Abstract: A multiple layer hollow cylinder is provided. An inner air-tight material is wrapped about at least a portion of a mandrel to form a plurality of first material loops. Each first material loop subsequent to an initial first material loop at least partially overlaps a previous first material loop. A resin-infused fabric material is wrapped over the inner air-tight material to form a plurality of second material loops. Each second material loop subsequent to an initial second material loop at least partially overlaps a previous second material loop. An outer air-tight transparent material is wrapped over the resin-infused fabric material to form a plurality of third material loops. Each third material loop subsequent to an initial third material loop at least partially overlaps a previous third material loop. Energy is directed about the outer air-tight transparent material to cure the resin-infused fabric material to form a hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A multiple layer hollow cylinder is provided. An inner air-tight material is wrapped about at least a portion of a mandrel to form a plurality of first material loops. Each first material loop subsequent to an initial first material loop at least partially overlaps a previous first material loop. A resin-infused fabric material is wrapped over the inner air-tight material to form a plurality of second material loops. Each second material loop subsequent to an initial second material loop at least partially overlaps a previous second material loop. An outer air-tight transparent material is wrapped over the resin-infused fabric material to form a plurality of third material loops. Each third material loop subsequent to an initial third material loop at least partially overlaps a previous third material loop. Energy is directed about the outer air-tight transparent material to cure the resin-infused fabric material to form a hollow cylinder.

Abstract: An X-ray therapy system with equipment for reducing risk that the radiation applied to a patient is other than what is intended. A radiation check is made in which a signal indicative of the radiation to be applied is compared with a reference signal, and/or a configuration check is made using sensors to automatically sense the applicator being used to apply the radiation to the patient.

Abstract: A radiation therapy system is provided having a radiation source for providing radiation for treating a patient, including treating skin cancer, wherein the radiation source features a filtering device that changes its filtering characteristic for filtering the radiation for treating the patient in response to a control signal. The filtering device includes two filters and a radiation blocker circumferentially arranged on a cylindrical member. The filtering characteristic is changed by rotating the filtering device in response to the control signal. The filtering device includes a driving unit for rotating the filtering device in response to the control signal in order to change its filtering characteristic, such as a motor with a gearing arrangement for coupling to a corresponding gearing arrangement on the filtering device. In this embodiment, the means for providing the radiation, i.e. the x-ray tube, is arranged inside the filtering device.

Abstract: Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving radiation imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the radiation exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.

Abstract: Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving X-ray imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the X-ray exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.

Abstract: Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving X-ray imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the X-ray exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.

Abstract: A patient-supporting table for performing prone stereotactic mammographic biopsy procedures having a platform with an aperture positioned so as to divide the platform into two supporting portions is disclosed. Each of the supporting portions of the platform are sufficient to support at least a patient's torso and legs. The supporting portions of the platform enable a patient's breast to be pendulantly presented in two different orientations with respect to the aperture which further enables 360.degree. access to a pendulantly presented breast by stereotactic mammography and biopsy apparatus which have rotation ranges substantially less than 360.degree. but more than 180.degree. relative to the aperture.

Abstract: Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving X-ray imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the X-ray exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.

Abstract: An add-on biopsy apparatus attached to a conventional mammography apparatus permits stereotactic imaging of a breast held in a mammographic position using an image receiver having a plane positioned perpendicular to the X-ray source. The perpendicularly positioned image plane allows the use of conventional moving scatter reducing grids to improve image contrast and quality of a stereotactic image made with an add-on biopsy apparatus. The biopsy apparatus also includes a control system for position a digital image receiver to compensate for image shifting during stereotactic imaging.

Abstract: A high voltage step-up transformer incorporating dual insulating layers, a relatively thick, heat-resistant "TEFLON" layer exhibiting extremely low dielectric losses and a thinner epoxy layer having a tractive, non-skid outer surface supporting a large plurality of fine wire secondary winding turns.

Abstract: An improved mobile X-ray unit has a counterweighted articulating X-ray tube support arm that allows positioning of an attached X-ray tube virtually without the need for moving a supporting carriage. The improved mobile X-ray unit also allows the X-ray tube to be locked to the supporting carriage during travel and the articulating X-ray arm includes several electro-magnetically actuated disk brakes capable of locking the articulating X-ray arm in a predetermined position. In the event that the carriage movement is required, the carriage may be moved by application of force on a force sensing handle engaged with the carriage by two strain gage assemblies. The strain gage assemblies provide signals to a motor drive control circuits which in turn propel two driven wheels in the direction and proportional to the force applied to the handle relative to the carriage.

Abstract: A laser target selector incorporating a flexible tension coil spring removeably mountable on an X-ray tube's projection portal for illuminating a target spot to allow adjusted aiming of the X-ray beam.

Abstract: An elongated prone patient-supporting examining table for X-ray mammography is centrally supported at variable heights by a rear pedestal. The table is provided with a central breast-receiving aperture through which the patient's pendulant breast is exposed to a horizontal beam of X-rays from a tubehead source mounted on an arm angularly movable through an arc of some 210.degree. centered on the patient's breast. The patient's feet may be positioned at either end of the elongated table on an extensible footrest, permitting X-ray projection through more than 360.degree. around the patient's body. Diagnosis of suspect lesions and fine needle biopsy are both facilitated by stereotactic examination. Digital imaging using a CCD camera and image enhancement software provides magnification, contrast enhancement, window and level manipulation and high resolution images, with low exposure levels, short exposure times, and greatly reduced imaging times.

Abstract: An improved mobile X-ray unit has a counterweighted articulating X-ray tube support arm that allows positioning of an attached X-ray tube virtually without the need for moving a supporting carriage. The improved mobile X-ray unit also allows the X-ray tube to be locked to the supporting carriage during travel and the articulating X-ray arm includes several electro-magnetically actuated disk brakes capable of locking the articulating X-ray arm in a predetermined position. In the event that the carriage movement is required, the carriage may be moved by application of force on a force sensing handle engaged with the carriage by two strain gage assemblies. The strain gage assemblies provide signals to a motor drive control circuits which in turn propel two driven wheels in the direction and proportional to the force applied to the handle relative to the carriage.

Abstract: An unusually lightweight and readily portable X-ray machine is achieved through the use of a multi-stage DC voltage multiplier combined with a multi-stage AC filament current stepdown transformer, incorporating unique components and subassemblies. Multi-prong clamping inter-stage connectors couple diode strings to plural capacitor array junctions and to conductors matching interstage DC potentials between multiplier stages and transformer stages. A high voltage input transformer for the multiplier incorporates dual insulating layers, a relatively thick, heat-resistant Teflon layer exhibiting extremely low dielectric losses and a thinner Epoxy layer having a tractive outer surface supporting a large plurality of fine wire secondary winding turns. A laser target selector removably mountable on the X-ray tube's projection portal illuminates a target spot to allow adjusted aiming of the X-ray beam.

Abstract: An identification labeling unit for applying identifying data to a sheet of X-ray film enclosed in a film cassette has data input means and a cassette insertion slot extending into the interior of its housing; a data display device, such as a vacuum fluorescent data display screen, defines an object plane inside the housing, and an optical system delivers an image of the data display screen focussed at an image plane within the cavity slot. When the X-ray film-enclosing cassette is fully inserted into the insertion slot, with a corner window hatchcover on the cassette being automatically opened by the cassette's insertion into the cavity slot, the corner of the X-ray film receives the focussed labeling data image from the optical system.

Abstract: An elongated prone patient-supporting examining table for X-ray mammography is centrally supported at variable heights by a rear pedestal. The table is provided with a central breast-receiving aperture through which the patient's pendulant breast is exposed to a horizontal beam of X-rays from a tubehead source mounted on an arm angularly movable through an arc of some 210.degree. centered on the patient's breast. The patient's feet may be positioned at either end of the elongated table on an extensible footrest, permitting X-ray projection through more than 360.degree. around the patient's body. Diagnosis of suspect lesions and fine needle biopsy are both facilitated by stereotactic examination. Digital imaging using a CCD camera and image enhancement software provides magnification, contrast enhancement, window and level manipulation and high resolution images, with low exposure levels, short exposure times, and greatly reduced imaging times.

Abstract: A power supply for producing excitation of an X-ray tube filament of an unusually lightweight and readily portable X-ray machine is achieved through the use of multiple voltage multiplying-rectifying stages powered by a transformer driven at 25 kHz. A four amp-four volt electrical current is applied across the X-ray tube filament by the use of a multi-stage filament transformer array driven at 33 kHz. The multi-stage filament transformer array is interconnected to the multiple voltage multiplying-rectifying stage so as to limit the voltage potential between stages. The use of 25 kHz and 33 kHz driving signals eliminates cross talk between signal producing circuits.