Patent ID: 7252433

Claim:
An x-ray computed tomography apparatus comprising: a computed tomography scanner having an opening therein adapted to receive an examination subject; a gantry rotatably mounted in said scanner for rotation around said opening; an unshielded x-ray radiator mounted at said gantry, said unshielded x-ray radiator comprising a cathode and an anode contained in a tube, and a radiator housing containing said tube, said radiator housing being comprised of material that is non-shielding for x-rays, said unshielded x-ray radiator emitting diagnostic x-ray radiation and x-ray leakage radiation by operation of said cathode and said anode in said tube in said radiator housing; shielding for said x-ray leakage radiation built into said gantry and conforming at least in part to said radiator housing of said unshielded x-ray radiator to shield against emergence beyond said shielding of said x-ray leakage radiation emitted by said unshielded x-ray radiator, said unshielded x-ray radiator, said shielding and said gantry all being co-rotatable around said opening; and a mounting that mounts said radiator housing in said gantry allowing removal of said x-ray radiator, as a unit, with said shielding remaining built into said gantry.