US3449569A - Radiological apparatus wherein the x-ray source is mounted for rotational and straight-line movement - Google Patents

Description

Sheet of 3 June 1969 J. 1.. GARCIA OLLER RADIOLOGIGAL APPARATUS WHEREIN THE X"RAY SOURCE IS MOUNTED FOR ROTATIONAL AND STRAIGHT-LINE MOVEMENT Flled July 22 1966 INVENTOR Jose Lfimzcu; OLLE-R.

ATTORNEYS June 1969 J. GARCIA OLLER 3,4 9,569

RADIOLOGICAL APPARATUS WHEREIN THE X'RAY SOURCE IS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION/XL AND STRAIGHT-LINE MOVEMENT Flled July 22 1966 Sheet 2 of 3 INVENT OR BY 0D Y); 003 m wwuLQu LI-LY) wefi.

ATTORNEYS Sheet 3 June 10, 1969 J. L. GARCIA OLLER If/EDIOLOGICAI; AIF'ARATUS WUI Z IHHIN THE X-RAY SOURCE IS MOUNTED FOR ROTATIONAL AND STRAIGHT-LINE MOVEMENT fil'cl JuJy F7. 1966 INVENTOR Jcs E LGmzca A OLLEE.

BY W asou Cwwwu J ATTORNEYS United States Patent RADIOLOGICAL APPARATUS WHEREIN THE X-RAY SOURCE IS MOUNTED FOR ROTA- TIONAL AND STRAIGHT-LINE MOVEMENT Jos L. Garcia Oller, 3402 Bienville St.,

New Orleans, La. 70119 Filed July 22, 1966, Ser. No. 567,155 Int. Cl. H01j 37/20, /48; G01n 23/00 U.S. Cl. 250-50 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for diagnosing a patient including a support means, rotatable means mounted on the support means, patient support means mounted on the rotatable means, carrier means pivotally mounted on the rotatable means for pivotal movement in the plane of rotation of the rotatable means, the carrier means being movable along a line of travel intersecting a line passing through the pivotal connection of the carrier means and the rotatable means, the lines lying in the plane of rotation of the rotatable means, a radiant energy source mounted on the carrier means and means for locking the carrier means in preselected positions along the line of travel at preselected angles.

This invention relates to an apparatus for diagnosing a patient, and more particularly to an apparatus for making an X-ray or fluoroscopic examination of a patient either while maintaining the patient in a preselected position and attitude, or maintaining the patient in a preselected position and moving him through a seqeuence of attitudes.

In the examination and diagnosis of disesases and injuries of the nervous system with X-ray and fluoroscopy, requiring visualization into the various parts of the body including the head, the neck and the entire spine, it is the general practice to inject a contrast medium such as an oxygen or liquid radiopaque substance into the nervous system of the patient intended to be examined. After the substance has been injected into the body of the patient and the patient is placed in a selected position, the patients body is examined by X-ray or fluoroscope either while maintained in a preselected attitude or moving the body through a sequence of attitudes to view the behavior of the injected substance. In the prior art there has been developed various apparatus for mounting the patient and the X-ray or fluoroscopic equipment so that the entire apparatus can be moved as a unit, while making the examination of the patient. It has been found, however, that many of such devices are not entirely satisfactory in enabling the rapid assembly of the components and examination of the patient.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for diagnosing a patient.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for making an X-ray or fluoroscopic examination of a patient.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for making an X-ray or fluoroscopic examination of a patient in which the assembly of the components and the examination of the patient can be accomplished rapidly.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for making an X-ray or fluoroscopic examination of a patient either while the patient is maintained in a preselected position and attitude, or moving the patient in a preselected position through a sequence of attitudes.

"ice

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatns for making X-ray or fluoroscopic examinations of any part of the patients body.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for making an X-ray or fluoroscopic examination of a patient while undergoing a surgical operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for making an X-ray or fluoroscopic examination of a patient during a surgical operation on the patient, in which the radiant energy source of the apparatus can easily be brought into and removed from the vicinity of the operation, to provide rapid and convenient access of the surgeon to the patient.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for making an X-ray or fluoroscopic examination of a patient, which is companatively simple in construction, easy to operate and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in the art, from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, illustrating the components thereof in exploded relation;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 44 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIGURE 6; and

*FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 88 in 'FIGURE 1.

Briefly described, the present invention relates to an apparatus for diagnosing a patient, generally comprising a support means, rotatable means mounted on the support means, patient support means mounted on the rotatable means, carrier means mounted on the rotatable means for pivotal movement in the plane of rotation of the rotatable means, the carrier means being movable along a line including the pivotal connection therewith with the rotatable means lying in the plane of rotation of the rotatable means, a radiant energy source mounted on the carrier means and means for locking the carrier means in preselected positions along the line of travel at preselected angles.

According to a more specific embodiment of the invention, there is provided an apparatus including a support means, a circular frame member mounted on the support means for rotation substantially in a vertical plane and a patient support means mounted on the frame member. The embodiment also includes hanger means mounted on the frame member for pivotal movement in the plane of rotation of the frame member, a carrier member pivotally mounted on the hanger means being movable in the plane of rotation of the frame member along an arcuate line of travel, including the pivotal connection thereof with the hanger means and means for locking the carrier member to the hanger means in selected positions along the arcuate line of travel. Mounted on the carrier means is a radiant energy source which is movable along an arcuate line of travel disposed substantially parallel to the arcuate line of travel of the carrier means. The radiant energy source is mounted so that it faces the patient support means. Linking means also are provided interconnecting the carrier member and the frame member. The linking means is collapsible and has one end thereof pivotally connected to the frame member and the opposite end thereof pivotally connected to the carrier member.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment generally includes a support assembly 10, a rotatable frame assembly 11 mounted on the support assembly, a patient support assembly 12 mounted on the frame assembly, a carrier assembly 13, also mounted on the frame assembly, and a radiant energy source device 14 mounted on the carrier assembly. The support assembly includes a frame member 15 which is supported on a plurality of wheel units 16. Journaled on the forward end of the frame member 15 is a drive roller member 17, having a transversely disposed axis. Mounted adjacent the roller member 17 is an upper idler roller 18 mounted on brackets 19 and a lower idler roller 20 disposed adjacent the roller member 17. Also provided on the rearward end of the frame member are upper idler roller 21 and lower idler roller member 22. The frame assembly 11 comprises a pair of circular frame members 23 and 24 which are laterally spaced. The frame members are maintained in parallel spaced relation by means of a plurality of rigid cross members 25. The frame members 23 and 24 are supported on the frame assembly so that they pass between rollers 18 and 20, and 21 and 22, resting on rollers 20 and 22. The frame members 23 and 24 also engage the drive roller 17, so that when roller member 17 is driven, the frame assembly 11 will be rotated about its axis in substantially a vertical plane. Any type of motor with suitable speed controls can be used for operating the drive roller 17 to rotate the frame assembly 11. It is preferred that the drive mechanism and the controls therefor be adequate to conveniently start and stop the rotation of the frame assembly 11, and to rotate the assembly at various speeds. It also is contemplated that the frame assembly 11 could be rotated manually.

The patient support assembly 12 can be of any convenient type which permits the patients to be supported comfortably in various positions. The assembly should be adapted to position the patient in prone and supine positions or while the body is in a sitting or intermediate position. The assembly as illustrated in the drawings includes a frame assembly rigidly secured to the frame assembly 11, including frame members 26, 27 and 28. A seat rest member 29, a lower leg rest member 30 and a back rest member 31 are mounted on the frame member and hingedly connected together so that they can be positioned relative to each other to support the patient in the various positions, as previously mentioned. The upper end of the back rest member 31 is provided with a post member 32 on which the sensitive plate holder can be mounted in various positions. It also is contemplated that other means will be provided on the patient support means for supporting suitable plate holders for photographing the various desired regions of the patients body.

The carrier assembly 13 is best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. The assembly includes a pair of hanger elements 33 and 34, having the upper ends thereof pivotally mounted on a cross piece member 35. The hanger members 33 and 34 are pivotally connected to the cross piece member 35 for movement in planes parallel to the plane of rotation of the frame assembly 11. Mounted on the hanger members 33 and 34 are a pair of carrier side frame members 36 and 37. The side frame members are elongated and substantially arcuate in shape. The frame members 36 and 37 are pivotally connected to the hanger members 33 and 34 for pivotal movement in planes substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the frame assembly 11. The members 36 and 37 also are maintained in parallel spaced relation by means of a cross piece member 38 rigidly secured to the upper ends of the members by means of suitable screws 39 and a rod member 40 rigidly secured and extending through the lower ends of the members. The lower ends of the side frame members are connected to a rigid cross member 41 by means of spaced linking members 42 and 43.

The construction of the hanger member 33 is substantially identical to the construction of the hanger member 34. Similarly, the construction of the carrier side frame member 36 is substantially identical to the carrier side frame member 37. For the purpose of simplicity, only the constructions of hanger member 33 and the carrier side frame member 36 will be described in detail, it being understood that the constructions of the members 34 and 37 are respectively similar. The constructions of members 33 and 36 are best illustrated in FIGURES 3 through 7.

As best seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, the hanger member 33 includes a collar member 44 having a bushing 45 which is mounted on the cross piece member 35, a depending arm member 46 secured to the collar member 44 and a bearing block 47 secured to the lower end of the depending arm member 46. The block member 47 is provided with an opening 48, which is adapted to receive therethrough a pin 49 having a threaded shank 50. The pin 49 is provided with a head portion 51. Mounted on the pin member adjacent the head portion 51 thereof is a locking plate 52. Threaded on the shank portion of the pin member is a locking nut 53.

As previously mentioned, the carrier side frame member 36 is elongated and arcuate in shape. The side surfaces 54 and 55 are provided with arcuate slots 56 and 57. In addition, the front and rear surfaces 58 and 59 are provided with slots 60 and 61. The slots 56, 57, 60 and 61 serve as guideways, as will hereinafter be described.

The slot 56 is adapted to receive the locking plate 52 therein. The plate 52 is shaped so that the frame member 36 can be slid relative thereto, to adjust the position of the frame member 36. Also, the plate member 52 has a thickness slightly less than the depth of the slot 56, to permit the frame member 36 to slide freely on the plate member 52. The locking plate 52 is retained in the slot 56 by means of spaced retainer plates 62 and 63 which are secured by screws to the outer side face 54 of the frame member 36. As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 6, the pin member 49 extends through the space provided between the retainer plate members 62 and 63 and is movable relatively along the lengths of the retainer plate members. The carrier side frame member 36 is supported on the hanger member 33 simply by tightening the nut member 53 so that the bearing block member 57 abuts the retainer plate members 62 and 63, and the locking plate 52 engages the retainer plate members, and the nut member 53 engages the bearing block member 47 in clamping relation. It will be appreciated that the position of the carrier side frame member 36 relative to the hanger member 33 can be adjusted merely by supporting the weight of the frame member 36, loosening the nut member 53, sliding the frame member 36 to the desired position, and tightening the nut member 53. The upward movement of the frame member 36 is limited by a stop bolt 64, disposed in the slot 56 which engages the bottom edge of the locking plate member 52.

The linking members 42 and 43 are substantially identical in construction. The linking member 42, as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 8, includes rod sections 65 and 66, having recessed ends 67 and 68 which are pivotally secured together by means of a pin 69. As shown in FIG- URE 8, when the rod sections 65 and 66 are disposed in axial alignment so that the portions 67 and 68 are in side by side relation, a collar member 70 is adapted to be slid onto the portions 67 and 68 to lock the rod sections 65 and 66 in axial alignment. To collapse the sections 65 and 66, the collar member '70 is merely moved into the position illustrated by the phantom lines 71 and also as illustrated in FIGURE 3. The end portion of the rod member 66 opposite the end including portion 68, is provided with a ring member 72 which is mounted on the end of the bar member 40 to permit the rod section 66 to pivot on the bar member 40. Similarly, the end portion of the rod section 65 remote from the end thereof, including 'portion 67, is provided with a ring member 73 which is mounted on the cross piece member 41 to permit pivotal movement of the rod section 65 relative to the cross piece member 41. It will be appreciated that the side frame members 36 and 37 are supported by the hanger members 33 and 34 and the linking members 42 and 43. In the most common operating position, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, the upper end of the side frame members 36 and 37 are clamped to the hanger members 33 and 34, and the lower ends thereof are maintained in position by the linking members 42 and 43, having the respective sections thereof locked in axial alignment.

The radiant energy source device 14 includes a main body member 74 which is substantially cylindrical in shape, carried on mounting assemblies 75 and 76. The mounting assemblies 75 and 76 are subsantially identical in construction and are adapted to be mounted on the carrier side frame members 36 and 37, as best illustrated in FIGURE 2. The detailed construction of the mounting assembly 75 is best illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. The assembly includes a substantially cylindrical member 77 having an inner face 78 and an outer face 79. The inner face 78 is provided with a circular recess 80, which is concentric with the cylindrical wall 81 and is adapted to receive and support therein a reduced end portion 82 of the main body member 74 of the device. The position of the main body 74 of the device can be adjusted by rotating the same about its axis. The main body 74 can be locked into position by means of a set screw 83 which is threaded into an opening 84 of the member 81, and engages the reduced end portion 82 of the main body member 74.

The member 77 is provided with a pair of laterally projecting portions 85 and 86, which are adapted to receive the side frame member 36 therebetween. The width of the projecting portions 85 and 86 is slightly greater than the lateral dimension of the side frame member 36, so that when the member 77 is mounted on the side frame member 36, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, there will be a slight clearance betweenthe end face 79 of the member 77 and the side face 55 of the side frame member 36. Similarly, the spacing between the opposed faces 87 and 88 of the projecting portions 85 and 86 is slightly greater than the longitudinal width dimension of the side frame member 36, to permit clearance between the rear face 59 of the side frame member and inward face 87 of the lug member 85, and front face 58 of the side frame member and the face 88 of the projecting portion 86.

The opposed faces 87 and 88 of projecting portions 85 and 86 also are provided with a pair of parallel slots or guideways 89 and 90 which are adapted to receive shoe plates 91 and 92. The shoe plates, as best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, have surfaces 93 and 94 which engage the bottom walls 95 and 96 of the slots 61 and 60 of the side frame member 36. The surfaces 93 and 94 of the shoe plates have contours similar to the bottom walls 95 and 96 of the slots 61 and 60 of the side frame member. The thicknesses of the shoe plates 91 and 90 are slightly less than the dimensions between the bottom walls of slots 89 and 61, and bottom walls of slots 90 and 60, so that there will be some play between the shoe plates 91 and 90, and the side frame member 36 and the projecting lugs 85 and 86. The positions of the shoe plates 91 and 92 can be adjusted by screws 97 threaded into openings in projecting portion 85, and engaging the shoe plate 91, and screws 98 threaded in openings in project ing portion 86 and engaging the shoe plate 92. It will be appreciated that the mounting assembly 75 can be clamped to the side frame member 36 by means of a knob member 99 having a threaded shank portion 100 threaded into an opening in the projecting portion 86 and engaging a shoe element 101, which in turn engages the shoe plate 92.

The device 14 can be moved to any selected position along the length of the carrier assembly 13 merely by loosening the knob members 99, sliding the device to the desired position, and again tightening the knob members 99 on the mounting assemblies 75 and 76.

In the operation of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the patient is first placed on the patient support means 12. The support assembly 12 is adjusted so that the body is in the desired position. The body then is strapped to the assembly. With the linking members locked in position, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the weight of the carrier assembly is supported while the nut members 53 on the hanger members 33 and 34 are loosened. The position of the side frame members 36 and 37 then are positioned relative to the cross piece 35 so that the carrier assembly is in a position suitable to train the radiant energy source device on the general area of the patient to be examined. The locking nuts 53 are then tightened to lock the side frame members 36 and 37 into position. The device 14 then is placed in the desired position by loosening the knob members 99 and moving the device 14 to the desired position along the length of the carrier assembly. When the device 14 is in the desired position, it is locked in place by means of the knob members 99. The final adjustment is made by loosening the set screws 83 on the mounting members 75 and 76, to permit the main body member 74 of the device to be rotated about its axis. Once in position, the main body member 74 is locked by tightening the set screws 83. The apparatus then is ready for examining the selected area of the patient.

It will be appreciated that the patient support assembly 12 can be adjusted along with the portion of the device 14, as previously described, either during a routine diagnosis of the patient, or during diagnosis taking place during a surgical operation. The patient may be maintained in a selected attitude or may be examined while being passed through a sequence of attitudes, merely by operating the drive roller 17 to rotate the frame assembly 11. Through the use of suitable controls, the rotation of the frame assembly 11 can be controlled both in starting and stopping the rotation, and regulating the speed thereof.

At any time, the carrier assembly 13 can be moved away from the patient, as when the operator desires access to the patient, merely by sliding the locking collars 70 on the linking members 42 and 43 toward the cross piece member 41 to collapse the linking members, swinging the assembly 13 away from the patient, and securing the assembly in the position illustrated by the phantom lines 102, in FIGURE 1. A hook member 103 pivotally mounted on the cross piece member 25 is provided, which engages the rod member 40 to retain the assembly 13 in the withdrawn position.

The position of the assembly 13 relative to the patient support means and the radius of curvature of the side frame members 36 and 37 are selected to provide an appropriate focal length for the device 14. The device 14 can be of any conventional type used in X-ray or fluoroscope examination.

In order to obtain even further adjustment of the carrier assembly 13, an additional modification of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings is contemplated, wherein the cross piece member 35 which carries the frame assembly is movable along the circular frame members 23 and 24 of the frame assembly 11. Suitable locking means also would be provided to lock the cross piece member 35 at the selected position of the circumference of the frame assembly 11. Conceivably, the cross piece member 41 to which the linking members 42 and 43 are operatively connected, can be made movable about the circumference of the frame assembly 11. Locking means for the cross piece member 41 also would be provided.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient comprising a support means, rotatable means mounted on said support means, patient support means mounted on said rotatable means, carrier means pivotally mounted on said rotatable means for pivotal movement in the plane of rotation of said rotatable means, said carrier means being movable along a line of travel intersecting a line passing through the pivotal connection of said carrier means and said rotatable means, said lines lying in the plane of rotation of said rotatable means, a radiant energy source mounted on said carrier means and means for locking said carrier means in preselected positions along said line of travel at preselected angles.

2. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 1, wherein the radiant energy source is movable along at least one predetermined line of travel on said carrier means.

3. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 1, in which said line of travel of the carrier member is arcuate, facing the patient support means.

4. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 1, wherein said line of travel of the carrier means is arcuate, facing the patient support means, and the radiant energy source is movable on the carrier means along at least one predetermined line of travel.

5. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient comprising a support means, a circular frame member mounted on said support means for rotation substantially in a vertical plane, patient support means mounted on said frame member, hanger means pivotally mounted on said frame member, a carrier member mounted for pivotal adjustment on said hanger means, said carrier means being movable relative to said hanger means along a line of travel intersecting a line passing through the pivotal connection of said hanger means and said frame member, said lines lying in a vertical plane, means for locking said carrier member to said hanger means in selected positions along said line of travel, linking means interconnecting said carrier member and said frame member and a radiant energy source mounted on said carrier member.

6. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 5, wherein one end of the linking means is pivotally connected to the frame member and the opposite end thereof is pivotally connected to the carrier member at a fixed point.

7. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 6, wherein the linking means is collapsible.

8. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 5, wherein the hanger means is mounted on the frame member for pivotal movement in the plane of rotation of the frame member.

9. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 5, wherein the radiant energy source is movable along at least one predetermined line of travel on the carrier member.

10. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 5, wherein the line of travel of said carrier member is arcuate.

11. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 10, wherein the radiant energy source is movable along an arcuate line of travel and faces the patient support means.

12. An apparatus for diagnosing a patient according to claim 5, wherein the hanger means is mounted on the frame member for pivotal movement in the plane of rotation of the frame member, the line of travel of the carrier member is arcuate, the radiant energy source is movable along an arcuate line of travel disposed substantially parallel to the arcuate line of travel of the carrier means, one end of the linking means is pivotally connected to the frame member and the opposite end thereof is pivotally connected to the carrier member at a fixed point and the linking means is collapsible.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,141,972 7/1964 Oller 250 S. C. SHEAR, Assistant Examiner.

RALPH G. NILSON, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 25057, 91, 55

Images