GB1595382A - Camera for use with x-ray apparatus - Google Patents

Description

(54) CAMERA FOR USE WITH X-RAY APPARATUS (71) We, MEDICOR MUVEK, a Hungarian body corporate, of 1389 Budapest, Rontgen u. 11--13, Hungary, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to a camera for use with X-ray apparatus.

With up-to-date therapeutic X-ray apparatus the picture obtained is observed by the doctor not in the form of a radiograph but on a picture screen through a picture transformer system. It may be, however, necessary to fix some phases of the obtained fluoroscopic picture in one or more photographs. For this purpose the picture transformer and picture amplifier system is provided with a picture divider and a camera, for example the socalled "Spot" camera.

The picture divider ensures that the traditional optical picture previously transformed from the fluoroscopic picture enters the television chain or the Spot camera.

The doctor starts the exposure in whatever phase of the screening by means of a switch knob.

In addition to individual exposures, serial exposures made of the process by the camera are also necessary, namely with a photographing rate of one or more exposures per second.

The serial exposure method, expecially in case of angiographic examinations is indispensable, moreover, it may become necessary also with simple screening diagnostics.

In the Spot camera the card of the patient is arranged, from which the name or codenumber of the patient as well as the successive serial number of exposures are also photographed in the corner of the film.

The Spot cameras make the exposures to plate films of 100x 100 mm or 70x70 mm, and to roll films of 100 mm or 700 mm width.

In the camera, from 25 to 150 plate films are stored, depending on the type.

Due to several applicational advantages not described here, in medical practice, exposure of plate films has gained wider ground than that of roll film.

The film driving path of known cameras using plate films is basically identical.

From the magazine containing the unexposed films, a film is lifted out by a mechanism, forwarded to the exposure point, in the focal plane of the objective lens, fixed there, the exposure is carried out, and the exposed film is removed from the focal plane by means of a mechanism, and is arranged in a magazine of exposed films. All these mean that the magazines both for the unexposed and for the exposed films have exclusively storing purposes and do not participate directly in the process of photographing.

The drawback of the cameras known up to now consists in that the film driving path is long and the film driving mechanism is complicated, especially with cameras making several exposures per second, for example 68--12 exposures/sec, further in that in case of a rate quicker than 7 8 or more exposures/sec their operation is not troublefree.

The present invention sets the aim through the new principle of film drive, to produce more economically and to operate more safely the camera.

According to the invention, there is provided a camera for use with X-ray apparatus comprising a magazine for unexposed films, which, in use of the camera, are arranged one behind another in the magazine so that the front film is in the focal plane of the camera, the magazine having an open end to enable the front film to be exposed; means for biasing the films in the magazine so that as the front film is removed from the magazine, the film behind takes its place; a magazine for receiving exposed films arranged one behind another; and means for transferring said front film from the magazine for unexposed films in its own plane to said magazine for exposed films.

The first magazine thus serves not only for storing the unexposed films but forms a part of the photographing mechanism in that it also contains the focal plane, as well as the feeding of the film to the focal plane can be carried out within the magazine with a minimum displacement effected by its structural elements.

An embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a section through an embodiment of a camera according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows an elevation and a crosssection of a film for use in the camera of Figure 1.

The camera comprises a light-tightly closed housing 9 which carries the optical system 10 of the objective. a projecting mirror 11, a driving motor 12, an actuating mechanism 6, a device 14 for projecting and counting the name cards. a magazine opening 15 accepting and exactly orientating the film magazine, as well as the wires, switches.

magnets and lamps 17 necessary for the operation of the apparatus in synchronism with the X-ray apparatus.

Unexposed films 1 are arranged one behind the other, like a card pack, in a magazine 2 but in such a position within the camera that the front film of the pack is directly in the focal plane 4 of the objective-after the opening of a drop shutter 8 of the magazine 2-in a condition and position ready for an exposure to be made.

The magazine 2 is arranged on the optical axis 13 of the picture to be photographed.

The unexposed film pack within the magazine is pressed by a spring 5 to the focal plane 4 for exposure. After the exposure, the mechanism 6 "pulls down" the exposed film by shifting it in its own plane from the front of the pack, while pushing the film over to a magazine 7 for exposed films arranged immediately beside the magazine of unexposed films. The two magazines are made practically of one piece, having a common end plane and sides, separated internally by a partition.

Once a film has been removed from the front of the pack by the mechanism 6, the next film advances into the focal plane 4 under the effect of the spring 5-by a minimum displacement-since the spring 5 pushes forward the entire pack. Thus the system is again ready for an exposure.

In the magazine of exposed films, a spring 3 similarly holds the film pack in a regular position.

On the end plane of the film magazine the drop shutter 8 provides by its opening and closing for the light protection of film and its readiness for exposure within the camera.

When the magazine is arranged in the camera the drop shutter 8 is continuously open, and will be closed only when a magazine is not present.

The most simple practical use of the described principle of film arrangement and film driving is not yet rendered possible by the currently produced X-ray films dupe to their translucence since when exposing, not only the first film but also one or two fims behind it will be exposed to some light. To the most simple application of the principle, a film is required, the back side of which is not translucent and is coated with an emulsion soluble when developing. The described principle can be applied, however, with the currently available films. if the X-ray films are each placed in a thin plate holder 16 each open at one end plane end closed at the back side and the holder packets containing the films are arranged in the magazine one behind the other in the same way as with the films themselves. In case of films placed in the plate holders, due to the rigidity and thickness of the holder, the driving of the films becomes easier and since the separation and individualization of films occurs when the films are arranged in the plate holders, laboratory work is simpler than with the film packs.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A camera for use with X-ray apparatus comprising a magazine for unexposed films which, in use of the camera, are arranged one behind another in the magazine so that the front film is in the focal plane of the camera, the magazine having an open end to enable the front film to the exposed; means for biasing the films in the magazine so that as the front film is removed from the magazine, the film behind takes its place; a magazine for receiving exposed films arranged one behind another; and means for transferring said front film from the magazine for unexposed films in its own plane to said magazine for exposed films.

2. A camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use, the said front film in the magazine of unexposed films is on the optical axis of the camera.

3. A camera as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the two magazines form a single unit receivable in an aperture in the camera body.

4. A camera as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising biasing means in the magazine for exposed films for biasing the films therein to the front thereof.

5. A camera substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

6. The combination of a camera as claimed in any preceding claim and one or more plate films, the or each plate film being contained in a plate film holder, open at one end to allow the plate film to be inserted into and removed from the holder.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. minimum displacement effected by its structural elements. An embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a section through an embodiment of a camera according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows an elevation and a crosssection of a film for use in the camera of Figure 1. The camera comprises a light-tightly closed housing 9 which carries the optical system 10 of the objective. a projecting mirror 11, a driving motor 12, an actuating mechanism 6, a device 14 for projecting and counting the name cards. a magazine opening 15 accepting and exactly orientating the film magazine, as well as the wires, switches. magnets and lamps 17 necessary for the operation of the apparatus in synchronism with the X-ray apparatus. Unexposed films 1 are arranged one behind the other, like a card pack, in a magazine 2 but in such a position within the camera that the front film of the pack is directly in the focal plane 4 of the objective-after the opening of a drop shutter 8 of the magazine 2-in a condition and position ready for an exposure to be made. The magazine 2 is arranged on the optical axis 13 of the picture to be photographed. The unexposed film pack within the magazine is pressed by a spring 5 to the focal plane 4 for exposure. After the exposure, the mechanism 6 "pulls down" the exposed film by shifting it in its own plane from the front of the pack, while pushing the film over to a magazine 7 for exposed films arranged immediately beside the magazine of unexposed films. The two magazines are made practically of one piece, having a common end plane and sides, separated internally by a partition. Once a film has been removed from the front of the pack by the mechanism 6, the next film advances into the focal plane 4 under the effect of the spring 5-by a minimum displacement-since the spring 5 pushes forward the entire pack. Thus the system is again ready for an exposure. In the magazine of exposed films, a spring 3 similarly holds the film pack in a regular position. On the end plane of the film magazine the drop shutter 8 provides by its opening and closing for the light protection of film and its readiness for exposure within the camera. When the magazine is arranged in the camera the drop shutter 8 is continuously open, and will be closed only when a magazine is not present. The most simple practical use of the described principle of film arrangement and film driving is not yet rendered possible by the currently produced X-ray films dupe to their translucence since when exposing, not only the first film but also one or two fims behind it will be exposed to some light. To the most simple application of the principle, a film is required, the back side of which is not translucent and is coated with an emulsion soluble when developing. The described principle can be applied, however, with the currently available films. if the X-ray films are each placed in a thin plate holder 16 each open at one end plane end closed at the back side and the holder packets containing the films are arranged in the magazine one behind the other in the same way as with the films themselves. In case of films placed in the plate holders, due to the rigidity and thickness of the holder, the driving of the films becomes easier and since the separation and individualization of films occurs when the films are arranged in the plate holders, laboratory work is simpler than with the film packs. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A camera for use with X-ray apparatus comprising a magazine for unexposed films which, in use of the camera, are arranged one behind another in the magazine so that the front film is in the focal plane of the camera, the magazine having an open end to enable the front film to the exposed; means for biasing the films in the magazine so that as the front film is removed from the magazine, the film behind takes its place; a magazine for receiving exposed films arranged one behind another; and means for transferring said front film from the magazine for unexposed films in its own plane to said magazine for exposed films.

2. A camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use, the said front film in the magazine of unexposed films is on the optical axis of the camera.

3. A camera as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the two magazines form a single unit receivable in an aperture in the camera body.

4. A camera as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising biasing means in the magazine for exposed films for biasing the films therein to the front thereof.

5. A camera substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

6. The combination of a camera as claimed in any preceding claim and one or more plate films, the or each plate film being contained in a plate film holder, open at one end to allow the plate film to be inserted into and removed from the holder.