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
Toshiba Aquilion 16 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

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gantry aperture (720mm diameter)
- microphone
- sagittal laser alignment light
- patient guide lights
- x-ray exposure indicator light
- emergency stop buttons
- gantry control panels
- external laser alignment lights
- patient couch
- ECG gating monitor
CT Gantry Internal View

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internal projector
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x-ray tube heat exchanger (oil cooler)
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direct drive gantry motor
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rotation control unit
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detector temperature controller
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power unit (AC to DC)
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line noise filter
CT Gantry Control Panel

- gantry tilt (+/-30 degrees)
- laser alignment lights on/off
- couch in/out
- free (manual) couch movement
- zero couch position
- couch up/down
- home button (couch out & down)
neonatal lines