Collimator control

Abstract

An adjustable collimator includes a pair of knobs configured to adjust the aperture size by manipulating one or both of the knobs. The knobs may be disposed at opposite ends of a first axis. The knobs may be configured to each adjust the same size of the aperture or to each adjust different sizes of the aperture.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to x-ray systems in medical imaging devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to collimator aperture size control as part of a tube head containing an x-ray source and a collimator using a knob attached to the collimator.

[0002] The above discussion is provided for general background information only and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Summary of the invention

[0003] The adjustable collimator includes a pair of knobs configured to adjust the aperture size by manipulating one or both of the knobs. The knobs may be disposed at opposite ends of a first axis. The knobs may be configured to each adjust the same dimension of the aperture or to each adjust different dimensions of the aperture. An advantage that may be realized in the implementation of some disclosed embodiments of the adjustable collimator is easier manual adjustment of the aperture.

[0004] In one embodiment, the collimator includes an adjustable aperture and a pair of knobs configured to adjust the aperture size by manipulating one or both of the knobs. The knobs are each fixably attached to opposite ends of an elongated linear shaft or rod.

[0005] In one embodiment, the collimator includes an adjustable aperture size and a pair of knobs configured to adjust the aperture size by manipulating one or both of the knobs. The knobs are each disposed at opposite ends of a shaft or rod and are configured to each adjust a different dimension of the adjustable aperture.

[0006] The above summarized description is not intended to describe a separate separate embodiment whose elements cannot be interchanged. In fact, many elements described as being relevant to a particular embodiment can be used together with the elements of other described embodiments, and may be interchangeable with the elements of other described embodiments. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention, and the present invention includes all such modifications. The following drawings are neither intended to be drawn into any precise ratio about relative size, angular relationship, relative position or timing relationship, nor are they intended to be drawn into any combinational relationship about the representation, replacement or interchangeability of the desired embodiment.

[0007] This brief description of the present invention is intended only to provide a brief overview of the subject matter disclosed herein according to one or more illustrative embodiments, and is not intended to be used as a guide to interpreting the claims or to define or limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. This brief description is provided to introduce an illustrative selection of concepts further described below in the detailed description in a simplified form. This brief description is not intended to identify the key features or essential features of the subject matter claimed, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the subject matter claimed. The subject matter claimed is not limited to embodiments that address any or all of the shortcomings noted in the background technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In order that the features of the invention can be understood in a manner in which they can be understood, the invention may be described in detail by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be noted that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, as the scope of the invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and emphasis is generally placed on illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. Therefore, for a further understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary collimator;

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of an exemplary collimator of FIG.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of an exemplary collimator of FIG.

[0012] Figure 4 and Figure 5 shows a cross section of an exemplary assembly for providing advantageous control knob functionality;

[0013] Figure 6 is a front view of an exemplary assembly for providing advantageous control knob functionality; and

[0014] Figure 7 An example mobile x-ray cart with a tube head utilizing an example collimator having example components described herein is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application serial number 62 / 769,011, filed on November 19, 2018 in the name of Spaeth et al., and entitled “COLLIMATOR KNOBS AND POLYMER MAGNETIC BRAKE,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0016] Figure 1 The front side F of a collimator 100 is shown, which can be attached to an x-ray source (not shown) for collimating an x-ray beam generated by the x-ray source. The collimator 100 includes an aperture that can be adjusted in two dimensions using a pair of control knobs 101, 102 on the collimator 100. Typically, as Figure 1 As seen in , an x-ray source may be attached to or near the top side T of the collimator 100 that emits an x-ray beam that is aimed downward through the bottom side B of the collimator 100 toward an object to be imaged radiographically. As the x-ray beam exits the collimator 100 on the bottom side B of the collimator 100, an aperture within the collimator 100 shapes the x-ray beam into a desired x-ray beam having an adjustable width and length scale. In one embodiment described herein, the collimator knobs 101, 102 may each be fixably attached to the shaft 110 such that, due to the fixed attachment of the knobs 101, 102 to the shaft 110, manually rotating one of the knobs 101, 102 causes the shaft 110 to rotate and causes the other knob 101, 102 to rotate.

[0017] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the collimator 100, which further illustrates the second pair of control knobs 103, 104 (in Figure 1 102, respectively) and a centrally located collimator aperture 122. Each of the control knobs 103, 104 is fixably attached to the second shaft 111. A pair of control knobs (say 101, 102) can be used to control one dimension of the collimator aperture 122 (its length scale or width scale a, b), and another pair of control knobs (say 103, 104) can be used to control the other of the length scale and width scale a, b of the collimator aperture 122. In one embodiment described herein, the collimator knobs 103, 104 can each be fixably attached to the shaft 111, so that due to the fixed attachment of the knobs 103, 104 to the shaft 111, manually rotating one of the knobs 103, 104 causes the shaft 111 to rotate and causes the other knob to rotate.

[0018] In one embodiment, a pair of control knobs attached to a common axis can be configured to simultaneously move a pair of collimator blades 110, 111 when either of the pair of control knobs is rotated. Manual rotation in one direction of either of the pair of control knobs can cause the collimator blades 110, 111 to move toward each other, thereby reducing the dimension b of the collimator aperture 122. Manual rotation in the opposite direction of either of the pair of control knobs can cause the collimator blades 110, 111 to move away from each other, thereby increasing the dimension b of the collimator aperture 122. Similarly, another pair of control knobs attached to a common axis can be configured to simultaneously move another pair of collimator blades 120, 121 when either of the pair of control knobs is rotated. Manual rotation in one direction of either of the pair of control knobs can cause the collimator blades 120, 121 to move toward each other, thereby reducing the dimension a of the collimator aperture 122. Manual rotation in the relative direction of either control knob in the pair can cause the collimator blades 120, 121 to move away from each other, thereby increasing the dimension a of the collimator aperture 122. In a typical example operation, a user can simultaneously grasp the knobs 101 and 103 (using one hand for each knob) to rotate the two knobs 101, 103 to be able to manually adjust the dimensions a and b, or both the length and width of the collimator aperture 122 at the same time. Similarly, a user can simultaneously grasp the knobs 102 and 104 (using one hand for each knob) to rotate the two knobs 102, 104 to be able to manually adjust the dimensions a and b, or both the length and width of the collimator aperture 122 at the same time. Similarly, as described, a user can also simultaneously grasp the knobs 101 and 104, or 102 and 103 (using one hand for each knob) to rotate the two knobs and adjust both dimensions of the collimator aperture 122 at the same time.

[0019] Figure 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a collimator 300 illustrating the control knobs 101-104 and the shafts 110, 111. Figure 3 In the embodiment of Figure 1-2 As described, control knob 101 may be fixedly attached to shaft 110, and control knob 103 may be fixedly attached to shaft 111. Figure 3 In an embodiment, control knob 102 is rotatably attached to shaft 110, and control knob 104 is rotatably attached to shaft 111, whereby rotating control knob 102 does not cause shaft 110 to rotate, and rotating control knob 104 does not cause shaft 111 to rotate. Instead, via ( Figure 4-6) is provided in the assembly 330 of the collimator 300, rotating the control knob 102 causes the axis 111 and the control knob 103 to rotate and is configured to adjust one dimension of the collimator aperture 122, while rotating the control knob 104 causes the axis 110 and the control knob 101 to rotate and is configured to adjust another dimension of the collimator aperture 122. Similarly, rotating the control knob 103 causes the axis 111 and the control knob 102 to rotate and adjust one dimension of the collimator aperture 122, and rotating the control knob 101 causes the axis 110 and the control knob 104 to rotate and adjust another dimension of the collimator aperture 122. As described above in this document, in Figure 3 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , each pair of control knobs 101 & 104 and 102 & 103 rotates together to cause adjustment of the collimator aperture 122 by moving a corresponding pair of collimator blades 110 , 111 and 120 , 121 .

[0020] exist Figure 3 In a typical example operation of an embodiment of the collimator 300, a user may simultaneously grasp the knobs 101 and 102 (using one hand for each knob) each positioned near the front side F of the collimator 300 to rotate the two knobs 101, 102 to be able to manually and simultaneously adjust the dimensions a and b, or both the length and width, of the collimator aperture 122. Similarly, a user may simultaneously grasp the pair of knobs 102 and 104, or 101 and 103 (using one hand for each knob) to rotate the two knobs to be able to manually and simultaneously adjust the dimensions a and b, or both the length and width, of the collimator aperture 122. Thus, the user is able to adjust the two dimensions of the collimator aperture 122 using the knobs on either side (left / right) of the collimator 300 or the knobs close to the front F of the collimator 300. The axes 110, 111 are Figure 1-3 The shafts 110, 111 may include varying radial dimensions along their lengths and may include other features formed therein or attached thereto, such as gears (e.g., Figure 5 )wait.

[0021] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly 330 along a plane passing through the axes 110, 111, which illustrates a portion of the assembly 330 that is configured to allow for the above reference Figure 3 The operation of the collimator 300 described in the embodiment of the present invention. The knobs 102 and 104 are rotatably attached to the shafts 110, 111, respectively, and when rotated, the knobs 102 and 104 do not cause the corresponding rotatably attached shafts to rotate. Instead, the control knob 102 uses the connector 160 (which is fixedly attached to the control knob 102) and the extension 161 ( Figure 6) is fixably attached to a first rigid linear extension 151A, thereby causing the rigid linear extension 151A to rotate about the axis 110 when the control knob 102 is rotated. The rigid linear extension 151A is attached to a rigid rod or bar 152 using a pivot connection 153a. The rigid rod 152 is attached to a second linear rigid extension 151B using another pivot connection 153b. The linear rigid extension 151B is fixably attached to the axis 111. Therefore, when the control knob 102 is manually rotated, the axis 110 is not caused to rotate thereby, but rather the axis 111 is caused to rotate via the assembly 330 including the rigid linear extensions 151A-151B, the rigid rod 152 and the two pivot connections 153a, b. The knob 103 ( Figure 4 102 and 103. The assembly 330 (not shown) is fixedly attached to the opposite end of the shaft 111 and rotates with the shaft 111. Similarly, when the knob 103 is rotated, the assembly 330 causes the knob 102 to rotate. As described herein, this rotation of the control knobs 102, 103 is configured to adjust a dimension of the collimator aperture 122.

[0022] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 330, which is configured to allow the above reference Figure 3 The operation of the collimator 300 described in the embodiment of the present invention. The control knob 104 is capable of being fixedly attached to a rigid linear extension 154B, thereby causing the rigid linear extension 154B to rotate about the axis 111 when the control knob 104 is rotated. The rigid linear extension 154B is attached to a rigid rod or bar 155 using a pivot connection 156b. The rigid rod 155 is attached to a linear rigid extension 154A using another pivot connection 156a. The linear rigid extension 154A is capable of being fixedly attached to the axis 110. Therefore, when the control knob 104 is manually rotated, the axis 111 is not caused to rotate thereby, but rather the axis 110 is caused to rotate via the assembly 330 including the rigid linear extensions 154A-154B, the rigid rod 155 and the two pivot connections 156a, b. The knob 101 ( Figure 5 110) is fixedly attached to the opposite end of the shaft 110 and rotates with the shaft 110. Similarly, when the knob 101 is rotated, the assembly 330 causes the knob 104 to rotate. As described herein, this rotation of the control knobs 101, 104 is configured to adjust another dimension of the collimator hole 122. The sliding bushing 170 can be used to rotatably attach each control knob 102, 104 to the shaft 110, 111, respectively, to eliminate or minimize friction therebetween. Other mechanisms can be used to assemble the assembly 330 to operate in a similar manner. For example, a drive belt + pulley, a linkage or a gear can be used.

[0023] Figure 6 Another view of a portion of assembly 330 from the front side of collimator 300 is shown, which in view of the above description Figure 4-5 The description of can be referred to for clarity. Figure 6 104 is just behind knob 102 in the view of FIG. 104. Rigid linear extension 151A is fixedly attached to knob 102 but not to shaft 110. Rigid linear extension 151A is free to rotate about shaft 110. Rigid linear extension 154A is fixedly attached to shaft 110 using set screw 601 but not to knob 102. Supplementary couplings are similarly used to attach similar components to knob 104 as described herein.

[0024] Figure 7 An exemplary mobile x-ray system 700 is shown having a base 701, an adjustable control arm 702 rotatably attached to the base 701, the control arm supporting a tube head 703 including an x-ray source 704 and a collimator 705, which may include an embodiment of the collimator 100 or the collimator 300 described herein. The collimators 100, 300 may also be used with non-mobile in-room x-ray systems.

[0025] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any introduced method. The scope of the invention that can be patented is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A collimator, comprising: Adjustable hole size; and a first pair of knobs configured to adjust the aperture size by manipulating one or both of the first pair of knobs; wherein the first pair of knobs are each attached to an opposite end of a first shaft, wherein a first knob of the first pair of knobs is fixably attached to a first end of the first shaft, and wherein a second knob of the first pair of knobs is rotatably attached to a second end of the first shaft; and Wherein each of the first pair of knobs is configured to adjust a different dimension of the adjustable aperture.

2. The collimator of claim 1, wherein the different dimensions of the adjustable aperture comprise orthogonal length and width dimensions.

3. The collimator of claim 2, further comprising two pairs of collimator blades, wherein each of the first pair of knobs is configured to move a different pair of the collimator blades.

4. The collimator of claim 3 , wherein the collimator comprises a front side portion having two non-adjacent opposing edges, and two side walls each adjacent to one of the two opposing edges, and wherein the opposing ends of the first axis each terminate adjacent to a different one of the side walls.

5. The collimator of claim 3 , further comprising a second pair of knobs configured to adjust the aperture size by manipulating one or both of the second pair of knobs, wherein the second pair of knobs are each attached to opposite ends of a second shaft, and wherein each of the second pair of knobs is configured to adjust a different dimension of the adjustable aperture.

6. The collimator of claim 5, wherein the first terminal end of the first axis and the first terminal end of the second axis both terminate proximate a common first side of the collimator.

7. The collimator of claim 6, wherein the second terminal end of the first axis and the second terminal end of the second axis both terminate proximate a common second side of the collimator different from the first side of the collimator.

8. The collimator of claim 5, wherein a third knob of the second pair of knobs is fixably attached to the first end of the second shaft, and wherein a fourth knob of the second pair of knobs is rotatably attached to the second end of the second shaft.

9. The collimator of claim 8, wherein the collimator further comprises a component, wherein: Rotation of the second knob causes the second shaft and the third knob to rotate via the assembly to adjust one dimension of the adjustable hole, while rotation of the fourth knob causes the first shaft and the first knob to rotate via the assembly to adjust another dimension of the adjustable hole.

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