Patent GB-1350144-A (GB)
Title: Diagnostic x-ray system
Inventor: BOCK J W
IPC: A61B6/02
Filed: 1971-11-03
Abstract: 1350144 X-ray apparatus GENERAL ELECTRIC CO 3 Nov 1971 [12 Nov 1970] 51107/71 Heading H5R In X-ray diagnostic apparatus which includes an X-ray tube 52 above, and an X-ray detector or recorder beneath, a longitudinally, transversely, and vertically displaceable patient support surface 14, the whole assembly being tiltable in either direction from the horizontal to a vertical position about a transverse axis between supports 12 and 13, the X-ray tube may either be moved transversely of the table while remaining directed at a given point on the detector or recorder, as shown in phantom lines; or the X-ray tube-directed to provide a vertical beam 59, as shown-may be moved together with the detector or recorder longitudinally along the table to scan the patient; or the recorder and X-ray tube may be moved in opposite directions longitudinally of the table, with associated rotation of the X-ray tube to maintain the beam directed at the recorder, either to produce a tomographic radiograph by continuous movement along the length of the length of the table, or, for a stationary position, to radiograph an organ from a desired direction. The detector and recorder arrangement beneath the table includes a motor driven shutter 64, a displaceable film cassette 62, and an image intensifier 63 associated with a television camera. As shown, the X-ray tube 52 is rotatably mounted in a yoke (48, Fig. 6, not shown) at the end of an arm 45 which is rotatable about its axis and independently axially displaceable with respect to the support column 43, which may itself be motor driven longitudinally of the table along a supporting beam 20 (Fig. 9, not shown). Axial displacement of the arm 45 is produced by a lead screw having at its end a stub shaft and pinion (Fig. 6) arranged to produce the appropriate rotation of the X-ray tube in its yoke (48). Beam 21 also supports a tomographic column 131, Fig. 3, on which is pivoted a telescopic tomographic link 130 coupled at one end to support arm 45 and at the other end to a horizontal rod 156 attached to a carriage (164, Fig. 11, not shown) for the shutter, film cassette carriage, and image intensifier. For longitudinal scanning of a patient with a vertical X-ray beam, the tomographic column is interlocked with column 43 for movement therewith. For the production of a tomographic radiograph, the tomographic column 131 is clamped to the beam 20 while column 43 traverses the length of the table. In the tomographic or oblique modes of operation the slight rotation of the rod 156 during pivoting of the link 130 is employed to produce such opposite relative longitudinal displacements of the shutter 64 and image intensifier 63 with respect to the film cassette as to ensure centering of the X-ray image on the film or the image intensifier. Since the pivot axis 140 of the tomographic link 130 is vertically adjustable on the column 131, and the patient supporting surface 14 is independently vertically adjustable, tomographic radiographs of different sections of a patient with the same magnification, or of the same section of the patient with different magnifications, may be made.