Frederick Douglass Murphy

US Patent:

40669017, Jan 3, 1978

Filed:

Sep 13, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/722930

Inventors:

Edward J. Seppi - Menlo Park CA
Frederick V. Murphy - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

Varian Associates, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61B 602
G01N 2308
H05G 130

US Classification:

250360

Abstract:

An axial tomography system is disclosed which includes an assembly rotatable about an axis extending along a central opening defined therein, and means for positioning the body portion to be examined within the central opening so that the axis of assembly rotation is perpendicular to a plane passing through the bodily structures to be examined. A source of penetrating radiation is mounted on the assembly toward one side thereof and via a first collimating means provides radiation in the form of a fan beam. The first collimating means is mounted proximate to the radiation source, and includes an adjustable slit, which can be opened completely to enable a conventional x-ray exposure. Means are provided for rotating the assembly so that the fan beam impinges upon said body portion at a plurality of incident directions. Detector means for the radiation are positioned on the assembly opposite the source, enabling detection of radiation which traverses laterally and is not absorbed in the thin body section in which the aforementioned plane resides.