Abstract: A radiographic device may include a movable carriage disposed in a base and having a tray for holding an image receptor. A platform extending over the base may support the weight of the patient independent of the image receptor. The carriage may permit tray movement in lateral and longitudinal directions, thereby to align a desired portion of the image receptor with the patient target area and x-ray source. A base collimator may have one or more blades that are slidable to cover portions of the image receptor that are not being used in the current image capture process.

Abstract: This invention is to provide an inexpensive lens can be worn without attention to the existence of the addition power segment of conventional polarizing lens, it and a bench lens are formed integrally on the rear surface of a polarizing member 6. The present inventors constituent a polarizing member 9 by sandwiching poly vinyl alcohol 3 as a polarizing film with poly carbonate 2 whose both surfaces are stretched, and mold resin 2? on the rear side of the polarizing member, and arrange an addition power segment 8 integrally on the rear surface, make the molded resin poly carbonate sandwiches the polarizing film. The top and the bottom of this member are cut as FIGs. to form lens at low costs, and the adhesion among respective resins is increased, and to secure the impact resistance and it is possible to create a lens without detachment because of same resin.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a clamp that includes a collar. The collar has first and second ends from which first and second lugs extend. Each of the first and second lugs has a thick portion and a thin portion, and the lugs are connected by a fastener. The clamp is positioned around tubes, and the fastener is tightened to tighten the clamp around the connection. The fastener may be tightened from an open position OP, when the lugs are not touching, to a closed position CP, when the thick portions of the lugs are touching. The fastener may be tightened further to a third position, so that the thin portions of the lugs move closer to one another. The clamp may also include a hinge area in which a gasket seal may be attached to the clamp or one of the tubes.

Abstract: A phosphor plate positioning device includes a rigid magazine having a back plate and a door hingedly attached to the back plate. The back plate forms a cavity that is sized and shaped to receive a phosphor plate and a support arm can be engaged with the magazine in order to properly position the magazine and phosphor plate within a patient's mouth relative to a dental x-ray cone.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for distance measurement to a remote surface using high frequency modulated transmitted and reflected laser beams and phase-shift calculations. To improve phase-shift resolution, the reflected bean is further modulated, before detection, at a high frequency similar yet different from that of the transmitted beam so as create a resulting detector signal having at least a lower frequency signal which is easily detected by a response limited detector. The lower frequency signal retains the phase-shift information and thus enables determination of the phase-shift information with stable, inexpensive low-frequency optical detectors. Three-dimensional mapping can performed wherein one or more apparatus employ a plurality of detectors or a scanner producing a plurality of sequential reflected beams, each of which results in a plurality of phase-shift information for an area on the surface.

Abstract: A radiographic device includes a platform defining a lateral and longitudinal directions and a mounting assembly having a first end pivotably coupled to the platform and a second end, wherein the second end is movable in the lateral and longitudinal directions. A yoke has a first bracket with a cross support coupled to the mounting assembly second end for pivoting about a Y axis extending parallel to the longitudinal direction, and spaced first and second arms are coupled to the cross support. A radiographic head is pivotably coupled to the first and second arms of the first bracket at points along an X axis extending parallel to the lateral direction, wherein the radiographic head is pivotable about the X axis.

Abstract: A medical film illuminator includes a frame having a translucent panel. A film gripper is attached directly to the translucent panel and the translucent panel is attached to the frame using magnets that engage the frame. Thus, the translucent panel can be easily removed to service the interior of the frame. Moreover, the spacing between the gripper and panel is established during manufacture and does not change, thus ensuring that gripping tension on film that is slid between the gripper and panel remains constant during the life of the illuminator.

Abstract: A camera cap for an intra oral camera includes a base plate from which a first side plate and a second side plate extend. The base plate forms a hole. The camera cap establishes an interior surface on which an adhesive layer is disposed. The camera cap can be installed on the head of an intra oral camera to block any light produced by the head of the camera while allowing imaging of, e.g., an x-ray, through the hole in the base plate.

Abstract: A gas sampling system includes a sample trapping module having a gas pump and a power supply, and a removable magazine that fits within a port of the trapping module. The magazine contains a non-volatile electronic memory, which controls operation of the trapping module, and has a rotating carousel for holding sample tubes. Individual sample tubes are sealed at each end by a cap that has a needle-pierceable septum, and contain a solid collector material to trap chemical and biological contaminants in a gas sample drawn through the sample tube. Individual sample tubes are moved into and out of a sampling location by incremental rotation of the carousel and, while at the sampling location, a pair of hollow bore needles are inserted through the sample tube end caps to allow the drawing of a gas sample through the tube.

Abstract: A magnifier for imaging film units is provided. A magnifying lens is coupled to a view box which may be a stationary view box or mass film motorized viewer for viewing X-ray images. A positioner is provided for positioning the magnifying lens proximate the particular area of interest of the image. Normally, the magnifier remains coupled to the view box, but may be detached such that the view box can operate as a standard view box. With this arrangement, standard view boxes are retrofitted with the present invention. The positioner is hinged to both adjust the focal distance of the magnifier and position the magnifier away from the view box in an open position which does not obstruct the view of the image. The positioner may be coupled to a longitudinal arm situated on a side of the view box which is manually moved or may be driven by one or more motors at the control of an operator's console. Patient information and positions of the magnifier may be entered via the operator's console and stored in a memory.

Abstract: An exposure control system for radiographic, fluoroscopic, or other diagnostic imaging includes an exposure sensor array and a control element. The exposure sensor array has a plurality of sensor elements directed to defined locations uniformly distributed over the imaging field and may make direct or indirect measurements of exposure rate or imaging converter brightness. A structure or region of diagnostic interest to examining personnel is identified, and only sensors which correspond to locations within the area of interest are selected for use in exposure control. Predefined examination parameters suitable for particular anatomical patient regions are stored. Upon request by examining personnel to perform an examination of an anatomical patient region, the parameters are retrieved for use. The parameters include a preselection of sensors typically suitable for examinations of such region.

Abstract: Color coding the components of a dental positioner, including an aiming ring, a bite block and an indicator arm allows the operator to assemble the correct positioner for proper positioning and alignment according to a particular dental area to be X-rayed. The color coding corresponds to different dental areas including the anterior and posterior dental areas. For coronal areas, a bite-wing block is provided which also may be in the color coded.

Abstract: A radiographic/fluoroscopic imaging system provides rapid transition from fluoroscopic to radiographic imaging mode by maintaining the X-ray tube high voltage, increasing the filament current, allowing X-ray tube current to increase toward the desired radiographic current, and terminating exposure when the desired X-ray dose has been achieved. Rapid transition from radiographic to fluoroscopic imaging mode is provided by reducing x-ray tube high voltage to produce an equivalent fluoroscopic-level x-ray output at high initial current, dropping filament current, and enabling ABS control of the high-voltage. As x-ray tube current drops, ABS correspondingly increase high voltage to maintain the desired output. The imaging system obtains movement-related information by analyzing a video signal (such as from fluoroscopic image or an image from an optical camera trained on the patient), or from operator movement requests.

Abstract: A radiographic/fluoroscopic imaging system provides rapid transition from fluoroscopic to radiographic imaging mode by maintaining the X-ray tube high voltage, increasing the filament current, allowing X-ray tube current to increase toward the desired radiographic current, and terminating exposure when the desired X-ray dose has been achieved. Rapid transition from radiographic to fluoroscopic imaging mode is provided by reducing x-ray tube high voltage to produce an equivalent fluoroscopic-level x-ray output at high initial current, dropping filament current, and enabling ABS control of the high-voltage. As x-ray tube current drops, ABS correspondingly increase high voltage to maintain the desired output. The imaging system obtains movement-related information by analyzing a video signal (such as from fluoroscopic image or an image from an optical camera trained on the patient), or from operator movement requests.

Abstract: Methods for extending the life of an X-ray tube having at least two filaments which are individually energizable in which the filaments are successively energized either for a predetermined number of exposures or based on a predetermined passage of time, and methods for predicting imminent failure of still functioning filaments.

Abstract: A speed control apparatus for determining and controlling the speed of rotation of a rotor in an AC motor. The motor includes a stator having main and auxiliary windings. Main and auxiliary winding controllers control the operational input signals supplied to the main and auxiliary windings by a signal generator. A pulse generator is connected to the main winding for providing a test pulse during a speed measurement operation. The test pulse magnetizes a portion of the rotor which induces a feedback EMF signal in the auxiliary winding. A feedback sensor circuit receives the feedback signal and forwards it to a microprocessor. The microprocessor calculates the rotational speed of the rotor based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A universal radiographic/fluoroscopic room includes a digital imaging platform adapted to occupy operating and non-operating positions. A park function automatically moves the digital imaging platform between the operating and non-operating positions without requiring operator effort. The digital imaging platform has local and remote control panels having substantially duplicate functions. The remote control panel allows the operator to control operation of the digital imaging platform from a location shielded from X-ray exposure. Methods and apparatus are provided to ensure safe, predictable, and consistent operation from all control panels. The operator selects any available operating mode, including auto-bucky, auto-wall, auto-table, auto-table/wall, servo-tomo, conventional stepping, stepped-digital, auto-step, and auto-step-center modes, using a control panel.

Abstract: A universal radiographic/fluoroscopic "room" is constructed according to the present invention by combining a versatile group of X-ray examination system components, electrical and mechanical drive components, and sensing components, under the supervision of a flexible control system, to form a universal diagnostic medical imaging system capable of performing radiographic, fluoroscopic, tomographic, and stepped examinations in several different operator-selectable configurations. The operator selects any available operating mode, including auto-bucky, auto-wall, auto-table, auto-table/wall, servo-tomo, conventional stepping, stepped-digital, auto-step, and auto-step-center modes, using a a control panel. The control system automatically determines which system components are required to perform that type of examination, moves the components into operational or storage positions as required, and prepares each component for operation. The operator need not manually reconfigure the equipment.

Abstract: A universal radiographic/fluoroscopic "room" is constructed according to the present invention by combining a versatile group of X-ray examination system components, electrical and mechanical drive components, and sensing components, under the supervision of a flexible control system, to form a universal diagnostic medical imaging system capable of performing radiographic, fluoroscopic, tomographic, and stepped examinations in several different operator-selectable configurations. The operator selects any available operating mode, including auto-bucky, auto-wall, auto-table, auto-table/wall, servo-tomo, conventional stepping, stepped-digital, auto-step, and auto-step-center modes, using a a control panel. The control system automatically determines which system components are required to perform that type of examination, moves the components into operational or storage positions as required, and prepares each component for operation. The operator need not manually reconfigure the equipment.

Abstract: A universal radiographic apparatus that allows an operator to select between conventional radiographic mode and linear tomographic mode. In conventional radiographic mode of operation, several automatic modes are provided. An x-ray tube mounted to a tube crane positioned above an elevating table can be accurately controlled in longitudinal and vertical movement, as well as in x-ray tube angulation. In linear tomographic mode, a table bucky is moved laterally in opposition to movement of the tube crane, with angulation keeping the tube aimed at the bucky. In conventional radiographic mode, the system supports an auto bucky mode, where the table bucky automatically tracks tubecrane motion, or an auto table mode, where the tube crane tracks table vertical motion to maintain a fixed SID. In an auto wall mode, the tube crane tracks vertical movement of an associated wall bucky.