X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Specific application – Computerized tomography
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2002-04-16
Kim, Robert H. (Department: 2882)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Specific application
Computerized tomography
C378S195000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06373915
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application i s based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 11-084335, filed Mar. 26, 1999, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an exchange jig for a heavy object such as an X-ray tube incorporated in the gantry of a medical image sensing apparatus such as an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (X-ray CT) or magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI), a bed device, and an X-ray computed tomography.
FIG. 1A
is a sectional view showing the gantry of a conventional X-ray computed tomography apparatus. A gantry frame
41
supports a rotating ring
42
. The rotating ring
42
can rotate. An X-ray tube
44
, high-voltage generator
45
, X-ray detector
46
, and the like are mounted on the rotating ring
42
.
The X-ray tube
44
is as heavy as 25 kg for a light tube and 65 kg for a heavy tube. The high-voltage generator
45
and X-ray detector
46
are also heavy. Exchange work of dismounting an old X-ray tube from the rotating ring
42
and mounting a new one is very hard work. To assist this exchange work, the gantries of most conventional X-ray computed tomography apparatuses incorporate exchange jigs (crane mechanisms) for assisting work of exchanging an old X-ray tube or the like with a new one.
A column
50
of an exchange jig
48
is attached almost perpendicularly to, e.g., a holder
49
of the gantry frame
41
. The column
50
is coupled to an almost horizontal arm
51
. A reel
53
hangs from the distal end of the arm
51
. A hook
52
b
is connected to the end of a wire
55
of the reel
53
.
In exchange work, an old X-ray tube
44
is tied with a rope
54
, which is hooked on the hook
52
b
. The X-ray tube
44
is dismounted from the rotating ring
42
, and pulled up by the reel
53
. As shown in
FIG. 1B
, the column
50
is axially rotated to remove the X-ray tube
44
outside the gantry. The X-ray tube
44
is put down on the floor by the reel
53
. The X-ray tube
44
is released from the rope
54
, and loaded on a truck. A new X-ray tube
44
is mounted in a reverse order to the dismounting order.
FIG. 2A
shows another exchange jig
61
. A slide rail
61
a
is almost horizontally attached to a gantry frame
41
. A slide frame
61
b
can slide along the slide rail
61
a
. A hook
63
hangs from the reel
65
of the distal end of the slide frame
61
b.
In exchanging an X-ray tube
44
, a rope
64
which ties an old X-ray tube
44
is hooked on the hook
63
. The slide frame
61
b
is slid and the reel
65
is lowered, to remove the X-ray tube
44
outside the gantry frame
41
. Then, the X-ray tube
44
is loaded on a transport truck. A new X-ray tube
44
is mounted in a reverse order to the dismounting order.
As described above, the gantries of most conventional X-ray computed tomography apparatuses incorporate exchange jigs. This is one of factors that enlarge the gantry.
Since the rotation radius of the arm
51
and the slide length of the exchange jig
61
are short, the X-ray tube cannot be directly loaded from the exchange jig on the truck. The X-ray tube must be temporarily put down on the floor, and then loaded from the floor on the truck. This decreases the workability, and may inhibit exchange work using the exchange jig in a small CT room.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to simplify exchange work of a heavy object such as an X-ray tube.
The present invention provides an exchange jig for assisting work of exchanging a heavy object such as an X-ray tube. This exchange jig has a detachable unit, which enables attaching/detaching the exchange jig to/from the top plate of a bed. In exchange work, the exchange jig is attached to the top plate of the bed. The elevating function and top plate slide function of the bed realize a forklift function together with the support function of the arm unit of the exchange jig. If exchange work is not performed, the exchange jig can be detached from the top plate of the bed. The arm unit is attached to the detachable unit through a rotating unit. The rotating unit freely rotates about an almost vertical axis. This rotation facilitates work of transferring the heavy object between the arm unit and a gantry, and work of transferring the heavy object between the arm unit and a truck.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5555897 (1996-09-01), Lathrop, Jr. et al.
patent: 5592153 (1997-01-01), Welling et al.
patent: 6012456 (2000-01-01), Schuerch
patent: 6031888 (2000-02-01), Ivan et al.
patent: 06014919 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 6-254083 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 8-164133 (1996-06-01), None
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Kiknadze Irakli
Kim Robert H.
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