U.S. patent number 3,659,099 [Application Number 04/867,805] was granted by the patent office on 1972-04-25 for x-ray apparatus for screening and radiographs in two directions.
This patent grant is currently assigned to U.S. Philips Corporation. Invention is credited to Hermann Bertheau.
United States Patent |
3,659,099 |
Bertheau |
April 25, 1972 |
X-RAY APPARATUS FOR SCREENING AND RADIOGRAPHS IN TWO DIRECTIONS
Abstract
X-ray apparatus including a first X-ray tube and associated
image intensifier for mylographic examination to which a second
X-ray tube and the associated image intensifier are detachably
coupled; X-ray beams from the two X-ray tubes are alignable to
traverse the patient-supporting table, and movable lengthwise and
laterally relative to a patient.
Inventors: |
Bertheau; Hermann
(Hamburg-Fuhlsbuttel, DT) |
Assignee: |
U.S. Philips Corporation (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
5710996 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/867,805 |
Filed: |
October 20, 1969 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Oct 19, 1968 [DT] |
|
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P 18 04 111.7 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
378/190; 378/193;
378/189 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
6/4014 (20130101); A61B 6/022 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
6/02 (20060101); G03b 041/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;250/53,59,61.5,91,92,51,60,65 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lawrence; James W.
Assistant Examiner: Church; C. E.
Claims
I claim:
1. In an X-ray apparatus for fluorescopic examination of a patient
positioned longitudinally on a supporting table, the apparatus
including a base, a frame, a first image intensifier supported in a
generally vertical orientation on the frame, a carriage
displaceable on the base longitudinally relative to said patient, a
first X-ray source carried by the carriage and alignable with said
first intensifier, the apparatus further comprising an upright
column extending from said carriage and means for releasably
connecting the column to the frame, a second image intensifier
detachably secured to said carriage, and second X-ray source
detachably secured to said upright column and alignable with said
second intensifier, the second X-ray source providing a laterally
oriented X-ray beam for penetrating the patient.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second image
intensifier and X-ray source have a central axis generally normal
to that of the first intensifier and X-ray source.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising guide means
secured between said carriage and the second image intensifier for
permitting movement of said second intensifier axially and
horizontally relative to the corresponding second X-ray source.
4. In an x-ray apparatus for fluorescopic examination of a patient
positioned on a supporting table, the apparatus described with
respect to a horizontal-longitudinal axis of the table and a
vertical axis, the apparatus including a frame, a first image
intensifier, for vertical-axis examination, supported by the frame,
a carriage movable lengthwise relative to said table, a first X-ray
source supported by the carriage and for alignment with the first
image intensifier, an upright column extending from the carriage,
said frame adjustably secured to the column, a second image
intensifier, for horizontal-axis examination, detachably secured to
said carriage, and a second X-ray source detachably secured to said
column.
Description
The invention relates to an X-ray apparatus for fluorescopic
examination, or screening, and making radiographs in two orthogonal
directions; the apparatus comprises a first image intensifier
secured to a frame of an X-ray beam centering device and aligned
with a first X-ray source. A carriage movable on the frame has an
upright column releasably secured thereto, and an image intensifier
and an additional X-ray source for lateral screening or
fluorescopic examination provided to be displaceable together with
the centering apparatus in the direction of length of the
table.
Such apparatus are particularly suitable for use in myolography,
i.e. for visual inspection by X-ray reproduction of the vertebral
column channel of the human body. The contrast to be reproduced
radiographically is obtained by means of liquid (positive) or
gaseous (negative) contrast means. These contrast agents are
usually introduced into the lower part of the vertebral column
channel and their course in said channel is followed on a display
screen. Since liquid contrast agents tend to accumulate always at
the lowest point in the verte bral column channel, this channel can
be screened or visually inspected in two directions in a
satisfactory manner only when the patient does not move. The
patient has therefore to be subjected to penetration of X-rays
simultaneously or alternately from one side and from the front or
the rear side. When gaseous contrast agents are employed, only
fairly weak contrasts are obtained and therefore the geometric lack
of sharpness has to be minimized. This requires use of a
radiographic cassette in the examinations or the screen has to be
disposed near the object, which is not readily possible in known
apparatus. If liquid contrast agents absorbable by the body are
employed, a rapid examination is required, since these agents
spread through the body within a short period of time. Liquid
contrast agents not absorbed by the body, for example "Pantopaque"
have to be removed from the channel after the examination, the
removal being constantly checked. Therefore the vertebral column of
the patient has to be accessible from the outside during X-ray
examination. Moreover, the apparatus should preferably not be
restricted solely to examinations in two directions, as in the case
of myolographic examinations. For this purpose the additional x-ray
tube and the associated image intensifier required for lateral
x-ray observation have to be removable in a simple manner from the
apparatus.
An X-ray apparatus according to the invention is intended to
further satisfy the above requirements, and is characterized in
that the image intensifier for lateral screening is detachably
coupled with a vertically displaceable frame coupled with a
carriage of the x-ray centering apparatus the additional X-ray
source can be detachably secured to the tower of the centering
apparatus, to the centering apparatus itself, or to a holder
rigidly secured to the centering apparatus. This apparatus permits
arranging the cassette of the fluorescent screen comparatively near
the patient, while the vertebral column is readily accessible for
the examination.
The invention will be described more fully hereinafter with
reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.
FIG. 1 shows a known apparatus for myolographic examination.
FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically an apparatus in accordance with the
invention and
FIG. 3 shows a coupling for the lateral X-ray source in accordance
with the invention.
The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 comprises a patient table 1, with an
X-ray source 3 arranged beneath the top plate of the table. An
image of the object produced by the X-ray source 3 is projected
onto the screen of an image intensifier 6, attached to a x-ray
centering apparatus 5. This apparatus is adapted to be displaced
laterally upwards, or downwards (in the vertical direction) as well
as at right angles to the plane of the drawing. A further X-ray
source 7 and the associated image intensifier 8 are fastened
laterally beneath the centering apparatus. The connections thereof
with the display apparatus are detachable.
Central rays from the X-ray sources 3 and 7 intersect each other at
a point 9, which is located in the apparatus at a fixed distance
from the input screen of the image intensifiers 6 and 8. The
distance of the point of intersection 9 from the display screen of
the image intensifier 6 is comparatively large in order to allow a
downward movement of the lateral image intensifier 8 together with
the associated X-ray source 7 without the centering apparatus 5
touching the patient 4, when the point of intersection of the
central beam has to be displaced downwards to near the table top 2.
For the same reason the point of intersection 9 of the central beam
has to be at a comparatively large distance from the display screen
of the lateral image intensifier 8. Therefore the geometric fading
determined by the finite dimensions of the focus of the X-ray tube
is in both directions comparatively great.
For reducing the geometric fading in this case it is not possible
to arrange the centering apparatus 5 near the patient and then
screen only in the vertical directions; the horizontal lateral
central beam would then be at a very low level, even beneath the
table top 2, after which the centering apparatus could be moved
upwards for examination in the horizontal direction, but usually
there is no time available for such an examination.
In an X-ray apparatus according to the invention, as is shown in
FIG. 2, the sighting or X-ray centering frame 11 is connected via
an angular member 12 with a turret or column 13, which is fastened
to a longitudinally movable carriage 14 of the centering apparatus,
said carriage holding the X-ray source 15. The X-ray source 15 is
centered to an image intensifier 10, arranged on the centering
frame 11.
The centering frame is adapted to be displaced in the carriage 14
within a given range in the direction of length of the table top -
and in a transversely movable carriage (not shown) - in a direction
transverse of the table top; moreover, the centering apparatus is
movable in the vertical direction, the connecting member 12 being
guided in guide rails 31 of the column 13.
The lateral image intensifier 17 is mounted on a frame 18, which is
coupled with the longitudinally movable carriage 14 of the
centering apparatus so that it is movable together with the
centering apparatus in the direction of length. The frame 18 may be
readily disconnected from said carriage so that the apparatus may
also be used for examinations from one direction. The image
intensifier is journalled in a rotary collar 19, which is held by
guides 20 (for example bars), in FIG. 2 only one bar is visible,
the other is covered by the image intensifier 17, said guides being
displaceable in a guide frame 21. The guide frame 21 is held by the
frame 18 and is displaceable along it in a direction of height. The
lateral image intensifier is therefore movable as follows:
By means of the bars 20 the rotary collar 19 or the image
intensifier 17 can be displaced laterally so that the distance of
the input screen of the image intensifier from the center of the
table may be varied between 240 mm. and 400 mms. The guide frame 21
can be displaced together with the image intensifier 17 upwards or
downwards so that the axis of the image intensifier may lie at a
distance from 50 mms. and 250 mms. above the table. For this
purpose a supporting ring 16 is used, which terminates the bars 20
and serves in addition as a stop for the lateral displacement.
During the pivotal movement of the table top around a horizontal
axis, the image intensifier maintains a fixed direction relative to
the horizontal. This means that the position of the patient is
determined by the position of the centering apparatus associated
with the image intensifier 17 so that the examination is
considerably simplified.
If desired, a supporting device for radiographic cassettes and fine
rasters may be provided for the image intensifier so that
radiographs can be made.
A diaphragm cassette 22 of the X-ray source 27 is provided with two
transverse projections (FIG. 3) adapted to slide along rails 24,
25, fastened to the or column 13 of the sighting apparatus. Between
the rails a recess 26 is provided through which the X-rays can pass
through the column. The column and the connecting piece 12 are
provided with notched clamping frames 28 and 29 respectively, into
which can snap a stop lever 30, provided on the depth diaphragm and
indicated in FIG. 3 by broken lines. The stop lever can be changed
over so that the X-ray source can be coupled either with the
connecting member and hence with the centering frame or with the
column of the centering apparatus, the distance of the axis of the
image intensifier from the table or from the centering frame then
depending upon the notch in the frames 28 and 29 into which the
stop lever 30 is inserted.
When the X-ray source is coupled with the column of the centering
apparatus, its distance from the table top is fixed and the image
intensifier can then be accurately centered to the central beam.
The image intensifier 10 for vertical screening of the centering
frame 11 can then be displaced in the vertical direction without
affecting the position of the lateral central beam. The lateral
image intensifier may be moved towards or away from the patient
without resulting in a change of the position of the image
intensifier 10. The two image intensifiers can thus be arranged
near the patient so that only a slight geometric fading need be
accepted. A further advantage of this construction resides in that
at a movement of the centering frame in the vertical direction only
the mass of the vertical screening apparatus has to be moved,
whereas the mass of the horizontal screening apparatus remains
stationary.
If required, the image intensifier 10 may be moved completely
upwards and, after removal of a pawl, within the horizontal arm of
the connecting member 12 to the right into a non-use position. In
this way it is possible to carry out treatments of the patient
while checking in the horizontal direction. If a vertical screening
check is desired, the lateral image intensifier may be shifted
downwards so that the patient is readily accessible from that
side.
If with a diaphragm adjustment of the lateral X-ray beam, the
course of a contrast agent through a strongly curved vertebral
column has to be observed, the lateral image intensifier is
effectively coupled with the clamping frame 29 and the centering
apparatus so that by displacement of the centering apparatus in the
vertical direction it can follow the spine. Since the diaphragm
beam is very narrow, the fact that the axis of the image
intensifier is then not always accurately centered to the central
beam can hardly be disturbing. The risk of radiation passing
alongside the lateral image intensifier may, however, by avoided by
adjusting the lateral image intensifier to an average working
height.
For examinations where a high working speed is not required a
single image intensifier is sufficient. For this purpose the image
intensifier is fastened by a detachable quick release at will to
the sighting apparatus 11 or to the guide frame 18, 21 so that the
examinations can be carried out one after the other in both
directions.
* * * * *