Patient positioning apparatus for use in taking medical x-rays

Claim 2

Patient positioning apparatus for use in taking medical Xrays comprising a. a base adapted to be placed in a predetermined position spaced from and independently of a medical X-ray film unit, b. an elongated, horizontal foot-aligning arm, and c. arm mounting means mounting the arm on the base for horizontal angular adjustment relative to the base and X-ray film unit, d. the arm being arranged to permit the alignment of a patient''s feet with the arm, thereby aligning the patient''s body relative to the X-ray film unit at an angle corresponding to the angular position of the arm relative to the X-ray film unit.

Claim 3

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 1 including a supplemental foot-aligning arm, and mounting means for mounting the supplemental arm on the first mentioned arm at right angles thereto.

Claim 4

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the arm is pivotable about a vertical axis relative to the base, and the arm mounting means includes an arcuate plate on the base having a plurality of vertical grooves spaced apart at predetermined angles relative to the pivot axis of the arm and each dimensioned to receive the arm removably therein for securing the arm of various angles relative to the base and X-ray film unit.

Claim 5

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base comprises an elongated, horizontally extending guide, and a slide member engaging the guide for horizontal movement relative thereto, the slide member supporting the arm mounting means for movement therewith.

Claim 6

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 4 wherein the arm mounting means includes a pin secured to the arm and movable vertically relative to the slide member, the guide having a plurality of horizontally spaced sockets for selectively receiving the pin, whereby to secure the slide member in selected positions of horizontal adjustment relative to the guide.

Claim 7

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 1 including head positioning means comprising a. a vertical standard, b. head gripping means on the upper end of the standard for engaging a patient''s head, and c. guide means on the lower end of the standard arranged to releasably engage the arm and align the head gripping means with the arm, whereby to align the patient''s head and feet at the same angle relative to the base and X-ray film unit.

Claim 8

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the head gripping means comprises a member of substantially inverted U-shape the spaced end portions of which are arranged to engage the sides of a patient''s head.

Claim 9

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 6 wherein the guide means comprises a horizontal base mounting the standard, and guideway means on the standard-mounting base dimensioned to removably receive the arm.

Claim 10

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 8 including a plurality of spaced legs projecting downward from the standard-mounting base for supporting the latter a predetermined distance above a floor, and caster means projecting downward from the standard-mounting base a distance shorter than the length of the legs, whereby to position the caster means normally out of contact with the floor when the standard is in its operative position, and to position the caster in engagement with the floor upon tilting of the standard-mounting base to elevate the legs above the floor.

Claim 11

The patient positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein a. the base comprises an elongated, horizontally extending guide, and a slide member engaging the guide for horizontal movement relative thereto, the slide member supporting the arm mounting means for movement therewith, b. the arm mounting means includes a pin secured to the arm and movable vertically relative to the slide member, the guide having a plurality of horizontally spaced sockets for selectively receiving the pin, whereby to secure the slide member in selected positions of horizontal adjustment relative to the guide, and c. the apparatus includes head positioning means comprising a vertical standard, head gripping means on the upper end of the standard for engaging the patient''s head, and guide means on the lower end of the standard arranged to releasably engage the arm and align the head gripping means with the arm, whereby to align the patient''s head and feet at the same angle relative to the base and X-ray film unit.