An x-ray scanning imaging apparatus with a rotatably fixed generally O-shaped gantry ring, which is connected on one end of the ring to support structure, such as a mobile cart, ceiling, floor, wall, or patient table, in a cantilevered fashion. The circular gantry housing remains rotatably fixed and carries an x-ray image-scanning device that can be rotated inside the gantry around the object being imaged either continuously or in a step-wise fashion. The ring can be connected rigidly to the support, or can be connected to the support via a ring positioning unit that is able to translate or tilt the gantry relative to the support on one or more axes. Multiple other embodiments exist in which the gantry housing is connected on one end only to the floor, wall, or ceiling. The x-ray device is particularly useful for two-dimensional multi-planar x-ray imaging and/or three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging applications
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/388,063, filed Jun. 11, 2002, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A C-arm system is disclosed herein. The C-arm system includes a support assembly, and a C-extension connected to the support assembly. The C-extension is selectively rotatable relative to the support assembly in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The C-arm system also includes a C-gantry connected to the C-extension. The C-gantry is adapted to retain an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The C-gantry is selectively rotatable relative to the C-extension in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The C-extension is operable to extend the range of C-gantry rotation in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions. A corresponding method for operating a C-arm system is also provided.
A robotically controlled five degree-of-freedom x-ray gantry positioning apparatus, which is connected to a mobile cart, ceiling, floor, wall, or patient table, is being disclosed. The positioning system can be attached to a cantilevered o-shaped or c-shaped gantry. The positioning system can precisely translate the attached gantry in the three orthogonal axes X-Y-Z and orient the gantry about the X-axis and Y-axis while keeping the center of the gantry fixed, (see FIG. 1). The positioning apparatus provides both iso-centric and non iso-centric "Tilt" and "Wag" rotations of the gantry around the X-axis and Y-axis respectively. The iso-centric "Wag" rotation is a multi-axis combination of two translations and one rotation. Additionally, a field of view larger than that provided by the detector is provided in pure AP (anterior/posterior) and lateral detector positions through additional combinations of multi-axis coordinated motion. Each axis can be manually controlled or motorized with position feedback to allow storage of gantry transformations. Motorized axes enable the gantry to quickly and accurately return to preset gantry positions and orientations.A system and method for enlarging the field of view of the object being imaged combines a rotation of the x-ray source and detector with a multi-axis translation of the gantry.
A robotically controlled five degree-of-freedom x-ray gantry positioning apparatus, which is connected to a mobile cart, ceiling, floor, wall, or patient table, is being disclosed. The positioning system can be attached to a cantilevered o-shaped or c-shaped gantry. The positioning system can precisely translate the attached gantry in the three orthogonal axes X-Y-Z and orient the gantry about the X-axis and Y-axis while keeping the center of the gantry fixed, (see FIG. 1). The positioning apparatus provides both iso-centric and non iso-centric "Tilt" and "Wag" rotations of the gantry around the X-axis and Y-axis respectively. The iso-centric "Wag" rotation is a multi-axis combination of two translations and one rotation. Additionally, a field of view larger than that provided by the detector is provided in pure AP (anterior/posterior) and lateral detector positions through additional combinations of multi-axis coordinated motion. Each axis can be manually controlled or motorized with position feedback to allow storage of gantry transformations. Motorized axes enable the gantry to quickly and accurately return to preset gantry positions and orientations. A system and method for enlarging the field of view of the object being imaged combines a rotation of the x-ray source and detector with a multi-axis translation of the gantry.
