X-ray calipers

Claim 2

An x-ray caliper for use in measuring the part of the anatomy to be x-rayed and determining the proper voltage, current and time duration settings for an x-ray machine, said caliper comprising: (a) upper, intermediate and lower dial means mounted for rotational movement relative to each other, said upper and lower dial means each having additional means associated therewith to enable said upper and lower dial means to be positioned relative to each other an amount from an initial position, said amount corresponding to the measured distance between opposite sides of said part of said anatomy to be x-rayed; and (b) indicia on one surface of said intermediate dial means indicating at least one range of operating voltages for said x-ray machine cooperating with chart means on said upper dial means for indicating desired x-ray machine operating values proportional to time as a function of said operating voltages, and indicia on the other surface of said intermediate dial means indicating at least two parts of the anatomy capable of being x-rayed cooperating with index means located on the lower surface of said lower dial means and arranged such that said chart means will indicate proper settings for said x-ray machine for the part of the anatomy indexed.

Claim 3

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 1 wherein said additional means comprises scale means on said upper dial means indicating increments of distance from an initial point and indicator means on said lower dial means opposite said scale means, said upper and lower dial means being in said initial position relative to each other when said indicator means is opposite said initial point on said scale means.

Claim 4

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 2 wherein said additional means further comprises upper and lower arm means connected respectfully at one end to said upper and lower dial means and wherein the free ends of said arms move relative to each other through an operating range as said upper and lower dial means are so moved.

Claim 5

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least one of said ranges of operating voltages on said intermediate dial means is adjacent said chart means throughout said operating range of said upper and lower arms.

Claim 6

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 4 wherein said indicia on said one surface of said intermediate dial means comprises three separate ranges of operating voltages, one related to the chest portion of the anatomy, one related to the extremities of the anatomy and one related to the Bucky technique.

Claim 7

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 1 wherein said index means is at least one aperture formed through said lower dial means.

Claim 8

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 4 wherein said range of operating voltages is divided into increments of voltage and said chart is divided into increments of time.

Claim 9

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 4 wherein said upper dial means further comprises knob means mounted for rotation thereon and said chart means is movable relative to said upper dial means and operatively connected to said knob means such that the rotation of said knob means causes said relative movement of said chart means to thereby compensate for changes required by the use of screens, grids and the like.

Claim 10

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 8 wherein movement of one predetermined increment of rotation of said knob means will result in one predetermined increment of movement of said chart means relative to said upper dial means.

Claim 11

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 7 wherein said chart means is divided into increments of time versus increments of electrical current and the product of each of said increments of time and electrical current is also indicated on said chart.

Claim 12

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 10 wherein said chart is so divided such that if said product is multiplied by two, the resultant is indicated four increments of time from said product.

Claim 13

An x-ray caliper as set forth in claim 6 wherein said index means comprises at least two apertures through said lower disc means, said apertures being spaced from each other and equidistant from the center of said intermediate disc.

Claim 14

An x-ray caliper for use in measuring the part of the anatomy to be x-rayed and determining the proper voltage, current and time duration settings for an x-ray machine, said caliper comprising: (a) upper, intermediate and lower dial means mounted for rotational movement relative to each other; (b) said upper dial means having an arm thereon extending a distance therefrom, said upper dial means having a chart on the top surface thereof indicating values of time versus electrical current and a scale on the lower surface thereof indicating distance; (c) said lower dial means having an arm thereon extending a distance therefrom said lower dial means having an indicator thereon disposed opposite said scale on said upper dial means such that the distance between the ends of said arms as said arms are moved relative to each other will be shown on said scale opposite said indicator, and (d) said intermediate dial means having an upper surface with at least one scale thereon graduated in kilovoltages cooperating with said chart means on said upper dial means for indicating x-ray machine operating values proportional to time as a function of said kilovoltages and indicia on the other surface of said intermediate dial means indicating at least two parts of the anatomy capable of being x-rayed cooperating with index means located on the lower surface of said lower dial means and arranged such that said chart means will indicate proper settings for said x-ray machine for the part of the anatomy indexed.

Claim 15

An x-ray caliper for use in measuring the part of the anatomy to be x-rayed and determining the proper voltage, current and time duration settings for an x-ray machine, said caliper comprising: (a) upper, intermediate and lower dial means mounted for rotational movement relative to each other; (b) said upper dial means having an arm thereon extending a distance therefrom, said upper dial means having a chart on the top surface thereof indicating values of time versus electrical current and a scale on the lower surface thereof indicating distance; (c) said lower dial means having an arm thereon extending a distance therefrom said lower dial means having an indicator thereon disposed opposite said scale on said upper dial means such that the distance between the ends of said arms as said arms are moved relative to each other will be shown on said scale opposite said indicator, and (d) said intermediate dial means having an upper surface with at least one scale thereon graduated in kilovoltages cooperating with said chart means on said upper dial means for indicating x-ray machine operating values proportional to time as a function of said kilovoltages and indicia on the other surface of said intermediate dial means indicating at least two parts of the anatomy capable of being x-rayed cooperating with index means located on the lower surface of said lower dial means and arranged such that said chart means will indicate proper settings for said x-ray machine for the part of the anatomy indexed.