Method and apparatus for mounting the detector array of a CT scanner to a radiation therapy simulator

Method and apparatus for storing and moving an x-ray detector assembly in and out of the field of radiation produced by a radiation therapy simulator source while remaining affixed to the gantry of the simulator and retaining the functional attributes of a standard radiation therapy simulator cassette holder. When mounted to the simulator, the apparatus of the present invention has the ability to position an x-ray cassette in a fixed position relative to the radiation source, allow for the use of an image intensifier tube by being effectively radiolucent over the tube, and incorporating a mechanism which is capable of absorbing a degree of movement independent of the gantry while simultaneously activating a switch mechanism which can be used to stop gantry rotation, thereby preventing damage to the device or that which it contacts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for mounting the 
detector array of a CT (computed tomography) scanner to a conventional 
radiation therapy simulator (RTS) for use of the simulator to produce 
scans without inhibiting the simulator's fluoroscope and plain film 
acquisition modes when scans are not being acquired. More specifically, 
the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for use in 
connection with the CT scanner described in co-pending applications Ser. 
Nos. 07/718,544 and 07/850,346, both assigned to W. L. Systems, Inc. The 
invention described in that co-pending application is a method and 
apparatus for back projecting a CT scan using a conventional radiation 
therapy simulator without rendering the simulator incapable of being used 
for treatment planning purposes. The present invention facilitates that 
use by providing the method and apparatus for mounting the detector array 
of that apparatus to the simulator while still providing for the use of 
the simulator as a radiation therapy simulator. In that manner, the CT 
scanner is also used to enhance treatment planning. 
The method and apparatus of the present invention has the additional 
advantage of providing a safety override for the simulator to which the 
apparatus is mounted. Specifically, the apparatus stops the rotation of 
the gantry or movement of the fixture supporting the image intensifier 
tube of the simulator in the event that an object is encountered during 
rotation or other movement, thereby decreasing the likelihood of damage to 
the apparatus of the present invention, the simulator, or the encountered 
object. 
Other advantages, and the objects of the present invention will be apparent 
from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment 
thereof. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention can be summarized as an apparatus for selectively 
positioning the x-ray detector array of an apparatus for acquiring 
computed tomographic (CT) scans in and out of the field of radiation 
produced by the radiation source of a radiation therapy simulator so that 
the radiation source of the simulator is capable of being used for both 
radiation therapy planning and CT scanning. The apparatus comprises a tray 
for mounting over the image intensifier tube of a radiation therapy 
simulator and means mounted to the tray for selectively moving the 
detector array of an apparatus for acquiring CT scans from a first 
position in the tray outside of the field of radiation produced by the 
radiation source for use of the simulator for treatment planning purposes 
to a second position in the tray that is within the field of radiation 
produced by the radiation source for use of the simulator as a CT scanner. 
A cover is provided for closing the tray to form a substantially closed 
box with a height dimension substantially smaller than the width and depth 
dimensions of the box for fitting to the simulator over the image 
intensifier tube and under the x-ray table, the portion of the cover above 
the image intensifier tube of the simulator being comprised of radiolucent 
material. An x-ray film cassette holder, also comprised of radiolucent 
material, is mounted on the cover for holding the x-ray film cassette (and 
a grid, if the grid is being used) during use of the simulator for 
purposes other than CT scanning. 
Also provided is a method for utilizing a radiation therapy simulator for 
acquiring computed tomographic scans comprising the steps of mounting a 
box formed of a cover and a tray over the image intensifier tube and below 
the x-ray table of the radiation therapy simulator, positioning a detector 
array in the box within the field produced by the radiation source of the 
simulator for producing output readings proportional to the degree of 
attenuation of the field by a target object on the x-ray table, rotating 
the radiation source and the image intensifier tube, having the box 
mounted thereto, around the target object while storing the outputs of the 
detector array to memory to obtain attenuation data at a plurality of 
angles of rotation, and stopping the rotation of the radiation source and 
image intensifier tube, e.g., the gantry to which both are mounted, or 
movement of the image intensifier tube in the event of a change in 
distance from the radiation source to the cover of the box, the change 
being detected by sensing a change in the relative positions of the cover 
and the tray of the box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the figures, end and side views of the apparatus of the 
present invention, indicated generally at reference numeral 20, mounted 
over the image intensifier tube 302 of a radiation therapy simulator 
(RTS), shown in shadow lines at reference numeral 300, and below the x-ray 
table 304 of RTS, are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. RTS 300 is any 
conventional simulator such as is known in the art and in common usage 
such as those manufactured by Odelft, Philips, Siemens, and Cascade X-Ray; 
particular success has been enjoyed in mounting the apparatus 20 to the 
Odelft and Philips simulators because of the interaction of the control 
circuitry of the apparatus 20 and the control circuitry of the RTS as 
described below. Portions of a generalized RTS 300 are shown in FIGS. 1 
and 2, including, in addition to the image intensifier tube 302 and x-ray 
table 304, a radiation source 306, gantry 308, and fixture 310, the 
fixture 310 being integral with gantry 308 and supporting and housing the 
image intensifier tube 302 and, in the embodiment shown, the apparatus 20. 
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that both radiation 
source 306 and image intensifier tube 302, having the apparatus 20 mounted 
thereto, rotate around the x-ray table 304 as much as 360.degree., e.g., 
in the direction of the arrows 312 in FIG. 2 (in and out of the plane of 
the paper with reference to FIG. 1). Fixture 310, as well as the portions 
of RTS 300 mounted and/or housed therein, also moves up and down (arrow 
314), in and out (arrow 316), and side to side (arrow 318) under operator 
control with motors and controls which are not considered to constitute 
part of the present invention and therefore are not shown. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, which are both top views of the apparatus 
20 from below the x-ray table 304 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (see the arrows 
3--3 in FIG. 1), the apparatus 20 is shown in more detail. Specifically, 
there is shown a radiolucent cover 22 to which a film cassette 24 is 
mounted on a set of concentric rings, or turntable, 26, the cassette 
holder 24 having been removed from the turntable 26 to show the details 
thereof in FIG. 4. Film cassette holder 24 is configured so as to slidably 
receive and retain an x-ray film cartridge and an x-ray grid for use of 
the RTS as a simulator and is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 
and described infra in connection with the description of those figures. 
As is apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, film cassette holder 24 
is mounted on turntable 26 to facilitate insertion of a film cassette into 
the holder 24 and to provide for acquisition of x-ray images with the long 
axis of the film either parallel or perpendicular to the long axis of 
table 304; the long axis of the x-ray table 304 runs right and left in 
FIG. 1 and in and out of the plane of the paper in FIG. 2 such that access 
to one open side 28 of film cassette holder 24 is limited by the length of 
x-ray table 304 when in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and by the 
gantry 308 on the other open side 28. Consequently, cassette holder 24 is 
rotated approximately 90.degree. to the position shown in FIG. 3 either 
for exposure and/or so that loading and unloading of the film can be 
accomplished from the side of x-ray table 304, i.e., in and out of the 
plane of the paper in FIG. 1 and from the right or left of FIG. 2. 
Turntable 26 is constructed of two concentric rings as follows. The outer 
concentric ring 30 is affixed to the film cassette holder 24, and is 
formed of two portions of different thicknesses (best illustrated in FIGS. 
6-8), an outer portion 30' is thicker and is the portion through which the 
connection to film cassette holder 24 is made. The inner portion 30" is of 
lesser dimension and is received under the outer portion 32" of lesser 
dimension of the inner ring 32, the thicker, inner portion 32' being 
affixed to the cover 22 of apparatus 20. In a presently preferred 
embodiment, one or both of outer ring 30 and inner ring 32 are comprised 
of a material such as DELRIN.RTM. or aluminum, the former being preferred 
for its almost "self-lubricating" character. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 
4, the concentric rings 30 and 32 comprising turntable 26 are preferably 
split; in other words, they do not form all 360.degree. of the 
circumference of the circle. Being made of radio-opaque materials, the 
rings 30 and 32 are split to provide an opening through the turntable 26 
through which the width-collimated fan beam produced by the radiation 
source 306 passes without being attenuated. 
As also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, turntable 26 is provided with means for 
limiting rotation of film cassette 24 and insuring the holding of the 
proper alignment of the film cartridge contained therein for acquisition 
of images with the long axis of cartridge 96 either parallel or 
perpendicular to the long axis of the table 304 and throughout the range 
of movement of fixture 310 and/or rotation of gantry 308. In the presently 
preferred embodiment shown in these figures, this rotation limiting and 
alignment means takes the form of the detents 34 formed in outer ring 30 
and the stop 36 which is integrally mounted to that ring. The detents 34 
and stop 36 function as follows. When the cassette holder 24 is in the 
position shown in FIG. 3 (and also in FIGS. 6 and 7), i.e., in the 
position in which access to the open sides 28 is not limited by x-ray 
table 304 for loading and unloading a film cassette 96, the stop 36 has 
been positioned so as to engage a similar stop 38 mounted in a block 40 
which is integral with cover 22, e.g., in the position shown in FIG. 4. As 
is also apparent from FIG. 4, the balls 42 which are biased against the 
outside surface 44 of outer ring 30 by the springs 46 that are contained 
in similar blocks 40 engage the detents 34 formed in the outer surface of 
outer ring 30. Upon rotation of film cassette holder 24 by 90.degree. in 
the direction of arrow 48 on FIG. 4, e.g., to the position shown in FIG. 1 
in which access to the open sides 28 is obstructed by x-ray table 304, the 
stop 50 is engaged by stop 36 and the balls 42 engage the detents 34 
located at 90.degree. around the circle formed by ring 30 to limit 
rotation of the film holder 24 and hold the holder 24 in that position 
during gantry rotation or positioning of fixture 310. Precise alignment of 
film holder 24 in that position is obtained by backing the stop 50 in and 
out of block 40 on the threads formed in each of the block and stop. The 
amount of bias applied to the balls 42 is adjusted by use of an Allen 
wrench (not shown) in a slot formed in the threaded keepers 52 which 
engage the threads formed in blocks 40. 
By reference to FIGS. 1-2 and 5-7, it can be seen that the cover 22 closes 
a tray 54 to form a substantially rectangular, closed box with a height 
dimension substantially less than the width and depth dimensions for 
fitting to simulator 300 over the image intensifier tube 302 and under 
x-ray table 304. An open circle 56 is cut in tray 54, e.g., in the bottom 
of the box, which fits over the image intensifier tube 302 of RTS 300, and 
is sized so as to fit over the housing of the tube 302 for attachment to 
RTS 300 by screws (not shown) or an adapter ring (not shown) which 
attaches to the housing by screws (housings are generally standardized in 
their outside diameter to either 9, 10, 12, or 14 inches in diameter, and 
in the preferred embodiment, opening 56 is 12 inches in diameter). Mounted 
to tray 54 is a means for selectively moving the detector array 58 of an 
apparatus for acquiring computed tomographic (CT) scans from a first 
position outside of the field of radiation produced by the radiation 
source 306 of RTS 300 for use of RTS 300 for treatment planning purposes, 
e.g., for plain film and fluoroscopic acquisition modes, to a second 
position in the tray within the field of radiation produced by source 306 
for use of RTS 300 as a CT scanner. Positioning means, in the preferred 
embodiment shown in the figures, takes the form of a caddy 60 which is 
slidable along the nylon ribs, or tracks, 62 mounted to the bottom of tray 
54 for slidably supporting the caddy 60 and which is adapted for mounting 
the detector array 58 thereto. Although referred to herein as the detector 
array 58, those skilled in the art will recognize from this disclosure 
that the detector array is actually indicated generally at reference 
numeral 58, the detector elements themselves being contained within an 
outer cover with a slit 64 formed therein through which the 
width-collimated fan beam produced by the radiation source 306 passes so 
as to impinge upon the detector elements. Such detector arrays are 
available from, for instance, Thomson Electron Tubes Division, CSF Thomson 
et Cie (Paris, France), and output readings that are proportional to the 
degree of attenuation of the field by a target object positioned on the 
x-ray table 304 are sent to the signal processing components of the CTS 
(not shown) through a ribbon connector 66 which flexes as the detector 
array 58 slides from first to second position. Apparatus and a method for 
back projecting this attenuation data to compute CT scans is described in 
more detail in the above-described application Ser. Nos. 07/718,544 and 
07/850,346, both of which are hereby incorporated into the present 
application by this specific reference thereto. The detector array 58 is 
shown in the first position in shadow lines in FIG. 5 and is shown in the 
second position in FIGS. 5-7, and by comparison of FIGS. 3-4 to FIG. 5, it 
can be seen that when the detector array 58 is in the second position, the 
slit 64 therein is aligned with the above-described opening in the rings 
30 and 32 comprising turntable 26 for passage of the x-ray beam 
therethrough. 
In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the detector positioning 
means also comprises an electrically-controlled drive means for 
selectively sliding the caddy 60, having the detector array 58 mounted 
thereto, from the first to the second positions. This drive means 
preferably takes the form of an electric motor 68 mounted to tray 54 for 
turning, through transmission 71, the drive shaft 70, which rotation is 
translated through the right angle drives 72 to turn the screw shafts 74. 
The caddy 60 is provided with integral traveling blocks 76 at each end, so 
named because of the threaded bore 78 through each block which causes the 
caddy to slide along the rails 62 as the screw shafts 74 turn under the 
influence of motor 68. Flex couplings 80 are provided at intervals along 
the drive and shafts 70 and 74 as needed to minimize wear on the 
transmission 71, right angle drives 72, and traveling blocks 76, and the 
ends of shafts 74 are journaled in the bearings 82. The distance the caddy 
60 travels from first position to second position or back to the first 
position is limited by the limit switches 84 integral with the plates 86 
that are slidably mounted to bearing 82. When the activator 88 of one of 
the limit switches 84 is contacted by the leading surface of traveling 
block 76, the switch causes motor 68 to turn off. 
The details of the construction of film cassette holder 24 are also 
apparent from FIGS. 3 and 7-8. Cassette holder 24 is comprised of a 
radiolucent plate 90 to which side rails 92 are mounted. The inside edge 
of side rails 92 is provided with an overhanging portion 94 which, along 
with the lower portion of the inside edge of side rail 92 and the top 
surface of plate 90, serves to retain a film cassette, shown in shadow 
lines at reference numeral 96, in place in holder 24. A slot (not 
numbered) is formed in the overhang 94 of side rail 92 for receiving a 
grid 98 for preventing scatter of the x-ray beam as is known in the art. 
As best shown in FIG. 3, the side rails 92 and plate 90 are longer than 
the dimension of the standard size film cassette 96 so as to facilitate 
insertion of the film cassette 96 and grid 98 into their respective 
locations in cassette holder 24 from the open ends 28 thereof. 
Specifically, the plate 90 forms an edge on which the cassette 96 is 
rested and the inside corners of side rails 92 are beveled as at 100 so 
that the cassette 96 or grid 98 is more easily squared up and slid into 
holder 24. The side rails 92 are also provided with means for retaining 
the cassette 96 and grid 98 in place in their respective locations in 
holder 24 as the image intensifier tube 302, having the apparatus 20 
mounted thereto, is rotated around the x-ray table 304 in the form of the 
spring-loaded pins 102 which protrude through the inside edges of side 
rails 92 at the open ends of holder 24. As best shown in FIG. 8, each of 
the pins 102 is biased in that direction by the spring 104 confined in the 
bore 106 in the side rail 92 by the threaded insert 108, the shoulder 
formed by the enlarged portion 110 of the pin 102 bearing against the 
shoulder formed by the change in internal diameter of bore 106. The knob 
112 formed integrally with the shaft 114 of pin 102 facilitates the 
drawing of the pin 102 back into the bore 106 for insertion or withdrawal 
of the cassette 96 or grid 98. 
The apparatus 20 of the present invention additionally comprises means for 
detecting a change in the height dimension of the closed box formed by the 
tray 54 and cover 22 or a change in dimension of a portion of the box 
(i.e., if one corner of the box encounters an object) such that the flat 
surfaces of tray 54 and cover 22 are not positioned in substantially 
paralled planes. In a particularly preferred embodiment, circuitry is also 
provided for stopping operation of the RTS 300 when the change detecting 
means is activated, e.g., for stopping gantry rotation or movement of the 
fixture 310 of the RTS 300. The height dimension of the box, or in a 
portion of the box, formed by tray 54 and cover 22 can be changed by, for 
instance, an encounter between the box and an object during rotation of 
the radiation source 306 and image intensifier tube 302, having the 
apparatus 20 mounted thereto or by the raising of the fixture 310 until 
the film cassette holder 24 encounters the underside of the table 310. Not 
only does the cessation of data collection from array 54, and the stopping 
of gantry rotation, prevent inaccurate readings from the array 58 
resulting from the change in the distance from radiation source 306 to the 
detector array 58, but so also is damage to the apparatus 20, the CTS 300, 
or the encountered object avoided. 
As shown best in FIGS. 9-11, the drive means activator preferably takes the 
form of an apparatus for producing an output signal in the event of a 
change in the relative positions of cover 22 and tray 54 which is 
conveniently referred to as a defeat switch, and is indicated generally at 
reference numeral 116. Defeat switch 116 is comprised of an elongate rod 
118 having a cap 120 mounted to one end thereof and a foot 122 integrally 
mounted to the other end, the cap 120 comprising a surface against which 
the under side of cover 22 bears. Cap 120 is preferably mounted to rod 118 
through a ball and socket joint to allow relative motion between cap 120 
and rod 118 in all possible directions, the joint being comprised of a 
ball 124 which is threadably received on rod 118 and which is confined 
within the socket 126 formed in cap 120. A bearing surface 128 is 
removably mounted to the cap 120 to close the socket 126 by screws 130. 
Note that cover 22 is secured to the bearing surface 128 by screws 131 
(see FIGS. 3-4) and the relationship between the cover 22 and cap 120 is 
described in terms of the cover 22 "bearing" against cap 120 because the 
apparatus may be rotated through a 360.degree. arc during either film 
image acquisition and/or CT scanning. Consequently, the cover 22 may 
actually be located under tray 54 at some point during the intended use of 
apparatus 20 and therefore must be secured to tray 54 to prevent the cover 
from falling off of tray 54. 
The elongate rod 118 passes through a bore (not numbered) in a block 132 
which is affixed to tray 54, and is preferably received through that bore 
in a second partial ball and socket type joint formed by the mounting of a 
ball 134 in the well 136 that is formed in block 132 and is contiguous 
with the bore through the block 132. Means, in the form of the spring 138 
captured between the two cup washers 140 on rod 118, is provided for 
biasing cap 120 away from block 132, the tendency of cap 120 to move away 
from block 132 being limited by engagement of the underside of block 132 
by the top surface of foot 122. A nut 142 is threaded onto the threads of 
rod 118 below ball 124 for adjusting the amount of bias between cap 120 
and block 132. A switch 144 is positioned at a fixed position relative to 
tray 54 by the screws 146 on the other side of foot 122 from block 132 
whereby movement of cap 126 towards block 132, e.g., against the bias 
applied by spring 138, causes the underside of foot 122 to bear against 
the contact 148 of switch 144 to produce an output signal indicating a 
change in the relative positions of cover 22 and tray 54. 
For convenience and interchangeability, switch 144 is mounted to a shim 150 
(best shown in FIG. 10) by screws 146, the shim 150 being mounted to 
L-bracket 152, and L-bracket 152 is affixed to tray 54 by screws 153 so 
that the entire defeat switch 116 is conveniently removed from tray 54. 
Mounting of the defeat switch 116 on L-bracket 152 facilitates the 
mounting of a switch 116 at each of the four corners of the box formed by 
tray 54 and cover 22, with cover 22 being secured to the bearing surfaces 
128 of each cap 120, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 11. 
By reference to FIG. 11, it can also be seen that the foot 122 of each 
switch 116 is rectangularly-shaped and that the long axis of the foot 122 
is oriented in substantially the same direction as the long axis of the 
rectangularly-shaped box. By elongating the foot 122 in the direction of 
the long axis of the box, the contact 148 of switch 144 is contacted even 
in the event of the relatively small change in the relative positions of 
tray 54 and cover 22, which results from, or is indicative of, a 
relatively large change in the relative positions of tray 54 and cover 22 
at a point remote from the point at which cover 22 bears against cap 120. 
Another benefit of this elongation of foot 122 is that the bias applied to 
each defeat switch 116 by spring 138 need not be adjusted to compensate 
for the unsprung weight of the components of apparatus 20 throughout the 
range of movement of the defeat switch 116 as the gantry 308 of RTS 300 
rotates around table 304 and the switch is activated by the same amount of 
force resulting from an object bearing against cover 22 regardless of 
whether cover 22 encounters an object along the long or the short axis of 
the box. In other words, although the force vectors having components in a 
direction opposing the bias applied to the cap 120 of defeat switch 116 by 
spring 138 changes during gantry rotation, no compensation for that change 
need be made to prevent contact between foot 122 and the contact 148 of 
switch 144 because the shape of foot 122 effectively compensates for the 
different forces applied to the defeat switch 116 along different vectors 
by the changing weight of cover 22 or by an encountered object during 
rotation (or during movement of the fixture 310 as described above). 
Although described in terms of the preferred embodiment shown in the 
figures, the present invention is not so limited. Those skilled in the art 
who have the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that many changes 
can be made to the component parts described herein without changing the 
manner in which these parts function to achieve their intended result. For 
instance, the cap 120 of defeat switch 116 can be biased away from block 
132 by a magnetic (or electromagnetic) field rather than with the spring 
138. The electrically-controlled drive means described herein for 
positioning the detector array 58 in first and second positions can be 
belt driven (instead of using the shafts 70 and 74 and bearings 82) or a 
pneumatic cylinder under control of a switch can be utilized rather than 
the motor 68. Further, it will be apparent that the ability of defeat 
switch 116 to signal a change in the relative positions of tray 54 and 
cover 22 is not limited to the specific application described herein and 
that defeat switch 116 can be used for that purpose in connection with any 
first and second member, and is especially useful when one or both of the 
first and second members is elongated in a direction in which the long 
axis of the foot 132 can be oriented or when one or the other of the 
members is exposed to different degrees of stress in a direction along 
which the long axis of the foot can be oriented. All such changes are 
intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims.