Patent US3908126A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3908126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
X-ray apparatus for providing panoramic radiographic projections
Assignee: KEYSTONE X-RAY Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A radiographic apparatus is disclosed for providing continuous radiographs or x-rays of a selected portion of a subject lying in a horizontal position by simultaneously rotating an x-ray source and an x-ray film holder including an x-ray film about the subject. An x-ray film cassette is mounted in the film holder and while the film holder rotates about the subject, the film cassette is moved past an x-ray slit. The x-ray source and film holder are mounted for rotation with respect to a pivoted gimbal frame and apparatus is disclosed for shifting the frame a selected amount about its pivot point to shift the axis of rotation of the source and film holder with respect to the subject being x-rayed. The x-ray source and film holder are preferably mounted on a rotatable disc and novel drive apparatus is disclosed for rotating the disc. The film holder includes a novel drive mechanism for moving the cylindrical film cassette, in which an x-ray film is placed, at the proper rate of speed to provide the desired x-ray during rotation of the source and film holder. Also, a patient conveyor cart is disclosed for conveying a patient to the x-ray machine and permitting him to be easily and safely placed in position in the machine while in a horizontal position. The x-ray apparatus also includes apparatus for elevating and positioning the patient at a proper position in the machine, and a programming apparatus for automatically controlling the sequence of operation of the x-ray apparatus during selected modes of operation. Also, a slide rule profile projector is provided for selecting the required amount of shift of the gimbal frame for a desired x-raying operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald C Hudson
- 👤 Charles R Morris
- 👤 Horst G Fleck
- 👤 Karl A Senghaas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/04; A61B6/0487; A61B6/0407; A61B6/0471; A61B6/42; A61B6/4283; A61B6/50; A61B6/51; A61B6/54; A61B6/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An x-ray apparatus for providing substantially continuous panoramic radiographic projections of an object on an x-ray film, comprising, in combination: a fixed frame; an x-ray source mounted for rotation with respect to said frame; a film holder including an x-ray slit and means for supporting an x-ray film for movement past said slit, said film holder mounted for rotation with said x-ray source to permit panoramic radiographic projections to be taken of an object placed between said x-ray source and film holder; means for rotating said x-ray source and film holder about said object; means for shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder with respect to said object and in substantially the plane of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder to permit portions of a single panoramic radiograph to be taken from different centers of rotation for providing a focal trough of predetermined shape; and means for providing selective variations in the amount of said shift.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
An x-ray apparatus for providing substantially continuous panoramic radiographic projections of an object on an x-ray film, comprising, in combination: a fixed frame; an x-ray source mounted for rotation with respect to said frame; a film holder including an x-ray slit and means for supporting an x-ray film for movement past said slit, said film holder mounted for rotation with said x-ray source to permit panoramic radiographic projections to be taken of an object placed between said x-ray source and film holder; means for rotating said x-ray source and film holder about said object; means for shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder with respect to said object and in substantially the plane of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder to permit portions of a single panoramic radiograph to be taken from different centers of rotation for providing a focal trough of predetermined shape; and means for providing selective variations in the amount of said shift.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for shifting the center of rotation of x-ray source and film holder includes: a gimbal frame mounted to pivot about a point on said fixed frame; means for mounting said x-ray source and said film holder at opposed positions on said gimbal frame for rotation with respect to said gimbal frame; and means for shifting said gimbal frame with respect to said fixed frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for providing selective variations in the amount of said shift includes means responsive to the movement of said gimbal frame with respect to sAid fixed frame to control the extent of said movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 3 wherein said last mentioned means includes a selector switch having a plurality of positions corresponding to shift positions of said gimbal frame, a left shift limit switch and a right shift limit switch, each switch connected to said selector switch to be positioned at a plurality of different positions corresponding to different shift positions, said limit switches electrically connected to stop said shifting means when actuated, and actuator means connected to said gimbal frame and movable in response thereto to actuate one of said limit switches during shifting of said gimbal frame to determine the extent of said shift.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 4 further including means for amplifying the motion of said actuator means in response to said shift of said gimbal frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for mounting said x-ray source and film holder on said gimbal frame is a centerless disc supported for rotation on said gimbal frame, and includes means for supporting said disc on said gimbal frame for rotation with respect thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 6 wherein the outer edge of the disc is beveled and includes two outwardly extending and converging faces, and said last mentioned means includes a plurality of V-grooved rollers mounted on and spaced about said gimbal frame for supporting said disc, said rollers including converging faces for mating with the faces of the outer edge of said disc, said mated faces providing two contact friction areas of opposing character.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said rollers is resiliently mounted on said gimbal frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 1 further including a cylindrical film cassette removably mounted in said film holder for supporting the x-ray film for movement past said x-ray slit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 1 further including a film drive mechanism for moving an x-ray film past the x-ray slit at a variable rate of speed as a function of the shape of a desired focal trough, said film drive mechanism including a movable film cassette for mounting said film in said film holder, said film cassette adapted to support and move an x-ray film past said slit; motor means connected to drive said film cassette, said motor means including a rotatable shaft and a housing; and means coupled between said shaft and housing to vary the speed of rotation of said shaft with respect to said housing by selectively rotating said housing with respect to said shaft as a function of the shape of a desired focal trough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 10 wherein said last mentioned means includes means for mounting said housing to float with respect to said shaft, and a sloped cam connected to rotate with said shaft and to cause selected movement of said housing with respect to said shaft during rotation of said shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 1 wherein the object to be x-rayed is a portion of a human subject lying horizontal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 12 further including conveying and positioning means for positioning the subject in the x-ray apparatus for an x-raying operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein a portion of the head of the subject is to be x-rayed, and wherein said conveying and positioning means includes a headrest, an elevator mechanism for moving said headrest vertically and horizontally with respect to said x-ray source and film holder, and a conveyor cart for engaging said elevator mechanism whereby when the subject''s head is supported on said headrest, the remainder of his body is supported on said conveyor cart.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
The i x-ray apparatus of claim 14 wherein said conveyor cart is mobile and includes: a frame; a conveyor belt mounted to move a subject thereOn from a first position on said cart to a second position thereon wherein he can be positioned in said x-ray apparatus with his head on said headrest; and means connected to said belt and adapted to be actuated by a movable element in said elevator mechanism for moving said belt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The conveyor cart of claim 15 wherein said last mentioned means includes means for amplifying the motion of said movable element to cause a greater movement of said belt in response thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 14 further including a plurality of safety limit switches for preventing interference between the movement of said subject and said x-ray source.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 17 wherein said headrest is adapted to be tilted to tile the subject''s head, and one of said limit switches is responsive to the amount of tilt of the headrest and the vertical height of said elevator mechanism to prevent horizontal movement of said headrest towards said x-ray source when such movement would result in interference.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 18 further including switch means responsive to said one of said limit switches to automatically cause vertical movement of said elevator mechanism when horizontal movement thereof will cause interference between said headrest and said x-ray source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
154 words
An x-ray apparatus comprising, in combination: a fixed frame; a gimbal frame mounted to pivot about a point on said fixed frame; an x-ray source; an x-ray film holder for supporting an x-ray film; means for mounting said x-ray source and said film holder at opposed positions on said gimbal frame for rotation with respect to said gimbal frame; means for supporting an object to be x-rayed between said x-ray source and film holder; means for rotating said x-ray source and film holder about said object to provide a panoramic radiographic projection of a selected area of said object; and means for shifting said gimbal frame with respect to said fixed frame in substantially the plane of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder to permit rotation of said x-ray source and film holder about said object from a plurality of different centers of rotation for providing a focal trough of predetermined shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
154 words
An x-ray apparatus comprising, in combination: a fixed frame; a gimbal frame mounted to pivot about a point on said fixed frame; an x-ray source; an x-ray film holder for supporting an x-ray film; means for mounting said x-ray source and said film holder at opposed positions on said gimbal frame for rotation with respect to said gimbal frame; means for supporting an object to be x-rayed between said x-ray source and film holder; means for rotating said x-ray source and film holder about said object to provide a panoramic radiographic projection of a selected area of said object; and means for shifting said gimbal frame with respect to said fixed frame in substantially the plane of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder to permit rotation of said x-ray source and film holder about said object from a plurality of different centers of rotation for providing a focal trough of predetermined shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 20 further including means for providing selective variations in the amount of said shift, said means being responsive to the movement of said gimbal frame with respect to said fixed frame to control the extent of said movement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
105 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 21 wherein said last mentioned means includes a selector switch having a plurality of positions corresponding to shift positions of said gimbal frame, a left shift limit switch and a right shift limit switch, each switch connected to said selector switch to be positioned at a plurality of different positions corresponding to different shift positions, said limit switches electrically connected to stop said shifting means when actuated, and actuator means connected to said gimbal frame and movable in response thereto to actuate one of said limit switches during shifting of said gimbal frame to determine the extent of said shift.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 22 further including means for amplifying the motion of said actuator means in response to said shift of said gimbal frame.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of providing a panoramic radiographic projection of a selected portion of the body of a subject comprising the steps of: moving the subject in position in an x-ray apparatus between a rotatable x-ray source and an x-ray film holder including an x-ray film so that the selected portion will be positioned in the line of sight between said source and film when they are rotated about the subject; rotating the x-ray source and x-ray film holder about the subject and about a first center of rotation, while simultaneously continuously exposing a first section of said x-ray film to an x-ray beam to provide a continuous radiographic projection of a first part of said selected portion on said film; automatically shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray source and x-ray film to a second center of rotation upon completion of said last mentioned step; and rotating said x-ray source and x-ray film about said subject and about said second center of rotation while simultaneously continuously exposing a second section of said x-ray film to said x-ray beam to provide a continuous radiographic projection of a second part of said selected portion on said film.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of providing a panoramic radiographic projection of a selected portion of the body of a subject comprising the steps of: moving the subject in position in an x-ray apparatus between a rotatable x-ray source and an x-ray film holder including an x-ray film so that the selected portion will be positioned in the line of sight between said source and film when they are rotated about the subject; rotating the x-ray source and x-ray film holder about the subject and about a first center of rotation, while simultaneously continuously exposing a first section of said x-ray film to an x-ray beam to provide a continuous radiographic projection of a first part of said selected portion on said film; automatically shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray source and x-ray film to a second center of rotation upon completion of said last mentioned step; and rotating said x-ray source and x-ray film about said subject and about said second center of rotation while simultaneously continuously exposing a second section of said x-ray film to said x-ray beam to provide a continuous radiographic projection of a second part of said selected portion on said film.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said selected portion of the body is in the frontal part of the head, and further including the steps of: placing the head of the subject between said x-ray source and x-ray film while said source and film holder are located on the vertical center line of said x-ray apparatus; shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder to said first position and moving said source and holder to a position wherein rotation about said first part of said selected portion with the subject facing said film holder can begin; and performing the last three steps of claim 24.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 24 where in the selected portion is in the back of the head, and further including the step of initially positioning the x-ray apparatus so that the back of the head may be positioned in the x-ray apparatus adjacent the film holder, and the x-ray source rotated about the front of the head without interference.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
159 words
X-ray apparatus comprising, in combination: an x-ray source; a power supply for providing operating voltages to said x-ray source; an x-ray film housing for supporting an x-ray film; means for rotating and means for selectively shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder about an object to be x-rayed to provide substantially continuous panoramic radiographic projections of the object; means for moving the x-ray film to continuously expose it to an x-ray beam during rotation of said x-ray source and x-ray film holder; and a programming apparatus including a plurality of sequential programmer step positions and a plurality of programmer switches, means for sequentially moving said programmer through its step positions, and means for selectively actuating any of said programmer switches, selected ones of said programmer switches being connected to control the sequence of operation of said power supply, rotating means, shifting means, and means for moving said x-ray film to provide said radiographic projection.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
159 words
X-ray apparatus comprising, in combination: an x-ray source; a power supply for providing operating voltages to said x-ray source; an x-ray film housing for supporting an x-ray film; means for rotating and means for selectively shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder about an object to be x-rayed to provide substantially continuous panoramic radiographic projections of the object; means for moving the x-ray film to continuously expose it to an x-ray beam during rotation of said x-ray source and x-ray film holder; and a programming apparatus including a plurality of sequential programmer step positions and a plurality of programmer switches, means for sequentially moving said programmer through its step positions, and means for selectively actuating any of said programmer switches, selected ones of said programmer switches being connected to control the sequence of operation of said power supply, rotating means, shifting means, and means for moving said x-ray film to provide said radiographic projection.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
60 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 27 wherein said x-ray source and said film holder are rotated about said object on the same axis of rotation, and said means for selectively shifting the center of rotation of said axis with respect to said object being connected to at least one of said programmer switches for control of its sequence of operation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
77 words
An x-ray apparatus for providing panoramic radiographic projections of an object comprising, in combination: x-ray means for providing a rotational x-ray scan about the object; to provide said panoramic radiographic projections means for automatically shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray means from a first center of rotation to a second center of rotation during an x-ray scan; and means for selectively varying the amount of said shift to provide a focal trough of predetermined shape.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
77 words
An x-ray apparatus for providing panoramic radiographic projections of an object comprising, in combination: x-ray means for providing a rotational x-ray scan about the object; to provide said panoramic radiographic projections means for automatically shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray means from a first center of rotation to a second center of rotation during an x-ray scan; and means for selectively varying the amount of said shift to provide a focal trough of predetermined shape.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 29 wherein said means for automatically shifting center of rotation of said x-ray means includes a programmer means for controlling the sequence of operation of said x-ray apparatus.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said means for selectively varying the amount of said shift includes switch means for selectively setting the limits of said shift.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
65 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 29 wherein said x-ray means includes an x-ray film holder having an x-ray slit and including an x-ray film and means for moving the x-ray film past said x-ray slit during an x-ray scan, and further including means for varying the movement of said film past said x-ray slit as a function of the shape of the object being x-rayed.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
55 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 32 wherein said last mentioned means includes a motor having a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect thereto, and means for selectively rotating said housing with respect to said shaft during rotation of the shaft to vary the speed of rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means for automatically shifting the center of rotation of said x-ray means includes a programmer means for controlling the sequence of operation of said x-ray apparatus.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 29 further including means for positioning a human subject in the apparatus for an x-ray operation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The x-ray apparatus of claim 34 further including means for positioning a human subject in the apparatus for an x-ray operation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
150 words
An x-ray apparatus for providing panoramic radiographic projections of an object on an x-ray film, comprising, in combination: a fixed frame; an x-ray source mounted for rotation with respect to said frame; a film holder including an x-ray slit and means for supporting an x-ray film for movement past said slit, said film holder mounted for rotation with said x-ray source to permit panoramic radiographic projections to be taken of an object placed between said x-ray source and film holder; means for rotating said x-ray source and film holder about said object and about a vertical axis; means for laterally shifting said vertical axis to shift the center of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder with respect to said object to permit portions of a single panoramic radiograph to be taken from different centers of rotation; and means for providing selective variations in the amount of said shift.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
150 words
An x-ray apparatus for providing panoramic radiographic projections of an object on an x-ray film, comprising, in combination: a fixed frame; an x-ray source mounted for rotation with respect to said frame; a film holder including an x-ray slit and means for supporting an x-ray film for movement past said slit, said film holder mounted for rotation with said x-ray source to permit panoramic radiographic projections to be taken of an object placed between said x-ray source and film holder; means for rotating said x-ray source and film holder about said object and about a vertical axis; means for laterally shifting said vertical axis to shift the center of rotation of said x-ray source and film holder with respect to said object to permit portions of a single panoramic radiograph to be taken from different centers of rotation; and means for providing selective variations in the amount of said shift.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |