Radiation shielding cockpit carrying an articulated robotic arm

1. A radiation shielded cockpit comprising:

a radiation blocking material which creates a semi-enclosed work space;

a structure for receiving and supporting an articulated robot arm; and

an articulated robot arm that engages the supporting structure in a readily removable manner; a mechanism for tracking the horizontal movement of a patient table and moving the robot arm in accordance with that tracking; and robotic catheter drive operatively supported by the articulated robot arm.

2. The shielded cockpit of claim 1 wherein the receiving and supporting structure is located on the exterior of the cockpit.

3. The shielded cockpit of claim 1 wherein the cockpit comprises intersecting walls.

4. The shielded cockpit of claim 3 wherein the walls are essentially vertical.

5. The shielded cockpit of claim 4 wherein there are three walls that intersect at essentially right angles.

6. The shielded cockpit of claim 5 wherein one of the side walls carries the receiving and supporting structure.

7. The shielded cockpit of claim 6 wherein the receiving and supporting structure comprises a bracket attached the side wall.

8. The shielded cockpit of claim 7 wherein the bracket is attached to the side wall by two parallel vertical rails that are directly affixed to the side wall.

9. The shielded cockpit of claim 5 wherein an essentially horizontal worktable is affixed to the three walls.

10. The shielded cockpit of claim 1 wherein the enclosed workspace contains an essentially horizontal worktable.

11. The shielded cockpit of claim 10 wherein when the articulated robot arm engages the supporting structure most of the arm lies above the worktable.

12. A radiation shielded cockpit comprising:

a configuration of radiation blocking materials which creates a semi-enclosed work space;

a structure for receiving and supporting an articulated robot arm; and

an articulated robot arm that engages the supporting structure and has a mechanism for tracking the horizontal movement of a patient table and moving the robot arm in accordance with that tracking; and a

robotic catheter drive operatively supported by the articulated robot arm.

13. The shielded cockpit of claim 12 wherein the robot arm carries a cassette attached to a drive motor mounting base.

14. The shielded cockpit of claim 13 wherein the robot arm is moved in the vertical direction by a controller in accordance with the vertical position of the patient table or a patient on the table.

15. The shielded cockpit of claim 14 wherein the tracking mechanism and the controller act to keep the cassette in a constant position relative to the patient.

16. The shielded cockpit of claim 12 wherein the mechanism for tracking the horizontal movement of the patient table receives a wireless positioning signal.

17. The shielded cockpit of claim 12 wherein the receiving and supporting structure is located on the exterior of the cockpit.

18. The shielded cockpit of claim 12 wherein enclosed workspace contains an essentially horizontal worktable and when the articulated robot arm engages the supporting structure most of the arm lies above the worktable.

19. A process for storing an articulated robot arm comprising:

providing:

the articulated robot arm; a robotic catheter drive operatively supported by the articulated robot arm;

a configuration of radiation blocking materials which creates a semi-enclosed work space; and

a structure that is attached to the configuration of radiation blocking materials and engages the articulated robot arm in a readily removable manner and when so engaged supports the arm; and

causing the structure to engage the robot arm in a readily removable manner.

20. The process of claim 19 wherein the articulated robot arm has a mechanism for tracking the horizontal movement of a patient table and moving the robot arm in accordance with that tracking.