Collapsible column movement apparatus for mobile x-ray device

摘要

A mobile radiography apparatus has a portable transport frame and a sectioned vertical column mounted on the frame and defining a vertical axis and having a base section having a fixed vertical position relative to the vertical axis and at least one movable section that is translatable to a variable vertical position along the vertical axis. A counterbalance apparatus is coupled to the at least one movable section of the vertical column with an actuator that is energizable to translate the at least one movable section along the vertical axis. A boom apparatus supports an x-ray source and is coupled to the at least one movable section for vertical displacement of the boom apparatus to a height position. A height sensing element provides a signal that is indicative of the height position of the boom apparatus.

主权项

1. A method for setting up a portable radiographic unit for an exposure, comprising:
mounting a sectioned vertical column on a portable transport frame, wherein the column defines a vertical axis and comprises a base section having a fixed vertical position relative to the vertical axis and at least one movable section that is vertically translatable to extend the vertical column along the vertical axis; coupling a counterbalance apparatus to the at least one movable section of the vertical column, the counterbalance apparatus comprising an actuator that is energizable to translate the at least one movable section along the vertical axis; coupling a boom apparatus supporting an x-ray source to the at least one movable section for vertical displacement of the boom apparatus to a height position; and responding to an actuation instruction to adjust the height of the boom apparatus for the exposure by translating the at least one movable section of the vertical column along the vertical axis, where the boom apparatus is displaceable over a range of height settings along the movable section, and where translating the at least one movable section comprises changing the speed of translation according to proximity of the boom apparatus height to one of upper and lower boundaries of the range.