| United States Patent | 6,424,697 |
| Zastrow , et al. | July 23, 2002 |
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for constructing a post-patient collimator for a computed tomographic (CT) imaging system, the method including steps of: edge welding collimator plates to a top rail using at least one directed energy beam welder; and edge welding the collimator plates to a bottom rail, using the at least one directed energy beam welder. The above described embodiment provides an efficient and less expensive method for manufacturing a post-patient collimator for a CT imaging system than embodiments requiring use of precision combs for accurately positioning the plates.
| Inventors: | Zastrow; Dale S. (Waukesha, WI); Beacham, Jr.; Jimmie A. (West Allis, WI) |
| Assignee: | GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC (Waukesha, WI) |
| Appl. No.: | 751547 |
| Filed: | December 29, 2000 |
| 4203021 | May., 1980 | Andel et al. | 219/121. |
| 4679221 | Jul., 1987 | O'Brien et al. | 378/148. |
| 4920552 | Apr., 1990 | Hermens | 378/153. |
| 5231654 | Jul., 1993 | Kwasnick et al. | 378/147. |
| 5231655 | Jul., 1993 | Wei et al. | 378/147. |
| 5293417 | Mar., 1994 | Wei et al. | 378/147. |
| 5303282 | Apr., 1994 | Kwasnick et al. | 378/147. |
| 5524041 | Jun., 1996 | Grenier | 378/147. |
| 5644615 | Jul., 1997 | Van Der Borst et al. | 378/147. |
| 6175615 | Jan., 2001 | Guru et al. | 378/149. |