US1976073A - X-ray apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 9, 1934 E. s. HUMPHREYS X-RAY APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1929 s. HUMPHREYS I 1,976,073

X-RAY APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 9, 1934. E. s. HUMPHREYS X-RAY APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 NNN Oct. 9, 1934.

E. s. HUMPHREYS X-RAY APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fly Z Patented Oct. 9, 1934 STTES PATENT OFFEE mesne assignments, to Selected Products Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application July 26, 1929, Serial No. 381,260

claims.

lhis invention relates to X-ray apparatus and more particularly to electrical transmission devices therefor, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other 5 purposes.

t contemplates more especially the provision of improved means for conveying electrical energy to a device in all adjusted or movable positions thereof without the production of the usual corona or 19 unusual wear on the electrical system.

In X-ray devices it is necessary to transmit electrical energy to the tube which furnishes the penetrating rays enabling visual diagnostic work upon a patient. To this end, it has been found 1 desirable to provide novel means for fully avoiding any corona which not only is detrimental to the electrical system, but also interferes with the fluoroscopic and radiographic work owing to the destructive light rays emanating therefrom.

This is especially true in full vision X-ray tables of the type constituting the subject matter of my patent numbered 1,727,883 issued September 10, 1929, wherein the tube sustaining carriage is movable substantially over the entire length of the table. As a result, the wires connecting the electrical source to the X-ray tube, must be wound on reels which turn for a substantial extent responsive to the movement of the tube sustaining carriage, thereby producing unusual wear and an 1 undesirable corona.

Then too, such apparatus usually is provided with electrical energy through masts extending vertically from and being permanently fixed to a base adjacent one end of the table. These masts,

in turn, receive their power from an overhead supply system. This construction prevents access to various parts of the table and subjects the operator and the patient to the possibility of high voltage shocks. The present invention substantially eliminates these possibilities inasmuch as the high tension masts are hinged to an overhead system and are pivotally connected to the underneath side of the table whereby no portion thereof is near the floor or in any manner connected therewith. With the pivoting of the table to a substantially vertical position, the masts move upwardly therewith to provide total freedom to the operator in his movement about the apparatus.

One object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type mentioned with an improved electrical system.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the character described which has an X-ray tube and fluorescent screen operable over the entire length of the table top without developing a corona in the electrical transmitting system.

A further object is to provide an X-ray table with an improved electrical arrangement affording maximum accessibility and freedom for the operator.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide improved means for supplying electrical energy to an X-ray apparatus, effecting to minimize the possibilities of high tension shock to both the operator and patient.

Still a further object is to provide a new and novel electrical X-ray system which enables maximum movement of the tube over an extended path without developing the usual corona or creating unusual wear on the system.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:--

Figure 1 is a front elevational perspective view of a device embodying features of the present invention; the table top being shown in its vertical position.

Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of the device shown in Figure 1, the table top being shown in its horizontal position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of the driving means for the table top in effecting the pivotal movement thereof between vertical and Trendelenberg position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a sliding electrical contact taken substantially along line IVIV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a conventional diagram of the electrical system employed in connection with the present invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VI--VI of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a side View in elevation of the overhead electrical system for connecting the power source to the X-ray tube and other instrumentalities.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary front view of the device shown in Figure 7.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a base 10 having a pair of uprights 11 secured thereto for vertical spaced extension therefrom to sustain shafts 13 in horizontal alignment proximate to the upper ends thereof. Shafts 13 are journalled in the bearing 12 to extend transversely therethrough for secural to sectors 14 axially thereof to serve as pivotal mounts therefor inwardly adjacent the uprights 11. The periphery of the sectors 14 are preferably concentric to the pivots 13 with their radii of such length as to provide a slight clearance from the surface of the base 10. The sectors 14 are joined together by cross bars 15 and 16 extending therebetween to rigidify the structure and better support a table top in a manner to be described more particularly hereinafter. A pair of rigid rods 17 and 18 extend from the forward edge of each sector 14 in converging relation for secural to spaced castings 19, thereby effecting the support thereof in extended position with reference to the uprights 11. A cross support 20 bridges the castings 19 to maintain them in the desired spaced relation conforming to and in alignment with the sectors 14 which constitute a rigid frame work to sustain a substantially rectangular table top 21 adapted to support the entire body of a patient.

The table top 21 is sustained in a substantially rectangular frame 22 preferably of metallic construction so that the corners thereof may be secured to brackets 23 having depending extensions 24. The forward bracket extensions 24 are secured to the castings 19 while the rear bracket extensions 24 are in rigid association to the extreme ends of the sectors 14, thereby maintaining the table for support at the ends thereof in spaced relation with the uprights 11. With this arrangement the table top 21 is supported at its two outer ends only in that the castings 19 and sectors 14 serve to space it a substantial distance above the upper ends of the uprights 11. A substantially rectangular casing 26 capable of carrying a buckey diaphragm, a control mechanism for automatically timing the exposure of the firm to the X-rays and other instrumentalities of standard or approved construction generally employed in connection with such devices, is slidably supported beneath the table top 21. To this I end, the casing 26 is provided with a plurality of rollers 27 which are journalled in brackets 27 fixed to the side walls of the casing 26, these be ing in spaced relation to rotatively embrace the opposite sides of guide bars 28 which are disposed lengthwise of the table top 21 between the corner brackets 23 for support in parallel spaced relation therewith. As a consequence, the casing 26 is mounted for unobstructed movement over the entire length of the table top 21. End rollers 28' laterally guide the casing 26 with respect to the rails 28.

A counterweight 30 is provided with horizontally spaced rollers 31 on the top and bottom sides thereof to slidably engage guides 32 and 33 spaced in parallelism with the guide bar 28 between the end castings 19 and sectors 14, thereby enabling the traverse thereof in a path parallel to the casing 26. Rollers 34 are journalled in brackets secured to the ends the weight 30 to r: abut against the confronting edges of the guide rails 32 and 33 which effect the slidable support thereof. The counterweight 30 is operatively connected to the casing 26 by a suitable flexible cord 35 having one end thereof secured to the casing 26, the other end thereof being anchored to the counterweight 30 for extension around pulleys 36 journalled in suitable brackets secured to the forward and rearward ends of the table top 21 in any suitable maner. This cord or wire 35 is also secured to the other side of the counterweight 30 and extends around pulleys 36 mounted on each end of the table top 21 for support by its framework. Thus the counterweight.

30 affords a balanced construction whereby the casing 26 may be easily adjusted with very slight effort, it also serving to hold the casing 26 in its adjusted and substantially fixed position. It is desirable that the table top 21 be bowed upwardly from the edges thereof toward the longitudinal median zone in order that the weight of the patient sustained thereon will be effective only to the extent of rendering it substantially fiat and truly in a horizontal plane. The table top 21 is bowed by means of rods 38 extending between and secured to the corner bracket 23 which sustain the frame 22 of the table top 21 by brackets 39 and 40 which depend from the frame 22, these preferably being provided with a turn buckle of standard or approved construction to enable the truss rods 38 to be tightened, thereby raising the central portion of the table top 21 slightly above the plane of the ends 23 thereof.

A suitable combination head and shoulder rest 41 serving either as a seat or foot platform, is securely clamped on and is adjustable lengthwise of the table top 21 as well as at different inclined angles relative thereto. This rest is of such construction to enable the central section thereof to be removable, thereby serving as a shoulder rest when the table is moved to the Trendelenberg position, it having provisions for adjusting the head rest to convenient angles. By so doing the paient can be maintained rigid with respect to the table top 21 for support in any of its adjusted positions to enable a complete examination of every portion of the anatomy without moving or otherwise interfering with the normal and original position assumed by the internal organs subject to visual examination.

In order to enable diagnostic work over the entire range of the table top 21, a carriage 42 is mounted for unobstructed movement substantially over the entire length of the table top 21 attached to the pivotal shafts 13, it preferably comprishig a frame work formed of brackets 43, in this instance four, interconnected by rods 44 suitably secured therebetween in any suitable manner to constitute a rigid structure. Each of the corner brackets 43 carry confronting rollers 45 which are adapted to receive a flanged rail 46 therebetween to enable the conveyance and traverse of the carriage 42 over the entire length of the table top 21. To this end, the rails 46 are disposed in parallelism to the table 21 between the end castings 19 and rearward cross supports thereof to slidably sustain the carriage 42 for unobstructed movement over the entire length thereof past the pivotal shafts 13. The carriage 42 is counterbalanced in much the same manner as the casing 26, since a counterweight 30 is mounted for slidable movement on the opposite side in parallel relation with the counterweight 30, it being provided with side and end rollers 31' and 34 to cooperate with the guide bars 32 and 33 disposed oppositely of the guide bars heretofore mentioned in connection with the counterweight 30. A cord or wire 35 is suitably fastened at one end thereof to the counterweight 30' for extension around pulleys 36 journalled in suitable brackets fixed to the forward and rearward ends of the table top structure. This cord or wire 35 is also secured to the other side of the counterweight 30' and extends around the pulleys 36' mounted at each end of the table top framework in longitudinal alignment, thereby functioning in all respects in a manner similar to the counterweight 30 described in connection with the casing 26.

A secondary carriage is mounted on the main carriage 42, it comprising transverse rods 47 disposed in parallel spaced relation and end cross bars 48 rigidly fixed thereto to constitute a framework beneath the table top 21 and above the table pivotal shafts 13. The transverse rods 47 are slidably carried and held in position on the carriage 42 by means of inclined. confronting pairs of rollers 49, one pair of rollers 49 being mounted on each of the castings 43 to guide the transverse movement thereof. It is to be noted that the rods 47 extend beyond the confines of the table top 21 and uprights 11, but irrespective thereof it is capable of traverse for unobstructed movement over substantially the entire length of the table top 21. A pair of vertically extending standards 50 are mounted to an end cross bar 48 for connection at their upper extremities by means of a bracket 51. A carriage 52 is disposed between the standards for vertical movement thereon, there being angularly inclined rollers 53 on the side edges thereof proximate to its upper and lower ends to confine and guide the carriage 52 between the rods 50 for movement with minimum friction therealong. Extensions 54 are provided on the upper ends of the carriage 52 to enable the pivotal engagement of a yoke 55 thereto in any suitable manner.

A fiuoroscope 5'? is pivotally connected as at 58 between the arms of the yoke member 55, it comprising a rectangularly shaped recessed member having a pair of handles 59 secured to opposite ends thereof. A plate comprising a fluorescent screen 50 is disposed between a lead plate 61 and panel 62 (preferably of phenolic condensation product) for disposition in the recess provided in the iiuoroscope frame 5'7. Cooperating lugs 63 and 64 are provided on the yoke 55 and carriage 52 in order to limit the clockwise movement thereof (viewed from Figure 5) to its horizontal operative 1 position. It is desirable that apparatus of this nature be provided with shutters for limiting the fluoroscopic field. To this end, a shutter frame is preferably formed with two spaced plates 65 and 66, the upper plate 65 having a fixed opening 1 therein with downwardly converging flanges on the periphery of the opening in order to concentrate the X-ray beams directed toward the fluoroscopic screen 60, thereby preventing the scattering of stray X-ray beams. The lower plate is also provided with an opening having two pairs of cooperating shutters 67 and 53, the shutters 67 being slidably mounted on guide bars in a mannor more particularly disclosed and described in my copending application serially numbered 237,370, filed December 3, 1927, this application having eventuated into Patent numbered 1,727,883 dated September 10, 1929. Toe operation and remote controls 69 for the shutters 67 and 68 are therein shown and described to the extent that a further description thereof is thought unnecessary.

The lower plate 66 carries a pair of depending members 70 preferably of wood, for clamping an Xray tube 71 in a position substantially central- 1y of the openings formed through the plates 65 and 65. The plates 65 and 66 are held in fixed spaced relation by means of brackets 72 and slidably carried by the transverse rods 47. In the construction thus far described, it will be apparent that when the secondary carriage 4'? is op- 'erated transversely of the table top 21, the shutters 6? and 68, X-ray tube 71 and fiuoroscope 57 are moved together because of their assembled relation. It will be noted that the fluorescent screen 60 is positioned centrally of the X-ray tube 71,

and the shutters 6'? and 68 may be adjusted along the shaft or guide rods 47 in any position relative to the table top 21. Further, by means of the main carriage 43 being movable along the guide bars 46, these elements may be adjusted to any position throughout the length of the table top 21. It had been heretofore mentioned that the sectors 14 are pivotally mounted on the uprights 11, and because of the herein described fixed mounting of the mechanism relative thereto, the normal assembly remains unchanged during the operation of the sectors 14 to rotate table top 21 to any inclinatic-n bet veen the vertical and horizontal or Trendelenberg position.

In order to operate the table top 21 within the limits of its movement, automatic power means are provided to accomplish this end. The power means comprise a motor '73 secured to the base 10 in any suitable manner so that the armature shaft thereof will he in operative driving connection with pinions '74 fixed to the ends of a shaft '75 disposed transversely of the table top 21. The shaft 75 is iournalled in bearings so as to be responsive to the motor '73 through .the medium of any suitable reduction gearing confined within a casing 76. The pinions '74 mesh with segmental gears 77 secured to each of the sectors 14. As a consequence, the motor '73 when energized to rotate in either direction, drives a train of gears operatively connected to the pinions 4 to rotate the sectors 14 with the table top 21 from a vertical or horizontal position depending upon the directional rotation of the motor '73. In order to rigidity the table support and preclude the lateral movement thereof owing to any yield in the pivot bearings or substructure, a pair of rollers 78 are fixed to base 10 for engagement with the opposite sides of a track 79 secured to the periphery of the sectors 14. The rollers '78 are positioned betwen the cross support and remain in contacting relation with the tracks '79 during the movement of the sectors 14 to any position, thereby serving as lateral support to insure against the false movement of the table top 21. Moreover the table support may be of lighter construction without impairing the rigidity of the structure by resort to this expedient.

Electrical energy is supplied to X-ray tubes '71 and 80, the latter being employed for radiographic work, by an overhead electrical system which comprises electric conducting bars 81 pivotally connected as at 82 to spaced rods 82'. The rods 82 are insulated from and fixedly carried by an elongated rectangular casing 83 which houses the transmission system. The casing 83 is supported by a pair of standards 84 attached to depend from the ceiling 35 through the medium of flanged brackets 86 having any suitable fasteners projecting therethrough. A switch mechanism 87 is mounted in the casing 83 so that the rotor thereof may extend therefrom to fixedly carry a pulley 88 having a cord 89 in frictional engagement with the periphery thereof. A pull on the cord 89 in either direction effects contact with either side of the switching mechanism 8'7, thereby closing one of two electrical circuits to which the tube 71 or tube are connected, respectively. As shown, the tube 80 is mounted on a holder 99 for a variety or rocking movements to enable radiographic work.

A pair of hollow masts 94 are pivotally connected to the bars 81, there being brackets 95 secured to the ends thereof to receive a pivot 95 therethrough for this purpose. Electrical conduits 96 extending through the masts 94 are suitably connected to the bars 81 at one end thereof and at their other ends to correspondingly spaced couplings 98 and 98 detachably secured to a transverse rod 99 insulated therefrom and carried between brackets 100 fixed to the forward end of the table frame 22. As shown, the masts 94 are of arcuate configuration so that the lower ends thereof may be fixed to a cross bar 101 by means of straps 102. The bar 101 is carried by levers 104 rigidly fixed thereto at their extremities 105, the other ends thereof being pivoted to bosses 106 constituting a part of the forward castings 19. This enables the bar 101 to pivot with the masts 94 responsive to the tilting of the table top 21 in any direction between the horizontal and vertical, thereby relieving the attendant of any possible contact therewith and allowing complete freedom of movement about the apparatus. A thrust rod 108 is disposed transversely of the table top 21 rearwardly thereof between the sectors 14 for support by brackets 109 secured thereto by pins 110 to establish a rigid joinder therewith. A detachable coupling 111 is fixed to the rod 108 in alignment with the coupling 98 disposed on the forward rod 99 to support an electrical conducting rod 112 therebetween. The rod 112 is electrically connected to the conduit 96 to transmit the power source thereto for retaining the rod 112 energized. Another coupling 113 is secured to the rod 108 in alignment with the other coupling 98 carried by the rod 99, these being provided with vertically disposed insulated bosses 114 and 115 in alignment with corresponding bosses on the coupling 98 to support electrical conducting rods 116 and 117 therebetween in rigid spaced parallel relation beneath the table top 21 for conveying electrical energy therealong. These lead to the conduit 96 having two separately insulated wires therein and through the mast 94 to :connect the filaments of the X-ray tube '71 thereto.

The tube '71 is provided with the usual terminals 118 and 119 which are provided with termi-' nal screws of standard construction to enable the attachment of conduits 120 and 121 thereto, re-' spectively. The conduit 120 leads to a housing 122 which is electrically connected thereto for support by the longitudinally moveable carriage 42 through. the medium of a bracket 122', thereby being slidable therewith for constant association with the tube 71 within the range of the conduit 120. A flat spring 123 having furcations 123' extending in confronting relation with the rod 112 therebetween, is fixed to the interior of the housing 122 as at 124 for confinement therein. The furcations 123' are each provided with rollers 125 rotatively journalled therein in any suitable manner so that the arcuate peripheral groove 125' thereof conforming with the surface contour of the rod 112 will contact therewith to insure an effective electrical sliding connection in all positions of the carriage 42.

The housing 122 receives a closure plate 126 thereon so that the adjacent surfaces thereof may accommodate apertures 127 and 128 to freely receive the rod 112 therethrough, thereby floating free thereof owing to the rollers 125 which sustain the housing 122 for slidable movement with minimum friction and negligible dust collection along the rod 112. The conduit 121, however, carries insulated wires therein for connection to slidablc contact housings 129 and 130 which are constructed similarly to the housing 122, for slidable engagement with the rods 117 and 116, re-

, spectively, thereby transmitting power to the tube 71 in all positions thereof along the entire extent of the table top 21. This is accomplished without resort to reeled wires which produce objectional coronas responsible for the development of nitrous acid in the X-ray room and otherwise interferes with the satisfactory use of X-ray equipment of this character. Moreover, reeled wires soon fray to the extent that replacement is found necessary at frequent intervals.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the present invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any advantages thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an X-ray device, the combination with an elongated frame having a table top for supporting an extended human body, of a carriage mounted beneath said table top for unobstructed movement in a predetermined path along said frame for a distance suflicient to traverse the entire length of the extended body supported thereon, X-ray instrumentalities including an X-ray tube mounted on said carriage for movement therewith between the limits of a body extended over said table top frame, a plurality of power conducting means of fixed and non-varying length for conducting electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, said power conducting means being supported beneath the table top within the protected confines of said frame in parallelism to the path of movement of said carriage, and contacts between said conducting means and said X-ray tube to effect X-ray generation along the entire length of carriage travel.

2. In an X-ray device, the combination with an elongated frame having a table top for sup porting an extended body, of a carriage mounted beneath said table top for unobstructed movement in a predetermined path along said frame for a distance sufficient to traverse the entire length of the extended body supported thereon, X-ray instrumentalities including an X-ray tube mounted on said carriage for movement therewith between the limits of a body extended over said table top frame, a plurality of rigid power conducting means of fixed and non-varying length for conducting electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, said power conducting means being supported beneath the table top within the protected confines of said frame in parallelism to the path of movement of said carriage, and sliding contacts between said rigid conducting means and said X-ray tube to effect X-ray generation along the entire length of carriage travel.

3. In an X-ray device, the combination with an elongated frame having a table top for supporting an extended human body, of a carriage mounted beneath said table top for unobstructed movement in a predetermined path along said frame for a distance sufiicient to traverse the entire length of the extended body supported thereon, an X-ray tube mounted on said carriage for movement therewith between the limits of a body extended over said table top frame, a plurality of rigid power conducting rods of fixed and non-varying length for conducting electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, said power conducting rods being supported beheath the table top Within the protected confines of said frame in parallelism to the path of move ment of said carriage, and sliding contacts between said rigid conducting rods and said X-ray tube to effect X-ray generation along the entire length of carriage travel.

4. In an X-ray device, the combination withan elongated frame having a table top for supporting an extended human body, of a carriage mounted beneath said table top for unobstructed movement in a predetermined path along said frame for a distance sufilcient to traverse the entire length of the extended body supported thereon, an X-ray tube mounted on said carriage for movement therewith between the limits of a body extended over said table top frame, a plurality of rigid power conducting rods of fixed and non-varying length for conducting electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, said rigid power conducting rods being supported beneath the table top within the protected confines of said frame in parallelism to the path of movement of said carriage, and sliding contacts comprising yieldable clips between said rigid conducting rods and said X-ray tube to ef-' fect X-ray generation along the entire length of carriage travel.

5. In an X-ray device, the combination with an elongated frame having a table top for supporting an extended human body, of means supporting said frame for swinging movement along,

a predetermined path to dispose said table top between the horizontal and vertical positions, a carriage mounted beneath said table top for unobstructed movement in a predetermined path along said frame for a distance suficient to trav erse the entire length of an extended body supported thereon, an X-ray tube mounted on said carriage for movement therewith between the limits of a body extended over said table top frame, a plurality of rigid power conducting rods of fixed and non-varying length for conducting electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, said power conducting rods being supported beneath the table top within the protected confines of said frame in parallelism to the path of movement of said carriage, and sliding contacts comprising yieldable clips between said rigid conducting rods and all the terminals of said X-ray tube to effect X-ray generation along the entire length of carriage travel.

6. An X-ray device comprising a base, an elongated frame including a table top for supporting an extended human body, means interposed between said base and table top frame for movably supporting said table top between the horizontal and vertical positions, means for tilting said table top between the horizontal and vertical planes, an X-ray tube mounted for movement along said table top between the limits of the extended body supported thereon, rods fixed beneath said table top to extend lengthwise thereof within the protected confines thereof to conduct electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, high tension conduits enclosing insulated wires connected at one end to an overhead electrical system, said conduits being connected at the other end thereof to said table top frame for flexing relative thereto so that the swinging movement of said table top frame toward a substantially vertical position effects the displacement of said conduits upwardly to afford an attendant free movement about said base and around said frame, electrical connections between said conduit enclosed wires and rods, and contact means be tween said rods and the terminals of said X-ray tube to maintain electrical tube connection in all adjusted positions thereof along said table -top frame within the limits of said rods.

7. An X-ray device comprising a base, an elongated frame including a table top for supporting an extended human body, means interposed between said base and table top frame for movably supporting said table top between the hori zontal and vertical positions, means for tilting said table top between the horizontal and vertical planes, an X-ray tube mounted for movement along said table top between the limits of the extended body supported thereon, rods fixed beneath said table top to extend lengthwise thereof within the protected confines thereof to conduct electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, high tension conduits enclosing insulated wires connected at one end to an overhead electrical system, said conduits being connected at the other end thereof to said table top frame for flexing relative thereto so that the swinging movement of said table top frame toward a substantially vertical position eifects the displacement of said conduits upwardly to afford an attendant free movement about said base and frame, electrical connections between said conduit enclosed wires and rods, and contact means between said rods and the terminals of said X- ray tube to maintain electrical tube connection in all adjusted positions thereof along said table top.

8. Ina device of the character described, the combination with a tiltable table, of a suspended power transmission system, X-ray instrumentalities including an X-ray tube movably associated with said table, electrical conducting rods carried by said table to conduct electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, conduits extending between said suspended power transmission system and said table, said conduits confining insulated wires in circuit with said rods for electrical connection to said power transmission system, and means in electrical sliding contact with said rods for substantially the length of said table to connect the anode and cathode terminals of said X-ray tube to said power transmission system.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tiltable table, of a power transmission system, X-ray instrumentalities mounted for unobstructed movement along said table, insulated conduits movably connected between said table and transmission system, insulated wires carried by said conduits for establishing an electrical connection with said transmission system, and means for establishing electrical connection between said insulated wires and X-ray instrumentalities in all adjusted positions thereof along said table.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a tiltable table, of a suspended power transmission system, X-ray instrumentalities including a tube carried by said table for movement therealong, electrical conducting rods carried beneath said table for conducting electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said X-ray tube, insulated electrical leads extending from said rods for connection to said power transmission system, and means in electrical sliding contact with said rods for substantially the length of said table to connect the anode and cathode terminals of said X-ray tube thereto.

11. The combination with an electrical transmission system suspended from an elevated position, of a frame disposed below said transmission system, ray regenerating means movably carried by said frame, tubular members movably connected between said transmission system and said frame, insulated wires confined in said tubular members, rigid electric conducting rods extending for substantially the entire length of said frame for connection with said insulated wires to conduct electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said ray generating means, and means associated with said ray generating means for establishing a slidable electrical connection between said ray generating means and rods.

12. The combination with an electrical transmission system suspended from an elevated position, of a tiltable frame disposed below said transmission system, ray regenerating means movably carried by said frame, insulated conduits movably connected between said transmission system and said frame, electrical leads carried in said conduits, rods extending lengthwise beneath said frame in electrical connection with said electrical leads to conduct electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said ray generating means, and means associated with said ray generating means for establishing a slidable electrical connection between said ray generating means and said rods.

13. In a deviceof the character described, the combination with a tiltable table of a suspended power transmission system, X-ray instrumentalities including an X-ray tube slidably associated with said table for movement therealong, formretaining tubular means movably connected between said table and transmission system, insulated wires confined in said form-retaining tubular means for electrical connection to said suspended transmission system in all positions of said table, and means for establishing electrical r connection between said insulated wires and X- ray tube to conduct electrical energy to the anode and cathode terminals of said tube in all slidable positions thereof.

14. In an X-ray device, the combination with an elongated frame having an exterior surface for application of an extended human body adjacent thereto, of a carriage mounted on said frame for unobstructed movement in a predetermined path along said surface for a. distance sufficient to traverse the entire length of an extended body disposed adjacent thereto, X-ray instrumentalities including a tube associated with said carriage for movement therewith between the limits of an extended body disposed adjacent said flat surface, a plurality of power conducting means of fixed and non-varying length for conducting electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said tube, said power conducting means being supported parallel to and behind said exterior surface within the protected confines of said frame in parallelism to the path of movement of said carriage, and contacts between said power conducting means and terminals of said .X-ray tube to enable Xray generation along the entire length of carriage travel.

15. In an X-ray device, the combination with an elongated frame having an exterior fiat surface for application of an extended human body adjacent thereto, of a carriage mounted on said frame for unobstructed movement in a predetermined path along said surface for a distance sufficient to traverse the entire length of the extended body adjacent thereto, X-ray instrumentalities including a tube associated with said carriage for movement therewith between the limits of an extended body disposed adjacent said flat surface, a plurality of power conducting rods of fixed and non-varying length for conducting electrical energy to the anode and cathode of said tube, said power conducting rods being supported parallel to and behind said flat surface within the protected confines of said frame in parallelism to the path of movement of said carriage, and contacts between said power conducting rods and the terminals of said X-ray tube to enable X-ray generation along the entire length of carriage travel.

EDWIN S. HUMPHREYS.

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