DEVICE USED IN X-RAY EXAMINATION OF DISTAL JOINTS' EXTREMITIES

Abstract: A device used for examining distal joints of extremities. It is especially applicable in x-ray examination of finger and toe joints deformed by rheumatism. To set and maintain fingers and toes in an optimal position allowing the taking of radiographic pictures, the device comprises a model piece (1) having corresponding surfaces (3) for undersides of fingers and toes and with separating means (5) which keep fingers and toes separated from each other.

Description: A device used im X-ray diagnosies of distal joints' extremities. This invention relates to a device used in diagnosing distal joints of extremities. It is especially applicable in X-ray diagnosies of finger and toe- oints deformed by rheumatism. It takes a lot of time to put arms and legs in such a position which gives a good and reliable X-ray film, especially difficult and time consuming is to get de¬ formed fingers and toes in a right position for example to patients with rheumatoid orthrities. These patients often have so deformed fingers and toes that it is impossible to keep them in an optimal posi¬ tion due to reliable films. There exists some devices used in X-ray exposure which are used from material penetrating well X-rays and which help to get the part of the body in a position optimal for exposing. All these devices have the defect that the use of them slowers greatly the X-ray film exposure and most of them give to the developed X-ray film so big sha¬ dows that diagnosing is difficult. The intention of this invention has been to develop such a device with the aid of which X-ray diagnosis and filming is greatly speeded up and at the same time succesful films are received with greater probability with the result that new filmings are unnecessary. Most typical feature of the invention is that the device is composed of a suitable odelpiece in which there are corresponding surfaces for undersides of fingers as well as corresponding things of toes and different things put between those surfaces so that fingers corresponding toe are kept separate from each others. It has been evaluated that when the device is correctly planned and used in conventional cases, it gives twice as many films compared to what is nowadays received; if it is a question of rheumatoid orthrities, X-ray diagnos is three to two fold. It is clear that this is of great economical importance, since capital and salary costs ar reduced greatly. « A more detailed account of the invention, with the aid o the enclosed drawings, is as follows: Figure 1 presents a device used in axonometrical X-ray diagnosis ef a left hand. Figures 2-5 present examples for the device used in axon metrical X-ray diagnosis of toes. Figures 6-7 present a heelsupport in the device used for X-ray diagnosis ©f toes. In Figure 1 is presented the modelpiece no.1 for the lef hand supplied with deep cavities. in which fingers are The hand is presented in such a optimal position to enab a successful and easy X-ray diagnosis between the embras 4 for fingers there remain ridgelike heights 5 which keep and force the fingers apart from each others. The angle shown by arrow a is approximately 140° and so the hand can be exposured automatically from two different angles by twisting the hand on the table of a X-ray machine and these different angles form the standard angle or the angle required. Modelpiece 1 is naturally prepared of a material which well penetrates X-rays. For example foamed plastics suit well for this purpose. It is profitable that the ma¬ terial density of modelpiece 1 is as small as possible, so that it does not make any shadow on the X-ray film. This matter can also be improved so that the lower part of the model is made concave so that the wall thickness of the model is almost constant. There exists also so cheap ma¬ terials adapted to this purpose that the device concerning this invention can be made for one-use only. The surfaces of the modelpiece 1 facing the table of the X-ray machine can be supplied with suction cups or perma¬ nent magnets, which prevent the moving of the model and of the hand which causes trembling of the extremitiy during X-ray filming. Similar kind of result is also obtained when the surfaces of the model facing the table are really smooth, or when the model is coated with some kind of emulsion which increases friction with the result that the hand ©r extre¬ mitiy stays well, partly gummed, on the modelpiece and it stays in a similar way on the table. According to one use¬ ful example, the modelpiece 1 is connected with a propor¬ tionally great weight for example,when made of lead, which is attached to the wrist of the patient like a splint. In ad¬ dition these solutions give more easily succesful films and relieve the work of the nursing personnel. They also relieve greatly the well-being of the patient since the muscles of the extremitiy are proportionally relaxed during filming. The device presented in Figure 1 has to be made in dif¬ ferent sizes due to different sizes of hands. Similarly the models for left and right hands are needed separate X-ray exposing is speeded so that the modelpiece 1 is fi to the hand of the patient with the aid of suitable ban when the patient is " waiting for his turn for filming. In figures 2-5 is performed a device for the leg in whic the idea of the invention is applied. The modelpiece 1 i here in the form of a shβesole. According to the adaptat of Figure 2 tees are able to be got separated into the holes 2" with the aid of the studs 2, which are made of molding material. According to the adaptation ef Figure the studs 2 are made of tube. According to Figure 5, ia upper end of the studlike organs there can be a stable o twisting disclike broadening 6 correspondingly 6' with t aid of which a pressure is caused on the upper surface o toes. The same result is achieved so that it is put agai the surface 3, which also of course can be done with the aid of laces or corresponding. According to the adaptation in Figure 4 the separating devices are done of plate-like preformates 7 by folding this into the form presented in the picture. The separating devices can also be done of plate-like pr formates and studs also when it is a question of X-ray e posures-of the hand. Since fingers are longer than toes, codes 2 are to be used between each finger, though each can be supplied with disc-like broadenings 6 or 6'. In figures 6 and 7 there are two different heel pieces 8 and 9 which can be attached to corresponding holes 8'an In the modelpiece 1 presented in Figure 2. With the aid of these heel pieces, which at the same time regulate the ef¬ fective length of the sole formed modelpiece, this model- piece can be tightened to the leg in question and at the same time press toes with a little ferce te separating de¬ vice 2 or between corresponding during exposing. According to the device presented concerning this invention also other kind of modifications can be developed, and this invention is by no means limited to the sample presented in the preceding. Many individual features concerning the modelpiece can be changed by various methods and can be modified so that the invention is still valid. So for example the density of the modelpiece can be changed either continuously or stepwise so that the shadow formed is equal to the sufficient accuracy and does not disturb the diagnosis. This is also obtained by concaiving the modelpiece from underside or innerside so that the addi- tioned thickness of the walls are about the same looking from the exposing direction.

Claims: WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1 ) A device used in X-ray diagnosies of distal joints of extrimities, the device being especially applicab for the use of X-ray diagnosies of deformed finger a toe joints due to rheumatoid orthrities, characterize that it comprises a suitable model piece (1) and rid separators (2,5,7), which have the surfaces (3) for the undersides of fingers correspondingly toes and separating devices in order to keep fingers corres¬ pondingly toes separate from each others. 2) The device of Claim 1 wherein the model piece (1) has corresponding grooves (4) for the fingers with a shor distance from each others, the bottoms of the grooves forming corresponding surfaces (3) for the undersides of the fingers, and between those bottoms there are ridges (5) which function as separating devices. 3) The device of Claim 1 wherein the separating devices comprise of studs (2) which are placed between the corresponding surfaces (3). 4) The ridge separators of Claim 3 wherein the upper end of the studs there exists a stable disclike broadenin 5) The ridge separators of Claim 3 wherein at the upper of the studs (2) there is a separating disclike broa¬ dening (6 1 ). 6) The device of Claim 1 wherein the separating ridges a made of platelike preformaties (7) folded into a sui¬ table form. J_!Α_. 7) The assisting device of Claims 1-6 wherein the device is provided with suitable attaching devices for attaching it to the leg or arm. 8) The assisting device of Claim 2 wherein the modelpiece (1) is provided with an adhesive, friction emulsion or a corresponding coating which increases the adhesive friction. 9) The assisting device of Claims 2-3 wherein the under surface of the modelpiece (1) is connected with two such planes which form together a V-angle (a) which is preferably about 120-150°, so that two constant exposing angles are obtained with the same modelpiece (1) by tilting it suitably. 10) The assisting device of Claims 1-9 wherein the density of the modelpiece i $ the range to be diagnostically investigated is changing so that the shadow formed in X-ray exposure in one or more exposing angles is cons¬ tant with sufficient accuracy. 11) The assisitng device of Claims 1-9 wherein the model¬ piece is concaved so that the thickness of the ridge or ridges together in the area to be investigated about constant in one or more exposing angles so that the shadow formed by exposure is constant with a suf¬ ficient accuracy.

Inventors: JUHA K
Applicants: JUHA K, LARSSON V
Application year: 1979
Main classification: A61B6
IPC codes: A61B5, A61B6