Michael K Duffy

US Patent:

6337894, Jan 8, 2002

Filed:

Jan 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/764797

Inventors:

Andrew P. Tybinkowski - Boxford MA
Lidia Nemirovsky - Salem MA
Michael J. Duffy - Methuen MA

Assignee:

Analogic Corporation - Peabody MA

International Classification:

A61B 603

US Classification:

378 4, 378 15

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides a gantry of a CT scanner. The gantry includes an annular outer support having a radially inwardly facing, continuous circumferencial bearing chamber, an annular drum concentrically positioned within the outer support and having a continuous circumferential bearing lip radially extending into the bearing chamber of the outer support to define two circumferential bearing runs within the bearing chamber, and an annular disk extending radially inwardly from an inner circumferential surface of the drum. The disk is adapted to receive and support computed tomography components. The gantry also includes roller bearings in the bearing runs rotatably supporting the drum within the outer support, such that the drum and the disk are rotatable about a rotation axis of the drum.

US Patent:

6396902, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Jan 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/766373

Inventors:

Andrew P. Tybinkowski - Boxford MA
Michael J. Duffy - Methuen MA
Lidia Nemirovsky - Salem MA
Eric M. Bailey - Hampstead NH

Assignee:

Analogic Corporation - Peabody MA

International Classification:

G21K 104

US Classification:

378150, 378148, 378149

Abstract:

A collimator having slits of varied widths, wherein each slit includes a curved side profile having a common axis of curvature for providing a cross-section of an emitted beam of energy with a substantially uniform width when the common axis of curvature of the slit intersects a focal spot of a source of the beam. The collimator is curved about a rotation axis substantially normal to the common axis of curvature, such that rotating the collimator about the rotation axis will sequentially position the slits to collimate the emitted beam.

US Patent:

6449340, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Jan 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/764798

Inventors:

Andrew P. Tybinkowski - Boxford MA
Lidia Nemirovsky - Salem MA
Michael J. Duffy - Methuen MA
Jack M. Tybinkowski - Middleton MA

Assignee:

Analogic Corporation - Peabody MA

International Classification:

G21K 104

US Classification:

378150, 378152

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides an adjustable collimator for collimating a beam of energy emitted from a focal spot of a beam source. The collimator is particularly intended for collimating an x-ray beam of a computed tomography scanner after the x-ray beam has passed through a patient being scanned. The collimator includes two elongated parallel plates arranged side by side to define a collimating slit between the plates. At least one of the plates is movably relative to the other plate for varying a width of the collimating slit. The collimator also includes a movable cam operatively arranged with respect to the at least one movable plate such that movement of the cam in a first direction causes the width of the collimating slit to increase, while movement of the cam in a second direction causes the width of the collimating slit to decrease.

US Patent:

6452998, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Jan 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/760626

Inventors:

Andrew P. Tybinkowski - Boxford MA
Michael J. Duffy - Methuen MA
Lidia Nemirovsky - Salem MA
Ronald E. Swain - Reading MA

Assignee:

Analogic Corporation - Peabody MA

International Classification:

H05G 160

US Classification:

378 17, 378 15

Abstract:

A frame for an x-ray tomography device allows a gantry of the frame to be tilted with a minimum applied force. The frame includes a stand having two arms, and the annular gantry is positioned between the two arms and has an outer support pivotally mounted to the arms of the stand for tilting of the gantry about a tilt is of the gantry extending between the arms. An inner support is rotatable within and with respect to the outer support about a spin axis of the gantry extending substantially normal to the tilt axis. The inner support is adapted to hold x-ray tomography components for rotation therewith. The frame also includes a tilt guide secured to one of the gantry and the stand at an outermost circumference of the gantry, and a drive mechanism secured to the other of the gantry and the stand for applying a force to the tilt guide so that the gantry tilts about the tilt axis.

US Patent:

6519312, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Jan 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/764635

Inventors:

Andrew P. Tybinkowski - Boxford MA
Ronald E. Swain - Reading MA
Michael J. Duffy - Methuen MA
Lidia Nemirovsky - Salem MA

Assignee:

Analogic Corporation - Peabody MA

International Classification:

A61B 603

US Classification:

378 4, 378 15, 378193

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides a system for mounting an x-ray tube to a gantry disk of a CT scanner. The system is designed to make lifting and handling a heavy and cumbersome x-ray tube easier for a person removing or replacing the x-ray tube in a CT scanner. The system includes a harness adapted to be secured to the x-ray tube, at least two elongated rods secured to the harness, and two elongated tracks adapted to be secured to the gantry disk such that the tracks extend generally parallel with a z-axis of the CT scanner. Each track includes a channel for slidingly receiving one of the rods. The present disclosure also provides a method of mounting an x-ray tube in a gantry of a CT scanner. The method includes securing a harness to the x-ray tube, securing elongated rods to the harness such that the rods extend parallel to an axis of the x-ray tube, attaching elongated guides to ends of the rods, inserting distal ends of the guides into channels of elongated tracks in the gantry of the x-ray scanner, and sliding the guides and the rods into the channels of the tracks. Then the guides are removed from the rods, and stops are secured to ends of the tracks to retain the rods within the channels.

US Patent:

6556657, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Jan 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/761495

Inventors:

Andrew P. Tybinkowski - Boxford MA
Ronald E. Swain - Reading MA
Michael J. Duffy - Methuen MA

Assignee:

Analogic Corporation - Peabody MA

International Classification:

G21K 102

US Classification:

378147, 378149

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing a collimator including providing a plate-like body, coating a predetermined portion of a surface of the body with an x-ray absorbing material, and machining at least one collimating slit through the coating and the plate-like body. According to one exemplary embodiment, the coating is applied through a thermal spray process. According to another exemplary embodiment, wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) is used to machine the collimating slits. A collimator manufactured in accordance with the presently disclosed method produces precise energy beam cross-sections, yet is less expensive to manufacture.

US Patent:

6721388, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

May 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/151270

Inventors:

Andrew P. Tybinkowski - Boxford MA
Michael J. Duffy - Methuen MA
Lidia Nemirovsky - Salem MA
Ronald E. Swain - Reading MA

Assignee:

Analogic Corporation - Peabody MA

International Classification:

H05G 160

US Classification:

378 17, 378 15

Abstract:

A frame for an x-ray tomography device allows a gantry of the frame to be tilted with a minimum applied force. The frame includes a stand including two substantially upright arms, a gantry positioned between and pivotally mounted to the arms of the stand for tilting about a tilt axis extending between the arms, a tilt guide secured to one of the gantry and the stand, and at least two spaced-apart wheels, each wheel operatively engaging the tilt guide such that turning the wheels applies a force to the tilt guide so that the gantry tilts about the tilt axis.

US Patent:

7438471, Oct 21, 2008

Filed:

Jan 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/653705

Inventors:

Andrew P. Tybinkowski - Boxford MA, US
Eric M. Bailey - Hampton NH, US
James P. Flinn - Boston MA, US
Michael J. Duffy - Methuen MA, US

Assignee:

NeuroLogica Corp. - Danvers MA

International Classification:

H05G 1/02
H05G 1/60

US Classification:

378198, 378197, 378 4

Abstract:

A CT imaging system comprising a frame having a center opening and a uni-body construction; a CT imaging unit mounted to the frame and comprising: a rotatable drum assembly rotatably mounted to the frame, concentric with the center opening, wherein at least one bearing is disposed between the rotatable drum assembly and the frame, and further wherein one race of the bearing is formed by a surface of the rotatable drum assembly and the other race of the bearing is formed by a surface of the frame; an X-ray tube mounted on the rotatable drum assembly; and an X-ray detector mounted on the rotatable drum assembly in alignment with the X-ray beam; and a transport mechanism mounted to the frame, the transport mechanism comprising a fine movement mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit precisely, relative to the patient, during scanning.