Patent ID: 6412979
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A computed tomography system comprising:a stationary gantry housing in which a rotatable gantry is mounted, said gantry rotating around a patient acceptance space; an x-ray radiator mounted on said gantry for co-rotation therewith, said x-ray radiator containing an x-ray tube and liquid coolant in thermal contact with said x-ray tube; a heat exchanger mounted on said gantry and being co-rotatable therewith, said heat exchanger having a primary side and a secondary side; a primary circulation loop for said liquid coolant, said primary circulation loop being connected to said x-ray radiator and including said primary side of said heat exchanger; a coolant pump connected in said primary circulation loop for pumping said liquid coolant through said primary circulation loop for cooling said x-ray tube during standstill periods of said gantry; a source of a further liquid coolant; and a secondary circulation loop connected to said source of further liquid coolant and including said secondary side of said heat exchanger for supplying said further liquid coolant to said secondary side only during said standstill periods and for circulating said further liquid coolant to a sink that is stationary.