Method and apparatus for calibrating a cardiac x-ray synchronizer

Claim 2

Apparatus for calibrating an X-ray cardiac synchronizer for use with an X-ray machine for causing an X-ray burst to be produced at a given point in the cardiac cycle of a person disposed in the path of said burst having means for receiving the electrical waveform representing said cardiac cycle of said person, means for actuating an X-ray machine an adjustable time after a given portion of said waveform is received, means for producing a pulse beginning when said machine is actuated and having a duration equal to the time between when said machine is actuated and when said burst is produced, so that the time of occurrence of the trailing edge of said pulse coincides with the time of production of said burst, and means for displaying said pulse and said waveform as a function of time, comprising: an X-ray detector disposable in the path of said burst for producing an electrical signal characteristic of said burst when said burst is produced; means for connecting said electrical signal to said displaying means so that said electrical signal is displayed with said pulse and said waveform as a function of time; means for adjusting said duration of said pulse so that the trailing edge of said pulse coincides with said electrical signal on said display means so that the duration of said pulse is equal to the time between when said X-ray machine is actuated and when said burst is produced; and means for producing a simulated cardiac waveform, and means for connecting said simulated waveform to said synchronizer in the same manner as said waveform of said person so that said simulated waveform is displayed on said displaying means as a function of time and said actuating means actuates said X-ray machine an adjustable time after a given portion of said simulated waveform is received.

Claim 3

Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said given portion of said waveform of said person is the R-wave peak and said simulated signal is sufficiently similar to said R-wave peak to cause said actuating means to actuate said X-ray machine.

Claim 4

Apparatus for causing an X-ray burst from an X-ray machine to be produced at a chosen point in the cardiac cycle of a person disposed in the path of said burst comprising: means for detecting said cardiac cycle and for producing the electrical waveform representing said cycle; means connected to said detecting means for amplifying said waveform; means for detecting the R-wave peak of the amplified waveform; means for actuating said X-ray machine at a given adjustable time after said R-wave is detected; pulse generating means for producing a pulse with its leading edge occurring at the time said X-ray machine is actuated and its trailing edge at the time said burst is produced; display means for displaying said pulse and said waveform as a function of time so that the trailing edge of said pulse coincides with the point in said waveform at which said burst is produced; means for altering said given adjustable time to alter said chosen point; manual operated means for causing said actuating means to activate said X-ray machine; X-ray detecting means disposable in the path of said burst for producing an electrical signal representing said burst; means for connecting said electrical signal to said displaying means so that said electrical signal is displayed as a function of time; means for producing a simulated R-wave signal for causing said actuating mans to actuate said X-ray machine; switch means for connecting said producing means to said amplifying means and disconnecting said detecting means from said amplifying means so that said simulated signal causes said actuating means to actuate said machine and is displayed on said displaying means as a function of time; and means for adjusting the width of said pulse so that when said simulated signal, said electrical signal; and said pulse are displayed on said displaying means the trailing edge of said pulse coincides with said electrical signal.

Claim 5

Apparatus for causing an X-ray burst from an X-ray machine to be produced at a chosen point in the cardiac cycle of a person disposed in the path of said burst comprising: means for detecting said cardiac cycle and for producing the electrical waveform representing said cycle; means connected to said detecting means for amplifying said waveform; means for detecting the R-wave peak of the amplified waveform; means for actuating said X-ray machine at a given adjustable time after said R-wave is detected; pulse generating means for producing a pulse with its leading edge occurring at the time said X-ray machine is actuated and its trailing edge at the time said burst is produced; display means for displaying said pulse and said waveform as a function of time so that the trailing edge of said pulse coincides with the point in said waveform at which said burst is produced; means for altering said given adjustable time to alter said chosen point; manual operated means for causing said actuating means to activate said X-ray machine; X-ray detecting means disposable in the path of said burst for producing an electrical signal representing said burst; means for connecting said electrical signal to said displaying means so that said electrical signal is displayed as a function of time; means for producing a simulated R-wave signal for causing said actuating mans to actuate said X-ray machine; switch means for connecting said producing means to said amplifying means and disconnecting said detecting means from said amplifying means so that said simulated signal causes said actuating means to actuate said machine and is displayed on said displaying means as a function of time; and means for adjusting the width of said pulse so that when said simulated signal, said electrical signal; and said pulse are displayed on said displaying means the trailing edge of said pulse coincides with said electrical signal.

Claim 6

Apparatus as in claim 3 including an X-ray machine.

Claim 7

Apparatus as in claim 4 including means connected to said detecting means for inverting said waveform and wherein said detecting means includes a plurality of electrodes attached to said person and said switch means includes a three position switch having a first position connecting said amplifying means to said detecting means, a second position connecting said amplifying means to said inverting means and a third position connecting said amplifying means to said means for producing a simulated R-wave.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 5 including further amplifying means connEcted to said amplifying means, a first housing containing said means for producing a simulated R-wave, said inverting means, said amplifying means and said three position switch, and a second housing containing said further amplifying means, said detecting means, said actuating means, said pulse generating means, and said display means.