Gantry

The gantry is the 'donut' shaped part of the CT scanner that houses the components necessary to produce and detect x-rays to create a CT image. The x-ray tube and detectors are positioned opposite each other and rotate around the gantry aperture. Continuous rotation in one direction without cable wrap around is possible due to the use of slip rings. The images below are of a <a class="external" href="http://www.medical.toshiba.com/clinical/radiology/aquilion16.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toshiba Aquilion 16</a> CT scanner with the external and internal components of the gantry, and the control panel labelled. This gantry weighs a total of 1750kg (3858lb)!

CT Gantry External View

<img align="bottom" alt="Gantry - wikiRadiography" height="255" src="http://image.wikifoundry.com/wiki/wikiradiography/image/1+GVltvPUNRO6EPT9la6ehA==59393/GW340H255" title="Gantry - wikiRadiography" width="340"/>

1. gantry aperture (720mm diameter)
2. microphone
3. sagittal laser alignment light
4. patient guide lights
5. x-ray exposure indicator light
6. emergency stop buttons
7. gantry control panels
8. external laser alignment lights
9. patient couch
10. ECG gating monitor

CT Gantry Internal View

<img align="bottom" alt="Gantry - wikiRadiography" height="255" src="http://image.wikifoundry.com/wiki/wikiradiography/image/1k2QvEsbvQYPOq25sbyaluQ==133980/GW340H255" title="Gantry - wikiRadiography" width="340"/>

1. x-ray tube
2. filters, collimator, and reference detector
3. internal projector
4. x-ray tube heat exchanger (oil cooler)
5. high voltage generator (0-75kV)
6. direct drive gantry motor
7. rotation control unit
8. data acquisition system (DAS)
9. detectors
10. slip rings
11. detector temperature controller
12. high voltage generator (75-150kV)
13. power unit (AC to DC)
14. line noise filter

CT Gantry Control Panel

<img align="bottom" alt="Gantry - wikiRadiography" height="340" src="http://image.wikifoundry.com/wiki/wikiradiography/image/1mDHwbC2$9jaAB8CDYgCHCw==72304/GW255H340" title="Gantry - wikiRadiography" width="255"/>

1. gantry tilt (+/-30 degrees)
2. laser alignment lights on/off
3. couch in/out
4. free (manual) couch movement
5. zero couch position
6. couch up/down
7. home button (couch out & down)

neonatal lines