Patent ID: 7438471

Claim:
A CT imaging system comprising: a frame having a center opening, the frame being formed with a uni-body construction; a CT imaging unit mounted to the frame, wherein the CT imaging unit is adapted to scan anatomical objects located within the center opening and generate images of the same, wherein the CT imaging unit comprises: a rotatable drum assembly rotatably mounted to the frame, concentric with the center opening, wherein at least one bearing is disposed between the rotatable drum assembly and the frame, and further wherein one race of the bearing is formed by a surface of the rotatable drum assembly and the other race of the bearing is formed by a surface of the frame; an X-ray tube mounted on the rotatable drum assembly and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and an X-ray detector mounted on the rotatable drum assembly in alignment with the X-ray beam; and a transport mechanism mounted to the frame, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a fine movement mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit precisely, relative to the patient, during scanning; wherein the fine movement mechanism comprises at least one centipede belt drive unit.