US3852601A

US3852601A - Scanning device for scintigraphy according to three orthogonal planes

Info

Publication number: US3852601A
Application number: US00269668A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Casale
Original assignee: ITAL ELETTIONICA SpA
Current assignee: ITAL ELETTIONICA SpA
Priority date: 1971-07-15
Filing date: 1972-07-07
Publication date: 1974-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-03
Also published as: DE2233974A1; FR2145689A1; FR2145689B1

Abstract

A device for the scintigraphic scanning according to three orthogonal planes, comprising a carrier structure for the detecting heads including a) one horizontally located beam, longitudinally oriented; b) two vertical columns the bases of which are provided with rolling means suitable to cause them to longitudinally slide along the beam, remaining guided thereon; c) two carriages provided with rolling means capable of causing the carriages to slide vertically each on one column, remaining guided thereon, and provided further with a recess with rolling means capable of supporting and causing to horizontally and transversely slide a support rod for the detector; d) two supporting rods each supporting a detector - each sliding in a vertical recess in one of the carriages; e) a bracket for a first detecting head connecting it to the end of the associated supporting rod and provided with pre-setting means with orthogonal axes for the rotation about the centre of gravity of the head towards all desired directions and oriented for descending in oblique directions so that the head will remain below the rod and displaced towards the second column; f) a bracket for the second detecting head connecting it to the end of the associated support rod being provided with a knuckle for presetting a rotative position about an axis parallel to that of the rod and for its horizontal along it so that the head will become displaced towards the first column with respect to the rod, and will be thus capable of aligning with the other head in both vertical and horizontal directions.

Description

United States Patent Casale 1 Dec.3,1974

1 1 SCANNING DEVICE FOR SCINTIGRAPHY ACCORDING TO THREE ORTI-IOGONAL PLANES [75] Inventor: Renato Casale, Rome, Italy [73] Assignee: Ital Elettionica S.p.A., Rome, Italy [22] Filed: July 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 269,668

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary ExaminerArchie R. Borchelt Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Browne, Beveridge, DeGrandi & Kline [57 ABSTRACT A device for the scintigraphic scanning according to three orthogonal planes, comprising a carrier structure for the detecting heads including a) one horizontally located beam, longitudinally oriented; b) two vertical columns the bases of which are provided with rolling means suitable to cause them to longitudinally slide along the beam, remaining gu'ided thereon; 0) two carriages provided with rolling means capable of causing the carriages to slide vertically each on one column, remaining guided thereon, and provided further with a recess with rolling means capable of supporting and causing to horizontally and transversely slide a support rod for the detector; (1) two supporting rods each supporting a detector each sliding in a vertical recess in one of the carriages; e) a bracket for a first detecting head connecting it to the end of the associated supporting rod and provided with pre-setting means with orthogonal axes for the rotation about the centre of gravity of the head towards all desired directions and oriented for descending in oblique directions so that the head will remain below the rod and displaced towards the second column; f) a bracket for the second detecting head connecting it to the end of the associated support rod being provided with a knuckle for presetting a rotative position about an axis parallel to that of the rod and for its horizontal along it so that the head will become displaced towards the first column with respect to the rod, and will be thus capable of aligning with the other head in both vertical and horizontal directions.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEL B l974 SHEET 2 OF 5 PATENTEL E53 3 4 SHEET 3 OF 5 PATENTEL 353 74 snter u or 5 SCANNENG DEVHCE FOR SCINTTGRAPHY ACCORDING TO THREE ORTHOGONAL PLANES The present invention relates to a scintigraphic scanning device according to three possible orthogonal planes, for detecting the distribution of the radioisotopes in the bodies of patients, with a scanning field which can also extend to the entire body.

This scanning device affords, with respect to the known similar devices, the advantages of having two detecting heads, two systems for recordal on paper and two photographic recordal systems which can be utilized in various modes in order to comply with the most different conditions of use. Furthermore the two detecting heads can operate on the same focal axis with opposite senses either according to a horizontal scanning plane, reaching the dimensions of the entire body, or according to a vertical scanning plane, establishing on the recording devices separate and superposed scintigraphies of the radio-activity detected by the two heads. The heads can also operate side-by-side in longitudinal and transverse senses according to a horizontal scanning plane; the heads can also operate simultaneously: the first head according to a horizontal, lateral or frontal plane, and the second head according to a horizontal or lateral plane at right angles with respect to the plane whereon operates the first head, determining simultaneously the scint-igraphies of the two projections on each pair of recording devices,

Another advantage with respect to the known systems is that notwithstanding the plurality of the possible scanning planes and of the modes of movement of the detecting heads in these planes, the movement members connecting the detecting heads, the heads writing on paper and the projectors of the recording devices are entirely mechanical members. This fact allows the heads to be predisposed on the areas to be scanned and to be moved simultaneously within the pre-selected areas by manually operated movements with no danger for the patient, so as to dispense with the cumbersome and complicated safety systems.

Other advantages with respect to the known systems with a mechanical coupling, consist in the possible simultaneous observation of the patient and of the scintigraphies on paper, during the scanning operation, and the possibility of effecting the scintigraphies both in normal size and in reduced size.

In order to achieve the above disclosed advantages, a carrier structure for the detecting heads comprises: a) a beam, horizontally and longitudinally located which rests on the floor on suitable supports; b) two vertical columns, the bases of which are provided with rolling means suitable to allow the columns to slide longitudinally along the beam keeping the columns steadily vertical while moving therealong thereon; c) two carriages provided with rolling means suitable to allow the carriages to slide vertically each on one column, keeping the carriages uniformly guided therealong and having also a recess with rolling means suitable to support and to allow the horizontal sliding of a rod supporting the detector, with a transverse direction of movement, i.e. horizontal and in a direction at right angles to the direction of movement of the column along the beam; d) two supporting rods for the detectors each sliding in the associated recess in its carriage; e) a bracket connecting the first detecting rod to the end of the associated supporting head provided with two presettable articulated couplings with axes at right angles to one another for the rotation about the centre of gravity of the head toward all directions at will; which bracket is oriented in oblique descending direction, in order to locate the head entirely below the rod while being displaced toward the second column; f) a bracket or arm connecting the second detecting head to the end of the associated supporting rod, provided with an articulated coupling for the presetting its rotation about the centre of gravity of the head about an axis parallel to that of the rod and for its movement along that axis; which bracket is horizontally oriented so that the head will be displaced towards the first column with respect to the rod, and can be thus aligned with the other head in both vertical and transverse directions.

In order to achieve these advantages a recording unit for the scintigraphic scanning comprises: a) a frame, rigidly connected to the beam of the carrier beam, provided with two longitudinal guides one above the other whereon there is mounted a horizontal plane for the recording on paper of two scintigraphies, side-by-side located in a transverse sense; b) a carriage, movable with respect to the carriage on the two guides; c) a guide horizontally supported by the carriage in a direction transverse to the plane of recording on paper; d) a carriage sliding on the transverse guide and carrying both heads for the recording paper; d) a double photographic recorder with films located in a vertical plane, parallel to the direction of the two guides on which moves the first named carriage, in the dark chamber of said photographic detector extending through a light tight passage, two vertical parallel guides, parallel also to the plane of the film, and cantilever supported by the carriage; f) two carriages sliding on the two vertical guides of the photographic recorder, one of said last cited carriages supporting the photogrpahic recorder, and the other the counterweight therefor; g) a metal tape drive or the like connecting the two carriages of the photographic recorder and the carrage of the recorder on paper so that the movement of the projector and of its counterweight will occur towards opposite directions, in order to prevent the tape drive from imparting a lateral thrust to the carriage of recordal on paper.

In order to attain the above indicated advantages, this invention, utilizes as driving means for the detecting heads and the recording devices on paper, of a drive system including: a) two chains which will be called: line feed of the detecting heads and scanning primary chain of the detecting heads, respectively, each passing around two gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with the beam at opposite ends thereof, then around three gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with the first column, and around three other gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with second column, so located that the portions of chain comprised between one gear ring, the shaft of which is rigid with the beam, and one gear ring the shaft of which is rigid with the one column and between gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with each of the columns, will be parallel to the direction of movement of the columns on the beam, whereby the total length of each chain will be constant when the column moves along the beam, and that portion of each chain comprised between gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with each of the two columns, will be parallel to the direction of the movement of the carriages on the columns; b) two chains which will be called: line feed of the recording devices and scanning primary chain for the recording devices, respectively; the first chain passes around about two gear rings with shafts rigid with the frame and with at least one portion of the path parallel to the direction of the movement of the carriage for the recording group with respect to the frame, and in that portion the chain is connected to the carriage, while the second chain passes around about two gear rings the shafts of which are rigid to the frame, and about three gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with the carriage, so that the portions of chain comprised between one gear ring the shaft of which is rigid with the frame and a gear ringthe shaft of which is rigid with the carriage, will be parallel to the movement of the carriage with respect to the frame, whereby the total length of the path of the chain will be constant when the carriage moves with respect to the frame, and one portion comprised between two gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with the carriage will result almost vertical; c) two devices, the first of which connects directly, or with a scaled-down motion one of the gear rings the shaft of which if fixed to the beam and around which passes the feed line chain for the detecting heads with a gear ring, the shaft of which is rigid with the frame around which passes the feed line for the recording devices, and the second of which makes a similar connection for two gear rings about which pass the two primary scanning chains; (1) two secondary scanning chains for the detecting heads, which pass: the firstchain about four gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with the carriage of the first column, with such a path that one portion will result parallel to the movement of the carriage with respect to the column, and that one portion'will be disposed parallel to the movement of the rod with respect to the carriage, and the second chain is similarly applied to the carriage of the second column, both secondary chains being connected to the rods at a point in the portion parallel to their motion with respect to the carriages; e) a secondary scanning chain for the recording devices passing around four gear rings the shafts of which are rigid with the carriage of the recording group with such a path that one portion will be parallel to the path of a substantially vertical portion of the primary scanning chain of the recording devices, which portion will be parallel to the movement of the carriage guiding the heads recording on paper; the secondary scanning chain for the recording devices being connected directly to the primary chain in a point of the portion where the two chains have parallel paths and being connected to the carriage driving the heads for recording on paper at a point where the chain has its path parallel to the carriage notionwith the interposition of a device allowing an adjustable clearance for removing the scallopping of recording and comprising a second auxiliary carriage; f) a group of eight electromagnetic clutches for selectively governing the feed line notion directions for the selection of the scanning planes and for positioning the scanning areas, two of which allow the feed line chain for the detecting head to be fixed to each of the two columns at a pre-selectable point along one of the portions parallel to-the movement of the columns along the beam, two other of said clutches allowing said chain to be fixed to each of the two carriages at a point preeach detecting head can be selected independently in longitudinal direction with the movement of the columns along the beam, or in vertical direction with the movement of the carriages along the columns while on the recording devices it follows always the direction of the carriage in the frame; G) a group of four electromagnetic clutches for pre-setting the connection of the secondary scanning chains, for selecting the scanning plane of the first detecting head and for positioning the scanning areas, allowing one to fix the secondary scanning chains to the carriage or to the primary chain at a point pre-selectable along the portion wherein their.

path is parallel to the movement of the carriage, by operating said clutches, together with the clutches as already mentioned, for locking the carriages to .the columns, the scanning movement of the first detecting head can occur in vertical direction, moving the carraige along the column, or in transverse direction, by moving the rod with respect to the carriage by means of the secondary chain, while the second detecting head and the recording head on paper will be always transversely moved through the associated secondary chains, and the projectors of the photographic recorders will be always vertically moved through the further intervention of the tape drive; h) a motor with a gear box which drives, through two electromagnetic clutches, the same rotational movements to both a gear ring the shaft of which is rigid to the beam and around which passes the feed line chain for the detecting heads, and to a similar gear ring about which passes the primary scanning chain of said head; when the clutch for the motor-scanning chain is actuated the feed line chain is locked by the pre-setting clutches or by a suitable clutch while the motor-feed line chain clutch is free, the motor imparts the scanning movements to both the detecting heads and to the recording devices; when both the clutches between the motor and the chains are actuated and the locking device for the feed line is released, the motor which moves to an equal extent the two chains imparts the feed line movements while preventing relative movement between the two chains, no scanning movement will occur; when all three electromagnetic clutches are released, the heads can be manually moved for searching the hot point, or for positioning.

The scintigraphic scanning device according to three planes as described can obviously be embodied in reduced scale, without the second detecting head with its associated supporting column and without the second pair of recording devices or without photographic recorders, without departing from the scope of the present industrial privilege.

For a more complete disclosure of this invention, reference will be made hereinafter to the attached drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the system;

FIG. 2 shows the second column without the covering members and in partially exploded view of the carriage and of the chains;

FIG. 3 shows the recording unit with part of the structure removed and part in exploded view for showing the motor reducer, the scale reducer, the chains and the carriage.

FIG. 4 shows the details of the photographic recording portion of the unit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the driving elements for the detecting heads and for the recording devices.

With reference to FIG. 1, there has been shown a horizontal beam 1 supported by four feet 2. On the' beam 1 slides a base 3 supporting a column, concealed by the cover 4 and a second base 5 supporting a second column concealed by the cover 6. The bases 3 and 5 are provided with rolling means, not shown for sake of simplicity suitable to cause said bases to slide along the beam 1, maintaining said bases steadily guided thereon, i.e., in fixed orientation while moving smoothly therethrough. The structure of the like columns is shown in FIG. 2, wherein is shown the base 5 and the column proper 7 the structure of the two columns being similar. Along each of the two columns slides vertically a carriage, which in FIG. I is covered by the fairings 4 and 6, the second column carriage 8, being shown in FIG. 2. Vertical sliding of the carriage along the column is obtained by suitable rolling means capable of causing the carriage to slide vertically maintaining it steadily.

guided in a well known manner on the column the illustration of which has been omitted for sake of simplicity. The weight of the carriage 8 and elements attached thereto is balanced by a suitable counter'weight, contained in the column 7 supported by

chains

9 and 10 on pinions 11 and 12. The carriage 8 is provided in its lower part with a recess 13 within which axially slides a rod 14 guided and supported by suitable rolling means, not shown for sake of simplicity. The carriage of the first column is similar to that of the second column, shown in FIG. 2, with the difference that the recess for the rod is in the upper part of the carriage instead of being in its lower part, whereby as can be seen in FIG. 1 that rod 15 at parity of heights of the carriages, will be at a lever higher than rod 14. This make possible translations of the columns at right angles to the beam, of the carriages at right angles to the axes of the columns, and the rods at right angles to the carriages, whereby the detecting heads supported on the rods can carry out the scanning in three orthogonal planes namely horizontal, frontal vertical or lateral vertical.

At the end of the rod 15 is connected a bracket 16 supporting the detecting head 17. This bracket is constructed to rotate about the inclined axis A-A passing through the center of gravity of the head 14, which head in turn can rotate with respect to the bracket 16 about the axis 8-8 which also passes through its center of gravity. By means of said rotations about two axes at right angles the head 17 can be rotated about its centre of gravity towards any wanted direction, and to be fixed in said direction by frictional means or suitable brakes not illustrated for simplicity. At the end of the rod 14 there is connected a bracket 18, horizontally mounted, which supports the detecting head 19, rotatable about the axis C-C which passes through its centre of gravity, by means of the slidable knuckle 20. This allows the head 19 to both rotate about the axis CC and sliding along that axis. A brake, not shown in the figure may be provided in order to lock the knuckle 20. The direction and the sense wherein each of the two detecting heads is sensitive to radiation, has been shown for the head 17 by the arrow D and for the head 19 by the arrow 5,. FIG. 1 shows a predisposition of the heads suitable to the simultaneous scanning of two co-planar areas horizontal and at right angles with respect to D and E, located side-by-side in the longitudinal direction of the beam, with equal and simultaneous movements of the two heads. The location and the dimensions of the

brackets

16 and 18, particularly and of the various elements generally, is such that as shown by the FIG. 7

l, the two heads can also be located side by side causing the axis 8-8 to correspond with the axis CC and maintaining unaltered the direction and the sense'of the arrows D and E, suitable to the simultaneous scanning of two horizontal areas located side by side in transverse direction. If a rotation through 180 is effected about the axis C-C, of the head 19 with respect to its position as shown in FIG. 1, lowering suitably' the carriage 8 of the second column 7, the arrows D and E can be aligned on the same vertical straightline, with opposite and convergent senses allowing thus the scanning of the same horizontal area with a sensitivity doubled with respect to that of a single head. If also the two heads will be rotated through 90 with respect to the position shown in FIG. 1, about the axes 3-13 and CC, the arrows D and E can be aligned along a single horizontal straightline, in transverse direction, with opposite and convergent senses, allowing the scanning of a lateral vertical plane with a sensitivity doubled with respect to that of a single head. If the bracket will be rotated with respect to the position of FIG. I, about the axis A-A', downwards until carrying the axis B-B' on a vertical plane, frontally located along the direction of the beam 1, the head 17 will be rotated about the axis B-B until the vector D will be located horizontally, perpendicular to the frontal plane and turned towards the person who observes the FIG. 1, and finally the head 19 will be moved along the axis C-C towards the person who observes the FIG. 1, and the head. 17 through a suitable downwards displacement of the carriage which supports the same head 17, will be located in a position suitable for scanning a frontal plane, while simultaneously the head 19 can scan a horizontal plane.

FIG. 3 shows the frame 20 of the recording unit, rigidly connected to two beam 1, and on said frame is located the plane 21 for the simultaneous recordings on paper. Fixed to the frame in longitudinal direction are the cylindrical guide 22 and the square section guide 23 along which slides the carriage 24 (which in FIG. 3 is partially removed and in exploded view in order to permit the driving members to be seen) by means of the three

sliding supports

25, 26 and 27. The carriage 24 supports the cross-guide 28 on which slides the carriage 29 guiding and driving the

writing heads

30 and 31. FIG. 4 shows the double photographic recording device with the dark chamber 32 within which extend the

vertical guides

33 and 34 cantilever supported by the carriage 24 through a light tight passage allowing said guides to move longitudinally with the carriage. Along the guide 33 slides the carriage 35 supporting the two

projectors

36 and 37 which are faced to the

photographic plates

38 and 39 which are shown in FIG. 4 as removed and contained in their associated platecarriers. Along the guide 34 slides the counter-weight 40 which is moved oppositely to the carraige 35 by the steel tape 41 which is extended about the

pulleys

42, 43, 44 and 45 and which is operated in turn by the carriage 29 controlling the writing heads. The counterweight prevents the tape 41 from imparting a static lateral thrust to the carraige 29.

The FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the driving elements 1 for the detecting heads and the recording devices consisting of a chain system operated by a single gearboxmotor unit and of electromagnetic clutches in order to connect them according to the exigencies.

The same elements of the diagram corresponds to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, denoted by the same numeral references.

In FIG. 5 there is shown the primary scanning chain 46 for the detecting heads passed around ten gear rings numbered 47 to 56, the

gear rings

47, 48, 49 and 56 having their axes fixed on the unit consisting of the recording device frame and of the beam, while the gear rings 50, 51 and 52 have their axes fixed to the first column, and the

gear rings

53, 54 and 55 fixed to the second column. During the movement of the columns along the beam, the extent of the path of the chain 46 does not change as the three portions comprised between the

gear rings

49 and 50, 52 and 53, 55 and 56, are parallel to the movement of the columns along the beam. FIG. 5 shows also the feed line chain 57 for the detecting heads, having a path similar to that as previously described and passed about ten gear rings numbered 58 to 67. Also, the primary scanning chain 68 for the recording devices is shown, extended about the five gear rings numbered 69 to 73, the gear,

rings

69 and 73 having their shafts fixed to the frame for the recording devices, while the

gear rings

70, 71 and 72 have their shafts fixed to the carriage of the recording device. The portions of the chains comprised between the

gear rings

73 and 72 and between the

gear rings

70 and 69 are parallel to the direction of movement of the carraige on the frame, causing a constant length of path of the chain 68 when the carriage slides along the frame. In FIG. 5, also the feed line chain 74 for the recording devices is shown, passed about the

gear rings

75 and 76, the shafts of which are fixed to the frame. The chain 74 is connected to the carriage 24 is a portion of the path parallel to the movement of the carriage along the freme. The gear ring 48 is connected to the gear ring 69 by means of interconnector group 77 containing two electromagnetic clutches and four gears whereby it is possible to select a direct coupling or a reduction of speed when passing from the gear ring 48 to the gear ring 69, for instance down from 4 to l in order to obtain a corresponding reduction in the recording scale. A similar interconnector group 78 connects the gear ring 59 to the gear ring 75. The group 78 is shown in FIG. 3 in exploded view in order to show the gear rings behind it. FIG. 5 shows also the secondary scanning chain 79 of the first carriage extended about the four gear rings 80 to 83, all these gear rings having their shafts rigid with the carriage of the first column. The portion of the chain 79 comprised between the gear ring 80 and 81 is parallel to the portion of the primary scanning chain 46 comprised between the gear rings 51 and 52 and the portion comprised between the gear rings 81 and 82 is parallel to the movement of the rod 15 supporting the head 17, to which it is connected. Likewise, the secondary scanning chain 84 for the second carriage extended about the four gear rings 85 to 88 is connected to the rod 14 carrying head 19. FIG. 5 shows also a secondary chain 89 for the recording devices, which extends about the four rings 90 to 93, all these gear rings having their shafts rigid with the carriage 24 for the recording devices. The chain 89 has a portion comprised between the gear rings 90 and 93 parallel to the portion of the primary chain 68 comprised between the gear rings 70 and 71 and connected thereto. This chain has also a portion comprised between the gear rings and 91 parallel to the movement of the carriage 29 controlling the writing heads and is connected thereto by means of the auxiliary carriage 94. Between the auxiliary carriage 94 and the carriage 95 there is an adjustable clearance for eliminating the scalloping of the recording medium. FIG. 5 shows also two electromagnetic brakes 95 and 96 locking the gear rings 61 and 64 to the columns; fixing the feed line chain 57 to the first column and to the second column, respectively, two

auxiliary columns

97 and 98 pivoted on the carriages and in mesh with the feed line chain 57, two brakes 99 and 100 locking on the carriages the gear rings 97 and 98 fixing the feedline chain to the first carriage and to the second carriage respectively, the electromagnetic brakes I01 and 102 which lock the two columns on the beam and 103 and 104 locking the carriages to the columns. By suitably presetting said brakes either in their locked or released positions, the feed line movement can be selected for the detecting heads, as either a movement of the columns with respect to the beam, or a movement of the carriages with respect to the columns; while on the recording devices the feed line movement corresponds always to that of the carriage with respect to the frame, and further when the brakes are released, the heads can be positioned on the scanning areas. FIG. 5 shows also the

auxiliary carriages

105 and 106 sliding on vertical guides fixed to the carriage, to said auxiliary carriages being fixed the secondary scanning chains 79 and 84. On said auxiliary carriages are pivoted the auxiliary scanning gear rings 107 and 108 engaged with the primary scanning chain and it is possible to lock said gear rings on the carriages by the electromagnetic brakes 109 and 1 10, which thus will lock the primary scanning chain 46 to the secondary chains 79 and 84. The car riages 105 and 106 can be locked to the column carriages by the brakes 111 and 112. By predisposing suitably the brakes 103, 109 and 111, the scanning movement of the first head 17 can be selected as either movement of the carriage with respect to the column, or movement of the rod with respect to the carriage, and also, when the brakes are released, the head can be positioned on the scanning areas. Similar possibilities exist for the second head, by presetting the brakes 104, and 112, although practically only the positioning of head 19 will be utilized, utilizing as scanning movement only that of the rod with respect to the carriage. The FIG. 5 shows also a gearbox-motor unit 113 which transmits the same movements to the gear ring 47 and consequently to the feed line chain 46 through the electromagnetic clutch 114 and to the gear ring 58 and consequently to the primary scanning chain 57 through the electromagnetic clutch 115. The electromagnetic brake 1 16 allows the gear ring 49 to be locked and thus the feed line gear will be locked. When the clutch 115 is inserted, the clutch 114 is released and the brake 116 is locked the motor transmits the scanning movements to the head; when both the

clutches

114 and 115 are actuated and the brake 116 is released, the feed line movement will be obtained with non scanning movement; when both clutches and the brake are released, it is possible to move manually the heads for positioning them, although remaining connected their position relative to that of the recording devices with respect to the heads.

The present invention has been illustrated and described in one preferred embodiment, it being however understood that variations might be practically adopted without departing from the intended scope of the invention except as limited by the claims.

Having thus described the present invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a device for scintographic scanning according to three orthogonal planes employing two detecting heads arranged for adjustment along, above and transversely of a longitudinal and horizontal beam position the improvement comprising;

a beam horizontally disposed in said position,

two vertical column structures including chain means for moving the same along said beam;

two recording devices;

frame support means mounted fixedly on said beam including longitudinally extending carriage guide means and transverse guide means;

a horizontally disposed recording surface mounted on said frame parallel to said guide'means;

chain drive means for moving said carriage along said horizontally extending and transverse guide means respectively;

two column carriages mounted for vertical movement along said columns, respectively, having means for moving the same vertically along the col umns;

each last said carriage including rod means for supporting a detector head for horizontal transverse scanning motion in respect to the support carriage, a first said rod means in one column including a bracket on an outer end thereof for supporting a detecting head in rotatable movement about an inclined axis, the bracket being rotable about the first rod means;

a detecting head rotatably mounted on said first rod means at an outer end of said bracket for varying displacement beneath first said rod means and toward the other column as the bracket rotates;

a second said rod means in the other said column including a rotatable knuckle at an other end thereof comprising means for supporting a second detecting head beneath said second rod means;

a second said detecting means mounted on said knuckle for rotation about the axis of said second rod means;

said first and second rod means being adjustable vertically and independently of each other by chain means extending vertically in said columns and horizontally along said beam by further chain drive means operative to move said columns therealong, said detecting heads being rotatively adjustable to detect in like directions vertically and horizontally,

said bracket inclinable relative to said first rod means to align said detecting heads horizontally or vertically;

means operating 'said chain means for moving the columns and said chain drive means being selectively operable for effecting desired three plane scanning motions; and

means coupling each recording head drive means to effect motion thereof corresponding to scanning motion of said detecting head.

2. A scintographic scanning device according to claim 1, said chain drive means for driving the detecting heads vertically comprising first and second primary chain drives, one for each column and said chain drive means for driving the detecting heads transversely of said beam comprising first and second auxiliary chain drives extending along said rod means, re spectively coupable one to one said primary chain drive and one to the other said primary chain drive, said primary chain drives extending parallel to each other at least in said columns, being aligned therein by gear ring pairs on the same axes within the columns, respectively.

3. A scintographic scanning device according to claim 2 said primary chain drives extending in said columns about two gear ring pairs on the same axis provided at the lower end of each column and one gear ring pair on the same axis at the upper end of each col-- umn and including electromagnetic means for coupling primary and secondary chain drive means selectably and separately for selective and separate driving of the detecting heads.

4. A scintographic scanning drive according to claim 3, said primary chain drives extending over gear rings on the same axis respectively driving a further auxiliary chain coupled to a further carriage over a gear ring on said same axis and in driving relation to chain means driving said recording devices in correspondence to motions of said detecting heads.

5. A scintographic scanning device according to claim 4, said recording devices comprising optical beam projectors faced toward respective photographic plates for simultaneous photographic recording of the three orthogonal plane scans.

6. A scintographic scanning device according to claim 4 wherein said chain means driving said record ing devices are coupled to said primary chain drives by motion-reduction means for changing the scale of recording relative to the scale of scanning in the three orthogonal planes.

Claims

1. In a device for scintographic scanning according to three orthogonal planes employing two detecting heads arranged for adjustment along, above and transversely of a longitudinal and horizontal beam position the improvement comprising; a beam horizontally disposed in said position, two vertical column structures including chain means for moving the same along said beam; two recording devices; frame support means mounted fixedly on said beam including longitudinally extending carriage guide means and transverse guide means; a horizontally disposed recording surface mounted on said frame parallel to said guide means; chain drive means for moving said carriage along said horizontally extending and transverse guide means respectively; two column carriages mounted for vertical movement along said columns, respectively, having means for moving the same vertically along the columns; each last said carriage including rod means for supporting a detector head for horizontal transverse scanning motion in respect to the support carriage, a first said rod means in one column including a bracket on an outer end thereof for supporting a detecting head in rotatable movement about an inclined axis, the bracket being roTable about the first rod means; a detecting head rotatably mounted on said first rod means at an outer end of said bracket for varying displacement beneath first said rod means and toward the other column as the bracket rotates; a second said rod means in the other said column including a rotatable knuckle at an other end thereof comprising means for supporting a second detecting head beneath said second rod means; a second said detecting means mounted on said knuckle for rotation about the axis of said second rod means; said first and second rod means being adjustable vertically and independently of each other by chain means extending vertically in said columns and horizontally along said beam by further chain drive means operative to move said columns therealong, said detecting heads being rotatively adjustable to detect in like directions vertically and horizontally, said bracket inclinable relative to said first rod means to align said detecting heads horizontally or vertically; means operating said chain means for moving the columns and said chain drive means being selectively operable for effecting desired three plane scanning motions; and means coupling each recording head drive means to effect motion thereof corresponding to scanning motion of said detecting head.

2. A scintographic scanning device according to claim 1, said chain drive means for driving the detecting heads vertically comprising first and second primary chain drives, one for each column and said chain drive means for driving the detecting heads transversely of said beam comprising first and second auxiliary chain drives extending along said rod means, respectively coupable one to one said primary chain drive and one to the other said primary chain drive, said primary chain drives extending parallel to each other at least in said columns, being aligned therein by gear ring pairs on the same axes within the columns, respectively.

3. A scintographic scanning device according to claim 2 said primary chain drives extending in said columns about two gear ring pairs on the same axis provided at the lower end of each column and one gear ring pair on the same axis at the upper end of each column and including electromagnetic means for coupling primary and secondary chain drive means selectably and separately for selective and separate driving of the detecting heads.

6. A scintographic scanning device according to claim 4 wherein said chain means driving said recording devices are coupled to said primary chain drives by motion-reduction means for changing the scale of recording relative to the scale of scanning in the three orthogonal planes.