Patent ID: 7686311
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus to image objects, the apparatus comprising: a base; a plurality of main wheels mounted on the base; a sensor operably coupled to an axle of the plurality of main wheels to determine the weight bearing down upon the plurality of main wheels, at least one secondary wheel mounted on the base and mounted in a perpendicular direction to the main wheels; and a carriage mechanism operably coupled to the at least one secondary wheel and operable to move the at least one secondary wheel along a vertical axis of the apparatus, the motion along the vertical axis extending downward to the extent that the at least one secondary wheel can extend below the main wheels such that no weight is placed on the main wheels and the motion along the vertical axis extending upward to the extent that the at least one secondary wheel can extend above the main wheels such that no weight is placed on the at least one secondary wheel; a control mechanism operably coupled to the carriage mechanism to actuate and control the carriage mechanism in movement of the at least one secondary wheel, wherein the control mechanism is further operable to determine in reference to the weight determined by the sensor, a minimum distance and a minimum amount of force that the carriage mechanism needs to move the at least one secondary wheel to the extent that the at least one secondary wheel extends below the main wheels such that no weight is placed on the main wheels.