Patent ID: 7534036
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An support assembly in movable support of a radiation source and detector operable in combination to acquire a radiological image of a subject positioned on a table, the table having a central longitudinal axis, comprising: an offset arm pivotally coupled from a mobile carriage about a first axis generally vertically aligned; an elbow pivotally coupled at the offset arm about a second axis generally vertically aligned and spaced an offset distance from the first axis; and a mobile arm in support of the radiation source in opposed relation to the radiation detector, the mobile arm pivotally coupled at the elbow about a third axis generally horizontally aligned and in general parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the table in a vertical plane, the mobile arm also supported to rotate about a fourth axis generally horizontal aligned and in general perpendicular alignment relative to the third axis, wherein the first axis, the third axis, and the fourth axis all include a common point of intersection with one another, wherein the mobile carriage is movable a linear direction along a central longitudinal axis of a fixed rail structure located higher than the table, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the fixed rail structure is generally parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the table and is also spaced an offset distance in a generally horizontal plane from the central longitudinal axis of the table, and wherein no part of the fixed rail structure is aligned above any part of the table in the vertical direction.