a portion of the plurality of movable sections of the columns are connected to a counter balanced weight.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the portion of the plurality of columns without a counter balanced weight are within 45 degrees from a horizontal axis of the gantry.

14 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising a braking system to reduce movement of the radiation detector in the event of a disconnection of the counter balanced weight and the radiation detector.

15 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a motor to move the radiation detector; and a torque limiting clutch to reduce movement of the radiation detector above a predetermined torque applied by the motor to the torque limiting clutch.

16 . The system of claim 9 , an emergency release mechanism to release a pulley of the weight compensation unit cable to enable manual movement of the movable section without motor assistance.

17 . A method of forming a camera system, comprising:
attaching a column to a gantry, the column comprising a movable section and a radiation detector disposed in the movable section; and coupling a weight compensation unit to the movable section, the weight compensation unit to apply a force on the movable section opposite to a force of gravity associated with at least the movable section and the radiation detector.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the weight compensation unit comprises a counter balance weight coupled to the movable section with a cable and pulley, wherein the movable section is to move towards and away from a potential subject to be positioned towards a center of the gantry.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the column is one of a plurality of columns, and wherein all of the plurality of columns comprise a radiation detector disposed within a movable section of each column, and only a portion of the plurality of movable sections of the columns are connected to a weight compensation unit.

20 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
coupling a braking system to the movable section to reduce movement of the movable section in the event of a disconnection of the counter balanced weight from the movable section; coupling a motor to the weight compensation unit, wherein the motor is to move the movable section; attaching a torque limiting clutch to the motor reduce movement of the movable section above a predetermined torque applied to the torque limiting clutch, wherein the torque limiting clutch comprises an emergency release mechanism to release a pulley of the weight compensation unit cable to enable manual movement of the movable section without motor assistance.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Hefetz Yaron

Classifications

• A61B6/447 Primary

  the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to counterpoise or springs · CPC title

• A61B6/037

  Emission tomography · CPC title

• A61B6/105

  Braking or locking devices · CPC title