Abstract:
A patient table is capable of performing a patient examination using an imaging method in a rapid manner by reducing the time to prepare for the imaging and having a reduced manufacturing cost, and an X-ray imaging system has the patient table, in which the patient table includes a table top including material that allows radiated rays to pass therethrough, a support portion to support the table top, a mount portion to have a part of a body of a patient disposed thereon, and a stand assembly coupled to the mount portion.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a), priority to and the benefit of the earlier filing date of a Korean patent application assigned Korean Patent Application No. 2011-0121633, filed on Nov. 21, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a patient table and an X-ray imaging system having the same, and more particularly, to a patient table provided with a mount portion that is available to be withdrawn from a table top, and an X-ray imaging system having the same. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, an X-ray imaging system used in the medical field is designed to obtain an internal image of a human body by use of X-rays. The X-ray imaging system obtains an internal image of a human body by projecting X-rays toward a desired region of the human body, such as the head or the breast, and by detecting the X-rays passing through the desired region. 
         [0006]    The X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray tube to project X-rays to a region of the human body, a high voltage generator to generate a high voltage that is required for generating the X-rays, and a moving apparatus to move a projecting position and a projecting direction of the X-rays. In addition, the X-ray imaging system is provided with a manipulating apparatus configured for an operator to manipulate the control of the apparatuses of the X-ray imaging system. 
         [0007]    The X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray receiving portion that receives an X-ray and changes the received X-ray into a digital signal to transmit digital data to a personal computer. The X-ray receiving portion may be installed on a stand that is configured to obtain an X-ray image while having a patient in a standing position, or a patient table that is configured to obtain an X-ray image while having a patient in a lying position. The X-ray receiving portion may be provided in a fixed state, or in other embodiments in the prior art, detachably provided for the use of both of the stand or the patient table. 
         [0008]    The patient table of the prior art includes a table top on which a patient lies. In order to obtain an X-ray image of a selected region of the patient, for example, the knees of the patient, an additional subsidiary apparatus is needed. When the subsidiary apparatus is used, the time to prepare for the imaging is increased, and a space for storing the subsidiary apparatus is needed. In addition, the subsidiary apparatus is not on the market and thus needs to be manufactured on demand. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a patient table enabling a subsidiary apparatus to be integrally formed therewith when an X-ray image is obtained, and an X-ray imaging system having the same. 
         [0010]    Additional aspects of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. 
         [0011]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a patient table includes a table top, a support portion, a mount portion and a stand portion. The table top may include material that allows radiated rays to pass therethrough. The support portion may support the table top. The mount portion may be coupled to the table top and have a part of a body of a patient disposed thereon. The stand portion may be coupled to the mount portion. 
         [0012]    The patient table may further include an adjusting unit to adjust a coupling angle between the mount portion and the table top. 
         [0013]    The adjusting unit may be coupled to a joint between the table top and the mount portion. 
         [0014]    The adjusting unit may include a body portion coupled to the joint and a head portion coupled to the body portion. The body portion may be provided with at least one installation groove portion and the head portion may be provided with at least one protrusion portion inserted into the at least one installation groove portion. 
         [0015]    The patient table may further include a releasing state at which the body portion is spaced apart from the head portion such that the coupling angle between the mount portion and the table top is adjusted, and a locking state at which the body portion is coupled to the head portion such that the mount portion is fixed. 
         [0016]    The mount portion may pivot clockwise or counterclockwise to be folded to a lower side of the table top. 
         [0017]    The mount portion may include an accommodating portion to receive the stand portion, and a damper portion to prevent the stand portion from being inclined at a predetermined angle or above. 
         [0018]    The stand portion may be folded while pivoting counterclockwise or clockwise. 
         [0019]    The stand portion may include a coupling portion that is coupled to the mount portion. 
         [0020]    The coupling portion may be coupled at both sides of the mount portion and comprises an extension portion that extends from the coupling portion coupled at the both sides of the mount portion. 
         [0021]    The extension portion may be provided at an upper side of the mount portion while being positioned to face the mount portion. 
         [0022]    The extension portion may be positioned at one portion of the mount portion as an integral body with the mount portion. 
         [0023]    The stand portion may have an X-ray receiving portion positioned thereon to receive X-rays. 
         [0024]    The table top may include an assembling portion, which is provided at both sides of the table top, and to which the adjusting unit is coupled as a joint of the adjusting unit passes through the assembling portion. 
         [0025]    The table top may further include a frame portion formed at an edge of the table top to reinforce the strength of the table top. 
         [0026]    The mount portion may be coupled to the frame portion. 
         [0027]    The mount portion may include a carbon plate, fabrics, and wood. 
         [0028]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an X-ray imaging system includes a patient table, an imaging apparatus, and an X-ray receiving portion. The patient table may include a table top including material that allows radiated rays to pass therethrough, a mount portion coupled to the table top, and a stand portion coupled to the mount portion. The imaging apparatus may be configured to obtain an image of an object by generating X-rays and projecting the X-rays toward the patient table. The X-ray receiving portion may receive the X-rays projected from the imaging apparatus. 
         [0029]    The X-ray receiving portion may be disposed on the stand portion of the patient table, and the stand portion may be fixed while forming a right angle with respect to the mount portion to receive the X-rays from the imaging apparatus. 
         [0030]    The imaging apparatus may be available to pivot to project the X-rays toward the X-ray receiving portion. 
         [0031]    The patient table may further include an adjusting unit configured to adjust a coupling angle between the mount portion and the table top. The adjusting portion may include a body portion coupled to a joint between the table top and the mount portion and a head portion coupled to the body portion. The body portion may be provided with at least one installation groove portion and the head portion may be provided with at least one protrusion portion inserted into the at least one installation groove portion. 
         [0032]    The patient table may include a releasing state at which the body portion is spaced apart from the head portion such that the coupling angle between the mount portion and the table top is adjusted, and a locking state at which the body portion is coupled to the head portion such that the mount portion is fixed. 
         [0033]    The mount portion of the patient table may pivot clockwise or counterclockwise to be folded to a lower side of the table top. 
         [0034]    The mount portion of the patient table may include an accommodating portion to receive the stand portion, and a damper portion to prevent the stand portion from being inclined at a predetermined angle or above. 
         [0035]    The stand portion may be folded while pivoting counterclockwise or clockwise. 
         [0036]    The table top may further include a frame portion formed at an edge of the table top to reinforce the strength of the table top, and the frame portion may include a patient handle portion detachably provided on the frame portion. 
         [0037]    As described above, the operator may easily have the patient take a desired position when an X-ray image is obtained, so that the time to prepare for the imaging is reduced, and the examination is performed in a rapid manner. In addition, the subsidiary apparatus does not need to be stored additionally and does not need to be manufactured separately, so that the storage and space requirements as well as the manufacturing cost of the present invention are reduced. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]    These and/or other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0039]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating the principal configuration of an X-ray imaging system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 2  is an underside perspective view illustrating a folding state of a patient table in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view illustrating an unfolding state of a patient table in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view with parts separated illustrating an adjusting unit in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 5  is a see-through view illustrating a locking state of an adjusting unit in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a releasing state of an adjusting unit in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 7  is a view illustrating an unfolding state of a stand portion of a patient table in accordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a folding state of a stand portion of a patient table in accordance with the alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating an unfolding state of a patient table in accordance with still another alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged view illustrating an assembling portion of a patient table in accordance with the alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0049]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, a detailed explanation of known related functions and constructions may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Also, terms described herein, which are defined considering the functions of the present invention, may be implemented differently depending on user and operator&#39;s intention and practice. Therefore, the terms should be understood on the basis of the disclosure throughout the specification. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0050]    Furthermore, although the drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated or omitted in order to more clearly illustrate and explain the present invention. 
         [0051]    Although a patient table in according to the disclosed aspects of the present invention may be applied to various types of X-ray imaging systems, the following description is made in relation to, for example, a ceiling-mounted type X-ray imaging system, for illustrative purposed only, that has a guide rail installed on the ceiling of an examination room. 
         [0052]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating the principal configuration of an X-ray imaging system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an X-ray imaging system  1  includes guide rails  2  and  3 , a moving carriage  4 , a post frame  50 , an imaging apparatus  5 , and a driving apparatus (not shown). 
         [0054]    The guide rails  2  and  3 , the moving carriage  4 , and the post frame  50  are provided to move the imaging apparatus  5  toward, away from, and around a patient  6  and/or portions of the body of the patient  6 . 
         [0055]    The guide rails  2  and  3  include a first guide rail  2  and a second guide rail  3 . The first guide rail  2  and the second guide rail  3  extend in directions perpendicular to each other. 
         [0056]    The first guide rail  2  is installed on a ceiling of an examination room on which the second guide rail  3  and moving carriage  4  of the X-ray imaging system  1  are disposed in a slideable manner. The second guide rail  3  is disposed at a lower side of the first guide rail  2  while being installed in a slideable manner on the first guide rail  2 . The first guide rail  2  is provided with a roller (not shown) installed thereto that is movable along the first guide rail  2 . The second guide rail  3  moves along the first guide rail  2  while being connected to the roller. 
         [0057]    The direction to which the first guide rail  2  extends is defined as a first direction D 1 , and the direction to which the second guide rail  3  extends is defined as a second direction D 2 . Accordingly, the first direction D 1  and the second direction D 2  are parallel to at least a planar portion of the ceiling or floor of the examination room while being perpendicular to each other, with D 1  and D 2  being substantially parallel to a horizontal direction relative to the ceiling or floor of the examination room. 
         [0058]    The moving carriage  4  is disposed at a lower side of the second guide rail  3  so as to move along the second guide rail  3 . The moving carriage  4  is provided with a roller (not shown) that moves along the second guide rail  3 . 
         [0059]    The post frame  50  is disposed at a lower side of the moving carriage  4  while being fixed to the moving carriage  4 . The post frame  50  is provided with a plurality of posts or members. The plurality of posts are connected in a foldable manner to each other so that the post frame  50  may be increased or decreased lengthwise in the up/down direction of the examination room while being fixed to the moving carriage  4 . The direction in which the post frame  50  is increased or decreased lengthwise is defined as a third direction D 3 . Accordingly, the third direction D 3  is perpendicular to the first direction D 1  and the second direction D 2 , and substantially parallel to a vertical direction relative to the ceiling or floor of the examination room. 
         [0060]    The imaging apparatus  5  is configured to project X-rays toward an object, such as the patient  6 . The imaging apparatus  5  may represent an X-ray tube that is typically provided in an X-ray imaging system known in the art. The X-ray tube is provided with an X-ray generating source  13  to generated X-rays, and a collimator  14  to guide the generated X-rays toward the object or patient  6 . 
         [0061]    A rotating joint  7  is disposed between the imaging apparatus  5  and the post frame  50 . The rotating joint  7  is configured to couple the imaging apparatus  5  to the post frame  50  and to support the load acting on the imaging apparatus  5 . The rotating joint  7  is provided with a first rotating joint  16  connected to a lower end of the post frame  50 , and to a second rotating joint  15  connected to the imaging apparatus  5 . 
         [0062]    The first rotating joint  16  is provided so as to rotate on a central shaft of the post frame  50  that extends in the upward/downward direction of the examination room. Accordingly, the first rotating joint  16  is rotatable in a plane which is provided perpendicular to the third direction D 3 . In this case, the direction in which the first rotating joint  16  is rotated is defined as a fifth direction D 5 . The fifth direction D 5  corresponds to a rotation direction of a shaft which is provided in parallel to the third direction D 3 . 
         [0063]    The second rotating joint  15  is provided to rotate in a plane which is perpendicular to the ceiling of the examination room. Accordingly, the second rotating joint  15  rotates in a rotation direction of a shaft which is provided in parallel to the first direction D 1  or the second direction D 2 . In this case, the direction in which the second rotating joint  15  is rotated is defined as a fourth direction D 4 . The fourth direction D 4  corresponds to a rotation direction of a shaft which extends in the first direction D 1  or the second direction D 2 . 
         [0064]    The imaging apparatus  5  may be rotated in the fourth direction D 4  and the fifth direction D 5  while being connected to the rotating joint  7 . In addition, the imaging apparatus  5  may linearly move in the first direction D 1 , the second direction D 2  and/or the third direction D 3  while being connected to the post frame  50  through the rotating joint  7 . 
         [0065]    In order to move the imaging apparatus  5  in the first to fifth directions, labeled D 1  to D 5 , respectively, the driving apparatus is provided in a manner known in the art. The driving apparatus may be a motor that is operated by electricity. The driving apparatus may be connected to a power transmission member (not shown) to allow the imaging apparatus  5  to rotate or linearly move in the first to fifth directions, labeled D 1  to D 5 , respectively. The power transmission member may include a belt, a pulley, a chain, a sprocket, and a shaft, and/or any other known type of power transmission mechanism. 
         [0066]    The X-ray imaging system  1  is provided with X-ray receiving portions  8 ,  9 , and  10 , and further includes a photographing stand  11  and a patient table  20 . The X-ray receiving portions  8 ,  9 , and  10  are manufactured to be available to be used with both the photographing stand  11  and the patient table  20 . The patient table  20  is movably provided to move relative to the floor of the examination room. 
         [0067]    The X-ray receiving portions  8 ,  9 , and  10  are configured to receive the X-rays that are generated from the imaging apparatus  5  and passing through the object or patient  6 , and to convert the received X-rays to an electric signal in proportion to the intensity of the received X-rays so that the result of the X-ray photography and examination is diagnosed in real time. 
         [0068]    In addition, the X-ray imaging system  1  may further include a high voltage generator  12  to generate a high voltage required to generate the X-rays, with appropriate electrical connectors or channels (not shown), such as wires or wireless, providing the power from the high voltage generator  12  to the imaging apparatus  5  to generate the X-rays. 
         [0069]      FIG. 2  is an underside perspective view illustrating a folding state of a patient table in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a top perspective view illustrating an unfolding state of a patient table in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the patient table  20  enables a patient to have an X-ray image obtained while the patient  6  is in a lying position or in a seated position on the patient table  20 , and includes a table top  22  and a frame portion  21 . A support portion  25  is provided at a lower side of the table top  22  to support the table top  22  on the floor of the examination room. 
         [0071]    The support portion  25  is provided with a plurality of supports  23  and  24  that are provided in a foldable and/or extendible manner to adjust the height of the patient table  20 . For example, the plurality of supports  23 ,  24  may have a telescoping configuration, with support  24  slideably movable longitudinally within an interior region of the support  23 . In addition, the support portion  25  may include a bottom surface  26  making contact with the ground or floor surface of the examination room while supporting the plurality of supports  23  and  24 . The support portion  25  may further include other configurations to drive, adjust, or move the patient table  20  vertically and/or horizontally within the examination room. The shape of the support portion  25 , including supports  23 ,  24  and bottom surface, is not limited to the generally parallelepiped configurations shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , and the support portion  25  may be provided in other shapes capable of supporting the table top  22  on the ground or floor surface. 
         [0072]    Since the X-ray receiving portion  10  is to be provided on the table top  22  to be positioned between the patient  6  and the table top  22 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the table top  22  needs to be formed using material having a low absorption rate of X-rays such that transmission of X-rays is maximized while minimizing the absorption of X-rays. For example, the table top  22  is formed using any one of or a combination of wood, acryl, and carbon, and/or other known materials which permit sufficient transmission of X-rays therethrough. 
         [0073]    In order to reinforce the strength of the table top  22 , a frame portion  21  is provided at an edge of the patient table  20 . The frame portion  21  is made of, for example, aluminum or other known materials. The frame portion  21  may be provided with equipment for facilitating the examination; for example, with the table top  22  in a sliding configuration with the frame portion  21  which serves as rails for longitudinal movement of the table top  22  with the patient  6  lying thereon. The equipment may include a belt (not shown) to fix an examination region, or a patient handle portion (not shown) to fix the examination region; that is, to position a specific portion of the patient  6 , as the examination region, in a selected location where the emitted X-rays will propagate from the X-ray generating source  13 . 
         [0074]    The patient handle portion is a portion which the subject grips during the examination. The patient handle portion may be optionally detachably installed on the frame portion  21 . 
         [0075]    A mount portion  30  is rotatably coupled to the table top  22  such that a region of the body of the patient is disposed on the mount portion  30 . A stand portion  33  rotatably coupled to the mount portion  30  is provided on the table top  22  such that the X-ray receiving portion  8  can be disposed on the stand portion  33 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The mount portion  30  is coupled to the frame portion  21  of the table top  22 ; for example, with a pivoting coupling mechanism. 
         [0076]    The mount portion  30  is a portion on which lower portions of the body of the patient  6 , such as the entire legs, the lower legs, the feet, and/or other parts of the body, are disposed when the X-ray image is obtained. The mount portion  30  is folded toward a lower side of the table top  22 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , by pivoting, for example, clockwise from the initial position shown in  FIG. 3 , when the examination is not being performed. Alternatively, the mount portion  30  may be folded by pivoting counterclockwise, depending on the viewing angle toward the mount portion  30  and/or on the implementation of the mount portion  30 . The mount portion  30  is made of a carbon plate, fabrics including fibers or leather, and wood, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or any other known materials. 
         [0077]    An adjusting unit  40  to adjust a coupling angle between the mount portion  30  and the table top  22  is positioned between the mount portion  30  and the table top  22 . The configuration of the adjusting unit  40  will be described in greater detail later. 
         [0078]    The mount portion  30  includes an accommodating portion  31  to receive the stand portion  33  in indentations therein, and a damper portion  32  to prevent the stand portion  33  from being inclined at or above a predetermined angle, such as a right angle as shown in  FIG. 1 . The damper portion  32  protrudes from the sides of the mount portion  30  when compared to the accommodating portion  31  to support the stand portion  33 . 
         [0079]    The stand portion  33  is pivotally coupled to the mount portion  30 . The stand portion  33  is provided to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the mount portion  30 . The X-ray receiving portion  8  may be hung on the stand portion  33 , for example, using any known type of fasteners such as hooks. Since the X-ray receiving portion  8  receives the X-rays that pass through the patient  6 , the X-ray receiving portion  8  needs to be installed while forming an angle of, for example, 90 degrees with respect to the imaging apparatus  5 . The stand portion  33  and the mount portion  30  may be hingedly coupled by a joint  41 . The adjusting unit  40 , installed between the mount portion  30  and the table top  22  to adjust the angle of the stand portion  33 , is installed between the stand portion  33  and the mount portion  30 . In addition, in order to adjust the angle of the X-rays transmitted to the X-ray receiving portion  8  and/or any of the other X-ray receiving portions  9 ,  10 , the imaging apparatus  5  may pivot as described herein with reference to direction D 4  and/or D 5 , and move in any of the other directions D 1 , D 2 , and D 3 . 
         [0080]    The stand assembly  35  includes the stand portion  33  that is coupled to the mount portion  30 . The stand portion  33  of the stand assembly  35  is coupled to both sides of the mount portion  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 . In addition, the stand assembly  35  includes an extension portion  34  that extends between the pair of rods forming the stand portion  33  coupled at the both sides of the mount portion  30 . For example, the stand assembly  35  may be provided to have the shape of a “U”. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stand assembly  35  may be pivoted so that the extension portion  34  of the stand assembly  35  is positioned substantially adjacent to an upper side of the mount portion  30  while being positioned to face the mount portion  30  when the mount portion  30  is in the folded position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0081]    When the stand portion  33  is not used, the stand portion  33  may be folded by pivoting counterclockwise, or alternatively, clockwise, depending on the viewing angle toward the stand portion  33  and/or on the implementation of the stand portion  33 . In a state of having the stand portion  33  folded, the mount portion  30  pivots clockwise to be folded to the lower side of the table top  22 , or alternatively the mount portion  30  may pivot counterclockwise, depending on the viewing angle toward the mount portion  30  and/or on the implementation of the mount portion  30 . In a state in which the mount portion  30  is folded, the mount portion  30  makes contact with the frame portion  21 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , so that the table top  22  is prevented from being damaged by contact with the mount portion  30  and/or the stand assembly  35  or any part thereof. 
         [0082]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view with parts separated illustrating the adjusting unit  40  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a see-through view illustrating a locking state of the adjusting unit  40  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a releasing state of the adjusting unit  40  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0083]    The adjusting unit  40  is coupled to a joint  41  that is positioned between the table top  22  and the mount portion  30 . The joint  41  connects the table top  22  to the mount portion  30 . The adjusting unit  40  includes a body portion  43 , which is coupled to the joint  41 , and a head portion  42  for engaging the body portion  43 . The adjusting unit  40  is positioned between the table top  22  and the mount portion  30 . The body portion  43  is inserted into or mounted on the joint  41 , and thus the head portion  42  is inserted into or mounted on the joint  41 . A central shaft  44  provided in the center of the head portion  42  is inserted into a hole  46  of the joint  41 , allowing the adjusting unit  40  to be inserted into the joint  41 . 
         [0084]    The body portion  43  is provided with at least one installation groove portion  48  having grooves and protrusions, and the head portion  42  is provided with at least one protrusion portion  49 , having grooves and protrusions, that is inserted into the installation groove portion  48 . The installation groove portion  48  is provided to have a complementary shape relative to the shape of the protrusion portion  49 . In a case where the installation groove portion  48  and the protrusion portion  49  are provided with multiple grooves and protrusions, the complementary grooves and protrusions intermesh and provide frictional engagements to have a removably fixed configuration at a variety of rotational orientations, so that the mount portion  30  can be fixed to the table top  22  at a variety of angles, with the frictional engagement between the installation groove portion  48  and the protrusion portion  49  setting the angle depending on their rotational orientation. Accordingly, the more grooves and protrusions that the installation groove potion  48  and the protrusion portion  49  have, the more angles that the mount portion  30  can be adjusted at. 
         [0085]    If the protrusion portion  49  is inserted into the installation groove portion  48 , the adjusting unit  40  is temporarily fixed, so that the mount portion  30  is temporarily fixed. The state of having the protrusion portion  49  insertedly coupled to the installation groove portion  48  may be defined as a locking state. If the protrusion portion  49  is removed to disengage from the installation groove portion  48 , the adjusting unit  40  is able to rotate and the mount portion  30  is able to pivot. The state as such is defined as a releasing state. 
         [0086]    The hole  46  of the joint  41  is provided with a locking groove  47  that extends outward of the joint  41 . A locking portion  45  corresponding to the locking groove  47  is provided on the central shaft  44  of the head portion  42 . In a state when the central shaft  44  of the head portion  42  is coupled to the hole  46  of the joint  41 , if the central shaft  44  is slightly rotated, the head portion  42  is prevented from being completely separated from the joint  41  due to the locking portion  45  and the locking groove  47  while maintaining an interval between the head portion  42  and the body portion  43 . 
         [0087]    The adjusting of the angle of the mount portion  30  of the patient table  20  is as follows. In the locking state in which the protrusion portion  49  of the head portion  42  is inserted into the installation groove portion  48  of the body portion  43 , the adjusting unit  40  has a coupling state, and the mount portion  30  is fixed. In a case where the angle between the mount portion  30  and the table top  22  is needed to be adjusted, the head portion  42  of the adjusting unit  40  is pulled out such that the head portion  42  is sufficiently spaced apart from the body portion  43  to disengage the grooves and protrusions thereof, changing the adjusting unit  40  to the releasing state. In the releasing state, the joint  41  coupled to the adjusting unit  40  is rotatable so that the angle of the mount portion  30  is adjusted. 
         [0088]    The adjusting unit  40  may be positioned in the area between the mount portion  30  and the stand portion  33  in addition to the coupling area between the mount portion  30  and the table top  22 . When the adjusting unit  40  is positioned in the area between the mount portion  30  and the stand portion  33 , the angle of the stand portion  33  is freely adjustable. 
         [0089]      FIG. 7  is a view illustrating an unfolding state of a stand portion  63  of a patient table in accordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a folding state of the stand portion  63  of a patient table in accordance with the alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an extension portion  64  of a stand assembly  65 , having the stand portion  63 , extends from either side of the stand portion  63 , and the extension portion  64  may be integrally formed with the stand portion  63 , and attached to or integrally formed with a mount portion  60  while being positioned at a portion of the mount portion  60 . The stand assembly  65  is supported by a damper portion  62  of the mount portion  60 , so that the X-ray receiving portion  8 , shown in  FIG. 1 , is positioned while being rested on the stand assembly  65 . 
         [0091]    According to this alternative exemplary embodiment, when the stand assembly  65  is not used, the stand assembly  65  pivots counterclockwise and is folded, or alternatively the stand assembly  65  pivots clockwise, depending on the viewing angle toward the stand assembly  65  and/or on the implementation of the stand assembly  65 . In the state of having the stand assembly  65  folded, the mount portion  60  is rotated clockwise and is folded to the lower side of the table top  22 . Alternatively, the mount portion  60  is rotated counterclockwise, depending on the viewing angle toward the mount portion  60  and/or on the implementation of the mount portion  60 . 
         [0092]    In this case, the stand assembly  65  is accommodated while coming into contact with the mount portion  60 , in a different manner from the exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Accordingly, the stand assembly  65  is stored relative to the mount portion  60  without a spatial limitation. 
         [0093]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating an unfolding state of a patient table in accordance with still another alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is an enlarged view illustrating an assembling portion of the patient table in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , assembling portions  77  and  78  are provided at a portion of a patient table  70  where the adjusting unit  40  is coupled, so that the adjusting unit  40  is coupled with a joint  41  of the adjusting unit  40  received in the assembling portions  77  and  78 . The assembling portion  77  and  78  are formed by extending a portion of the table top  72  of the patient table  70 . Alternatively, the assembling portions  77  and  78  may be formed using separate members attached to the table top  72 . The adjusting unit  40 , passing through the assembling portion  77  provided at one side of the table top  72 , is received inward of a mount portion  80  and then received in the assembling portion  78  provided at the other side of the table top  72 . According to this embodiment, the mount portion  80  is easily rotated according to the rotation of the adjusting unit  40 , in a similar manner described in connection with  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0095]    Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. For example, although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention involved X-rays, the present invention is applicable to other apparatus and methods which use any radiated rays, including X-rays, other rays, and any other known types of radiated rays.