IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,367,273

Granted Patent B2

US 7,367,273 · App. 10/965,831 · Granted May 6, 2008

Diagnostic table

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,367,273
App. No.: 10/965,831
Granted: May 6, 2008
Kind: B2

External Links

USPTO Patent Center↗ Full Patent PDF↗

Abstract

A diagnostic table for a medical imaging apparatus includes a sliding command input device by which a sliding command is configured to be input to produce a sliding movement of a tabletop, a first detector configured to detect sliding movement of the tabletop, a second detector configured to detect input of the sliding command, a stopper coupled to the tabletop and configured to prevent the tabletop from sliding, and a controller coupled to the first and second detectors and the stopper, the controller configured to determine a fault condition when the first detector detects sliding movement of the tabletop inconsistent with the command detected by the second detector and to activate the stopper to prevent the sliding movement of the tabletop upon determining existence of the fault condition.

Claims (55)

1. A diagnostic table for a medical imaging apparatus, the table comprising:

a supporting unit;

a tabletop movably supported by the supporting unit;

a sliding command input device configured to receive a sliding command input, and generate a sliding command instruction corresponding to the sliding command input;

a driving device configured to slidably move the tabletop in response to the sliding command instruction;

a detector configured to detect actual sliding movement of the tabletop;

a controller configured to compare the actual sliding movement of the tabletop with the sliding command instruction, the controller being configured to generate a fault condition instruction when the actual sliding movement of the tabletop is inconsistent with the sliding command instruction; and

a stopper provided on the supporting unit and configured to be activated in response to the fault condition instruction in order to inhibit sliding movement of the tabletop.

2. The diagnosis table according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate the fault condition instruction when actual sliding movement of the tabletop is detected by the detector but no sliding command instruction was generated by the sliding command input device.

3. The diagnosis table according to claim 2 , wherein:

the sliding command input device is configured to receive a sliding direction command input, and generate a sliding direction command instruction corresponding to the sliding direction command input;

the detector is configured to detect a direction of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

the controller is configured to compare the direction of actual sliding movement of the tabletop with the sliding direction command instruction, the controller being configured to generate the fault condition instruction when the direction of actual sliding movement of the tabletop is inconsistent with the sliding direction command instruction.

4. The diagnosis table according to claim 3 , wherein:

the sliding command input device is configured to receive a sliding speed command input, and generate a sliding speed command instruction corresponding to the sliding speed command input;

the detector is configured to detect a speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

the controller is configured to compare the speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop with the sliding speed command instruction, the controller being configured to generate the fault condition instruction when the speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop is inconsistent with the sliding speed command instruction.

5. The diagnosis table according to claim 4 , wherein:

the driving device is a motor;

the detector is configured to detect a speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

the controller is configured to compare the speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop with a maximum speed at which the motor is configured to slide the tabletop, the controller being configured to generate the fault condition instruction when the speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop is greater than the maximum speed at which the motor is configured to slide the tabletop.

6. The diagnosis table according to claim 1 , wherein:

the sliding command input device is configured to receive a sliding direction command input, and generate a sliding direction command instruction corresponding to the sliding direction command input:

the detector is configured to detect a direction of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

7. The diagnosis table according to claim 6 , wherein:

the sliding command input device is configured to receive a sliding speed command input, and generate a sliding speed command instruction corresponding to the sliding speed command input;

the detector is configured to detect a speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

8. The diagnosis table according to claim 7 , wherein:

the driving device is a motor;

the detector is configured to detect a speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

9. The diagnosis table according to claim 1 , wherein:

the sliding command input device is configured to receive a sliding speed command input, and generate a sliding speed command instruction corresponding to the sliding speed command input;

the detector is configured to detect a speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

10. The diagnosis table according to claim 9 , wherein:

the driving device is a motor;

the detector is configured to detect a speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

11. The diagnosis table according to claim 1 , wherein:

the driving device is a motor;

the detector is configured to detect a speed of actual sliding movement of the tabletop; and

12. The table according to claim 1 , wherein the tabletop comprises a plurality of first portions, and the stopper comprises a protrusion configured to be inserted into one of the plurality of first portions.

13. The table according to claim 12 , wherein the tabletop comprises a plurality of through holes as the plurality of first portions.

14. The table according to claim 12 , wherein the tabletop comprises a plurality of indentations as the plurality of first portions.

15. The table according to claim 12 , further comprising:

a roller disposed at an end of the protrusion, the roller configured to be disposed in one of the plurality of first portions.

16. The table according to claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first portions are provided along a portion of the tabletop to be raised.

17. The table according to claim 12 , wherein the protrusion comprises a movable iron core, and the stopper comprises a solenoid configured to move the iron core into and out of the plurality of first portions.

18. The table according to claim 1 , wherein the tabletop comprises a plurality of first protrusions, and the stopper comprises a second protrusion configured to cooperate with one of the first protrusions.

19. The table according to claim 18 , wherein the plurality of first portions are provided along a portion of the tabletop to be raised.

20. The table according to claim 18 , wherein the second protrusion a movable iron core, and the stopper comprises a solenoid configured to move the movable iron core into and out of cooperation with one of the plurality of first protruding portions.

Assignments (2)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2016

From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA

To: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Reel/Frame 038891/0693 →

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 22, 2005

From: SHINODA, KATSUAKI

To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Reel/Frame 016286/0549 →