Abstract: A system wherein a video camera views an optical version of an x-ray image and displays it in a circular pattern on a television screen and a photographic camera is arranged for simultaneously recording the image on film. A circuit is provided for generating signals that are added to the composite video signal for writing a bright outline of the photo camera frame on the television screen so that the user can determine what parts of the x-ray image are within the camera film frame boundaries.

Abstract: Curved X-ray filter elements are arranged circularly around a drum. Alternate circumferentially adjacent elements have different filtration properties. Diametrically opposite elements have the same properties. An X-ray source provides a sequence of alternate low and high energy X-ray beam pulses. A multicell X-ray detector produces X-ray attenuation data for each pulse and the data is switched to alternate memories. A drum drive motor is energized at power line frequency. A pinion on the motor shaft turns a gear. A lug that is mounted for angular adjustment on the gear drives the drum. A multiple blade shutter is also mounted on the gear for angular adjustment and rotation with the gear. The shutter alternately interrupts and restores a light beam to a photosensitive device which produces corresponding signal state changes or trigger signals. The signals are used to synchronize the low and high energy X-ray pulses, the filter element angular locations and memory switching with power line frequency.

Abstract: In bottle transporting apparatus, noise resulting from bottles colliding with each other and noise emitted by the transport mechanism is suppressed by moving the bottles in a water bath which immerses the mechanism and at least partially immerses the bottles so the sound is absorbed and attenuated by the water. Means are provided for partially filling the bottles with liquid before they reach locations where noise would be generated and this further suppresses noise. Water jets are used to assist bottle movement where the bottles are transported on conveyors and the jets may be used as the sole propulsion force in apparatus wherein the bottles are simply pushed along smooth support surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the effect of x-ray statistical noise and electronic noise in a fluorographic system that displays an x-ray image on a television screen. Analog video signals based on the x-ray image are amplified logarithmically and digitized to yield live pixel signals. Processed pixel signals are averaged in a full image store or memory. Motion is detected by subtracting the stored pixels from the live pixels on a pixel-by-pixel basis in an ALU. The difference resulting from subtraction is used as part of an address to a look-up table (LUT) which contains values equivalent to the difference signals times a noise reduction multiplicative factor, K. The other part of the addresses is the live pixel value. There are several replications of the look-up tables each relating to a particular brightness level range. The one selected is determined by the live signal part of the address which relates to brightness.

Abstract: A cable retractor for a computed tomography scanner that is driven with a motor and a belt through two revolutions between clockwise and counterclockwise limits about a horizontal axis. An inner drum is fixed on the scanner for rotation therewith and a stationary outer drum is concentric to the inner drum. Cables are fastened where they enter the outer drum and exit the inner drum on their way to the scanner. A loop is formed in the cable in the circular channel defined by the concentric drums to provide enough cable length for the scanner to make two revolutions. A disk facing the channel is journalled for rotation on the inner drum. Pulleys extend axially from the disk to support the cable loop. The disk is belt driven so its angular motion is a constant fraction of the motion of the scanner whereby the pulleys move at the same rate as the loop to keep it supported as cable is reeled between the drums.

Abstract: To make diapers having elasticized regions, unstretched segments of elastic ribbon are deposited on a first rotating roll which has vacuum holes in its periphery for attracting the body of a segment and a mechanical element for temporarily securing one end. The first roll rotates segments successively to a place adjacent a second roll which has a larger radius and, hence, higher peripheral velocity than the first roll. The second roll has grippers spaced apart by an amount substantially equal to the desired stretched length of the segments. The leading end of each segment on the first roll is engaged by a gripper on the second higher speed roll so the segment stretches after which a lifter on the first roll releases the trailing end for it to be engaged by a gripper to hold the stretched segment on the second roll. Quick setting glue is applied to the stretched segments and the top porous sheet material comprising the diaper is run in contact with the segments to pick them up.

Abstract: Labeling machine comprising a turret carrying plural pallets for periodically picking up glue, picking up a label on the glue, and transferring the glued label to a bottle or other workpiece by rotating the turret and oscillating the pallets radially inward and outward. Each pallet has a double-acting dog clutch for engaging or disengaging the drive which oscillates it; the clutch can be shifted only when the turret is at a particular angular position at which the pallet is sufficiently radially retracted to be clear of the sources of glue and labels and the mechanism for transferring labels. When a bottle is presented for receiving a label from a particular pallet the clutch is shifted to or maintained at its position for engaging the oscillating drive so the pallet transfers a glued label for application to the bottle.

Abstract: X-ray pulses at two different photon energy levels are produced with an x-ray tube that has an adjustable resistor element in a circuit that connects the anode and filament of the tube to a high voltage supply. Two bias voltage supplies are connected in additive fashion between a control grid element of the tube and its filament to enable control of voltage drop and current through the tube. Switch means are provided to selectively shunt either or both bias voltage supplies in a repeatable order to thereby alter the bias voltage on the control grid and enable producing x-ray pulses having energies corresponding with the voltage drop and current through the tube at a selected bias voltage in accordance with the load line on the anode characteristic curve plot of the tube as determined by the value of the adjustable resistor element.

Abstract: X-ray apparatus for angiography has a support member which is rotatable about a vertical axis and a U-shaped arm mounted on the support for rotating about a horizontal axis. A radially movable carriage with an x-ray source mounted on it is mounted at one end of the U-arm. Carriages which are movable linearly and radially relative to the horizontal axis support an image intensifier and a film changer respectively. The horizontal axis and vertical axis of rotation which is coincident with the x-ray beam axis intersect at a point which is isocentric. Images can be obtained with either the intensifier receptor or film changer receptor in varying degrees of magnification and without magnification while the patient being examined remains coincident with the isocenter. Means are provided for counterbalancing the source, changer and the intensifier independently.

Abstract: A multiconductor electrical cable assembly for spanning between stationary and movable machine parts, and a method for making such a cable assembly.At least a portion of the cable assembly is comprised of multiple insulation - sheathed conductors arranged side-by-side in contiguous relation so that the insulation sheaths of adjacent conductors have a substantial interfacing contact area. First and second beads of material integral with the adjacent conductor sheaths and located adjacent each side of the interfacing contact area hold the cable together and maintain its flat profile. The cable can also include portions having a compact profile and can have unbonded ends.The cable assembly is formed by applying a bonding agent, comprised of a filler dissolved in a solvent for the insulation sheaths, as a bead between each pair and on each side of contiguous conductor sheaths.

Abstract: An x-ray source projects successive high and low energy x-ray beam pulses through a body and the resultant x-ray images are converted to optical images. Two image pick-up devices such as TV cameras that have synchronously operated shutters receive the alternate images and convert them to corresponding analog video signals. In some embodiments, the analog signals are converted to a matrix of digital pixel signals that are variously processed and subtracted and converted to signals for driving a TV monitor display and analog storage devices. In other embodiments the signals are processed and subtracted in analog form for display. The high and low energy pulses can follow each other immediately so good registration between subtracted images is obtainable even though the anatomy is in motion. The energy levels of the x-ray pulses are chosen to maximize the difference in attenuation between the anatomical structure which is to be subtracted out and that which remains.

Abstract: Cable retractor adapted to support and guide a slack portion of a cable connected between a stationary rack and a chassis which is slidable out of the rack. The cable retractor has brackets fixed to the moving chassis and to the rack, arms pivoted to each bracket and to a common pivot plate and standoffs to attach the slack portion of a cable to the arms so that a bend portion of the cable is positioned in spaced relation from the pivotal linkage between the first and second arms. The pivot plate linking the first and second arms has pivots which are suitably spaced to restrict the minimum bend radius of the slack portion of the cable.

Abstract: A system for supplying a selected voltage between the anode and cathode of an x-ray tube independent of power source voltage variations couples the x-ray tube power supply to the source with a transformer whose output voltages are selectable with tap switches. Prevailing source voltage and selected applied voltage are sensed and represented by analog signals which are converted to binary digital codes that form addresses for a read-only memory. The read-only memory is programmed with data representative of the pattern in which the tap switches should be set for the transformer to supply the selected voltage at the prevailing source voltage. When addressed by combinations of code words representative of the selected and source voltages, the memory outputs a code word that is used to set the switches in the corresponding pattern.

Abstract: Angiography apparatus has an L-arm rotatable about a vertical axis and a U-arm mounted on the upstanding section of the L-arm for rotation about a horizontal axis. An X-ray source is at one end of the U-arm and image receptors including an image intensifier and a first film changer are at the other end to enable making posterior-anterior and anterior-posterior X-ray views at various angles relative to a patient who is located on the isocenter which is the intersection of the horizontal, vertical and X-ray beam axis. A second film changer for making lateral generally isocentric views is mounted within the U-arm on a stand that is movable along the horizontal U-arm axis to allow obtaining various distances between the image plane of the film and another X-ray source. The lateral changer is on a mechanism for shifting it vertically and longitudinally a limited amount and for rotating it with a motor so this changer will stay level until the U-arm has been tilted through a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A high voltage cable connector has a flanged insulating sleeve terminating the cable. The sleeve inserts in an insulating receptacle with some clearance space around it for being occupied by a fluid dielectric medium. The receptacle has a flange which is axially spaced from the flange on the sleeve when the sleeve is fully inserted and secured in the receptacle. A ring element is sealed between the flanges. It defines an annular chamber which communicates with the dielectric medium filled clearance space. A compressible element such as a bellows or diaphragm is disposed in the chamber for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the medium or the connector assembly to allow sealing of the system to prevent loss of dielectric and thereby prevent formation of cavities in the medium which could cause electrical breakdown.

Abstract: An x-ray tube mA regulator has an SCR phase shift voltage regulator supplying the primary winding of a transformer whose secondary is coupled to the x-ray tube filament. Prior to initiation of an x-ray exposure, the filament is preheated to a temperature corresponding substantially to the electron emissivity needed for obtaining the desired tube mA during an exposure. During the preexposure interval, the phase shift regulator is controlled by a signal corresponding to the sum of signals representative of the voltage applied to the filament transformer, the desired filament voltage and the space charge compensation needed for the selected x-ray tube anode to cathode voltage. When an exposure is initiated, control of the voltage regulator is switched to a circuit that responds to the tube current by controlling the amount of phase shift and, hence, the voltage supplied to the transformer.

Abstract: A control device has a fixedly mountable frame which has recesses and a fixed shaft extending across the recesses. Flat sided spherical elements having manual levers extending from them are rotatable on the shaft and each element has a sector gear fastened to one of its flat sides. Flat springs extend from the frame and press on the spherical elements to develop friction. Potentiometer support brackets are pivotally mounted to shoulders on the flat springs. Each potentiometer shaft has a spur gear which meshes with a sector gear. The spur gears and sector gears are biased into meshing relation with coil springs that span between brackets. A lip seal is provided between the spherical elements and their housing.

Abstract: An x-ray table footrest assembly comprises a support base for extending across the table top. A platform rotationally mounted to the base. A pair of spring biased latches mounted to the base for engaging side rails on the table top. Sliding bars which move linearly in response to platform rotation are interfered with by the latches unless the latches are securely engaged with the side rails.

Abstract: In a price display board self-coiling plastic tapes having a sequence of numerals imprinted on them are translatable past rows of windows. Tape holders behind the windows have platens for supporting the tapes from their rear faces. The platens have one edge molded integrally with the holders and three free edges so they can act as preflexed flat springs for pressing the tapes against tape guide flanges which extend along the sides of the windows.