Self-shielded CT scanner
Inventors
Sukovic, Predrag • Clinthorne, Neal • Rakic, Miodrag • Bertolina, James A. • Stayman, Joseph Webster
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-7905660-B2
Publication Date
2011-03-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A CT scanner includes a pair of shields to protect an operator from x-rays from the CT scanner. The CT scanner has a gantry that provides structural support and housing for the components including an x-ray source and a detector arranged on the gantry to face one another. Lead shields are located on opposing sides of the x-ray source and extend between the x-ray source and the detector. The CT scanner further includes a computer located on an opposing side of the gantry from the x-ray source and the detector. The lead shields rotate with the gantry and prevent the x-ray from reaching the operator while the CT scanner is in operation.
Core Innovation
A compact self-shielded computed tomography (CT) scanner is provided with a rotatable gantry having opposing sides that each define an opening. An x-ray source and an x-ray detector are mounted to the gantry, with the detector opposite the source, and the gantry rotates about an axis of rotation to scan a portion of a body supported by a small table supported in the gantry openings.
Lead shields are disposed on each of the opposing sides of the rotatable gantry and extend from the x-ray source to the x-ray detector. The shields are fixed relative to the gantry and prevent x-rays from passing through, and each shield entirely closes one of the openings, preventing the passage of an object through the openings. The shields are not encased in a housing, and each shield is directly adjacent to an object positioned in the gantry.
An operator faces the patient, and shielding blocks x-rays from reaching an operator while scanning. The scanner includes an onboard computer and a monitor positioned on the side opposite the x-ray components, facing away from the gantry so the operator faces the patient. The self-shielded arrangement provides sufficient operator shielding without requiring the room to be lined with lead, and preferred shield material is leaded glass with alternatives including leaded plexiglass/polymers allowing light.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a rotatable-gantry CT scanner with fixed shields that block x-rays between an x-ray source and an opposing x-ray detector while also addressing gantry openings and operator shielding configuration. Three inventive features are identified across the independent claims.
Fixed, gantry-relative shielding that fully closes gantry openings
A computed tomography scanner with a rotatable gantry having opposing sides that each define an opening, an x-ray source and an x-ray detector mounted to the gantry opposite one another, and a shield disposed on each opposing side extending from the x-ray source to the x-ray detector, where the shields are fixed relative to the gantry and prevent x-rays from passing through, and each shield entirely closes one of the openings preventing the passage of an object through the openings.
Non-encased fixed shielding on opposing gantry sides
A computed tomography scanner with a rotatable gantry having opposing sides that each define an opening, an x-ray source and an x-ray detector mounted to the gantry opposite the x-ray source, and a shield disposed on each opposing side extending from the x-ray source to the x-ray detector, where the shields are fixed relative to the gantry and prevent x-rays from passing through, and the shields are not encased in a housing.
Fixed shields directly adjacent to the object in the gantry
A computed tomography scanner with a rotatable gantry having opposing sides that each define an opening, an x-ray source and an x-ray detector mounted to the gantry opposite the x-ray source, and a shield disposed on each of the opposing sides of the gantry and extending from the x-ray source to the x-ray detector, where the shields are fixed relative to the gantry and prevent x-rays from passing through, and each shield are directly adjacent to an object positioned in the gantry.
Overall claim coverage is directed to self-shielded CT scanners using fixed shields that prevent x-rays from passing through between the x-ray source and x-ray detector mounted on a rotatable gantry. The coverage includes full closure of gantry openings, an alternative where shields are not encased in a housing, and an arrangement where shields are directly adjacent to the object positioned in the gantry, with refinements to external computer/monitor placement and shield material/geometry/structure, including leaded glass and non-flexible, single-piece configurations.
Stated Advantages
Provides sufficient operator shielding without requiring the room to be lined with lead.
Documented Applications
Scanning a portion of a body supported by a small table using a computed tomography scanner.
Imaging of a living creature located in the gantry.
Interested in licensing this patent?