US1651707A - irwig - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,707

F. IRWIG RADIOGRAPHIC ATTACHMENT FOR X-RAY MACHINES Filed Feb. 16. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3% LHB iQQ jVVENIOR BY W I AITTORNEY Dec. 6, 1927.

F. IRWIG RADIOGRAPHIC ATTACHMENT FOR X-RAY MACHINES Filed Feb. 16; 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUR ATTORNEY Dec. 6, 1927.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb 16, 1925 A TTORNE V or noticed it indicates that the stomach and duodenum are. anatomically normal, but if stomach;

and duodenum are d1seern1ble through a 30" Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

\ UNITED STATES FRED: IRWIGg, OE KANS'AQGITYQMISSOURL RADIOGRAPHIG ATTACHMENT EORX-RAY MACHINES.

Application filed February This invention relates to X-ray machines and, particularly to that part of the" machine which has to do with fluoroscopic examinations and photographic exposures of parts of the human body.

Under the present practice it is eomp'arw tively easy to make photographic exposures of parts of the human body which are in reposed condition and also a satisfactory radiograpliic picture of a heal-tin actionjca n be made by a momentary exposure, hut in this case it is alinost meaningless and Without any diagnostic value.

There are situations Where photographic exposures, under present practice inust be made iii a more or less haphazard and un satisfactory manner'. For example, inititestinal-Wor'h the operator isnever positive that the exposures are made at the time that the inuscula'in wave, which Wiltpresent the diseased part to the photographic plate, is in that part of the cycle to give a picture of the bestdia'gnosticvalue The stomach is constantly going through a series of muscular movements," expansions and contractions, (p erisistai'sisl) which alterr'iate' during digestion and evacuation of the Certain diseases of the stomach fiuoroseope and are indicated" by "the outline of the organ which is always changing through the action of the perisistal'sis, alternat'ely presenting and covering" the diseased parts. w

, Anatomic changes are mostly found at the junction of the stomach and duodenum and a picture taken durii'ig the expulsion of the s't'o'maclrcontent into theduodennm is almost never of any diagnosticvaliie, therefore it is liighly'i nportant to get that partof the cycle int which at distinct line of separation is visible between the stomach and the duodenum. It, for exa'inplathe line \vhielilseparates the dnodenalamp fromthe stomaehiis straight and no other detormationsarefound the line, appears jagged or brokenthete are' indications of a diseased condition, theretoraduring thecycle oi muscular expansions and contractions the actual condition ot' the stomach will. be more apparent at one time than at another so it 13 important to make the exposures when the condition is most apparent. i

There are many other possibilities for the 1'6; 1525. serial No. 9,567:

useflot my inventio'n. There areman con ditions. Where a picture has to beta en at a speciali angle to give" a" satisfactory View, Attention is called to the radiographic tec'hnic' of dhodenal pictures to pictures of the aorta and co-that ofmediastinum ("that means the zone between the heart and the spine) and tothe diflic'ulties' which may arise in pictures of joints, For example, before my invention the angle Which gave the best View had to be determined by a fluoroscopic examination: Then the fluoroscopic screen was replaced by plate and the picture was taken. I nthe'interim'the patient had often changed liisorher position, or the plate had inoved and a' worthlessipictnre was obtained. Likewlseit Was necessary to make a number photographicexposures of the'stomach and? duodenum in' an endeavor to have pictures of each stepin the cycle of the muscular movements of the parts being photographed. This was dbnevvithoutany positive assurance" that a photo'graphib exposure was madeoi? every step, or everyinovenient, so it" Will be apparent that in many cases photographs were made Without developing,

the actual condition of the part of the body diseased; W1thj my invention; however, it

is. possibleto. obtain a. photographer each step" or desired muscular? contraction or movement and it is also possible to obtain definitely that angle? .or' that intended position and View of the organ beingf phototime and position make an instantaneous photograph, upon' a photo raphic film, so t'hat he can he sure that he hasobtained the particular'step; or if: necessary, each stepin thecycle of operations of the part of the body examiiied;

An important feature of my invention is that the operator may actually view the object from the beginning of: the fluoroscopic examinationuntil and While the exposure is beinginade andhthatitisl possible to obtain pictures of a size as much as one foot in vertical diameters This is satisfactory for any kind of an examination and this size picture may be made W1th an apparatus not larger than a normal fluoroscop c frame.

' An important feature of my invention is beside the other in a lineal direction.

Another striking feature of the invention is that on account of the simple arrangement of the fluoroscopic screen and the photographic plate, and the alternating working of the last in a longitudinal direction, a rapidity, perfection, number and size of picture may be obtained as has been impossible heretofore with any machine or apparatus of which I have knowledge. Attention is 'also'called to the important fact that all the pictures are obtained upon one film, one This is for the comparison of the pictures with each other and is of immense diagnostic value. p There are means provided for controlling the milliamperage of the filament of the Coolidge tube in accordance with Whether afiuorosc'opic examination is being made or a radiographic picture is being taken. Ob-

viously when'a fluoroscopic examination is being made the intensity ofthe' light source,

and therefore the quantity or the Roentgen rays, will be less than'when the radiograpliic picture is being made. i

There is a wiring in the cassette which also automatically changes the high tension current from a lower voltageto a higher voltage by a double solenoid arrangement that l[ have provided means i'or automatically feeding'the film by' the movement of the carriage which carries the, film holder. The film, may be put in the holder in daylight, and there are other refinements of the invention which will be specifically described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, "in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention applied. I u

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram for the electric circuits. i

Fig' 3 is a detai1ed, perspectiveview of I the film feeding gear Fig. 4 is a sectional view through, the

end of the film holder supporting the gear.

Fig. 5' is asectional view film holder and carriage.

Fig. 6 is" an enlarged,*deta1led, perspecthrough the ftive View of the fluoroscopic cassette, can

riag'e' and appertenances.

Fig. 7 s is a longitudinal, sectional view through-the cassette and carr age from the nside looking toward the operators side of Fig. 8 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view through the cassette and carriage.

I have shown'tlie cassette supported' trom a frame ofan X-ray machine 1 in a vertical lposition butit may, with equal facility, be

supported upon an X ray machine in a hori-' zontal position dependent upon the desires of the user; ltis important to make X-ray body, although it is better to take duodenal pictures while the patient is in a reclining pOSltlOl1,'&5O it is to be here understood that the position of the Iii-ray machine proper will not ailect the elficiency of my invention.

The cassette may also be mounted in a standingframe, especially made for this apparatus, and any X-ray tube may be put be hind it and deliver the Roentgen rays.

The cassette 2 is supported on a bracket 3 which may have a swinging movement with respectto the machine and the cassette may be adjusted toward and away :t'rom the panel 4: of the X-ray machine 1. The cassette 2 is in the form of a hollow casing having a receptacle portion 5 with a cover plate (5. The middle portion of the bottom "i' of the receptacle 5 has a curvature or concavity 8 adapted to receivethe torso, and on the reverse side of the concave wall, that is over the convexity, is a Bucky diaphragm comprising a plurality of alternately laminated lead and wood strips flexibly connected together so that the diaphragm may flex as it moves back and forth over the bottom of the receptacle 5.

well known to those skilled in the art. The top or cover 6 is provided with a swinging placed to exhibit the Roentgen rays coming from the'tube and behind the fluoroscopic screen an intensifying screen 12 is pressed to strengthen and intensity the rays to be thrown on the plate. The fluoroscopic screen 12 is opposite and in line with the concavoconvex portion 8 of the cassette so that the plate 14;, covered with another intensitying Y screen 12 over which the film 15 moves, the plate 14 being approximately the size of the exposed portion of the film, each time a photograph is to be made, and at this time it should stated that the table or plate 14 israpproiqimately coextensive with the fluoroscopic screen. On both vertical edges of the table are two slender rollers 141: and

.14" over which the film takes its way.

The film holder has two approximately cylindrical lead lined pockets 16 and 17 in one of which 18 a film roll 18 and the other "a spool or reel 19 upon which the film may be wound as the film is paid oil. In the ends of the pocket 17 are bushings 20, one at each end, although only one is shown in detail n F gs. 3 and 4:. Each bushing su 'iports a rotatable gear 21 carrying a spring pressed The diaphragm is designated by the reference numeral 9 and its construction is door 10 carrying a lead glar-S panel. 11. Be; hind this panel a fluoroscopic screen 12 is the blades into engagement er l cense-r paw-h or dog 22 whichis adapted to engage with the teeth ofa ratchet 23 rigid on the Bushing 20 so that when the gears 21 are rotatedfin'one direction the dogsor pawls'22 will, by engagement with the teeth or the ratchet", rotatethe spool or reel to wind olt a determined aniount oi film from the iilin roll 18; but when the gears 21 are rotated in" an opposite direction the pawl or dog 22 will ride over the teeth of the ratchet 28 Without imparting any rotative movement to the spool or reel 19. The gears are rotated when the carriage is shifted from the 0perators right to thelett (Fig. 1, or from left to right, Fig. 7) this being due tothe factthat' the teeth of the gears 21 meslr with the teeth or" the rack bars 2d and 25 longitadh nally disposedwithin the casing and secured to'the cover 6. Therefore, when the carriage lSlDOVGtl froln operators right to left a new exposed portion of the him will he reeled oli'theroll lSand When the carriage reaches theliinit oi itsinovenient from the operators right, outof register with the fluoroscopic screen, it will he held in this position telnporarily by a latch 26 adapted to engage a hook 27 on the'endot the carriage. .ln this position the filin is'protected against the lilra ys bya lead panel 91. The particular con struction of the latch mechanism, however, is unimportant since any device will suflice which willperinit release by a button 28 or its equivalent. "When the carriage lSl'llOVGCl fronr operators right to left out of line with the fluoroscope it loads two tension spr1ngs29 and 30, anchored to the cassette at 31 and 32 and tothe carriage at 33 and 3 1 consequently when the carriage is released b ressino the button 2Sthe s orinos 3 P s v a will retract the carriage hacl: to the original positionshown inli ig; G and Fig; ,so that it will he in line, both Wlili'l the fluoroscope and the concavity 8; These springs, theretoreg consist' of pieces of wire, the scales oi tl ie springsbeingthat which is necessary to perfornrthe worle of returning the carriage.

'lhe'reel' or spool 19zis provided at its ends with slits 35 to receive the blades oi the springpressed bolts 3?, the sprir e the s that whenthehushings are rotated the s will be rotated.

It is desirable to move the Biicliy diaphragm over tlie'conoavoeonveit portion 8 of the frame while the exposure is being made for the photographic him so as to counteract the second arv rays, so I have provided means whereby the movement of the V one or more depending lug-s39 on thewaw riage which may engage a similar lug or lugs ll) on the diaphragm so that as the carriage isinoved from operator 's rightwto left "he diaphragm will he moved from right to left and when it reachcsits limiti of move went from right to left will st-rikea hell tappe in to ring the hell lZ Which-wlll im dicate the n'ioveinent of the diaphragm has taken place and eadjy' foruse; The die phlegm is connected to a rod 43 projecting into a cylinder- 4hr and carryingon its-'end a piston is between 1 which and the end of the cylinder is an expansionspring 4 6 put under compression when the diaphragm is moved tron] left to right (Fig. 8) by 'tlie carni'a'ge.

It will be apparent that as long as the carriage is in its latched position the spring 46 will be in itscoinpressed position but as soon as the carriage moves away the bellMlQ will ring again and the spring 46' will be free to return the diaphragm to the left (Fig. 8). It is desirous that the movement oi the diaphragm he of speedlessthanztfhe speed of the carriage so as the speed otthe carriage is accelerated by its springs and 30 the movement of the diaphragm retarded by reason of the fact thati t'hc cyliiid r and the pistoir act as a check or dash pot, the rate of movement oi the diaphragm being 'overned by a valve 4:. to wary the effective port area of an opening 48 in: a tube 49 connected with one end. otthe inder le. When the diaphragm reachesthe limit of its movement from left to right it tale signal.

When the carriage hRSl'JBGIllIiOVQLl fhoni operator s right to left or left to right shown in Fig: 7 also the movement of the i diaphragm has taken place and the'hook 27 has engaged the latch 26, tlie'contacts of the right side otthe carriage are on connection with the contacts which are found on the right side of the cassette (Fig.4 7). The lamp 623 will be illuminated. Theirheostat 62 is cut in the inillianiperage linefand the filament oi: the Xa'av tube will'beenergized by the lower inillialnperage; Also a higher resistanceis cut in the primary current which goes to the transformer by a double solenoid arrangement;

It the foot switch Gatis depressed the lamp 63 goes out, the high t-ension cirouit withxthe lower voltage is in the line and the cassette is ready for fluoroscopic use It thebuttoni 28 is pressed the hook 27 will be released and the carriage and diaphragm move from right to left (Figs. 7 and 8) to align with the fluoroscopic screen and with the portion 8 of thecassette. The rheo-stat 62 is not energized therefore a higher milliampe'rage goes to the filament. The resistance which was cut in the primary current of the transformer by the solenoid arrangement is not now energized.

Vhen the carriage reaches the limit of its movement from right to left (Fig. 7) the contacts 56 and 57 on the carriage which contact with the contacts 58 and 59 in the insulatedbar 60, carried by the cassette, come together.

The sets of magnets 52 and 53 are now energized, which draw-s down the fluoroscopic screen upon the film to hold the film tight on its table between the two intensifying screens. These magnets are best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Between each set of magnets is placed an angulated arm, which keeps the fluoroscopic screen with the lead panel away from the film during fluoroscoping. If the magnets are energized the screen is drawn down and the angulated arm 5a in the set 53 contacts with the contact 55 (see Fig. 5) to close the high tension circuit with the higher Voltage, which is used for .radiographic work. If the foot button is released by elevating the foot, or regulated by a timer, the high tension current is broken and the lamp 63 will be illuminated again. It will be noticed that the arm 54 in the set 52 does not carry contacts as does the arm 54- in the set 53.

arrangement of the primary transformer current if the foot button 6a is depressed. The connections for the various parts are illustrated in the: wiring diagram. (see Fig. 2). v

I prefer to provide means for numbering the exposures of the sensitized film so on the door 10 I provide a disk shaped stencil 77,

- rotatable about the pivot pin 78, the stencil having cut out portions to provide numbers in consecutive order. The periphery ofthe stencil is provided with teeth. 79 adapted to be energized by a spring 80 on the carriage so that as the carriage moves from the position for making the exposure the spring will strike one of the projections to bring the stencil portion corresponding to the proper number in position to be printed. When the film or sensitized material is photographed and developed the number will appear on the proper portion thereof as will be well understood. For convenience I pre fer to arrange bullers in the form of dash pots 81 and 8:2 at the left hand portion (Fig. 7) of the cassette to take up the shock of the carriage when the carriage moves into printing position.

I have not followed out the circuits in detail because that will be obvious from the diagram in Fig. 2, but attention is called to the fact that the milliamperage rheostat 62 is inserted in the circuit by the contact which meets the contact 66. The bars 85 and 85 which are of different length are connected to the milliamperage line through usual wires 84: and 84. Over the bars 85 slide or rub the contacts 83 and 83 to make and break the circuit and also connect with contact 65, as is clearly indicated by reference to the diagram in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 7.

There may be many refinements in the actual commercial embodiment of the invention without departing from the generic principle herein involved, so I do not wish to be limited to each specific detail of construction illustrated in the annexed drawings but reserve the rightto make such changes as properly come within the scope of the appended claims. It will be apparent, however, that with the construction illustrated the operator can move the carriage manually from his right to left so that the latch members 26 and 27 will engage and hold the carriage away from the lluoroscopic screen while the operator is making his observations.

As heretofore explained the movement of the carriage in one direction, which according to the illustration (see Fig. 7) is from right to left, sets the printing or radiographic mechanism, including the Bucky diaphragm, and the other appertenances ready to make the exposure provided of course that the operators foot is on the foot switch 64c then at the proper time the but ton 28 may be depressed to release the carriage allowing it to sweep into position, opening the higher milliamperage and higher voltage circuit make the exposure which will be terminated as soon as the operator takes his foot oif the foot switch, or will be regulated by a timer.

The device may be applied to existing types of X-ray machines without materially altering their construction, it being necessary of course to slightly rearrange some of the circuits to make them conform to my invention, but the changes required will be minimized by the fact that they can be followed out by any skilled electrician.

The cassette may be manufactured in any special individual frame which will permit memoir use i the contacts of the cassettemay be attached easily and practically 1 stantaneousiy. it the cassette is ,not in use the same special Toot switch may be used for all LLray Work.

To change the primary transformer cur rent a special double solenoid, or similar arrangement, may be used but the current may also'be changedby hand.

The lead,panels.91 and ill and the lead pockets 16 and 1'? Would besutiicient to protect the film and the body. "i the operator againstthe Roentgen rays ii? the l=-rayti1be has an arrangement as usual to limit the .Roentgen rays, it not raiore lead protection may be applied to the cassette.

Obviously it iscomparatively easy to have the cassette madeso that the movement or the carriage can be in any direction. It for any special reason ,it ,is desired to make a picture larger than could be obtained with the illustrated embodiment oi my inven tion it will be necessary to make the cassette somewhat larger, on that side toward which the carriage moves to permit additional travel of the carriage. This will resultin reelingbfi' more film each time the carriz'ige is operatedpin one direction, consequently each exposure will been a larger-film portion than would be the case Withthe construction illustrated.

The carriage can be moved away from the screen by graspingthehandle'SY, which "has sidebars projecting through the slots "88 and 89. Thehan'dle may be of any ap propriate construction. If desired the carriage can be moved in both directions by a .motor arrangement.

Attention is also called to the tact that with my apparatus the length of the film strip -is limited only by the capacity otthe spools, therefore a relatively large number of exposures maybe made one after the other in longitudinal or lineal. alignment upon a single strip and inasmuch as the exposures on the film Will bear the same relative position, one to the other that the movements in the cycle of operation of the organ photographed bear-s. The value of this arrangement will be apparent.

WhatI 'claim and desirc to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopicscreen, a movable carriagc on the cassette back of the fluoroscopic screen having means for carrying; a sensitised materiahand means for mechanically movin the carriage into line With the fluoroscopic screen.

2. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopic screen, a holder for sensitized material located at the rear of the screen, means for moving the material across the screen in a lineal direction, and means for numbering the exposures consecutively as they are made by passing the material across the screen.

3. In a machine oi the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopic screen, a holder for sensitized material located the rear of the screen, layers of light intensifying material parallel with the screenbetyveen which the sensitized material passes, and means for clamping the sensitized material between the layers of light intensifying material.

4:. Ina machine of the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopic screen, a movable carriage 011 the cassette located at the rear of the screen and having means tor carryinga sensitized material, means for mechanically moving the carriage into line with the fluoro' scopic screen, an Iii-ray tube, and means for energizing and changing the milliamperage and high tension or the "l Lray tube.

5. In a machine otthe class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopic screen in fined position on the cassette, a carriage, means for normally urging the carriage in line with the screen, means for latching the carriage in ottset position with respect to the screen,

means for releasin the carriage, and a se: tized medium carriedby the carriage for making radiographs of the object in front of the screen.

(3. A cassette, a carriage movableacrossthe cassette, means for normally holding the carriage against movement, means tor moving the carriage to align with an object in front of the cassette, a sensitized medium carried by the carriage, two intensifying screen members between which the sensitized. medium may pass, electromagnetic means for clamping the sensitized medium between the screen members, a Buchy diaphragm on the cassette, and means controlled by the movement oft-he carriage for effecting movementot the Bucky diaphragm.

7. A cassette, a carriage movable across the cassette, means for normally holding the carriage against movement, means for moving the carriage to align with an object in front of the cassette, a sensitized medium carried by the carriage, a Bucky diaphragm on the cassette, and means controlled by the movement of the carriage for efiecting movement of the Bucky diaphragm across the carriage.

8. A cassette, a carriage movable across the cassette, means for normally holding the carriage against movement, means for moving the carriage to align with an object in front of the cassette, a sensitized medium carried by the carriage, a Bucky diaphragm on the cassette, means controlled. by the movement of the carriage for efl'ecting movement of the Bucky diaphragm acrossthe carriage, and means for causing the Bucky diaphragm to travel at, a speed less than the speed of the carriage.

9. A cassette, a carriage movable across the cassette, means for normally holding the carriage against movement, means for moving the carriage to align with an object in front of the'cassette, a sensitized medium carried by the carriage, a Bucky diaphragm on the cassette, means controlled by the movement of the carriage for efiecting move ment of the Bucky diaphragm across the carriage, means for causing the Bucky diaphragm to travel at a speed less than the speed of the carriage, and for controlling the movement of the Bucky diaphragm after the carriage has come to a state of rest.

10. A cassette, a carriage movable across the cassette, means for normally holding the carriage against movement, means for moving the carriage to align with an object in front of the cassette, a sensitized medium carried by the carriage, a Bucky diaphragm onthe cassette, means controlled by the movement of the carriage for effecting movement of the Buckydiaphragm across the carriage, and means for causing the Bucky diaphragm to travel at a speed less than the speed of the carriage for continuing the movement of the diaphragm after the carriage has come to a state of rest.

11. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a radiographic carriage on the eassette, means for traversing the carriage across the cassette, means for stopping the carriage in position to align with an object in front of it, a table carried by the carria-ge, a film containing roll at one end of the table, a reeling spool at the other end of the table, a rack carried by the cassette, and a gear in mesh with the rack for driving the reeling spool when the carriage moves in one direction.

12. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a radiographic carriage on the eassette, means for traversing the carriage across the cassette, means for stopping the carriage in position to align with an object in front of it, a table carried by the carriage, a film containing roll at one end of the H table, a reeling spool at the other end of the table, a rack carried by the cassette, a gear in mesh with the rack for driving the reeling spool when the carriage moves in one direction, and an escapement for the reeling spool high tension current with low voltage when the carriage is out of line with the X-ray tube, and means controlled by the carriage for cutting in a higher milliamperage and high tension current with higher voltage when the carriage is in line with the X-ray tube.

14. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a carriage movable across the eassette, means for manually actuating the carriage, a table carried by the carriage, means for feeding film across the table, intensifying screens between which the film passes, a fluoroscopic screen carried by the cassette, and means for automatically causing the carriage to align with the screen.

15. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a carriage movable across the eassette, means for manually actuating the carriage, a table on the carriage, means for feeding film across the table, a fluoroscopic screen carried by the cassette, means for antomatically causing the carriage to align with the screen, an X-ray tube having a high voltage filament in fixed position in line with the screen, and mean automatically op erable by the carriage for energizing a conductor to the tube filament.

16. In a machine of the class described, a cassette, a fluoroscopic screen carried by the cassette, a sensitized medium for radiographing an object in front of the fluoroscope, and means for bringing the sensitized medium into and out of alignment with the fluoroseope.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

FRED IRVVIG.

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