US1967980A - Fluoroscopic device - Google Patents

Description

JGUY 24, T934. F. E. TALTY FLUOROSCOPIC DEVICE Filed Nov. 17, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llllilllllllrllli'llln July 24, 1934. F. E. TALTY FLUOROSCOPIC DEVICE Filed NOV. 17, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented `Iuly 24, 1934 OFFICE FLUOROSCOPIC DEVICE Francis E. Talty, Arlington, Mass.`

Application November 1 6 Claims.

This invention relates in general to iiuoroscopic devices and more particularly to a device of this character adapted to be used in a Well lighted room.

Fluoroscopic devices are used. extensively by the medical profession to determine visually Without the use ci `an X-ray iilm, the condition of a certain part of a persons body. Prior to this time, however, it has been necessary to use the device in an yabsolutely dark room to permit the operator to see the image reproduced on the iiuorescent screen.

The. operation of the device in a dark room obviously has many disadvantages. It is danger- S15, ous' to the operator in that, due to theabsolute '120. Children `'and persons of nervous nature experience .considerable .fear in an absolutely dark room, especiallywhen there for medical treatment. 'Obviously such :fear should 1bee'liminated. Inaddition, it is necessary `to administer medication for particular types of fluoroscopical work and in a dark room this .is quite diicult and at .times almost unsurmountable An object of .my invention is to overcome the above and other disadvantages of the prior art. Another object of myinvention is kto Aprovide a uoroscopical Ydevice adapted to be lused Ain a Well Vlighted room.

Stillanother object of my invention iis to provide a iiuoroscopical device perfectly .screened from the operator.

A further objectof my invention is to'provide a uoroscopical device having a separate dark chamber.

`A still further object of vmy invention ,is t0 provide means within the dark Vchamber fior reproducing an image.

'Yet another object of my invention is to provide a fluoroscopical device adapted to .be moved over a certain area.

Another object of .my invention is toprovide a luoroscopical device having means to protect the operator from X-rays.

VA stillffurther object. of .my invention kis lto provide a uoroscopical .device :in which the X-ray tubev'is .above `the dark chamber.

Yet, Va still further object of my invention is to provide a v'fluoroscopical device in which the X-raydevice Amoves in unison with the dark chamber. c n

i With these Aand Vother objects in view, which 7, 1931, serial No. 575,608

may be incident to 2my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be Vhereinafter set-forth and claimed, with the understanding that the severalnecessary `elements comprisingmyA invention may be varied in construction, -proportionsand arrangement, Without kdeparting from the spirit and scope-of the appended claims.

invention broadly comprehends providing afluoroscopical device adapted to be used in a -well lighted room.v 'The X-rayapparatus is positioned'abovethe dark chamber and both are adapted vto move together soA as to :subject any part of afpatient lying .on ithe table tothe action of the fluoroscopical device. Associated with one end of the ,dark chamber iis arWindoW permitting the operator to View the Yimage formed on a fluorescent ,screen in the top of the dark chamber by means of a mirror positioned .within the .dark chamber. A panel extends above the .dark chamber and has a means 'to view va patient on .the table and Vvadditional means iorallowing the operator to manipulate X-ray proof vcurtains for regulatinggthe area to be covered 'by the X-rays. Other features .of .the ,invention *will` liereinater appear.

In order to make .my invention vmore clearly understood, I have .-shown, in the accompanying drawings, 'means for carryingzthe ,same into practical .effect Without .limiting :the improvements in their useful applications to the ,particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject yof illustration.

Figure 1 isa view showing the ,back of, the fluoroscopical device.

- Figurez isa plan viewof .the device.

Figure v3 is a view taken Aalong line 3--3 yof Figure 2.y i i y Figure 4 is a Vperspective View of `the :lluorescent screen employed Vby this invention.

Figure 5 is a side View of the dark chamber showing vthe Apanelin :a dropped position.

Figure 6 is a sectional-view of the ,darkchamber showing amodied .form of means formviewing kthe image.

.Figure .'7 is a sectional View of a'slightly modied form of dark chamber adapted to receives, Iilm for producing a permanent record.

' `Figure 8 is .a plan view of Va form of shutter for regulating the area to be affected by X-rays.

Figure 9 isa view taken along line 9-.9101

Figure `8. l f ,Y

4Referring tothe .drawings vwherein V,similar parts are representedby likesymbols tmoughout and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown a plurality of uprights 1 provided with members 2 having attened heads suitably secured to the uprights. A top 3 is adapted to rest upon and be secured to the flattened heads of the members 2 by any suitable means. The top 3 may be of any suitable material, such as wood. or metal and may be provided with cushions, not shown, to present a softer surface. As is clearly shown, the uprights 1 and top 3 form a conventional table upon which a patient is placed while undergoing treatment. The table so formed should be of sufficient length to receive the entire body of a patient so that it will not be necessary to change the position of the body to subject any part thereof to the action of the device. A rod 4 extending parallel to each of the sides of the top 3 is suitably secured by means of joints 5 to the uprights 1. Transverse rods 6 are provided to render additional support to the table and are joined to each of the uprights 1 by the joints 5.

While I have shown and described a particular type of table for use with my fiuoroscopical device, it is to be clearly understood that other forms of tables permitting both longitudinal and transverse movement of the apparatus to be hereinafter described, may be used.

A dark chamber 7 is adapted to travel on the rods 4, which act as tracks therefor, by means of a plurality of rollers 8 secured to the chamber 7 by means of supports 9. As is clearly shown, the' supports 9 lform bearing members for the rollers. If desired, additional rollers or any other suitable means may be provided in order to permit transverse movement of the dark chamber 7. The additional rollers would coact with transverse tracks or a solid member between the rods 4 in order to be easily moved. The chamber 7 is constructed of any suitable material and in such a manner as to exclude light from the interior thereof. A lining 10, of lead or other X-ray proof material, is placed within the dark chamber 7 and covers the sides and bottom thereof with the exception of a space into which is placed an X-ray proof window 11. The X-ray proof Window 1l may be of lead glass or any other suitable material permitting vision therethrough, but protection from X-rays. l The purpose of the window 11 will hereinafter appear.

Suitably positioned within the dark chamber 7 is a reflecting mirror 12 maintained in a sloping position by means of brackets 13 and 13' secured to the bottom and top of the dark chamber 7. The top of the dark chamber 7 is adapted to receive a fluorescent screen indicated generally by the numeral 14. The fluorescent screen comprises two layers of plain glass 15 having placed therebetween a suitable fluorescent material 16. This material may be of the type that is readily affected by X-rays and I have found that platinum barium cyanide which, When affected by X-rays becomes green, is quite satisfactory. It is to be clearly understood, however, that other fluorescent material, such as calcium tungstate which becomes purple when affected, might also be used.

The fluorescent screen is shown as having two layers of plain glass with the fluorescent material therebetween. Any suitable type of fluorescent screen may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.

-Suitably attached to the dark chamber 7 is a-bracket 17 formed with a cylindrical seat member 18. The cylindrical member 18 is adapted to receive an upright rod 19 having a projection which engages a slot 20 formed in the cylindrical seat 18. Twisting of the rod 19 maintains it in position and prevents vertical movement thereof.

A guide channel 21 is slidably mounted on the rod 19 and is provided with a screw 22 adapted to lock the bracket in any desired vertical position. The bracket 2l is formed with extending arms 23f having secured thereto rods 24. The rods 24, as is clearly shown in Figure 2, extend transversely of the table top 3. Adapted to slide on the rods 24 is a carriage 25 carrying an X-ray bulb 26 enclosed by a suitable casing 27. The casing 27 is open so that X-rays emanating from the bulb may readily pass to the subject being treated. As is shown in Figure 2 the X-ray bulb is of conventional structure and comprises a cathode 28 and an anode 29 within the bulb 27. The leads connecting the bulb to the source of high voltage may be connected to the ends of the bulb 27 in any well-known manner.

As will be clearly seen from the above,'the X-ray apparatus and the dark chamber are adapted to travel in unison by means of the connection between the two. The X-ray carriage may also be moved transversely of the table on the rods 24 to any desired position.

The end of the dark chamber 7 having the X-ray proof window l1 therein, extends beyond each side thereof as indicatedrby 30 in Figure 1. A panel 31 is hinged to this `end of the dark chamber by means of hinges 32. There is also provided alocking arrangement for maintaining the panel 3l in an upright position. As shown, an arm 33 having a notch 34 is pivotally secured to the extended end of the dark chamber. When the panel is in an upright position, the arm 33 is adapted to engage a knob 35 by means of the notch 34, thereby maintaining the panel 31 in an upright position. i

As is clearly shown in Figure 3, the panel 31 is covered on its side adjacent the X-ray apparatus by any suitable X-ray proof material 36, such as lead. The X-ray proof material covering one side of the panel 31 protects the operator of the apparatus from the effectsof the X-rays.

Positioned within the panel 31 is an X-ray proof window 37 similar to the window 11.in the dark chamber. This window permits the operator to clearly View the X-ray apparatusr to determine whether it is functioning properly and to also view the patient who is on the table undergoing treatment. Evenly spaced from the center of the panel 31 and carried thereby are supports 38. The supports, as is shown in FigureA 1, form a space therebetween suciently wide for the lower part of the carriage carrying the X-ray bulb and its associated conventional structure to freely move transversely of the table top. The supports 38 may also be covered with X-ray proof material, as at times it maybe necessary to raise the X-ray structure above the supports, thereby subjecting them to the produced rays.

The supports may be suitably hinged to the panel 31 by means of hinges 39. A chain 40, attached to each support 38, is adapted to be secured to each side of the panel 31 by means of a hook 41 suitably attached thereto. As shown', when the chain engages the hook 41, the arms 38 are maintained in a horizontal position. Secured to each arm 138 on. the top thereofis a angereist roller f`42 #adapted Y"to receive a --curtain- 43. The "curtainl isalso X-ray proof for reasonset'hat Iwillfpresently-appear.

fAnepen'in'g -44`-below Yeach support 38 is pro- V-idedfinftliepanelgSl. The openings l44'are of 'su'ici'erit'si'ze to #permit a YKhand to Vpass through -eachdn orderto-'change the position of the curtains when -in an extended position, for reasons hereinafter appearing.

The operation of the 'device will now be readily understood. With a Vpatient yon -the top 3 of the table, the device is moved so that the X-ra'y bulb is directly -above that part of the 'patients'body which it is desired tosubject to the action of'thefluoroscopical device. The operator will then adjust the 4curtains f4'3, vwhich are in an extended position by means of his hands extending through the openings, so as to regulate the area of the patients body that it is desired to subject to -the X-rays. The devicecan then 'be energized. Immediately after the X-rays have started `emanating Afrom the bulb, there i -is produced on the iiuorescent screen 1'4 an image Vwhich is reflected bythe mirror 12 Ywithin the dark chamber. This image maybe readily -viewed by the operator by merely Alooking `through the'X-ray proof window -ll in the dar-k chamber, or if desired may be viewed byasecond Aperson entirely.

When the apparatus is not in use, the panel 31'fma-ybe removed vfrom its extended position and occupy a position shown in Figure 5. This is accomplished by unhooking the chain 40 which allows the supports 38 to drop downwardly. The arm 33 may then be disengaged from the knob 35, thereby permitting the entire panel to be folded backwardly to the position shown.

If it is desired to remove the dark chamber and its associated parts from the table for any reason, the rod 19 can be taken from its cylindrical seat and the entire structure raised from the tracks. By this arrangement, it is possible to use the dark chamber and its associated structure with any table or X-ray apparatus. The structure is therefore, adapted to be used with mostly any X-ray installation without the heretofore necessity of placing the room in total darkness.

In Figure 6 there is shown a modified form of means to permit vision of the image reflected on the mirror 12. As illustrated, a hood extends from the end of the dark chamber and is provided with an eye rest 46. The hood 45 acts as a shield to the light and further allows the operator to more easily View the image.

As in the structure above described, there is also provided an X-ray proof window 47 which is surrounded by the end of the hood attached to the dark chamber which prevents the X- rays from aifecting the eyes of the operator. With this type of viewing means, the mirror 12 need not be slanted to the extent shown in Figure 3, but may have more of a horizontal position as shown. The mirror l2 in this modication is suitably supported by means of supports 48 and 49 secured to the bottom of the dark chamber.

Figure 7 shows a mod ied form of dark chamber which is adapted to receive a photographic nlm within a space 50 provided between the top of the dark chamber and the fluorescent screen 14. By this arrangement, it is possible not only to obtain a temporary visual image, but

'also #a permanent record of the image, if such is desired.

`While rI have shown and described the mirror within the dark chamber as being in certain positions, it is to be clearly understood that this invention is not limited to any specific positioning thereof. Furthermore, the means shown for viewing the image are only illustrative and other means might be used. For example, a periscope arrangement may be provided and extended to a point where the operator might View the image without changing his position.

Figure 8 shows a somewhat modified form of shutter arrangement for regulating the area to be affected by the X-rays. As shown, the shutter arrangement comprises a board 5l suitably attached to the middle of the insulated panel 3l above the table top 3. Positioned on `the board 5l are end Ychannel pieces 52 adapted to receive X-ray proof members 53 and 54 forming the shutter. The member 54 is provided with a cut-out portion 55, which, when exposed to Ythe--X-'rays will permit them to passY unobstructed. A rod 56 is attached to the member 53 and passes through a bushing 5'7 in the panel 31. A similar rod 58 extending through a bushing` 59 is connected tothe member 54.

Theoperation of this modiiication will be apparentf When it is desired to change the `size ef the opening, 'the- rods 56 and 58 are moved', thereby changing the position of the members 53 and 54. If desired, only one of the members forming the shutter may be moved, thereby exposing a portion of the opening 55.

When using the shutter arrangement just described, the X-ray proof curtains 43 are dispensed with and the operator may use insulated gloves when it is necessary to place his hands in the area affected by the X-rays.

The reason for protecting the hands of the operator from theI X-rays is that continuous exposure to the X-rays produces burns and skin infections which may prove quite dangerous. While this is not the case when any part of a persons body is subjected to the X-rays for a comparatively short period, yet continuous exposure, as in the case of an operator using the device daily, may prove dangerous.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a iiuoroscopical device adapted to be used in a well lighted room. There is also provided by this invention, a device of this character which may be moved to any desired position so as to subject any part of a persons body to its action.

There is further provided by this invention a fluoroscopical device which completely protects the operator from any adverse eifects produced by the continuous subjecting of his hands or other parts of the body to the X-rays.

The fluoroscopical device has been shown and described as being in a horizontal position. It is to be clearly understood that it might also be used in an upright or an angular position. Suitable locking means could be provided to maintain the dark chamber and associated structure in any position. Also it is within the scope of my invention to place the X-ray bulb beneath the table with the dark chamber above the table.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent rco that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or ex ceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fluoroscopical device comprising a dark chamber, means to produce X-rays spaced from said dark chamber, a panel extending from said dark chamber, means associated With said panel to regulate the area covered by said rays, means affected by the X-rays to produce an image and means for the reflection and observation of such image.

2. A fiuoroscopical device comprising a dark chamber, means to produce X-rays spaced from said dark chamber, a panel extending from said dark chamber, arms extending from said panel, lead curtains mounted on the arms to regulate the area covered by said rays, means aiected by the X-rays to produce an image, and means permitting reection and Vision of such image.

3. In a uoroscopical device comprising a dark chamber, means to produce X-rays spaced from said dark chamber, a panel extending from said dark chamber, arms extending from said panel, lead curtains mounted on rollers xed on the arms to regulate the area covered by said rays, means aiected by the X-rays to produce an image and means within said dark chamber to reect and observe the image.

4. In a fluoroscopical device comprising a dark chamber, means to produce X-rays spaced from said dark chamber, a panel extending from said dark chamber, means associated with said panel to regulate the area covered by said rays, an X-ray proof Window in said panel, means aiected by X-rays to produce an image, and means to reflect and observe the image.

5. In a fluoroscopical device comprising a dark chamber, means to produce X-rays spaced from said dark chamber, a panel extending from said dark chamber, means associated With said panel to regulate the area covered by said rays, an X-ray proof Window in said panel, openings in said panel to permit movement of the regulating means with protection from X-rays and means alected by said X-rays to produce, reect and observe an image.

6. A fluoroscopical device comprising a dark chamber, means to produce X-rays positioned above said dark chamber, a panel extending from said dark chamber, means associated With said panel to regulate the area covered by said rays, an X-ray proof Window in said panel, openings in said lpanel to permit movement of the regulating means, means affected by said X- rays to produce an image and means Within the dark chamber tovreflect said image, and means to permit Vision of such reflected image.

FRANCIS E. TALTY.

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