Abstract: An x-ray source and a detector array are mounted on opposite sides of a generally horizontally extending longitudinal axis of a rotating base. The rotating base is journaled on a tiltable frame. The frame is supported on curved tracks for tilting by translating along a curved path about a fixed transverse virtual axis of rotation which is perpendicular to and intersects the rotational axis of the rotating base. Tilting the frame permits making an x-ray scan through a layer of a patient which is at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The azimuth drive for the rotatable frame utilizes a toothed belt. A self-acting friction brake is provided for constraining the rocking base. A hoist is provided for making installation and removal of the x-ray source convenient.

Abstract: An improved x-ray or other ionizing radiation detector comprises an array of adjacent cells comprised of alternately disposed oppositely polarized electrodes and guard electrodes and insulators between them. Means are provided for maintaining uniform and accurate dimensions between electrodes and the overall length of the array.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube for displaying images corresponding with isotope radiation emissions uses electrostatic focusing means, magnetic deflection means and a fast amplifier for driving the deflection coils. Power supply voltages for the amplifier are programmable in correspondance with selected image size. Means for correcting focus within image areas, means for compensating the effects of tube aging and means for protecting against deflection failure are provided. Means for displaying visual indications of the status of the image making sequence are provided.

Abstract: In a scintillation camera system, the output pulse signals from an array of photomultiplier tubes are coupled to the inputs of individual preamplifiers. The preamplifier output signals are coupled to circuitry for computing the x and y coordinates of the scintillations. A cathode ray oscilloscope is used to form an image corresponding with the pattern in which radiation is emitted by a body. Means for improving the uniformity and resolution of the scintillations are provided. The means comprise biasing means coupled to the outputs of selected preamplifiers so that output signals below a predetermined amplitude are not suppressed and signals falling within increasing ranges of amplitudes are increasingly suppressed. In effect, the biasing means make the preamplifiers non-linear for selected signal levels.

Abstract: In a spot film device, the inner and main carriages for a film cassette are positioned with reversible servo motors. An X-ray grid is mounted on the bottom of the main carriage and a cross grid is mounted on tracks beneath the carriage such that the cross grid may be used or not used for fluoroscopy and both grids may be used for radiography. Field defining masks are also mounted for translating selectively with the carriage. Individual reversible servo motor drives are used to advance and retract the masks and cross grid. Means are provided for absorbing shock or negating drive system momentum when the masks or grid are stopped abruptly. Reduced power is applied to the mask and grid drive motors when the masks and grid reach their stops for holding them against their stops. A motor driven palpator cone, having unique driving and locking means is provided. Means are provided for loading and unloading cassettes from either the front or rear of the spot film device.

Abstract: On a diagnostic x-ray table, a first group of x-ray shielding panels are supported for rotation on a carrier and another group of panels are supported on a lever that is pivotally connected to the carrier. The lever may be aligned with the carrier to present the combined width of all panels across the front of a combination spot film and fluoroscopic device. Means responsive to pivoting the lever along the side of the apparatus rotate the first group of panels to substantial parallelism with second group to present the panels along the side of the apparatus when the spot film and fluoroscope device is angulated to put the patient being examined in an erect posture.

Abstract: An x-ray source, whose output is collimated into a thin fan-shaped beam, and detector means spaced from the source are mounted for scanning and orbiting jointly about a body in a partial or complete revolution to provide x-ray intensity data for reconstructing an image. The detector and source combination and the body are moved relative to each other in an axial direction for scanning the body layers in sequence. In one embodiment the x-ray source is pulsed as it scans and in another the fan-shaped beam is on continuously and readout is done sequentially so in either case a large number of intensities for each layer are obtained. A high precision encoder system is used to synchronize x-ray pulses and readouts spatially and with line frequency. Means are provided for storing the cables which lead to the rotatable source, and the detectors and other moveable components. An embodiment for scanning a body part such as a breast has means for conditioning and controlling water in which the part is immersed.

Abstract: In a device for counterpoising a range of cable supported loads, the inner end of a torsion spring is fastened to a shaft. A cam having an axially extending spiral cable groove of continuously varying radius is journaled on the shaft and the outer end of the spring is fastened to the cam. Means are provided to preload the spring to the onset of the useful portion of its torque versus revolution; relationship. A load supporting cable is wound on the cam with one end fastened at the largest radius end of the cam and with the load supporting portion of the cable having a first point of tangency with a smaller radius point in the groove when the load is in its uppermost position. Any load subject to a predetermined vertical travel distance will be counterpoised at all elevations by selecting a predetermined point of tangency in which case only one cam is needed for a range of load weights. The cam serves as a composite of individual cams for different loads.

Abstract: A device for aligning the central ray of an x-ray beam with the center of an image receptor comprises a metal tube in a mounting which is provided with means for establishing the axis of the tube perpendicular to the plane of the image receptor or other plane which is perpendicular to the central ray. The tube is mounted in such manner that the region around it is x-ray permeable. The mounting is adapted for being moved in parallelism with the plane such that alignment of the central ray with a point on the receptor may be determined when the circular shadow cast by the outside of the tube is concentric with the circular image of the tube bore.

Abstract: Anodes for rotary anode x-ray tubes have cross sectional configurations which aid in mitigating warpage due to thermal stress.

Abstract: A mobile chair for a panoramic dental x-ray machine is provided with locking means for establishing the chair in proper position for radiography with a patient on it and for enabling the chair to be rolled out and away from the machine for being replaced by an ordinary wheel chair.

Abstract: A pace pulse generator connects to the heart for stimulating it as required. Heart action due to both natural and artificially stimulated beats is detected. Detected signals are variously processed and stored in a hysteresis circuit which serves as a memory as to the last naturally stimulated heart beat. With the hysteresis circuit set to operate in the negative mode, the hysteresis circuit will wait to determine if a natural beat occurs in a predetermined period of time. If no natural beat occurs, the hysteresis circuit turns on the pulse generator to furnish one or more artificial stimulating pulses until the circuit is reset by occurrence of a naturally stimulated heart beat. With the hysteresis circuit set to operate in the positive mode, the hysteresis circuit similarly waits to determine if a natural beat occurs in a predetermined period of time, but this predetermined period of time is less than the period between the constant rate pulses which are produced by the pulse generator.

Abstract: An X-ray source is mounted in an enclosure for angulating longitudinally about a horizontal axis. An X-ray permeable patient supporting table is mounted on the top of the enclosure for executing lateral and longitudinal movements. An X-ray image receiving device such as an X-ray image intensifier is mounted above the table on a vertically movable arm which is on a longitudinally movable carriage. Electric control means are provided for angulating the X-ray source and image intensifier synchronously as the image intensifier system is shifted longitudinally or vertically such that the central ray from the X-ray source is kept perpendicular to the image input plane of the image intensifier.

Abstract: X-ray apparatus includes a floor mounted enclosure, a patient supporting table on the enclosure, an X-ray tube casing mounted for angulating in the enclosure, X-ray imaging devices unitarily supported for angulating on a cantilever arm located above the table, and an extensible and contractible and optionally removable link arm for coupling the tube casing and image devices, respectively, to enable their coordinate longitudinal angulation or selectively to enable maintaining the X-ray tube and imaging devices in a fixed vertical relationship.

Abstract: In a device for counterpoising a range of cable supported loads, the inner end of a torsion spring is fastened to a shaft. A cam having an axially extending spiral cable groove of continuously varying radius is journaled on the shaft and the outer end of the spring is fastened to the cam. Means are provided to preload the spring to the onset of the useful portion of its torque versus revolutions relationship. A load supporting cable is wound on the cam with one end fastened at the largest radius end of the cam and with the load supporting portion of the cable having a first point of tangency with a smaller radius point in the groove when the load is in its uppermost position. Any load subject to a predetermined vertical travel distance will be counterpoised at all elevations by selecting a predetermined point of tangency in which case only one cam is needed for a range of load weights. The cam serves as a composite of individual cams for different loads.

Abstract: A fluid flow diverter or reverser comprises a housing having a transverse separator wall dividing it into first and second axially adjacent chambers. The first chamber has a diametrally extending separator wall dividing it into subchambers. Each subchamber has an inlet or outlet, respectively, to which a conduit, that may serve as the feed or return of a process loop circuit or the feed or return of a fluid supply circuit, is connected. The transverse wall has a pair of openings which communicate the respective subchambers with the second chamber. The second chamber has inlet and outlet openings, respectively, which can connect to a fluid supply and return circuit or a process loop circuit. A diverter blade in the second chamber is reversibly rotatable for changing direction of fluid flow between the inlets and outlets and, hence, in the loop circuit.

Abstract: A miniature probe for simultaneously sensing ion concentrations and partial pressures of gases in a sample comprises plural sensing electrode systems at least one of which is surrounded by an electrolyte and a gas permeable or ion permeable diffusion barrier. The systems are united structurally to form a probe. Various potentials are measured between components of the electrode systems which potentials are indicative of ion and gas concentrations in the sample in which the probe is inserted. Potentials between certain of the internal probe electrodes and external electrodes are indicative of other ions or gases. Partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases and concentrations of hydrogen, bicarbonate ions and other cations and anions are typical constituents of a sample that can be determined with the probe.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac pacer has a counter for encoding different binary numbers in response to clock pulses applied thereto through an internal clock pulse generating switch that can be activated from outside of the subject's body by application of radiant energy. The binary numbers are decoded with switches that sequentially connect and disconnect circuit elements to control a characteristic of the pacer such as its stimulus pulse width, pulse amplitude, pulse rate and others. The clock pulse switch may be one that is activated with light or pressure but is preferably a magnetic switch system controlled by a shaped magnetic field for preventing inadvertent operation. The encoder counter recycles or resets to its initial value when a predetermined number of clock pulses are applied.

Abstract: Two equal sized sheaves, each having a crank handle, are journaled for independent rotation. A sinker weight is supported on the loop of a control cable whose ends are attached to the respective sheaves. The control cable extends tangentially from the bottom of one sheave and the top of the other. Rotating the sheaves in the same direction transfers control line from one sheave to another without raising the sinker. Rotating the sheaves in opposite directions simultaneously or in sequence raises and lowers the sinker depending on the selected directions of rotation. A fishing tackle line which is attachable to the control cable may thereby be raised and lowered independently of the sinker weight.

Abstract: A physiological waveform detector such as for cardiac R-wave and blood pressure uses a comparator to compare the derivative of the waveform signal with a reference signal representing some percentage of the magnitude of the derivative of the waveform. If the derivative is of sufficient magnitude to trip the comparator a timing circuit begins counting. If the comparator remains tripped for a predetermined interval, the waveform is considered to be the desired one. Means are provided for detecting waveform peaks and valleys. The detector recognizes desired waveforms by two characteristics, one being magnitude and the other being duration.