US1599696A - X-ray apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 14 1926. Y J. B. wAN'rz RAY APBARATUS Filed Feb. 9. 1921 4 Sheets'-Sheet l INVENTOR. Ju/(us Wanfz @7.9M

4 Sheets-Sheetl 2 A TTORNEY Sept. 14 ,1926. J. B. WANTZ X-RAY APFARATUS Filed Feb. 9, l921 J. B. WANTZ X-RAY APPARATUS Filed Feb. 9, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 3

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A TTORNE Y Sept. 14 1926.

J. B. wANTZ X-RAY APPARATUS Filed Feb. 9. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 63 al 'aq JNVENTOR. 4 BYL/u/l'us B. Wan Tz KW fx M A TToRNEy Patented Sept. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT ePRICE.

JULIUS B. WANTZ, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, SSIGNOR TO VICTOR X-RAY CORPORA- TION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .AA CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

x-RAY APPARATUS.

Application led February 9, 1921. Serial No. 448,554.

My invention relates generally to X-ray a paratus for supporting in movable condition relative to a patient, an X-ray tube and its cooperating e ement, as for example a fluorescent screen; my invention relating, more particularly, to apparatus intended for use in the setting of broken bones and in the uoroscopic examination, or radiographing, of patients while in the condition of pneumoperitoneum, a condition produced, gener-ally stated, by the introduction of gas, such as oxygen, into the peritoneal cavity to effect distention of the walls of this cavity, for a urpose well known in the art.

In connection with the particular operations referred to, it may be stated that it is highly ldesirable that the X-rays be directed through the patient throughout a range o-f widely differing angles without disturbing the patient and from a source the distance between which and the portion of the patient to be observed, or radlographed, remains a vide a construction of appara-tus wherein.n

provision is made for thus manipulatingan X-ray tube and its cooperating element, as for example, and more particularly, a

fluorescent screen, preferably so that these parts at opposite sides of the patient may move in unison in a curved path and maintain in their different positions of adjustment throughout such pat-hzthe desired reratus from the right hand side of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the mov` able frame on which the X-ray tube and the fluorescentscreen are supported, the

e base the apparatus is adapted to be firmly supported on the Hoor. Rising from the base preferably midway between its ends is a standard7 supporting at its upper end a table, of material transparent to X-rays,

.for the patient,r this table which extends laterally from the standard 7, being shown as pivoted midway between its ends to the standard, as by means of the "pivoting shaft 9 Journaled in the upper end of the standard, the table 8 bein provided toward o posite ends with han les 10 to facilitate t 1e rocking of the table on its pivot. The table 8 is provided with a depending portion 1l containing an arc-shaped slot 12 into which a stud 13"carried by the standard 7, projects, the outer end of this stud being proyided with any suitable means for presentmg, to the swinging movement of the table 8 upon its pivot 9, a desirable degree of friction, these mea-ns as shown comprising ment at its upper end with the notched porL tion of the rack17, against the resistance of a coil spring 22 surrounding this rod between the pedal 21 and the bracket 20, the purpose of this rod and rack being to lhold the table 8 in the position to which it i is adjusted on its pivot 9. Rising from the portion 6 of the base, are two pairs of lugs 23 supporting parallel guide rails 24 held thereto by means of cap plates 25, these rails forming the support and guides for a frame, rep-resented at 26 serving as the support for the tube and screen-supporting mechanism. The support just referred to is formed of the end members 27 connected together by crossbrace 28 at their lower ends and a cross rod 29 at their upper laterally deflected ends. The members 27 are preferably of the form shown to provide the relatively wide base portions from which rise the portions 30 terminating in arc-shaped portions 31, the latter being provided with rollers 32 and 33 at their outer edges and with rollers 34 at their inner edges. The supporting structure thus provided carries at its lower end, grooved rollers 35 and 36 located, respectively, above and below the guide rails 24 and serving to permit this supporting structure to be moved lengthwise of the guide rails, but without danger of displace ment thereon.

The primary support for an X-ray tube represented at 37 and the liuorescent screen represented at 38, in the particular construction illustrated, is in the form of a framework comprising the arc-shaped tubes 39 connected together adjacent their opposite ends by cross members 40 and 4l and intermediate their ends by cross-members 42 and 42a, the frame thus provided extending at its curved members 39 into engagement with the rollers 32, 33 and 34, as shown, the rollers 32 and 33 extending at one side of each of the members 39 and the rollers 34 at the opposite side thereof and affording means whereby when the frame just referred to is moved up or down, it will move in a curved path corresponding with the curvature of its frame members 39, the parts of the apparatus being so'positioned and arranged, as shown, that the movement of the frame is in a plane extending transversely of, preferably at a right angle to, the longitudinal axis of the table 8. The frame just described is provided with a pair of rods 43 connected at their opposite ends with the cross members 4l and 42 and extending preferably at right angles thereto, these rods forming guideways for a support 44 in the form of a plate, for supporting the X-ray tube 37 and shutter mechanism hereinafter referred to, this plate being provided with apeitured lugs 45 through which the rods 43 extend. The plate 44 is centrally apertured as indicated at 46, and at opposite sides, at one face thereof, is provided with bracket arms 47 spaced apart and in which the X-ray tube 37 is adapted to be held in a manner well understood in the art, the tube being enclosed within a shield 48 which may be, by way of eX- ample, of a form commonly made of lead glass, forV shielding the operator from the X-rays emitted from the tube and preferably opaque to ordinary light rays, as by coating it with black enamel. The tube shown is of the so-called Coolidge type employing high potential current forproducmg the X-rays and a low potential current for energizing the heating coil of the tube, one of the high tension wlres represented at 49 being connected with the terminal 50 of the tube and the two wires 51 and 52 through which the low tension current is supplied to the heating element of the tube and over one of which the high potential current flows, leading to a lplug 53 for makin the desired contacts wit the tube in accor` ance with common practice, the wire 49 being show n as engaging the outer end of an insulatmg arm 54 connected with the bar 4l and thence extending in wound condition upon the reel 55 supported on a bar 56 of insulating material connected at its ends with brackets 57 rising from the base portions of the members 26, this reel being connected with one ofthe wires of the high potential circuit, in a manner not shown but which is well known in the art. The wires 51 and 52 likewise extend over insulating arms 58 carried by the cross-bar 41, and engage reels 59 and 60, respectively, upon which they are wound, these reels being supported on the bar 56 in insuiated condition from each other, one of the wires 5l being connected with the other of the wires leading from the source of high potentialcurrent, this wire and the other of the wires 51 and 52 being connected with any suitabie source of low potential current, in a manner not shown but as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The tube-carrying plate 44 cooperates with means through the medium of which it may be adjusted lengthwise of the rods 43, these means in the particular construction shown comprising abar 6l carried by the plate 44 and equipped with a rack portion 62, the teeth of which mesh with a pinion 63 journaled in a lug 64 carried by the cross-bar 42, this pinion being rigidly connected with one end of a flexible shaft 65 which extends into the cross-bar 42 and at its opposite end extends into one of the frame members 39, this end of the flexible shaft terminating in a knob 66 journaled on general construction of the shutter mechaf nism shown isthat illustrated anddescribed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,242,498 granted October 9, 1917, to J. B. Wentz, and thus detail description thereof is not necessary. It may be stated, however,

` as indicated at 76, with adjacent that the shutter mechanism as 'shown com-lV prises a pair of plates 68 and 69 exten parallel to each otherand supported, eac at one end, on bars 70-and 71, respectively, which are guided, to have lengthwise movement, by rollers 72 and 73 on the plate 44, these shutter plates being located adjacent one face of the plate 44 and moving, `1n the movement of the rods 70 and 71 in opposite directions, toward andv away from each other. The simultaneous movement of the rods 70 and 71 is effected by means of a rock lever 74 pivoted between its ends at 75 on4 the plate 44 and having pin and slot engagement ortions of the bars 70 and 71, the lever 4 having pin and slot connection at 77 with a ongitudinally movable bar 78 extending at right angles to the bars 70 and 71 and guidingly confined on the member 44 by roll-V ers 79 thereon. The upper` end of the Vbar 78 is provided with a rack 80, with the teeth of which a. pinion. 81 meshes, this pinion being journaled in a lug 82 on the crossmem ber 42, this pinion being connected with a flexible shaft 83 extending through a lug 84 on the cross ymember 42 and through a sheathing 85 which lies within a portion of the one of the members 39 other than the one containing the flexible shaft 65, the outer end of the shaft 83 being rigidly connected with a hand wheel 86 journaled in a stud 87 on the frame member 39. The other two shutter plates of the shutter mechanism are represented at 88 and 89, these platesbeing at the rear side of the support 44 and con nected with longitudinally movable rods represented at 90 and 91, these rods being oonnected together by a rock lever 92 pivoted between its ends at 93 to the plate 44 and having pin and slot connection at 94 and 95 with the rods 90 and 91, whereby saidrods move lengthwise simultaneously, but in the opposite direction upon lengthwise moving of the bar 90, the upper end of which is in the form of a rack 96, it being noted that the plates 88 and 89 move in a path at a right angle to the path through which the plates 68 and 69 move, and that by the adjustment of these plates the size of the opening presented therebetween and through which the X-rays pass from the tubeito the patient, may be increased or diminished as desired. The rack 96 meshes with a pinion 97 journaled in a lug 98 on the cross-bar 42, this pinion being rigidly connected with one end of a fiexible shaft 99 extending into a sheathing 100 and lying within the adjacent one of the side membersA 39, this flexible shaft being connected at its outer end with a hand wheel 101 rotatable in a boss 102v on the member 39. The two hand wheels 86 and 101 thereby serve to afford independently operable means, operated by` the operator, for independently moving the shutter plates of the pairs ,thereof hernbefore mab-edt, to!

The-iiuorescent screen'38 is mountedllin a v pass in :their movement toward 'ward and away from each other to vary the l frame 103 preferably trunnioned at 104 to the arms105 of a .yoke-shaped frame 106 swiveled midway between its ends, as indicated at 107, to a sup orting frame 108. The opposite side mem ers of this frame shown as formed of rods 109 are guiding'ly confined in slide bearings 110, wlth a sety screw 111 on one of these bearings for holding the frame 108 in adjusted position, these slide bearings bei'ng y adjustable v lengthwise along a pair of parallel supporting guiding rods 112. One end of each rod is connected with the cross-member 40 and extends rearwardly and downwardly as shown, these rods beingconnected with elbows 11.3 connected with rods 114, the latter being connected with the cross-member 42a. One `of the guide members 112 is provided with a set-screw 115 whereby these guide bearings which are rigidly connected together by a bar 116 may be held in adjusted position on the'rods 112. j

From the foregoing description, it will be readily understood that in the use of the apparatus the o erator, without disturbing the relative positlons of the X-ray tube and the fluorescent screen, and wthout changing the position of-the patient n the table, may, by moving the frame described and in part formed of the tubes 39 along the rollers 32, 33 and 34, thereby causing this frame to move in a .curved path, cause the X-'rays to be directed against the patient from diferent'angles about a given point as a center, which is of great advantage in the setting of bones and the liuoroscopic examination, or radiographing, of organs, especially when the patient is inthe condition of pneumo` peritoneum, and may also cause the patient to extend at any desired angle to the vertical by tilting the table 8. In the particular arrangement shown the framework referred to and supporting the X-ray tube and liucrescent screen may be moved in the circular path referred to throughout an arc of 90 or more, the rollers 32, 33 and 34 and the said frame-work .being so proportioned as to present a degree of friction causing this movable framework to remain in the position to which it is moved by the operator, while permitting relatively easy movement of such framework, and the friction presented at the pivot of the table while preventing too ready swinging of the table in case of unbalanced weight thereon, permits the operator to swing the table to the desired angle.

As a means for limiting the rotation of the said framework to the left in Fig. 1, stops, represented at 117 are 'provided on mitting of the adjustment of the iiuorescent screen, on vthe rods 112, into and out of aposition' in which it is diametrically opposed to the X-ray tube.

The other adjustments described and illus- I tra-ted are also of, value in connection with CII a paratus of this character; thus the adjust-v able" mounting 'of the plate 44 on the rods 43 permit this plate, and with it the\X-ray tube, to be adjusted, by means of the rack and pinion mechanism described, into different; positions along these rods and consequentl along the movable frame; the adjustab e mounting of the shutters on the plate 44 permit of the increasing or diminishing, and the changing of the shape, of the opening through which the X-rays are directed by theV tube against the patient; the mounting of the relatively stationary frame formed in part of the members 26, on the rods 24', permit of the adjustment of this frame, and the parts carried thereby, in a direction lengthwise of the table and consequently relative to the patient; and the adjustment of the table 8, as by the operator turning it upon its pivot 9, following the release of the rod .18 from the teeth of the rack 17, permits of the positioning of the patient at any desired angle relative to the vertical.

It may be further stated that the various relative movements of the several parts as described, causes the apparatus to 'lend itself to the quick and effective shifting of the various parts thereof, under perfect control of the operator and with the minimum amount of work and inconvenience to him. While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of m invention, I do not wish to be understoo as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of'my invention.

WhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: p

l. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a support presenting a guide of segmental circular shape presenting circular curvature lengthwise thereof, and a member for supporting an X-ray tube and a uorescent screen'or radiographic plate, engaging said guide and movable along the latter in an arc-shaped path, said tube and screen or plate being diametrically opposed at opposite sides of the center about which the are of said guide is described.

2. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a table, a support presenting a guide of segmental circular shape presenting circular curvature lengthwise thereof and extending screen or radiographie .plate scribed by said guide being located in a plane between the lanes in which the sides of said table exten and a member for supporting an X-ray tube .and a fluorescent engaging said guide and movable alon the latter in an arc-shaped path, said tu j and screen or plate being diametrically opposed at opposite sides of the center about which thevarc of said guide is described.

3'. In -ray apparatus, the combination of a support presenting a guide curved lengthwise thereof, a member supporting an X-ray tube, said member engaging said guide and being movable along the latter in a curved path and formed of sections one of which engages said guide and the other of which carries said tube and isv adjustable on said first-referred-to section in a direction tangentially of said uide to vary the position of said tube on te guide-engaging one of said sections, and a support for the patient, said member bein movable alon said guide independently o said last-name support.

' 4. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a plurality of members, an X-ray tube on one of said members, said last-referred-to member being confined on the other of said members to move in a curved path and formed of sections one of which engages .said last-named member 4and the other of which carries said tube and is` adjustable on said first-referred-to section in a direction tangentlally of said curved path to vary the Aposition of said tube on said first-referred'- to section, and a support for thepatient, the one of said members carrying sa1d tube being movable along the other of said members independently of said support.

5. In -ray apparatus, the combination of a support presenting a guide curved lengthwise thereof, a member for supporting an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, 'engaging said guide and movable along the latter in an arcshaped path, said member being formed with a holder for said screen, or radiographic plate, adjustable relative to the main portion of said member, said tube and screen, or plate, being diametrically opposed -at opposite sides of the center about which Lucano member,l said tube and screen, or plate, be-

ing diametrically opposed at opposite sides4 of the center about which the arc of saldv guide is described, and a support for the patient, the one of said. members carrying said tube being movable on the other thereof independently of said last-named support.

7. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a support presenting a guide curved len hwise thereof, a member for supporting -ray tube and a uorescent screen, or radio aphic plate, engaging said guide and mova le along the latter 4in an arc-shaped path, said member being Iformed wlth a older for said screen, or radiographic plate,

adjustable relative to the main portionv of the member, and with a portion for holding the X-ray tube adjustable relative-to the body of said member, said tube and screen, or plate, being diametrically opposed at opposite sides of the centerabout whichy the arc of said ide is described, and a support for the patlent, said member being movable along said guide independently of said lastnamed su port.

8. In )gray apparatus, the combination of a support presentlng a guide curved lengthwise thereof, a member supportingan X-ray tube, said member engaging'said guide and being movable alon the latter in a curved path and formed o sections one of which engages vsaid guide and the other` of which carries said tube and is adjustable on said' irst-referred-to section in a direction tangentially of said guidato vary the posltion of said tube on the guide-engaging. one of said sections, and a support for the patient, the one of said members carrying said tube being 'movable on the other thereof independently of said last-named support.

9. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a movably-supported member, a holder device or an X-ray tube adjustably mounted on said member, an adjustable shutter device operatively connected with said holder and movable therewith in the adjustment of the latter, and means for adjusting said shutter device involving a part supported on said member and with relation to which said shutter device is movable, said means being constructed and arranged to permit said holder to be moved into different positions, and with itsaid shutter device, Without disturbing the adjustment of the shutter device relative to the holder.

10.. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a -movably-supported member, a holder device for an X-ray tube adjustably mounted on said member, an adjustable shutter device operatively connected with said holder and movable therewith in the adjustmento the latter, and means for adjusting said shutter device involving a flexible shaft on said member, means on said member and connected with said flexible shaft for rotatf .j

ing the latter, and means connecting said iexible shaft with said shutter device, constructed and arranged to permit said holder to be moved'into different positions and with it said shutter device without disturbing vthe adjustment of said shutter device relative to' said holder.

11. In X-ray'apparatus, .the combinationA of a movably-supported member, aA holder'4 device for an X-ray tube'adjustably mounted on said member,an adjustable shutter device operatively connected with said holder and movable therewith in the ,adjustment of the latter, and means for ,adjusting said shutter device involving rack and pinion mechanism operatively connected with said shutter dev1ce, a flexible shaft connected withl said pinion and carried by said member, and

means on said member for rotating .said ex-l y ible shaft. i

12. In Xerayapparatus, the combination of a plurality of members, and an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, on one of said members, 'said' last-referred-to member being confined on I the other of' said members to move in an arc-sh-aped path, sai-d tube and screen, or

plate, being located at opposite sides of the center aboutwhich said arc is described.

13. In Xray apparatus, the combination of a plurality of members, an X-ray tube and a iuorescent. screen, or radiographic plate, on one of said members, said last-re- -ferred-to member being conned on the other of said members to move in an arcshaped path, said tube and screen, or plate, 4being located at opposite sides of the center about which the said 'arc is described and a support for the patient, said last-referred-to member being movable lengthwise of said support in a path at an angle to the plane of said arc-shaped path.

14. In X-rlav apparatus, the combination of a support for a patient, and a plurality of. members one for supporting an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, said last-referred-to'member being movable on the other of said members in a curved path, to a position in which said tube extends below that portion of said su port upon which the patient rests, said tuhe and screen, or plate, extending at opposite sides of the center aboutwhich said arc is i andA screen, or plate, being diametrieally op- Y. posed relative to the center about which sald "rc is described.

Aof a member upon which the 16. In X-ra apparatus, the combination `of a member or supporting an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, and means supporting said member to move in an arc-shaped ath, said tube and screen, or plate, being ocated at opposite sides of the center about which said arc is described.

17. In'X-ra apparatus, the combination of a su port or a patient, and a plurality of memers one for supporting an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, said last-referred-to members being movable on the other of said members, in an arc-shaped path, said tube and screen, or plate, being located at opposite sides vor the center about which said larc is described, and said last-referred-to member being movable in said arc-shaped path to a position in which said tube extends below that portion of the support upon which the patient rests.

18. In X-ray a paratus, the combination of `a plurality o members, and an X-ray tube and a uorescent screen, or radioaphic plate, on one of said members, said ast-referred-to member being confined 'on the other of said members to move in an arc-shaped path, said tube and screen, or plate, being diametrically opposed relative to the center about which said arc is described. y

19. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a member upon which the patient is supported, means supporting said member and adapting it to be tilted into diilerent positions, a plurality of members adjacent said rst-named-member, and an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate,

on one of said plurality of members, said last-referred-to member being movable on the other of said plurality of members in a curved path.

20. In X-ray apparatus, the combination atient is supported, means supporting said) member and adapting it t`o be tilted into different' positions, a plurality of members adjacent' said rst-named-member, and an X-ray tube and a iluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, on one of said plurality of members, said last-reerred-to member being movable on the other of said plurality of members in an arc-shaped path, the center of the arc described by said ath, being above said firstreferred-to mem er and between the sides'of the latter.

21. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a member upon. which th'e teient is supported, means supporting .said member and adapting it to 4be tilted 4into different positions, a plurality of members adjacent said rst-named-member, and an X-ray tube and a liuorescent screen, or radiographic plate,

,on one of said plurality of members, said last-referred-to member being movable on the other of said plurality of members in a curved path, extendin crosswise of thelongitudinal axis of sai rst-named-member.

22. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a table, and an X-ray tube-holder, a holder for a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, means supporting said holders for rotation as a unit about a point above the table top asa center, and means supporting the top of said table for'movement into different angular positions relative to said holders. 4 N

23. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a table, and an X-ray tube-holder, a holder for a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, means supporting said holders for rotation as a. unit about a point above the table top as a center, and means supporting the top of said table for movement into different angularV positions inv a plane extending' crosswise of the axis about which said holders rotate.

24. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of .a table for supporting a patient, a lurality of cooperating members one of w ich formsv a support, an X-ray tube and iiuorescent screen, or radiographic plate, on the other of said members, said supporting member extending at one side only of said table and said other member being movable on said supporting member in an arc-shaped path to a position in which said tube .extends beneath, and said screen, or plate, above, said table, said tube and screen,`or plate, being diametrically opposed at opposite sides of the center about which the arc o said guide is described.

25. In X-ra apparatus, the combination of a support or a patient, and a plurality of members, one for supporting an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen, or radioaphic plate, said last-referre'd-to member eing movable on the-other of said meml bers in an arc-shaped path throughout substantially 90 degrees from a. position in which said tube extends substantially directlv below said support to a position in which it extends substantially along the side of said support, said tube and screen, or plate, being diametrically oposed at opposite sides` of the center about which the are of said guide is described.

26. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a table for supporting a patient, a plurality of co-operatmg members one of which forms a support, an X-ray tube and fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, onthe other of said members, said supporting member extending at one side only of said table and said other member being movable on said supporting member in an arc-shaped path throughout substantially 90 degrees from a position in which said tube extends" substantially directly below said table and saidI screen, or plate, substantially above said table to a position in which said tube and screen, or plate, extend substantially along the sides of said support, said tube and screen, or plate, being diametrically senting a guide of segmental circular shape presenting circular curvature lengthwise thereof, and a member for supporting an X-Iay tube and a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, engaging said guide and movable along the latter in an arc-shaped path, said tube and screen, or plate, being diametrically' opposed at opposite sides of the center about which the arc of said uide is described, and said second support eing adjustable along said first-named support in a substantially horizontal path irrespective of the tilted condition of said first named support.

28. In X-ray apparatus, the combination of a plurality of members, an X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen, or radiographic plate, on one of said members, said last referred to member being confined on the v other of said members to move in an arcshaped path, said tube and screen, or plate, being diametrically opposed at opposite sides of the center about which the arc of said guide is described.

JULIUSB. WANTZ.

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