IP Library Granted Patent US 7,889,837
Granted Patent B2
US 7,889,837 · App. 12/433,151 · Granted Feb 15, 2011

X-ray computed tomographic apparatus

Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,889,837
App. No.
12/433,151
Granted
Feb 15, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A rotor is rotatably supported in a gantry housing having a substantially sealed structure. An X-ray tube is provided in the rotor. A cooler is provided in the rotor and cools a refrigerant within the X-ray tube. An X-ray detector is provided in the rotor. A reconstruction unit reconstructs an image on the basis of an output of the X-ray detector. A radiator is fixed inside the gantry housing at a position opposite to an exhaust opening of the cooler when the rotor is stationary.

Claims (26)

1. An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus comprising:

a rotor rotatably supported in a gantry housing having a substantially sealed structure;

an X-ray tube provided in the rotor;

a refrigerant and a cooler which are provided in the rotor and which cool the X-ray tube;

an X-ray detector which is provided in the rotor and which detects X-rays transmitted through a subject;

a reconstruction unit which reconstructs an image on the basis of an output of the X-ray detector; and

a radiator which is fixed inside the gantry housing at a position opposite to an exhaust opening of the cooler when the rotor is stationary.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an air passage is formed inside the gantry housing to bring cool air generated by a heat exchange in the radiator to the vicinity of the X-ray detector when the rotor is stationary.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the air passage is a duct.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an inner wall of the gantry housing is used as part of the air passage.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an assist fan is provided inside the gantry housing to send cool air generated by a heat exchange in the radiator to the vicinity of the X-ray detector when the rotor is stationary.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a fan is disposed in the vicinity of the radiator to compulsorily circulate air through the radiator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a sub-radiator which is fixed inside the gantry housing in the vicinity of the X-ray detector when the rotor is stationary.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a fan to compulsorily pass air to the sub-radiator.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sub-radiator is disposed on a side cover of the gantry housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sub-radiator is disposed on a front cover of the gantry housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of radiators are provided, the plurality of radiators being arranged so that the directions of air flows therein are different from each other.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of radiators are provided, the plurality of radiators being arranged so that air flow passages therein are substantially connected to each other.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a side cover of the gantry housing is provided with a guide structure which guides the flow of cool air discharged from the radiator.

14. An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus comprising:

a rotor rotatably supported in a gantry housing having a substantially sealed structure;

an X-ray tube provided in the rotor;

a cooler which is provided in the rotor and which cools a refrigerant within the X-ray tube;

an X-ray detector which is provided in the rotor and which detects X-rays transmitted through a subject;

a reconstruction unit which reconstructs an image on the basis of an output of the X-ray detector; and

a radiator which is fixed inside the gantry housing at a position where this radiator is connected to an exhaust opening of the cooler via a duct when the rotor is stationary.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2016
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
To: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038595/0569 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2011
From: TAKAMATSU, TOMONAO; HATTORI, HITOSHI; IWASAKI, HIDEO; FUKUSHIMA, HARUNOBU; HOSAKA, RIKA; JIMBO, TOMOHIKO; SADOTOMO, TETSUYA; HARADA, TOMOKAZU; OTA, SATOSHI; NAKANO, MAKOTO; SHINDO, YASUTAKA; GOTANDA, KATSUMI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025763/0220 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 15, 2009
From: TAKAMATSU, TOMONAO; HATTORI, HITOSHI; IWASAKI, HIDEO; FUKUSHIMA, HARUNOBU; HOSAKA, RIKA; JIMBO, TOMOHIKO; SADOTOMO, TETSUYA; HARADA, TOMOKAZU; OTA, SATOSHI; NAKANO, MAKOTO; SHINDO, YASUTAKA; GOTANDA, KATSUMI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Reel/Frame 022986/0419 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-123935 · May 9, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090279660A1 · Nov 12, 2009