X-ray CT apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9277895-B2
Application number	US-201314063167-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 25, 2013
Priority date	Nov 7, 2012
Publication date	Mar 8, 2016
Grant date	Mar 8, 2016

Abstract

An X-ray CT apparatus for obtaining an internal image of a test subject by using X-rays. The X-ray CT apparatus has: an X-ray generator; an X-ray detector; a first casing for enclosing the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector; a test-subject table; a first table transporting mechanism for transporting the test-subject table between a first table position and a second table position, the first table position being a position where the main portion of the test-subject table receives X-rays from the X-ray generator, and the second table position being a position where the main portion of the test-subject table is on the outside of the first casing; and a second table transporting mechanism capable of vertically transporting the test-subject table. The first table transporting mechanism and the second table transporting mechanism operate in association with each other.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An X-ray CT apparatus for obtaining an internal image of a test subject by using X-rays;
the X-ray CT apparatus comprising:
X-ray generation means for generating X-rays irradiated on the test subject;
X-ray detection means for detecting X-rays that have passed through the test subject;
rotary drive means for simultaneously rotating the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means about a center line of rotation;
a first casing for enclosing the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means;
a test-subject table on which the test subject is placed;
a first table transporting mechanism for transporting the test-subject table between a first table position and a second table position, the first table position being a position where the main portion of the test-subject table receives the X-rays generated by the X-ray generation means, and the second table position being a position where the main portion of the test-subject table is on the outside of the first casing;
a second table transporting mechanism for transporting the test-subject table closer to or farther from the center line of rotation of the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means;
means whereby the test-subject table on which the test subject is placed is transported from the second table position to the first table position by the first table transporting mechanism; and
means whereby the distance of the test subject from the center line of rotation of the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means is varied by the second table transporting mechanism in accordance with the size of the test subject.

2. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a second casing for enclosing the second table position; and
the second casing having a pair of doors that move open or closed in order to open up or close off a path on which the test-subject table is transported by the first table transporting mechanism.

3. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a window for observing the interior is provided to at least one of the pair of doors.

4. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
laser pointer means for indicating a position by laser light;
a window provided to the first casing or the second casing in order to observe the position indicated by the laser pointer means;
input means for inputting data; wherein
the means for varying the distance of the test subject varies the distance of the test subject from the center line of rotation of the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means by the second table transporting mechanism in accordance with the data input from the input means.

5. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
input means for inputting data;
means whereby the distance of the test subject in relation to the center line of rotation of the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means is determined by X-ray fluoroscopy; wherein
the means for varying the distance of the test subject varies the distance of the test subject from the center line of rotation of the X-ray generation means and the X-ray detection means by the second table transporting mechanism in accordance with the data determined by X-ray fluoroscopy.

6. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a third table transporting mechanism for transporting the test-subject table to a third table position, which is a position even farther from the first casing than the second table position.

7. The X-ray CT apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the test-subject table has a curved cross-sectional shape in which the surface for receiving the test subject is recessed.

Assignees

• Rigaku Denki Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hara Yukihiro
• Akiyama Kiyoshi

Classifications

• A61B6/035

  Mechanical aspects of CT · CPC title

• A61B6/032

  Transmission computed tomography [CT] · CPC title

• A61B6/0407 Primary

  Supports, e.g. tables or beds, for the body or parts of the body · CPC title

• A61B6/508

  for non-human patients · CPC title

• A61B6/4405

  the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley · CPC title