Alignment Light Adjustment

(Click Here for Summary Version)

1  Personnel Requirements
Required Persons Preliminary Reqs Procedure Finalization
1 Not Applicable 60 mins 15 mins

2  Overview
This procedure defines the necessary steps to adjust the alignment lights.

3  Preliminary Requirements

3.1  Tools and Test Equipment

Item Qty Effectivity Part# Manufacturer

5135228 or
FE torque wrench set 1 - -
equivalent
5 mm hex end socket 1 - - -
Long Phillips #2 screwdriver 1 - - -
Large washer approximately 0.5 inch ID, 1.5 inch
1 - - -
OD
Torpedo Level 1 - - -
5 mm Hex key 1 - - -
Poly Phantom 1 - - -

3.2  Replacement Parts

Item Qty Effectivity Part# Manufacturer

Masking Tape AR - - -

3.3  Safety

WARNING
POSSIBLE EYE INJURY.
LASER BEAMS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE.
WHEN OPERATING THE ALIGNMENT LIGHTS, DO NOT STARE AT THE LASER
BEAMS.

3.4  Required Conditions

Condition Reference Effectivity

Resetting the C-Pulse procedure must be run prior to adjusting the alignment
- -
lights to insure the gantry rotates the lasers to the proper home location.

4  Procedure
1. Remove gantry right side cover.
 Refer to Parts Replacement → Gantry → Enclosure → (Cover Removal Procedure).

2. Stop the rotor of X-ray tube in case of Liquid Bearing Tube before HVDC off. Refer to Liquid
Bearing Tube Rotor stop procedure for details.

3. Turn OFF the Axial Drive, HVDC switches on the gantry’s Service Switch Panel.

4. Remove the gantry left side cover, top covers Scan Window, rear and front covers.

Either position the front cover to the side to be able to connect the control panels or
NOTE:
follow the front cover instructions for relocating the controls to the gantry for use.

5. Remove cradle pad and associated accessories.

6. Place Poly Phantom on the end of cradle so it extends 2 inches beyond the cradle end.

7. Verify phantom is level front to back and side to side. Adjust as necessary.

DANGER
POSSIBLE PHYSICAL INJURY
GANTRY MAY ROTATE WHEN ALIGNMENT LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON.
VERIFY THAT ALL PERSONNEL ARE CLEAR OF THE SYSTEM, AND THE GANTRY
ROTATES FREELY TO 180 DEGREES.

8. Turn on axial drive service switch then turn on laser lights using gantry control panel. Turn off
axial drive after gantry movement stops and lasers are on.

9. Assemble washer and screwdriver and secure to phantom as shown in Illustration 1.

Illustration 1:  Internal and External Laser Alignment Jig Setup Example

10. Adjust jig position such that:

o Internal lasers shine on the washer’s edge center
o Sagittal and Coronal lasers shine on the center of the screwdriver shaft

NOTE: Chose either the left or right side of the jig as a reference for this procedure.
11. Select New Patient, Service Protocol tab, 42.1 Service Generic Scan, Create New Series,
Scout.

Table 1:  Laser Align Generic Service Scan Scout Protocol

SCOUT SCAN TYPE START LOC. END LOC. KV MA SCOUT PLANE

1 Scout S 50 I 50 120 80 90
2 Scout S 50 I 50 120 80 0

12. Turn on the HVDC and Axial drive service switches if not already on.

13. Confirm and Scan.

14. Return cradle to isocenter (location 0.0) after scanning.

15. From Image Works, Browser Select Exam, Series, Image.

16. Select Format one over one (lower left)

Both scout scans should now be displayed. Adjust the window and level setting so
NOTE: you can see the outline of the screwdriver handle. Click in a viewport to activate it,
and select Grid. Make sure to check the grid for both scouts.

17. The washer and screwdriver shaft need to be centered under the zero (0) grid lines. Both
washer and screwdriver should also be parallel to the associated grid lines. See Illustration 2.
18. Illustration 2:  Aligning the Laser Adjustment Jig to ISO Center and the Z-Axis
 19.

17. Write down the error deltas (for all 3 axis of movement X,Y and Z) from the Zero (0) grid lines
to the center of the screwdriver shaft and washer edge. Use measure distance if desired.

18. Reposition the jig exactly according to the error delta using gantry table controls. ONLY
MOVE THE PHANTOM FOR LEFT/RIGHT ADJUSTMENT. Use table elevation to position jig
in “Y” (anterior/posterior) and move table in or out for position in Z (Superior/Inferior)

Changing Elevation will post a message window. Close message window and
NOTE:
proceed.

19. Select Repeat Series and scan.

20. Repeat Step 11 through Step 19 until jig reference points are centered under the grid zero (0)
lines.

NOTICE
Once the jig is aligned to ISO Center and the Z-Axis, do not change it. If it is changed
you will need to start over.

21. Return cradle to isocenter (location 0.0) after scanning.

 DANGER
POSSIBLE PHYSICAL INJURY
GANTRY MAY ROTATE WHEN ALIGNMENT LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON.
VERIFY THAT ALL PERSONNEL ARE CLEAR OF THE SYSTEM, AND THE GANTRY
ROTATES FREELY TO 180 DEGREES.

22. Press the Alignment Lights button.

DANGER
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
UNEXPECTED GANTRY ROTATION CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
NEVER SERVICE THE GANTRY WITH THE AXIAL DRIVE ENABLED.

23. Turn OFF Axial Enable switch. Turn on the alignment light override switch on the ORP or
SCORP (it is the only switch available through the cover).

24. Adjust the Reference Internal Laser chosen in step 7 to shine on the washer’s edge center.
Reference Illustration 3. Mounting Screws Angular Alignment Screw Position Alignment
Screws

Illustration 3:  Laser Adjustment Screws

NOTE: Properly adjusted Lasers will bisect the output port of the other 2 Internal lasers.

25. Adjust the Sagittal and Coronal lasers so they shine on the screwdriver shaft at ISO Center.
Set Coronal lasers as level as possible and Sagittal laser as parallel to the cradle as possible.
Tracking adjustments will be performed in later steps.

26. Move the cradle out of the gantry to 240 mm position, using the gantry control panel.
27. Adjust the Reference External Laser to shine on the washer’s edge center. Adjust external
laser angular alignment parallel to the gantry lasers using a tape measure along either side of
the cradle.

28. After Reference Lasers have been adjusted, raise and lower the table, and verify both the
External and Internal lasers track the washer’s edge center.

NOTICE
If vertical angle adjustment is necessary, make sure you center the jig at ISO Center
before you adjust the Internal or External reference lasers.

29. Repeat Step 24 through Step 28 as needed.

30. Remove the screwdriver jig without disturbing the phantom.

31. Now that the reference lasers have been set, use a piece of notebook paper to adjust the
other Internal and External lasers to coincide with the reference lasers. (See Alignment Lights
Visual Checks)

32. Place another object, such as a full contrast bottle or unopened soda can, on the phantom.
Attach masking tape and position the object at ISO Center using the laser lights. Refer
to Illustration 4.

33. Using a pen, carefully mark the laser intersection points on the masking tape. Once set, DO
NOT DISTURB THE JIG.

Illustration 4:  Sagittal and Coronal Laser Alignment Jig Setup

34. Using the gantry control panel, move the cradle out of the gantry to 240 mm. Verify the
Sagittal and Coronal laser lights track your pen marks.

NOTICE
If Sagittal or Coronal angle adjustment is necessary, make these adjustments one at
a time, and verify the laser tracks from Internal to External landmarks before making
the next adjustment. If the jig is disturbed, reposition the jig at ISO Center to
reestablish your reference. Verify both Sagittal and Coronal lasers shine on the pen
marks at ISO Center before proceeding. The loss of reference will require
repeating Step 9 through Step 20 and Step 30 through Step 34. This would be
necessary to ensure accuracy.
 35. The last adjustment is the un-referenced Coronal laser to the Reference Coronal laser chosen
in Step 10. Place a sheet of plain white paper in the center of the gantry opening and adjust
the un-referenced coronal laser to bisect the beam of the previously adjusted reference
coronal laser.

36. Turn OFF the Axial Drive, HVDC and 120 VAC switches on the gantry’s Service Switch
Panel.

37. Turn off the alignment lights override switch on the ORP (or SCORP).

38. Install gantry front cover, scan window, top covers and left side cover.

Refer to Parts Replacement → Gantry → Enclosure → (Cover Procedures).

39. Turn ON the 120 VAC, Axial Drive and HVDC switches on the gantry’s Service Switch Panel.

40. Install the gantry right side cover.

5  Finalization
1. Perform Alignment Lights Visual Checks.

Alignment Lights Visual Checks

(Click Here for Summary Version)

1  Personnel Requirements
Required Persons Preliminary Reqs Procedure Finalization
1 Not Applicable 60 mins Not Applicable

2  Overview
This procedure defines the steps necessary to check the alignment light visibility.

Last Revised: June 12, 2015

3  Preliminary Requirements
3.1  Tools and Test Equipment

Item Qty Effectivity Part# Manufacturer

Light Meter (only needed if room lighting is too 46-262762G2 or similar
1 - -
bright to see lasers see section 4.4) light meter

3.2  Consumables

Item Qty Effectivity Part# Manufacturer

White paper AR - - -

3.3  Safety

DANGER
POSSIBLE PHYSICAL INJURY
GANTRY MAY ROTATE WHEN ALIGNMENT LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON.
VERIFY THAT ALL PERSONNEL ARE CLEAR OF THE SYSTEM, AND THE GANTRY
ROTATES FREELY TO 180 DEGREES.

4  Procedure

4.1  Setup for Checks

WARNING
POSSIBLE EYE INJURY.
LASER BEAMS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE.
WHEN OPERATING THE ALIGNMENT LIGHTS, DO NOT STARE AT THE LASER
BEAMS.

1. Press the alignment light button on the gantry control panel, to position the gantry with the
alignment lights on.

2. Remove the right side gantry cover.

Refer to Parts Replacement → Gantry → Enclosure → (Cover Removal Procedure).

3. Stop the rotor of X-ray tube in case of Liquid Bearing Tube before HVDC off. Refer to Liquid
Bearing Tube Rotor stop procedure for details.

4. Turn OFF the axial drive enable and HVDC enable service switches. (Alignment lights will
turn off but will be turned back on in the next step)

For the procedures below, the axial alignment lights create the lines across the bore
left to right and are positioned on the left and right sides of the bore. The coronal
NOTE:
laser creates a horizontal line in and out of the bore along the center line of the table
and is positioned at the top of the bore.

5. On the ORP turn on the Alignment Light Override switch. (Only switch available through the
ORP cover).

4.2  Internal Alignment Lights

 1. Place a sheet of plain white paper over the output port of each light and verify that the two
lines of laser light coincide with each other. Perform this check for both axial and coronal
alignment lights.

2. Place the paper in the center of the Gantry opening, and use a level to verify that the coronal
lines are horizontal.

If alignment light adjustment is required for the above checks, reference Alignment Light
Adjustment to perform the adjustment required.

Do not try to adjust the internal axial lasers on the CT system to shine “down” on the
NOTE:
collimator.

4.3  External Axial to Internal Axial Alignment Light Distance

1. Raise the table to its highest elevation. Extend the cradle until both the internal and external
laser lights shine on the cradle.

2. Place a metric rule on the right edge of the cradle, and measure the distance from the internal
axial laser line to the external axial line generated by each laser. Verify this distance equals
240.0 mm ±1.0 mm. Place the rule on the left edge of the cradle and measure again.

3. Lower the table to the interference limit, leaving the table extended to show both internal and
external lasers.

4. Verify the 240.0 mm ±1.0 mm distance between the internal and external lights, on both
edges of the cradle, as above.

If any adjustment is required reference Alignment Light Adjustment to perform the adjustment

required.

4.4  Alignment Light Visibility

Regulatory. requirements state that lights used to define the tomographic plane must be visible under
ambient light conditions, up to 500 lux. To verify perform the following steps.

1. Turn the scan room lights on to their brightest normal level. Do NOT add localized spot lights
to increase the brightness level.

2. Raise the table to its highest position, advance the cradle into the gantry, and turn on the
alignment lights.

3. Center the back of your hand over the cradle, and hold it in the alignment light. Make sure you
can see the external axial alignment lights on your hand. You only have to see the axial lights,
not the sagittal or coronal lights.

4. Repeat the procedure with the internal axial lights.

5. If you cannot see the external or internal axial lights under the conditions described above,
obtain a light meter (See Tool Depot tool listing for currently available part numbers) measure
the ambient light intensity at the cradle surface at the external and internal alignment light
locations.

If the light reading(s) exceeds 500 lux, reduce the room lighting to the 500 lux level, and
repeat the test in prior steps of this section. If the light meter readings equal 500 lux or less,
replace the laser light(s) and/or their power supplies.
 NOTE: Foot-candles x 10.76 = lux.

5  Finalization
Perform any finalization required by the alignment light adjustment procedure if used.

Auto Alignment Light Setting

(Click Here for Summary Version)

1  Personnel Requirements
Required Persons Preliminary Reqs Procedure Finalization
1

2  Overview
The “Auto Alignment Light” is a function that automatically turns on the Gantry Alignment Light by
pressing Table foot switch when the gantry is at home position.

If the gantry is not at home position, neither the alignment light turns on nor gantry rotates.

This function is supported by the following products:

 Optima CT660 system with 11HW34.16 or later software

 VCT FREEdom (13HW31.x or later)

Last revised: December 17, 2013

3  Preliminary Requirements

3.1  Required Conditions

Condition Reference Effectivity

Only trained service personnel should service the GE CT Scanner. - -

4  Procedure

4.1  Enable procedure

1. Open Unix shell.

2. Type cd /usr/g/GEfirm , press [Enter] key.

 3. Type setAutoAlignmentLight , press [Enter] key.

4. Type 1 , press [Enter] key.

5. Restart application or reboot the system.

4.2  Disable procedure

1. Open Unix shell.

2. Type cd /usr/g/GEfirm , press [Enter] key.

3. Type setAutoAlignmentLight , press [Enter] key.

4. Type 0 , press [Enter] key.

5. Restart application or reboot the system.

NOTE: This setting is saved/restored by System State.

5  Finalization
No finalization steps.