CT scanner cooling duct

Claim 2

A CT scanner comprising: a means for describing an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a plurality of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a panel defining a wall for shielding the source means and radiation detectors from exposure to surrounding elements; and, a cooling duct peripherally disposed about the examination region and at leas&: partially defined by the panel.

Claim 3

The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein the panel is detachably received on the CT scanner.

Claim 4

The CT scanner of claim 2 wherein the panel includes an upper portion and a lower portion, each panel portion separately removable from a closed position on the CT scanner to an open position away from the scanner, and together defining a single outer surface plane when in closed position, each panel portion further defining on an inner surface a segment of the cooling duct.

Claim 5

The CT scanner of claim 3 wherein the panel upper and lower portion cooling duct segments sealingly abut when the upper and lower panel portions are in closed position.

Claim 6

The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein circular concentric flanges project from the cooling duct, generally inwardly into the scanner and generally away from the panel.

Claim 7

The CT scanner of claim 5 wherein the concentric flanges define a nozzle directed away from the panel and inward toward the radiation detectors.

Claim 8

The CT scanner of claim 6 wherein the cooling duct includes at least one air inlet means.

Claim 9

The CT scanner of claim 7 wherein a pressure means associated with the air inlet means forces ambient air to flow within the cooling duct at an elevated pressure, the pressurized air in the duct further forced out through the nozzle and over the detectors for regulating the temperature of the detectors.

Claim 10

The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein at least one-half of the cooling duct is disposed on the removable panel.

Claim 11

The CT scanner of claim 9 wherein the cooling duct is completely disposed on the removable panel.

Claim 12

The CT scanner of claim 1 wherein the cooling duct provides a substantially unobstructed passageway for ambient air to circulate around the examination region and across the radiation detectors for cooling the detectors during scanner operation.

Claim 13

A radiographic apparatus comprising: a means for describing an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a ring of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a cooling duct for conveying air to a nozzle disposed peripherally about the examination region contiguous to the ring of detectors, said cooling duct at least partially defined by a removable door panel.

Claim 14

A radiographic apparatus comprising: a means for describing an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a ring of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a cooling duct for conveying air to a nozzle disposed peripherally about the examination region contiguous to the ring of detectors, said cooling duct at least partially defined by a removable door panel.

Claim 15

The radiographic apparatus of claim 12 wherein the cooling duct includes a plurality of walls which define a cavity that extends around the examination region.

Claim 16

A radiographic apparatus comprising: a means for defining an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a ring of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; an image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a cooling duct for conveying air to a nozzle disposed peripherally about the examination region contiguous to the ring of detectors, the cooling duct including a plurality of walls which define a cavity that extends around the examination region; and, a nozzle defined by circular concentric flanges which project from the cooling duct generally inward toward the radiation detectors.

Claim 17

A radiographic apparatus comprising: a means for defining an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a ring of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; an image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a cooling duct for conveying air to a nozzle disposed peripherally about the examination region contiguous to the ring of detectors, the cooling duct including a plurality of walls which define a cavity that extends around the examination region; and, a nozzle defined by circular concentric flanges which project from the cooling duct generally inward toward the radiation detectors.

Claim 18

The radiographic apparatus of claim 14 wherein the nozzle directs air parallel to a face of the radiation detectors.

Claim 19

The radiographic apparatus of claim 15 wherein the cooling duct includes at least one air inlet means.

Claim 20

The radiographic apparatus of claim 16 wherein a pressure means associated with the air inlet means forces ambient air to flow within the cooling duct at an elevated pressure, the pressurized air in the duct further forced out through the nozzle and over the detectors for regulating the temperature of the detectors during CT scanner operation.

Claim 21

A radiographic apparatus comprising: a means for defining an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a ring of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; an image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a cooling duct for conveying air to a nozzle disposed peripherally about the examination region contiguous to the ring of detectors, the cooling duct being mounted on a removable door panel.

Claim 22

A radiographic apparatus comprising: a means for defining an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a ring of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; an image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a cooling duct for conveying air to a nozzle disposed peripherally about the examination region contiguous to the ring of detectors, the cooling duct being mounted on a removable door panel.

Claim 23

A CT scanner comprising: a means for defining an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a plurality of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; an image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a panel defining a wall for shielding the source means and radiation detectors from exposure to surrounding elements; and, a cooling duct for conveying air to a generally circular outlet peripherally disposed about the examination region, the outlet defined by circular concentric flanges which project inward from the cooling duct to direct air over the radiation detectors for regulating the temperature of the detectors during CT scanner operation.

Claim 24

A CT scanner comprising: a means for defining an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a plurality of radiation detectors for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; an image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a panel defining a wall for shielding the source means and radiation detectors from exposure to surrounding elements; and, a cooling duct for conveying air to a generally circular outlet peripherally disposed about the examination region, the outlet defined by circular concentric flanges which project inward from the cooling duct to direct air over the radiation detectors for regulating the temperature of the detectors during CT scanner operation.

Claim 25

A radiographic apparatus comprising: a means for describing an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a plurality of radiation detectors disposed along a circular ring of a ring diameter for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a panel defining a wall for shielding the source means and radiation detectors from exposure to surrounding elements; and, a cooling duct for conveying air to an outlet peripherally disposed about the examination region, the outlet defined by circular concentric flanges of generally the ring diameter which project inward from the cooling duct to direct air over the radiation detectors for regulating the temperature of the detectors during CT scanner operation.

Claim 26

A radiographic apparatus comprising: a means for describing an examination region; a radiation source means for rotating a beam of radiation about the examination region; a plurality of radiation detectors disposed along a circular ring of a ring diameter for receiving radiation which has transversed the examination region from the source means and for producing electrical signals indicative of the received radiation; image reconstruction means for reconstructing the electrical signals into an image representation; a panel defining a wall for shielding the source means and radiation detectors from exposure to surrounding elements; and, a cooling duct for conveying air to an outlet peripherally disposed about the examination region, the outlet defined by circular concentric flanges of generally the ring diameter which project inward from the cooling duct to direct air over the radiation detectors for regulating the temperature of the detectors during CT scanner operation.