X-ray imaging apparatus

Claim 2

An X-ray imaging apparatus for placing in an examination room and for using with a bed which supports a subject comprising: a base installed in said examination room; an intermediate frame having a horizontal first rotary shaft which is situated along an axis of the subject and a horizontal second rotary shaft, coupled to the base via said horizontal first rotary shaft; and an arm apparatus coupled to the intermediate frame via said horizontal second rotary shaft, and having X-ray generating means and X-ray detection means.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft differs form an imaginary axis of the second rotary shaft.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base is mounted on one of the ceiling and the floor of the examination room.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base is vertically extendible.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft intersects a line connecting the X-ray generating means and the X-ray detection means.

Claim 7

An X-ray imaging apparatus for placing in an examination room and for using with a bed which supports a subject comprising: a base installed in said examination room; an intermediate frame having a horizontal first rotary shaft which is situated along an axis of the subject and a horizontal second rotary shaft, coupled to the base via said horizontal first rotary shaft; an arm coupled to the intermediate frame via said horizontal second rotary shaft; a first mechanism, provided at one end portion of the arm, for removably supporting at least one X-ray generating means; the X-ray generating means supported by the first mechanism; a second mechanism, provided at the other end portion of the arm, for supporting at least one X-ray detection means; and the X-ray detection means supported by the second mechanism.

Claim 8

An X-ray imaging apparatus for placing in an examination room and for using with a bed which supports a subject comprising: a base installed in said examination room; an intermediate frame having a horizontal first rotary shaft which is situated along an axis of the subject and a horizontal second rotary shaft, coupled to the base via said horizontal first rotary shaft; an arm coupled to the intermediate frame via said horizontal second rotary shaft; a first mechanism, provided at one end portion of the arm, for removably supporting at least one X-ray generating means; the X-ray generating means supported by the first mechanism; a second mechanism, provided at the other end portion of the arm, for supporting at least one X-ray detection means; and the X-ray detection means supported by the second mechanism.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft differs from an imaginary axis of the second rotary shaft.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said base is mounted on one of the ceiling and the floor of the examination room.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said base is vertically extendible.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft intersects a line connecting the X-ray generating means and the X-ray detection means.

Claim 13

An X-ray imaging apparatus for placing in an examination room and for using with a bed which supports a subject comprising: a base installed in said examination room; an intermediate frame having a horizontal first rotary shaft which is situated along an axis of the subject and a horizontal second rotary shaft, coupled to the base via said horizontal first rotary shaft; an arm coupled to the intermediate frame via said horizontal second rotary shaft; a first member, provided at one end portion of the arm, for setting at least one X-ray generating means in a predetermined position in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the arm extends; the X-ray generating means supported by the first member; a second member, provided at the other end portion of the arm, for setting at least one X-ray detection means in a predetermined position in a direction perpendicular to he direction in which the arm extends; and the X-ray detection means supported by the second member.

Claim 14

An X-ray imaging apparatus for placing in an examination room and for using with a bed which supports a subject comprising: a base installed in said examination room; an intermediate frame having a horizontal first rotary shaft which is situated along an axis of the subject and a horizontal second rotary shaft, coupled to the base via said horizontal first rotary shaft; an arm coupled to the intermediate frame via said horizontal second rotary shaft; a first member, provided at one end portion of the arm, for setting at least one X-ray generating means in a predetermined position in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the arm extends; the X-ray generating means supported by the first member; a second member, provided at the other end portion of the arm, for setting at least one X-ray detection means in a predetermined position in a direction perpendicular to he direction in which the arm extends; and the X-ray detection means supported by the second member.

Claim 15

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft differs from an imaginary axis of the second rotary shaft.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the distance between the position of the X-ray generating means and the arm is substantially equal to the distance between an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft and an imaginary axis of the second rotary shaft.

Claim 17

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the distance between the position of the X-ray detection means and the arm is substantially equal to the distance between an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft and an imaginary axis of the second rotary shaft.

Claim 18

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the distance between the position of the X-ray generating means and the arm is substantially equal to the distance between the position of the X-ray detection means and the arm and to the distance between an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft and an imaginary axis of the second rotary shaft.

Claim 19

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first member includes a mechanism for connecting/disconnecting the X-ray generating means.

Claim 20

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first member includes a mechanism for connecting/disconnecting the X-ray detection means.

Claim 21

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first member includes a mechanism for connecting/disconnecting the X-ray generating means, and said second member includes a mechanism for connecting/disconnecting the X-ray detection means.

Claim 22

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said base is mounted on one of the ceiling and the floor of the examination room.

Claim 23

The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said base is vertically extendible.

Claim 24

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an imaginary axis of the first rotary shaft intersects a line connecting the X-ray generating means and the X-ray detection means.